I see it..., I want it..., I dream it...

  

With the above as my word for 2019, I will be open to seeing the possibilities, the problems, the solutions and the milestones that can be reached every day.

Focusing more on the “why”, not just the “what” and “how” when stepping back from the day-to-day planning and details of my work, will allow me to not only see the big picture, but also the immediate achievements and needs.

I would like to see that the link between our school, parents, whānau and community where our school's educational goals are concerned are understood and supported. This will enable us to further create and nurture relationships of trust.

My job will be done if I could see the simple question “What’s best for ________?” being asked and acted upon. After all, staff well-being is crucial, and it is also our responsibility to ensure that students are excited about learning and to inspire a deep love for learning.

I know that the insanely long hours I work, is not contributing to recuperating and focusing on myself. My goal is to seeing myself take time out at least once a week, to 'de-stress' and to improve my work-life balance to avoid burnout.

Here goes to focusing on the doable... one step at a time, when seeing my 'dream' for those I am meant to inspire, serve and support.

~ "I'm sure, that this year, you will find me somewhere in between inspiring others, working on myself, dodging negativity and slaying my goals." ~

Walking on a tightrope

DO...

1. Get-up-and-Go (be determined and full of energy) 
2. Stop and celebrate [even little] Successes 
3. Look after myself (no school work after 6.00 pm)
4. Continue DOing [something] despite difficulties (stick-to-it-iveness) 
5. Do what I believe to be best for ALL my students as they are my number one priority 
6. In my role as Assistant Principal and ICT Lead, I will take the 'bad days' in stride and remember that I get to start fresh tomorrow 
7. Blog more regularly

I will DO more of what I like to regain my energy and to be successful.

For me, 2018 would be like walking on a tightrope... balancing and keeping my eyes to a fixed and un-moving point at the far end of the wire, not to say that I won't take my eyes of that point... but if I do loose my 'balance/focus' for any reason whatsoever, I will return my vision to 'that point/my goal' to regain my balance. And if I get tired walking on the rope, I will stop and take a minute to catch my breath again. If I fall, I will pick myself up and although falling hurts, I will remember that 'the show must go on' and the only thing that I can do to get myself back on the tightrope is to get focused on that point and continue on.

The un-moving point will be my DO 'one word' and if I persevere, not give up and hang in there, I will accomplish the almost impossible this year...

~ "Critics risk nothing. It's the creators who must face the vulnerability of failure with the possibility of success." - Justin Dillon ~

Possibilities, Options and a Course of Action

I contemplated my one word for this year, as there are so many things twirling around in my head. As I am certain that I would [also] like to 'stand firm' mentally and emotionally, no matter where opportunities / challenges lead, my word will be...
prudent (adj) 'acting with or showing care and thought for the future'

Nathan Lang, Ed.D. wrote "Best practices change and adapt, because we change and adapt. They aren't an excuse to keep doing what we've been doing." Therefore, I do not want to be/stay comfortable of what I achieved thus far. I am planning to examine new possibilities and to further innovate to empower my students. I will be ready for challenges / bumps in the road and am prepared to change things to suit different conditions. Having a 'learning partnership' between and among students and colleagues will [undoubtedly] play a crucial part in transforming outcomes.

Image credit: http://www.education.vic.gov.au

At uLearn16, Fullan explained that humans are innately wired to connect, create and to help humanity and stated that life and education can either amplify these innate characteristics or suppress and eradicate them. 'New Pedagogies for Deep Learning' (image above) emerged from his years of research and experience...

"The new pedagogies require students to create new knowledge and connect it to the world by using the power of digital tools" (Fullan & Longworthy, 2014)

My aim for this year is to keep Fullan's Six C's in mind:

"Character education — honesty, self-regulation and responsibility, hard work, perseverance, empathy for contributing to the safety and benefit of others, self-confidence, personal health and well-being, career and life skills.
Citizenship — global knowledge, sensitivity to and respect for other cultures, active involvement in addressing issues of human and environmental sustainability.
Communication — communicate effectively orally, in writing and with a variety of digital tools; listening skills.
Critical thinking and problem solving — think critically to design and manage
projects, solve problems, make effective decisions using a variety of digital tools and resources.
Collaboration — work in teams, learn from and contribute to the learning of others, social networking skills, empathy in working with diverse others.
Creativity and imagination — economic and social entrepreneurialism, considering and pursuing novel ideas, and leadership for action" (Fullan  & Longworthy, 2014. p.22)

How am I planning to accomplish my aim?
- Model good practice and continuous self-improvement.
- Respect and value diversity and continue to grow my awareness of our global interconnectedness
- Effectively using my PLN (Twitter, VLN, EduCampNZ, TeachMeetNZ) and colleagues to create productive working relationships by learning from others, asking questions to find out the thoughts of others and to reflect understanding. Communication is a two way street - we have to give as well as gather
- Using my knowledge to look at all angles to make the best possible choice, then test, revise and apply. Be open minded and always ask how something can be done better and apply what I learn to new situations
- Work collaboratively with colleagues in transparent ways
- Trust my efforts as a leader and learner and those of the team to achieve our goals

According to Zig Ziglar, F-E-A-R has two meanings: "Forget Everything and Run" or "Face Everything and Rise."
The choice is mine / yours...

