Mid-Year Check-In

We are officially in the middle of the school year.  (Actually, Friday was the 91st day of school with the beginning of the Third Marking Period.)  A lot happened at our staff meeting on August 31.  New staff, new room assignments, new district offices and people, new programs (Journeys) and applications (MyLearningPlan and Genesis), and new requirements.  Lots of "new" things for a new school year.

Aside from our regular review of staff expectations and schedules, we gathered into team/grade level groups and created positive messages for our school.

Our school continues to have "new" faces and things like students, maternity leave replacement teachers, professional and lunch assistants, and Smart Boards!

Because a lot has happened since August 31, questions come to mind as a "mid-year check-in" compels me to share. Feel free to answer back or simply let them stir inside you a desire to reflect and think deeper about your work in our school community. 

How do you feel? How do you view your work? Do you believe you are making a difference? Do you feel encouraged? Supported? Do you believe you have a voice? 

How do you see your students? Do you view them the same way as you did in September? Or do you see them different today? Do you remember the demonstration of the two cans of sodas?  If not, ask Ms. Restituyo in Room 322.  

How do you view your colleagues? Do you collaborate with them often? Or just when need be? What are you collaborating about? Are you just being compliant or working on things that you are really passionate about? 

How do you view your administrators? Do you believe that they care about you? Your work? Your teaching and learning? Your professional and personal growth?  Your daily work with children and parents?

How do you view your parents?  Do you see them as one of the key ingredients to student success? How are you engaging them?

At the end of the meeting, I shared a video titled "Every Life Has a Story."  Here it is again for you to watch. No matter how many new people or things come our way, or how many challenges we are faced with, let's remember to put people first before process or paperwork.  Everyone has a story.

Finally, how is it going with your idea? 

At our meeting, I read Kobi Yamada's "What Do You Do With an Idea?" and asked you to write down an idea you would act upon this school year. I have your ideas in an envelope. 

How is it going? How have you progressed? Have you started or is it still in progress?

If you haven't started on your idea, you still have time. It's never to late to make a difference. All you need is an idea. 

I can't wait to see what you come up with.