Greetings!
As the year winds down, it's really easy to do what you need to do to finish the year, and then take a big sign of relief. But if you want to have a successful start to the next school year, there are things to do now. That's the focus of this issue.
Also, I've provided information on my newest book, Rigor for Students with Special Needs, along with a discount code. I hope you will find the book helpful.
The next newsletter will come in August, so you'll be able to kickstart your year. If you'd like resources throughout the summer, don't forget there are almost 100 free ones on my website. Start with the Free Resources Tab and go from there! Finally, are you scheduling professional development for next year? I do on-site workshops as well as Skype sessions. Please feel free to call me at (609) 474-4677. Barbara |
Moving from One Year to the Next
"Life can only be understood backwards;
but it must be lived forwards."
Søren Kierkegaard I like Kierkegaard's quote because it reminds me of the importance of looking back in order to move forward. One of my mistakes as a teacher was to simply end the year without reflecting on what had and had not worked. It was easy for me to tell myself that I would remember everything, but, of course, I didn't. Despite the time pressures of the end-of-year activities, it's critical to set aside time to look back on what you have done this year, and determine what was effective with your students. What worked? What inspired them? Where did you see the most learning occur? It is equally important to evaluate those learning experiences that were not as effective. Which lessons or strategies did not work as well as you hoped? Was it what you did, or was it simply not a good fit with your students? Do you need to make a note about this for next year? Reflection, although painful at times, is one of your most important tasks, and it is a skill that develops over time. For the best start to your new year, build on this year. |
Principal's Perspective
What are your goals for next year? What is your focus? Will you be continuing an initiative from this year or building something new? It's important to consider this now, so you can prepare for next year. For example, is there a book you want to send home with teachers to prepare them for next year? I know many principals who use this strategy as a book study. Or, do you want to do a short vision-setting session before the year is over so teachers come back ready to go? Think about your options and do what's best for your long-term goals.
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