Reference:

Fullan, M., Longworthy, M. (January 2014). A Rich Seam: How New Pedagogies Find Deep Learning. Retrieved from http://www.michaelfullan.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/3897.Rich_Seam_web.pdf 

~ "Always do your best. What you plant now, you will harvest later." - Og Mandino ~

A year in reflection

This year I had again choose one word to focus on... 'Fierce' the word that gave me the possibility of doing things deliberately this year.

 

Highlights (accomplishments, best memories)

• Completing my Post Grad Study in Applied Practice (Digital and Collaborative Learning). I did not find this to always be easy, especially while full-time teaching, but what a positive journey this experience was overall.
• Sharing my skills and knowledge with colleagues in the district as part of my role as Learning Facilitator at Ngā Pūmanawa e Waru (NPeW). Two post to demonstrate: Supporting Junior school teachers as Learning Facilitator and Supporting change as Learning Facilitator.
• I have been kinder to myself and therefore was able to finally work towards achieving a work-life balance

Game changers (unexpected events that shifted my priorities)

• I have been fierce in re-connecting with myself, knowing who I am and what I am capable of. Therefore, I voiced my perceptions 'bravely' on numerous occasions when necessary and appropriate

Things I focused on (what I put the most of my time into)

• Trying to understand that not everyone is ready for change and that I see things differently than my colleagues
• As a leader, to trust and allow a positive space for people to grow and develop their skills, to focus on strengths not weaknesses 

Things I forgot (didn't get around too)

• Partake in as many twitter chats as I would have like to and connecting with my Twitter PLN on a regular basis

Reflection

At times it was [still] easy to forget that reaction is human... no matter how good the intentions. I will need to keep this in mind, as 2017 will surely bring [many] challenges of its own. I will be in a position of leading / supporting change in many purposeful ways. Most importantly, I will be a learner myself.

~ “The first rule of learning is that people learn what they need to learn, not what someone else thinks they should learn” - Peter M Senge: The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of the Learning Organisation ~

Ready or Not...

Fierce... one word that gives me the possibility of doing things deliberately this year. I will be fierce in re-connecting with myself as well as connecting with who I am becoming.

The best part is that I can take a bit advantage of my chosen word, as it enables me to also include and focus on words like:   

Stronger,  by taking on opportunities and not let fear holding me back

Braver, in the choices I make

Kinder, to myself to ensure I am the best I can be

Unstoppable, in doing things in a thoughtful and proactive way

I guess it [sometimes] could be easy to forget that reaction is human... Therefore, I think it is important to realise/remember that although one have good intentions, we are actually [a bit] 'imperfect'. But with some fierceness behind me, who knows what this year might bring...

Quotes to ponder:

• "Even the nicest people have their limits. Don't try to reach that point because the nicest people are also the scariest when they've had enough" - Anonymous
• "Be afraid of the quiet ones, they are the ones who actually think" - Anonymous

~ "If your goal does not scare and excite you at the same time, the goal is probably too small." - Bob Proctor ~

Half year reflection

At the start of the year there was a buzz on twitter about choosing one word for the year to focus on. I really liked the idea as I have my own opinion around Goals or Resolutions (as can be seen in my blog post in 2014).

The word I chose was 'open' and I listed numerous points to 'guide' me throughout the year.

Reflection:

• experiences that I would normally stay clear from -> (I got involved in the Excel Rotorua initiative and am part of the pedagogy development team. Huge challenge ahead!)
• transformation, by renewing my mind with new knowledge/learning -> (I am continuing my reading and wrote a reflection on 'Revisiting transformation & teaching practice') 
• accept new challenges and [maybe] changes -> (A project in progress...)
• develop and advance in my position as a leader -> (Started this journey in a whole school PL&D Workshop)
• have a growth mindset instead of a fixed mindset 
• be mindful about little things to appreciate every day  
• work towards achieving a work-life balance -> (Argghh! Why do I still struggle with this one?!)
• the fact that 'not perfect' is o.k. - making mistakes is how we learn -> (Hard for a 'perfectionist', but I believe I am getting better at this)

~ Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning." - Winston Churchill ~

Focus on being Open

My 'one word' to focus on in 2015 is Open

Open [as I see it] is an outlook and an attitude.  To be open can be an action or re-action, thus allowing me to act with an open mind or re-act with an open mind.  

Therefor I choose this word to enable me to be open to:

• experiences that I would normally stay clear from
• transformation, by renewing my mind with new knowledge/learning
• accept new challenges and [maybe] changes
• develop and advance in my position as a leader
• have a growth mindset instead of a fixed mindset
• be mindful about little things to appreciate every day
• work towards achieving a work-life balance
• the fact that 'not perfect' is o.k. - making mistakes is how we learn

~ "Open your eyes to the beauty around you. Open your mind to the wonders of life. Open your heart to those who love you and always be true to yourself." - Donna Davis   

The meaning of Collaboration

I have been thinking about collaboration and what it really means [a lot] recently.

