Checklist for the New School Year
As we begin the 2014-15 school year, it is time once again to ensure that our schools are headed in the right direction. I have created a simple checklist of must-haves for school for the new school year.
1. Built-in Collaboration Time
Use staff meeting time for teachers to work together on lesson design, assessment analysis, intervention planning and professional development. Don't spend your meetings with information that could have been sent via email.
2. Get on the Technology Train, Instead of Being Run Over
Technology needs to be embedded into everyday learning. We should not have a "technology time". Use programs such as Edmodo, Book Creator, iMovie, Powtoon and Emaze to bring curriculum to life. Better yet, have your students create the lessons for you using these tools. You'll be amazed at what they can do!
3. Create a Twitter Account
Twitter is a great way to communicate with parents. A quick message and/or photo helps keep parents connected on a daily basis. Think about getting rid of your weekly newsletter that most people never end up reading and try out Twitter. Get connected with other educators using the hashtags #edchat and #edtech.
4. Limit the Amount of Homework Each Night
Homework should reinforce what was taught during the day. It should never be treated as busy work or as first instruction. If we want students to stay engaged and interested in learning, we can't bog them down with tedious homework.
5. Relax and Have Fun!
Being an educator has gotten way too stressful over the past decade. However, we are the controllers of our own destiny. So, relax. Have fun with your students. Engage them, inspire them, and keep them wanting more. It's not all about test scores. It is about creating life-long learners.
