The world of education is unlike any other career. We end each year in June: reflecting, vowing
to research and discover new ways to improve in our profession. Summer provides an opportunity to relax and
rediscover what has inspired us all to be lifelong learners. Every August we welcome new learners to an
exciting new beginning. The energy and possibilities
are endless.
So how can we make certain that it stays this way?
Here are a few suggestions from our Instructional Technology
team to help you this year:
1)
Safety
Police: Travel Safely
At times we become so focused on what’s
innovative and new that we can overlook the most important aspect of all, make
sure everyone is safe. Familiarize yourself
with all safety procedures and follow them.
Be sure to have emergency contacts (try using Google forms or Remind), and get to know your learners. Understand CIPA, COPA, and FERPA and how they
apply to your learners. Remember that the
most important component is ensuring everyone’s safety as you travel throughout
the Internet. To quote Barney Fife, “Thanks
and happy motoring!”
2)
Driver:
Keep your eyes on the road and hands upon the wheel!
Who knew that Jim Morrison and the Doors
would have some great advice for teachers?
Each year we model how to set goals: for
ourselves, for our classrooms, etc.
Promote an environment where learners are encouraged to drive their own
learning, no matter the vehicle. Help
learners create their own path for learning and demonstrate how necessary it is
to be aware of those we share the road with.
Edmodo, Padlet, and Kidblog
can be great vehicles that promote communication and collaboration.
3)
Wave
Rider: Be a Risk-Taker
Model how to take appropriate chances. Gone are the days where the teacher needs to
be the owner of all the knowledge. It’s
ok to “not know everything”, and it’s ok to be unsure of how to do something. Model for your learners how to ask questions,
find the answers, and how to step out of the box and try something new. Invite an instructional tech coach into your
room to co-teach a lesson! If you haven’t
blogged with your classes, flipped your classroom, or tried any other strategies
you’ve heard about; there’s no better time to start than now. John Kabat-Zinn said it best, “You can’t stop
the waves, but you can learn to surf.”
4)
Fun
Police: Have Fun
“Choose a job you love, and you will never
have to work a day in your life.” – Confucius
Ever watched elementary school students get
off the bus? When’s the last time you walked into a Child
Development class? Take wake-up calls
from Kindergarteners: learning is exciting and it is fun!!! Be sure to smile and laugh throughout the
day. After all, the more we model these
good behaviors, the more we are helping to increase the life expectancy of
those around us.
My suggestion for bad days, whistle
more. My grandfather told me that it is
hard to be in a bad mood when you whistle; try it sometime.
What suggestions
do you have for a successful year?
