This inspiration made me think of life patterns--the regular routines that make up our journey for better or worse. I wondered about the pattern constructs that contributed positively to my life, and those constructs that hinder a joyful journey.
Professionally, I'm thinking about the small details and patterns in place this year that need revision and change for the better. This is a start of a list of changes I'll make in the new year to improve the professional journey with the focus on teaching children well.
- Parent Conferences: I'll offer parents conferences as soon as they'd like beginning with the days prior to the school start. Often parents have important information to share, and an early conference can serve to start the year with strength. I'll also plan the traditional family conferences on one or two days and one or two mornings rather than spreading them out for weeks the way I did this year. When spread out for weeks I lose a lot of curriculum planning and response time that negatively impacts my work with students. I'll also offer regular parent-student-teacher coaching sessions so that we can work together to optimize a child's learning and experience.
- Specialist Services: I will use a form to optimize my collaboration with the many specialist teachers I work with. The form will highlight specialist times, targets, and other important information. I will spend time at the start of the year to schedule specialists as close to the first day of school as possible in order to coordinate students' programs for best result.
This is the start of a pattern refinement list I'll add to in the days, weeks, and months to come as I approach the new school year. Refining the pattern, and still leaving time for spontaneity, serendipity, and surprise, is one way to plan for a joyful, successful school year. What pattern constructs do you hope to change to optimize your teaching year? I welcome your thoughts and ideas.
