Summer Diary #1:
A renewal of
hope and possibility
Tomorrow begins Turner Middle's summer inservice and brings with it a renewal
of hope, energy, and possibility for the upcoming school year. We have had
a full two weeks off to rest up after the hectic close of the prior year,
and many of us are itching to begin the learning and planning that will
take place this summer.
I have found it difficult to "turn off" during my time off. My
occupation is more than a job; it is a lens through which everything else
in my life is filtered.
I have spent the past two weeks reflecting on what worked or did not this
year, revising and creating new plans of action for next year. I met with
another member of my team several days to try to get team procedures and
materials in order, and I met with the seventh grade language arts teacher
to discuss new strategies and structures that will transcend grade levels
and, hopefully, work their way into other content areas. I have had the
time and space to think, to plan, and to work, but I'm ready to be back
with my colleagues.
The administration seems to be approaching this summer and the new school
year with a new attitude as well. After talking with my principal and the
instructional coordinator, I see their expectations for professionalism
have been raised. Each teacher is expected to design a PowerPoint presentation
that demonstrates their learning and present it to the staff at the end
of the summer. Weak areas such as records have been targeted, and we will
be spending the time to master these areas. Teachers will be expected to
use the skills they learn this summer in the next school year, and everything
seems to be structured to ensure our success.
It is exciting!
A rich menu
Some of the topics for this summer include looking at student work, several
team meetings, reading and writing across the curriculum, investigative
learning, reading strategies, special education, classroom management and
organization, and daily computer training which includes web page design.
I am giving two of the presentations -- investigative learning, and classroom
management and organization -- and my colleague, Leighann, is presenting
reading strategies. We both are striving to make the content accessible
while actively involving the staff. My goal is to have each member create
something using the concepts we discuss and they discover that will assist
in their planning for the new year. I am nervous, but I know I will be okay
because I have been planning and I will be prepared. I am trying to remember
to be the type of presenter I found effective as an audience member.
In our summer email conversations, my instructional coordinator, a few colleagues,
and I have been discussing our desire for reform, to see our staff commit
to doing whatever is necessary to help our students succeed. We all agree
that most staff members already want this and a few others just need a little
nudge. However, as my IC asked, "I guess my question is - What are
we to do with folk who, for whatever the reason, don't get with the program?"
There are a very few who are resistant to being professional and doing their
jobs. We have decided to model appropriate behavior and avoid enabling inappropriate
behaviors and attitudes of anyone, ourselves included.
I am filled with hope for my children.
Read Ellen's next summer diary >>>
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