“school leaders told me that
the single most impactful driver of effective change was creating a “growth
mindset” among employees: the recognition and willingness that next year can,
and probably should be, different from this year.”
How do you see this year as
being different from last year?
It is so easy to get stuck in a rut in our teaching. When we find an idea that works, we use it each time to improve student learning. Chapter 2 includes three ways to create a “growth mindset”: form relationships, learn and practice skills to embrace change, and focus on the positive of trying some new idea or skill. Do not worry about failure, failure leads to new learning! Taking risks with implementing new strategies is the only way to improve our teaching and create a “growth mindset,” but administrators need to assure teachers if the risk doesn’t prove to work, there is a “no harm” clause for safety. I believe we need to develop the “growth mindset” of students as well as our own. Students take chances to learn new things and don’t view their lack of success as a failure or lack of intelligence. Believing in themselves is such a powerful way to promote student risk taking in learning.
(2009). The Science: The Growth Mindset - Mindset Works ... Retrieved November 4, 2014, from http://www.mindsetworks.com/webnav/whatismindset.aspx.
I like that you mentioned that failure leads to new learning and that teachers need that support to try something new and not be reprimanded if it doesn't work. Self-esteem for students correlates with the confidence to try something new. They look to others for approval and if they don't get it, they are not as willing to try something new again. Building that confidence is the hard part.
Failure is a big thing for teachers. Many do not want to fail or except failure. I had a para that I had to literally let her fail because she would not take my word for it. I think it was hard for me to sit back and let this happen but I had to because how else was she going to grow.
This year will be a little less stressful for me. I have completed my masters and can now devote more energy to my students and have some down time in the evening for myself. I am also looking for more professional development opportunities in my field (Deaf Education). I just attended on amazing conference and came back with many new ideas and strategies that could help the population I work with. I can share that new information with other teachers as some of the strategies can work for the whole general education population. I am continually looking for more self-advocacy learning opportunities as that is an area that is not taught to students with hearing loss. They have to be explicitly taught those skills and have opportunities to practice them. I am trying to implement some more self-advocacy lessons into my time with the student. Finding balance/priority in what I work on with each student is an area that I continue to work on and grow in.
Heather, I think all students need self-advocacy training. I sponsor National Honor Society, and even these extremely motivated students are hesitant to self-advocate. The ones who do so naturally, have learned the skills at home.
I agree! There are other challenges for D/HH students that are unique to them and self-advocacy. This population are very hesitant to speak about their hearing loss as they don't want to be different from their peers. However, there is that time issue with being able to get some instruction in with everything else they are needing to do at school.
In my instructional practices, I'm continuing to try to do more project-based learning with my students. One aspect I really like with project-based learning is that I am not teaching the content but helping the students apply what they know in a new or different way. I think that there are many things in Carolyn Coil's books that I can use and adapt, and I have used a few. My goal is to continue using it more and expanding the projects depending on student interest. I would like to help students get started on a larger project that would allow them to work on it when I'm not there that could encompass more than one academic area.
Working in different districts,. I see the affect that ATTITUDE can have on change. I am more of the mindset "grab the bull by the horns" - -if I am going to make a change, I want to know all of the WH's (who,. what, why, etc etc) so I can be an educated learner. I also feel like the leaders in the school have a huge affect in how change is accepted..by their attitude, their encouragement, the training they offer teachers and the time they give them to learn what the new change will bring. The world around us is changing.....we would fail as educators if we didn't learn to embrace it and hold on for the ride.
Not that this would be super feasible but, allowing teachers to guest teach for a semester or year in a district would be a great way to help teachers open their minds to new ideas. I believe that - even though I loathe the idea of moving - it benefits people to get out and see what and how other people are dealing with similar problems.
I like that idea of being in a different school for a while to see different perspectives. I used to work in different districts, but have not for a few years. I sometimes feel like my district is looking at things differently than other districts. Things just seem way off kilter to me and maybe that is just the Common Core material.
