I didn't expect this summer to include so much study. Yet the preparation to run a class well takes significant time and effort particularly in light of many, many new initiatives, structures, and research. Teaching has changed a lot, and like many educators, I've been working overtime to learn the new information, approaches, and tools that hold wonderful potential for student learning today. The changes in education point to a need for structural shift--schedule, role, and responsibility change that will better support the work we do with children.
Preparing the Learning Environment
For example, the room set up alone takes multiple days when done well. My room was used for summer camp so that means when I set up I'll have to move all the furniture and arrange all the supplies. I'll also have the job of emptying numerous new supply boxes, sorting the materials with colleagues, and putting the supplies away. And now that I'm moving towards greater differentiation, independence, and tech integration, I will need to spend a lot of time finding space for the many tools and supplies, and arranging those supplies carefully so that they are labeled and accessible.
Collegial Collaboration
Another change that requires considerable time is the shift towards greater collegial collaboration, hence there will be significant time spent coordinating the schedule with the multiple educators that serve my class including content coaches, interventionists, special educators, guidance, ELL, and therapists. Each of these professionals will service my students in specific ways that require regular collaboration. Making the time upfront to discuss that collaboration will set the stage for optimal student service.
Team Planning
The start of the year finds us working as a grade-level team on a number of planning efforts too. We will plan the field trips for the year, arrange schedules that affect any teaming and share that we do, and focus on the many new curriculum initiatives in place with regard to scheduling, professional learning needs, and materials.
Student Analysis
Student analysis is another task that takes considerable time at the beginning of the year. Test results from last year will be reviewed, IEP's read, and early year assessments given and analyzed in an effort to plan a responsive, student-centered learning program. Student files and portfolios will be created, and many one-to-one student conferences and meetings will be held. Curriculum Night preparation and execution happens in the first weeks, and a number of family meetings also occur to respond to specific matters.
Professional Evaluations
Self analysis and goal setting is also an expectation today. One that I also support, but one that now exists as part of new evaluation systems which require teachers to analyze their craft, set goals, meet with evaluators, and collect evidence. These efforts also add to the start-of-the-year expectations and efforts for good practice
Lesson/Unit Planning
Finally, there's the need to plan the first month's lessons and learning activities. The learning content and routines that you establish early in the year greatly impact the rest of the year.
Truly to teach well today requires that classroom teachers spend about one to two weeks time of thoughtful preparation and planning. Typically this comes from the teacher's summer days as most schools only offer one or two days of prep, and much of that time is spent at system-wide or school level meetings.
As a teacher of 28 years, I know the expectations for the classroom teacher have grown significantly. Many new initiatives are at play, initiatives I mostly support. However, there's been little structural change to make room for those initiatives, and that's a concern.
In summary, a summer of study creates the need for substantial time and effort to prepare the learning environment for an optimal year. It is my hope that as schools evolve time will be set aside for the important efforts related to early collaboration meetings, classroom setup, supply organization, professional learning, and student analysis--all efforts that contribute to a terrific learning year.
Update June 2014
Join me on a summer reflection journey as I revisit the 33 elements for excellence outlined in the new Massachusetts' evaluation system.
