Archive
The Principalship
“The principalship is the only position in education that has the opportunity to impact significant numbers of students directly and deeply.” – P. Harrison (2010)
Meet the Teacher Night
I started teaching in 2000. Every time I heard the words “Meet the Teacher Night”, I was so excited. It was an opportunity to meet the students and families that I would serve for the school year. I loved seeing their excitement and enthusiasm first hand! I remember a wise principal once told me, “These parents are sending us their best.”
Today, for the first time, I experienced “Meet the Teacher Night” as a parent of a kindergarten student. I simply cannot believe the time passes so quickly. I remember my pregnancy, bringing him home from the hospital, the year I stayed home to care for him and enjoy his infancy. As a parent, I am simply overjoyed that my child will be at school with so many wonderful, caring, skilled teachers. Meeting the teacher was reassuring for me and I pray I am able to make it through the day tomorrow without crying. While I understand that he must grow up, I really miss my little baby boy.
First Day of Kindergarten
First Day of Kindergarten
Everyone has a first day, when they feel sad and all alone.
It can be very scary, when you are on your own.
And I know that a first day, can be full of doubts and fears.
But they are full of new beginnings, take my hankie, dry your tears.
You’ll find lots of things to do, and you’ll probably make new friends.
I promise we’ll be together, when the school day ends.
Here comes the teacher, blow your nose and be brave.
Come on now and wipe your eyes, this is no way to behave.
Well, Good Morning, Teacher, we really do beg your pardon.
No, Mommy doesn’t always act this way, but it’s my first day of Kindergarten!
-Author Unknown
Back to School!
I am working on some special treats for the kindergarten team at my son’s schools. More pictures coming soon!
SDL: Self-Directed Learning
Limited staff…Budget cuts…High expectations…So much to teach and learn. With limited resources and time, we must all take a little responsibility and engage in a little self-directed learning.
What exactly is self-directed learning? Well, the folks at http://www.selfdirectedlearning.com define it best…
“In self-directed learning (SDL), the individual takes the initiative and the responsibility for what occurs. Individuals select, manage, and assess their own learning activities, which can be pursued at any time, in any place, through any means, at any age…For the individual, SDL involves initiating personal challenge activities and developing the personal qualities to pursue them successfully.”
For example, one day I decided I wanted to learn how to sew. I used information found on the internet to get started. I was able to find an affordable and reliable sewing machine for beginners, sewing tutorials on YouTube, and patterns I could print out online. I had sewn my first pillow in just an hour or so. I took formal lessons later, but learned the basics on my own.
The same can be applied in any situation. Interested in learning something new? How about Twitter? Digital storytelling? Web 2.0 tools? Don’t wait for someone to “teach or train” you! Ask a few experts for useful resources and get started on your own!
The Wonderful World of Wikis and Blogs
What are some of your best instructional ideas from implementing wikis and blog in your classroom this year?
Goodreads
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