Saturday, March 26, 2016

Front Load School Goals

As I think ahead to 2016-2017, I'm cognizant of the fact that our energy as educators is heightened at the start of the year and wanes towards the end. The residual effect of teaching every day often with thirty second transition intervals can result in exhaustion. One way to plan with this in mind is to front load your goals and development by planning to institute good change at the start of a new year.

As I think ahead to my proposed goals, I'm wondering how I'll make these goals actionable.


First, for the professional learning goal related to cultural proficient teaching, I'll read Emdin's book, For White Folks Who Teach in the Hood. I'll also reach out to Primary Source to see if I can craft a Wayland Public Schools Foundation to boost cultural proficient teaching in ways that represent our very diverse school population. Further, I'll write an NEA grant proposal to fund an idea I have for boosting cultural proficiency with our student population.

With regard to the student learning goal, I'll continue to review and revise the math program to best teach all students towards mastery of grade level standards and more. In this regard I want to determine the best ways to differentiate, personalize, and collaborate with and for students to boost growth. For starters, I'll deeply review this year's work, keep what worked, and build on what could be better.  I'll use Boaler's book, Mathematical Mindsets and more books and learning experiences to develop this work. I suspect I'll have more specific details to share once I do a thorough reflection of this year's program during the summer. I'd also like to hear what leaders have to say about the program from their point of view and the point of view of our teaching/learning community as one can only assess his/her work so much, it takes many eyes. We'll survey the learning community too about the whole program this year, and I'll add some specific questions about math.

The other goals are listed above, goals that may change a bit once I hear of systemwide goals late in this school year or early in the next year. Thankfully I'll have time this summer to think clearly on this work and make a plan.