I completely agree with your thoughts about attitude! It makes so much of a difference in every part of life. You are so right about the affect administration can have on a building. In going to the different buildings and districts, I have learned to appreciate those administrators who encourage and support their teachers.
Attitude is the key. It is much easier for teachers to change and try new things if Administrators are supportive. I've worked in three different school districts in the past 10 years and it is interesting to see how the attitude of the Admin in each district affects the staff.
This is an interesting question for me since I was student-teaching a year ago. I can't compare the years but I can say that I feel as though I have taken a step back in time compared to the district where I was last year. I love the school I am at and I love the teachers that I am working with, but... they could do with a dose of growth mindset.
I was also student teaching this time last year. I believe that new teachers tend to have an open mind about changes, which is great! Hopefully your co-workers and administrators will come to the realization that change can be beneficial. New teachers may have to be the instigator of changes.
I feel there have been many changes in my school this year from lots of new staff, to new MTSS procedures, to more demands on teachers and students. It is overwhelming at times! I am always willing to try new strategies to help students learn and improve. I am implementing a new tool for language expansion along with a leadership role. I feel like most of my years are different because I always have new students and new challenges.
This year is a lot different than last year. My caseload has changed, the curriculum that I am teaching has changed, the professionals I work with has changed, and the needs of my students has changed. Another huge change that our entire school has undergone is the hiring of a new principal. I believe that bringing in a new principal has brought a growth mindset to our building. He has set a wonderful tone of being approachable, receptive to what we say, and works towards addressing our needs and building a relationship with each of us individually. I appreciate that this book encourages us to view failures as a learning opportunity to grow; not an actual failure, but a stepping stone to another success to come. I believe that children need to be comfortable making mistakes, failing, and then trying again! Too often, the students that I am servicing and that I observe in my building are too insecure to take their own risks.
My year has changed dramatically. I have changed schools and love it. I also went from two schools to three schools in three different towns. It keeps me very busy. Using Aims Web is also new to me. I like the data taking concept of it, but I still do not understand how to use the complete program.
Unfortunately, I cannot compare my school to the way things were last year… I was still student teaching. My school hired a new principal this year and I believe that he will make drastic changes for the better next school year and I'm looking forward to finding out what those are. I doubt that I will like or agree with every change that is made, but I will keep an open mind and trust that each change will impact my school and my students for the better.
This year is different than last year in that my caseload has changed quite a bit. I didn't gain any new students from the elementary so that is allowing me time to focus on the students I have and how I can best serve their needs. That will all change next year as a gain two students, one who is extremely significant. I feel that I have built some good relationships with both students, their families and peers so that is making for a good school year. We had a new principal last year. As this is his second year, we know a little more about what to expect. Our school is actually doing MTSS for the first time and I see that as a positive change. It is helpful for out students and helps teachers realize that they have a role in making adaptations for students and that not all students learn alike. It has also cut down on me hearing "What do I have to do to get Johnny out of my room and into yours..."
Just this past week our school implemented ZAP (Zeros Aren't Permitted) with students who don't turn in assignment that day being called to the library before school is out where they spend 30 minutes or so completing the assignment.
Every one of us can name a teacher(s) in our school who is/are resistant to change. Schools are at the point now that if teachers do not get on board with the change and innovations coming our way then with the evaluations in place those teachers' job will be in jeopardy. We joke that it used to be No Child Left Behind but now is it No Teacher Left Behind? I don't think so, if teachers can not adapt to the multitude of changes school are going through and will face in the future then they will be left behind- administration does not have a choice in this matter. The more I work with and understand CCRS from year to year how I teach the curriculum changes, it has too, plus students change each year. I turn in my lesson plans at the end of each year to my principal but I have hard copies of my units and add to or take away from during the year as I learn new things or programs no longer exist in our building. But I know some teachers who teach the exact same thing in the same way each year....
