I am surrounded by energized students with amazing potential and dedicated, wonderful colleagues and family members. There is substantial opportunity to do what is right and good for those children in meaningful ways. The challenge is to join this potential with action to result in a most positive teaching/learning year.
What does this require?
First, slow it down. When complexity hits, it's best to slow it down so you understand well what creates that complexity. The schedule is well-organized. Work actions mostly clearly defined. There's time for collegial meetings, and good supports for children. So how doe we best organize these great attributes for the best possible service to children and their families?
- Make good use of collegial planning times.
- Make sure that each of us is doing our part.
- Communicate clearly, regularly.
- Revisit schedules to "divide and conquer" which means to make sure that each of us has the time and place to do the good teaching and learning possible.
Next, look deeply at each child's needs, interests, and potential. Where are children thriving, and where do children need something different for greater engagement, happiness, and learning success? A recent math assessment demonstrated that some need greater support in math--how can we best provide that support? Science packets demonstrated a need for all students to learn how to show what they know with better questioning, greater attention to detail, and more time on task for such activities. Team activities demonstrate a need for more explicit preview of expectations and events to come and just right grouping. And teaching goal setting led to a request for more staffing for specific times of the teaching/learning day to better support all students.
And, continue to assess the program as we move along--what's working and what can be better? We've got some good work ahead of us to best organize the teaching/learning program this year to optimize student engagement, investment, and teaching/learning success. Challenges like these when met with a positive attitude generally result in better programming, skill, and knowledge. I know that we're directed in a positive way in this regard. Onward.
