Last week
in my Slice of Life video I mentioned how I use the end of the school year to
reflect. The year’s end is as much about moving forward as it is about looking
back. In fact, I don’t think you can do one without the other. So, as I ask my
students to see how they have grown this year, I do the same for myself. What
did I do that I am proud of? What am I working on for next year? Basically, my
New Year’s resolutions for education. J
What I’ve
done that I’m proud of:
· Attended my first NCTE conference
in Chicago. Got to meet some Twitter friends again, some for the first time.
Was again in awe of the amazing community we have created.
· I started a blog after attending NCTE.
By doing that I’ve met many wonderful people and have had the chance to write
weekly and had my writing seen by an audience.
· I submitted two proposals for NCTE
2012 and both were accepted. Can’t wait to present with some amazing friends in
Las Vegas.
· I’ve read more than ever this past
school year and am working to top it again in the coming year.
· I’ve joined some reading
challenges - #nerdbery and #nerdcott. Sometimes I question the wisdom of this
but I am confident I will be more knowledgeable about children’s literature
when I am done.
· This Sunday I officially graduate
from my graduate program with my second master’s degree – this one in
Administration. YAY! 40 graduate hours over the period of 22 months. So glad to
be done. (Final tomorrow night, Wednesday, at 5:30. Feel free to think positive
thoughts for me. School Finance. Blah!)
My goals for this summer and the upcoming school year:
· Rework my reading and writing
curriculum. This will be my first year not co-teaching in at least six years,
my first year without student teachers in the past three years. I am looking
forward to really diving in.
· Continue thinking about how to incorporate
technology in different ways. I have a Promethean Board, nine iPads daily, 27
when I arrange it ahead of time, a document camera, and more. Want this to
evolve.
· Ensure my entire classroom library
is organized on Booksource so next year students can check out online.
· Begin writing the book that is
dancing around in my head.
My
students and I will spend the next week thinking what we are proud of that we
accomplished this year, what we plan to do this summer, and what we will do to
continue our growth during our next school year. I will share this list as I
continue to add to it, they will share theirs. I’m excited to see where we all
go next. 