We've already seen a substantial change with math teachers that tie into both the high school and middle school. Last year we had a math teacher that did not get the students to work effectively, but we had a good middle school math teacher that got the students to perform well on math. Now we let go that high school teacher the middle school teacher moved to high school and we have a new middle school math teacher that is bringing in new ways to teach the students math. The one way that I have observed her in the middle school math class is that she has the kids work in cooperative groups to promote working well with others as well as getting kids to help one another with math concepts. Although this concept is not new or innovative in the middle school it is helping out with some of those kids that are having difficulties with math, or for the entire class such as the 6th graders that I have not learned some of the concepts from their 5th grade school year. The next school year will be interesting because we will be getting a new middle school science teacher.
I see things being different every year as our administrations expectations become higher of each one of us. Also with the use of McRel for our personal check list and evaluations it assures that we change years to strive to become better educators.
I agree that McRel could be a very useful tool to hold teachers accountable, but also help guide educators to become better and more informed about everything in our educational world.
I like how McRel is set up as well. I like the intrinsic proponent that educators must change from year to year. It promotes reflection and growth, in my opinion. Education is not static, and neither is learning, so teaching should never become static.
One of my districts has gone to 1-1 with Ipads at the High School level with the 7th and 8th grades being added next year. I have seen many veteran teachers be so stressed out or just flat out refusing to use this tool in their rooms and it really makes me sad for their stress. In another district I am seeing how a breakdown between math curriculum/teachers has really affected the students and not for the good either. My 3rd district has gone to a different daily schedule and I feel like the staff and students like it better for time management and just keeping to a routine. Next year, I'm sure will hold more change, but one thing I will always brag about HPEC teachers, is our ability to overcome and adapt to whatever is thrown our way, because we have support among colleagues and administration that helps us to figure out a way if need be. IR teachers especially can turn on a dime and adapt and change because that is life in an IR classroom :)
For me, this year is vastly different from last year. Last year I was teaching 7th Grade English Language Arts. This year, I am teaching a variety of subjects and working with exceptional students. I am more focused on how I am teaching and how students are learning than I have been in the past. I am also more readily using data collection and analysis in my classroom. While I am already anticipating the changes for next year, I am so happy that I changed my career path. I love English, and I love teaching, but I love what I am doing now. I feel more relaxed as I am happier in my life overall, and a lot of it has to do with my job. The students works so hard and having the variety of classes and learning objectives is a welcome change from teaching the same lesson 5 times a day.
That is good that you have found your happiness in your new career change. I think it is awesome to be able to say we love our job even through the changes everyday.
This year has changed from last year as districts are trying to cut back many funds to prepare for the shift. For me this year has looked different in that preschool and kindergarten all of aids, there has been 2 resignations and possible a third. The superintendent is not hiring to replace them. The teachers have been used to having the aids to help with instruction, projects, extra duties, translating to parents,copying, setting up the classroom for centers while teacher is teaching and many other jobs that helps the teacher. Since this change has taken place within just the last 3 weeks the teachers are stressed trying to rearrange their instruction. In the classroom that lost the aid I have special education students in both classes so they think that now they can utilize me or paras to help. I tell them when we are in your classroom our focus is the kids that have been identified and yes while we can help with the other students while in the classroom, this is not the only classroom I have students in. So while someone is in there they can help but are not to take the place of your aids that have left. Also the district has went to apple laptops for all teachers. They are teaching the teacher new technology and how to use google docs to be able to share things in folders so that they no longer have to purchase space for documents to be held. It came around but as I emailed the computer tech person in charge to see when we were getting one, they said we will put you on the list. Came around and all teachers but HPEC employees received the computers in which they were now using in the classrooms replacing desktop computers. HPEC on the other hand has not received anything but the shunt. There are things that teachers send that I am not able to open because it is not compatible with the old desktops that I still have as my teacher computer. This has changed the teachers instruction using the new technology and getting used to it. However now HPEC employees will be a step behind because we are still having to deal with the old system that half of the time doesn't work or slow to open anything up. It has been a change for everyone.
Ugh...it makes things so difficult when HPEC employees get left out of the changes. It makes your job so much harder than it really has to be. I hope for your sake that things get resolved for the upcoming school year!!
