My daughter, Alex, keeps all the morning inspirations that I send to my girls each morning and creates a traditional gift that I look forward to opening on Christmas morning. It is a reflection of the past year with photographs and quotes all set up on the new year's calendar. As I page through the months, I also get to reflect on some of my thoughts from the past year. It is one of my favorite gifts. Today, I placed the calendar on my desk and opened to January. Last year I gave her the quote: "We all have dreams. But in order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline and effort."
As teachers return from a long break, it takes all of those qualities: determination, dedication, self-discipline and effort to pick up where we left off and begin again. Joan Moser and Gail Bushey, authors and creators of The Daily Five,
provide a one week boot camp to guide teachers to get students back into expectations, routines and procedures in both language arts and math in their January newsletter . Gail Boushey gives her New Year's resolution that I think will resonate for many teachers:
My Teacher Resolutions
Each Day,
I choose to bring my best self to school.
I choose to believe each student is capable and worthy.
I choose to see the best in each student.
I choose to be kind in my actions and words.
I choose to be grateful.
What can you be counted on for the New Year?
Although January is not the beginning of the school year, it is another beginning and often the mid year time for teachers and students to reflect on how much learning has taken place. We collect mid year data and evaluate, monitor progress and make plans to continue. During the holiday break, I rested a lot and took time out to be with my family. I finally got time to read three books and caught up on some blog reading. One of my go to blogs: Two Writing Teachers is worth sharing, especially as we begin again. Each writer shares their one little word. (OLW) for 2016. Dana Murphy's word is Joy, and Deb Frazer writes, "The one word you invite into your life matters. This one word will shape your perspective, guide your days, and your year." She then quotes Wayne Dwyer, "Our intention creates our reality". I encourage you to read these blog posts, and ask the questions that Deb Frazer asks as you move forward into the next year of learning: Is the change best for kids?
Is the change aligned with what I believe to best practice in education?
Are we moving and working intentionally?