“It is very important to generate a good attitude, a good heart, as much as possible. From this, happiness in both the short term and the long term for both yourself and others will come.”
Dalai Lama
We are now into our 8th week of school… here is what our district is asking of teachers…
- Learn a NEW grade book system (with dozens of unique quirks and perks).
- Prepare for student led conferences (something we haven't done before).
- Compile a Teacher Accountability Plan (another new requirement, which will involve a lengthy reflective writing assignment).
- Sit down with the principal for pre- and post-conferences (part of another new initiative-the teacher evaluation tool).
- Use student data to inform our instruction (using an assessment system that is still not uploaded in week eight).
- Implement the Common Core Standards (while simultaneously being assessed on our current state standards).
- Resist the need to call in sick after your doctor visit (as there are no substitutes and illness will mean that your students will be split between other teachers).
- Anticipate upcoming budget cuts (early estimates project $2 to $4 over the next two years).
I know our district is not alone, teachers across the state and nation are being asked to do “just one more thing.” So with that said this blog is to commend the teachers who have embraced all the challenges and change this school year brings and have done so with a positive attitude and a good heart. A thank you to those teachers who come to work by 5:00, 6:00, 7:00 am and to those teachers who don’t leave school until 5:00, 6:00, 7:00, 8:00 pm. A thank you to families who have to share their time, to husbands and wives, sons and daughters all over our town, our state, our country. Teaching is a time intensive job that requires many, many hours above and beyond the school day. So to you I say THANK YOU. Thank you for making my job fun and for inspiring me to come to work every day.