I think that I went into this year thinking that it would be different, but I had no idea how different it was going to be. There has been a LOT of change for me: I went from 3 paras to 4 (3 of the 4 are new to the district and the job), I moved classrooms on the first day of school (yes, you read that right the 1ST DAY OF SCHOOL), and my caseload has changed dramatically over the last couple of months. It has been stressful, yet interesting as we have all had to adjust to the changes. I feel that I am growing more as an educator because I am having to just accept the changes that are given to me and run with them. I think that as educators we sometimes get complacent and get in the rut of doing the same things every year because it is easier. I really like what the author has said numerous times throughout the book so far "change is uncomfortable, not hard." As I have been thinking about it, I think that I completely agree. It isn't hard...I hear that a lot from classroom teachers. Change is just uncomfortable because it forces us to do things differently. When we are able to change, we are able to grow. This year has definitely had that effect on me.
Whenever I'm having rough day, I think of everything you've had to put up with, and then I think to myself, "Hmmm... I shouldn't be complaining. Things could definitely be worse." Haha! ;-) And I don't think what you've had to deal with is funny, but it just puts it all into perspective, you know??? Thanks for all you do!!! You're an AMAZING teacher, and I'm SO THANKFUL I get to work with you!!!
The most exciting change in my year is seeing one district implement interventions (MTSS) that are truly data driven, and address individual student need, with all students in the mix, not just those referred by their teachers.
In my districts, we’ve had changes in personnel, changes in curriculum, and changes to MTSS and SIT procedures. I know for my teachers (and other staff), this can be difficult at times (Especially if all this “growth” is happening simultaneously!). Since I’m itinerant, I kind of enjoy when this happens (SOME times, haha!), because then I’m able to share strategies, materials, etc. between all of my schools, so not everyone has to pull out their hair ;-)
It is so easy to get stuck in a rut in our teaching. When we find an idea that works, we use it each time to improve student learning. Chapter 2 includes three ways to create a “growth mindset”: form relationships, learn and practice skills to embrace change, and focus on the positive of trying some new idea or skill. Do not worry about failure, failure leads to new learning! Taking risks with implementing new strategies is the only way to improve our teaching and create a “growth mindset,” but administrators need to assure teachers if the risk doesn’t prove to work, there is a “no harm” clause for safety. I believe we need to develop the “growth mindset” of students as well as our own. Students take chances to learn new things and don’t view their lack of success as a failure or lack of intelligence. Believing in themselves is such a powerful way to promote student risk taking in learning.
ReplyDelete(2009). The Science: The Growth Mindset - Mindset Works ... Retrieved November 4, 2014, from http://www.mindsetworks.com/webnav/whatismindset.aspx.
I like that you mentioned that failure leads to new learning and that teachers need that support to try something new and not be reprimanded if it doesn't work. Self-esteem for students correlates with the confidence to try something new. They look to others for approval and if they don't get it, they are not as willing to try something new again. Building that confidence is the hard part.
DeleteFailure is a big thing for teachers. Many do not want to fail or except failure. I had a para that I had to literally let her fail because she would not take my word for it. I think it was hard for me to sit back and let this happen but I had to because how else was she going to grow.
DeleteThis year will be a little less stressful for me. I have completed my masters and can now devote more energy to my students and have some down time in the evening for myself. I am also looking for more professional development opportunities in my field (Deaf Education). I just attended on amazing conference and came back with many new ideas and strategies that could help the population I work with. I can share that new information with other teachers as some of the strategies can work for the whole general education population. I am continually looking for more self-advocacy learning opportunities as that is an area that is not taught to students with hearing loss. They have to be explicitly taught those skills and have opportunities to practice them. I am trying to implement some more self-advocacy lessons into my time with the student. Finding balance/priority in what I work on with each student is an area that I continue to work on and grow in.
ReplyDeleteHeather,
DeleteI think all students need self-advocacy training. I sponsor National Honor Society, and even these extremely motivated students are hesitant to self-advocate. The ones who do so naturally, have learned the skills at home.
I agree! There are other challenges for D/HH students that are unique to them and self-advocacy. This population are very hesitant to speak about their hearing loss as they don't want to be different from their peers. However, there is that time issue with being able to get some instruction in with everything else they are needing to do at school.
DeleteIn my instructional practices, I'm continuing to try to do more project-based learning with my students. One aspect I really like with project-based learning is that I am not teaching the content but helping the students apply what they know in a new or different way.
ReplyDeleteI think that there are many things in Carolyn Coil's books that I can use and adapt, and I have used a few. My goal is to continue using it more and expanding the projects depending on student interest. I would like to help students get started on a larger project that would allow them to work on it when I'm not there that could encompass more than one academic area.
Working in different districts,. I see the affect that ATTITUDE can have on change. I am more of the mindset "grab the bull by the horns" - -if I am going to make a change, I want to know all of the WH's (who,. what, why, etc etc) so I can be an educated learner. I also feel like the leaders in the school have a huge affect in how change is accepted..by their attitude, their encouragement, the training they offer teachers and the time they give them to learn what the new change will bring. The world around us is changing.....we would fail as educators if we didn't learn to embrace it and hold on for the ride.
ReplyDeleteNot that this would be super feasible but, allowing teachers to guest teach for a semester or year in a district would be a great way to help teachers open their minds to new ideas. I believe that - even though I loathe the idea of moving - it benefits people to get out and see what and how other people are dealing with similar problems.
DeleteI like that idea of being in a different school for a while to see different perspectives. I used to work in different districts, but have not for a few years. I sometimes feel like my district is looking at things differently than other districts. Things just seem way off kilter to me and maybe that is just the Common Core material.
DeleteI completely agree with your thoughts about attitude! It makes so much of a difference in every part of life. You are so right about the affect administration can have on a building. In going to the different buildings and districts, I have learned to appreciate those administrators who encourage and support their teachers.
DeleteAttitude is the key. It is much easier for teachers to change and try new things if Administrators are supportive. I've worked in three different school districts in the past 10 years and it is interesting to see how the attitude of the Admin in each district affects the staff.
DeleteThis is an interesting question for me since I was student-teaching a year ago. I can't compare the years but I can say that I feel as though I have taken a step back in time compared to the district where I was last year. I love the school I am at and I love the teachers that I am working with, but... they could do with a dose of growth mindset.
ReplyDeleteI was also student teaching this time last year. I believe that new teachers tend to have an open mind about changes, which is great! Hopefully your co-workers and administrators will come to the realization that change can be beneficial. New teachers may have to be the instigator of changes.
DeleteI feel there have been many changes in my school this year from lots of new staff, to new MTSS procedures, to more demands on teachers and students. It is overwhelming at times! I am always willing to try new strategies to help students learn and improve. I am implementing a new tool for language expansion along with a leadership role. I feel like most of my years are different because I always have new students and new challenges.
ReplyDeleteThis year is a lot different than last year. My caseload has changed, the curriculum that I am teaching has changed, the professionals I work with has changed, and the needs of my students has changed. Another huge change that our entire school has undergone is the hiring of a new principal. I believe that bringing in a new principal has brought a growth mindset to our building. He has set a wonderful tone of being approachable, receptive to what we say, and works towards addressing our needs and building a relationship with each of us individually. I appreciate that this book encourages us to view failures as a learning opportunity to grow; not an actual failure, but a stepping stone to another success to come. I believe that children need to be comfortable making mistakes, failing, and then trying again! Too often, the students that I am servicing and that I observe in my building are too insecure to take their own risks.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteMy year has changed dramatically. I have changed schools and love it. I also went from two schools to three schools in three different towns. It keeps me very busy. Using Aims Web is also new to me. I like the data taking concept of it, but I still do not understand how to use the complete program.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I cannot compare my school to the way things were last year… I was still student teaching.
ReplyDeleteMy school hired a new principal this year and I believe that he will make drastic changes for the better next school year and I'm looking forward to finding out what those are. I doubt that I will like or agree with every change that is made, but I will keep an open mind and trust that each change will impact my school and my students for the better.
This year is different than last year in that my caseload has changed quite a bit. I didn't gain any new students from the elementary so that is allowing me time to focus on the students I have and how I can best serve their needs. That will all change next year as a gain two students, one who is extremely significant. I feel that I have built some good relationships with both students, their families and peers so that is making for a good school year. We had a new principal last year. As this is his second year, we know a little more about what to expect. Our school is actually doing MTSS for the first time and I see that as a positive change. It is helpful for out students and helps teachers realize that they have a role in making adaptations for students and that not all students learn alike. It has also cut down on me hearing "What do I have to do to get Johnny out of my room and into yours..."
ReplyDeleteJust this past week our school implemented ZAP (Zeros Aren't Permitted) with students who don't turn in assignment that day being called to the library before school is out where they spend 30 minutes or so completing the assignment.
DeleteEvery one of us can name a teacher(s) in our school who is/are resistant to change. Schools are at the point now that if teachers do not get on board with the change and innovations coming our way then with the evaluations in place those teachers' job will be in jeopardy. We joke that it used to be No Child Left Behind but now is it No Teacher Left Behind? I don't think so, if teachers can not adapt to the multitude of changes school are going through and will face in the future then they will be left behind- administration does not have a choice in this matter.
ReplyDeleteThe more I work with and understand CCRS from year to year how I teach the curriculum changes, it has too, plus students change each year. I turn in my lesson plans at the end of each year to my principal but I have hard copies of my units and add to or take away from during the year as I learn new things or programs no longer exist in our building. But I know some teachers who teach the exact same thing in the same way each year....
We've already seen a substantial change with math teachers that tie into both the high school and middle school. Last year we had a math teacher that did not get the students to work effectively, but we had a good middle school math teacher that got the students to perform well on math. Now we let go that high school teacher the middle school teacher moved to high school and we have a new middle school math teacher that is bringing in new ways to teach the students math. The one way that I have observed her in the middle school math class is that she has the kids work in cooperative groups to promote working well with others as well as getting kids to help one another with math concepts. Although this concept is not new or innovative in the middle school it is helping out with some of those kids that are having difficulties with math, or for the entire class such as the 6th graders that I have not learned some of the concepts from their 5th grade school year. The next school year will be interesting because we will be getting a new middle school science teacher.
ReplyDeleteI see things being different every year as our administrations expectations become higher of each one of us. Also with the use of McRel for our personal check list and evaluations it assures that we change years to strive to become better educators.
ReplyDeleteI agree that McRel could be a very useful tool to hold teachers accountable, but also help guide educators to become better and more informed about everything in our educational world.
DeleteI like how McRel is set up as well. I like the intrinsic proponent that educators must change from year to year. It promotes reflection and growth, in my opinion. Education is not static, and neither is learning, so teaching should never become static.
DeleteOne of my districts has gone to 1-1 with Ipads at the High School level with the 7th and 8th grades being added next year. I have seen many veteran teachers be so stressed out or just flat out refusing to use this tool in their rooms and it really makes me sad for their stress. In another district I am seeing how a breakdown between math curriculum/teachers has really affected the students and not for the good either. My 3rd district has gone to a different daily schedule and I feel like the staff and students like it better for time management and just keeping to a routine.
ReplyDeleteNext year, I'm sure will hold more change, but one thing I will always brag about HPEC teachers, is our ability to overcome and adapt to whatever is thrown our way, because we have support among colleagues and administration that helps us to figure out a way if need be. IR teachers especially can turn on a dime and adapt and change because that is life in an IR classroom :)
For me, this year is vastly different from last year. Last year I was teaching 7th Grade English Language Arts. This year, I am teaching a variety of subjects and working with exceptional students. I am more focused on how I am teaching and how students are learning than I have been in the past. I am also more readily using data collection and analysis in my classroom. While I am already anticipating the changes for next year, I am so happy that I changed my career path. I love English, and I love teaching, but I love what I am doing now. I feel more relaxed as I am happier in my life overall, and a lot of it has to do with my job. The students works so hard and having the variety of classes and learning objectives is a welcome change from teaching the same lesson 5 times a day.
ReplyDeleteThat is good that you have found your happiness in your new career change. I think it is awesome to be able to say we love our job even through the changes everyday.
DeleteThis year has changed from last year as districts are trying to cut back many funds to prepare for the shift. For me this year has looked different in that preschool and kindergarten all of aids, there has been 2 resignations and possible a third. The superintendent is not hiring to replace them. The teachers have been used to having the aids to help with instruction, projects, extra duties, translating to parents,copying, setting up the classroom for centers while teacher is teaching and many other jobs that helps the teacher. Since this change has taken place within just the last 3 weeks the teachers are stressed trying to rearrange their instruction. In the classroom that lost the aid I have special education students in both classes so they think that now they can utilize me or paras to help. I tell them when we are in your classroom our focus is the kids that have been identified and yes while we can help with the other students while in the classroom, this is not the only classroom I have students in. So while someone is in there they can help but are not to take the place of your aids that have left.
ReplyDeleteAlso the district has went to apple laptops for all teachers. They are teaching the teacher new technology and how to use google docs to be able to share things in folders so that they no longer have to purchase space for documents to be held. It came around but as I emailed the computer tech person in charge to see when we were getting one, they said we will put you on the list. Came around and all teachers but HPEC employees received the computers in which they were now using in the classrooms replacing desktop computers. HPEC on the other hand has not received anything but the shunt. There are things that teachers send that I am not able to open because it is not compatible with the old desktops that I still have as my teacher computer. This has changed the teachers instruction using the new technology and getting used to it. However now HPEC employees will be a step behind because we are still having to deal with the old system that half of the time doesn't work or slow to open anything up. It has been a change for everyone.
Ugh...it makes things so difficult when HPEC employees get left out of the changes. It makes your job so much harder than it really has to be. I hope for your sake that things get resolved for the upcoming school year!!
DeleteI think that I went into this year thinking that it would be different, but I had no idea how different it was going to be. There has been a LOT of change for me: I went from 3 paras to 4 (3 of the 4 are new to the district and the job), I moved classrooms on the first day of school (yes, you read that right the 1ST DAY OF SCHOOL), and my caseload has changed dramatically over the last couple of months. It has been stressful, yet interesting as we have all had to adjust to the changes. I feel that I am growing more as an educator because I am having to just accept the changes that are given to me and run with them. I think that as educators we sometimes get complacent and get in the rut of doing the same things every year because it is easier. I really like what the author has said numerous times throughout the book so far "change is uncomfortable, not hard." As I have been thinking about it, I think that I completely agree. It isn't hard...I hear that a lot from classroom teachers. Change is just uncomfortable because it forces us to do things differently. When we are able to change, we are able to grow. This year has definitely had that effect on me.
ReplyDeleteWhenever I'm having rough day, I think of everything you've had to put up with, and then I think to myself, "Hmmm... I shouldn't be complaining. Things could definitely be worse." Haha! ;-) And I don't think what you've had to deal with is funny, but it just puts it all into perspective, you know??? Thanks for all you do!!! You're an AMAZING teacher, and I'm SO THANKFUL I get to work with you!!!
DeleteThe most exciting change in my year is seeing one district implement interventions (MTSS) that are truly data driven, and address individual student need, with all students in the mix, not just those referred by their teachers.
ReplyDeleteIn my districts, we’ve had changes in personnel, changes in curriculum, and changes to MTSS and SIT procedures. I know for my teachers (and other staff), this can be difficult at times (Especially if all this “growth” is happening simultaneously!). Since I’m itinerant, I kind of enjoy when this happens (SOME times, haha!), because then I’m able to share strategies, materials, etc. between all of my schools, so not everyone has to pull out their hair ;-)
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