When searching for a definition, I found the following:

Webster: To work jointly with others or together especially in an intellectual endeavor

Wikipedia: Collaboration refers abstractly to all processes wherein people work together.

I recently came across a post by Cheryl Doig on Collaboration matters, which gave me a lot of insight into some of the things I have been wondering about.

So what did I take away from my reading?

• Collaboration can change everything. 
• Collaboration is a critical skill for educators and students.

Goal:

• To push myself to be the best I can be by collaborating even more with my PLN and with colleagues.

'The 9 Types of Collaborators' Which type are you?

~ "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much" - Helen Keller ~

Educating life long learners

This video makes some interesting points and shows just why it is vital to educate life-long learners.

My opinion:

It is my believe that students succeed in their learning in a supportive and caring environment, where they feel secure enough to learn, explore, challenge, test, discover and engage.  Building a good relationship with my learners also contribute towards building their confidence and skills to ensure their learning is successful, enjoyable, meaningful and lifelong.

My aim this year?

To motivate my learners to be active, engaged and connected learners for life, whilst getting them to use and apply the NZC Key Competencies and any other resources available to them.

How will I do this?

1.  Educate learners on how to make choices, how to think and learn

2.  Encourage learners to be critical thinkers and to use their ideas/thoughts to learn both independently and collaboratively

3.  Value each learner for what they do well

4.  Let learners know they matter

~ The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery - Mark Van Doren ~

Goals or Resolutions

At this time of year, most people are making or have been making resolutions for the New Year. Many of us will have high hopes or firm decisions as to what we would like to achieve this year.

Personally, I don't think it really matters if you call them goals or resolutions, as both can help you get you to where you would like to go. What matters is your willingness to follow through.  

Some good questions to ask yourself:

WHAT do I really want to do?

WHY do I really want to do this?

HOW am I going to accomplish this?

WHEN will I accomplish this?

WHERE will this take me in my personal/professional learning journey?

I have learned to be making use of short-term as well as long-term goals. This really helps, as I have been able to celebrate even the small, every day achievements.  My eyes were not just focused on an 'end-result.' I was able to stay afloat.

One thing is certain though, all will not be plain sailing and I need to acknowledge that teaching could be stressful at times, things could happen and there will be trial and error.

One message that came through via uLearn13 was 'You have to teach... and fail... and then learn... and teach'.  A great affirmative, isn't it?

~ "Success is walking from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm" - Winston Churchill ~

No goals or resolutions yet?  You can always make use of this (from El Paso Library) by trying to 'choose a one word resolution and use that word(s) by thinking of three simple ways you can utilize it in different ares of your life:  at work, at school, at home, or in a hobby perhaps'.

Image from: El Paso Public library Dorris van Doren Branch

~  Whatever you decide to do, make sure it makes you happy. All the best for the year ahead!  ~

Are teachers trusted?

One of my goals at the start of this year was to engage in a developmental process of improving my practice by taking risks. And I was prepared for a 'FAIL' (First Attempt In Learning).

John Hattie says "A teacher's job is not to make work easy.  It is to make it difficult.  If you are not challenged, you do not make mistakes. If you do not make mistakes, feedback is useless."

Therefore, I've given my students a 'choice' in the learning activities they can choose to be involved in during my time working with students in a guided reading lesson. 

By knowing what the needs of the students in my classroom are, learning activities they were able to choose from were ones that  encouraged quality learning and which were of specific purpose to them. In this case our focus were on 'Word Work'.

I believe that overall this concept of 'giving students choice' in my classroom was working well, although I had recently found some 'flaws', as not all students were making the right choices and I will have to step in with a more Teacher Directed approach for now. 

It is obvious that my students enjoy their learning, because they are able to make choices. They love coming to school (as I've been told by many parents), which to me is an important part of my teaching philosophy.  If my students don't love coming to school they will, in my opinion, not learn effectively.

Through my teaching career, I have however also experience the fact that what is believed to be best for students might not be what some observers want to see.  Well, in this case, I almost feel like saying: "Tough luck".  Fact is, I refuse to be a teacher who performs a 'window dressing' in front of any observer to let them see a polished product or a rehearsed lesson. I rather want them to embrace with me the 'highs and the lows' before the breakthrough.

I think teachers need to be given more freedom to take risks, embrace failure and, of course, try hard and ideally our students will try hard and will be enjoying learning too.

I quote the following from David Didau: The Learning Spy

"If we don't challenge students to meet our outrageously high expectations, they won't make mistakes. This results in a desultory lack of progress. Vygotsky told us that success should always be just beyond where we currently are so that we have to strive and reach for it.  This applies to teachers as much as our students.  The vast gap in the feedback given to teachers judged as 'good with outstanding features' is an appalling travesty. It is simply not acceptable to fob off these teachers with meaningless guff about gut feelings or the observation that student x was off task despite producing a fantastic outcome. If, as an observer, you cannot give kind, helpful and specific feedback on how to get to outstanding you really shouldn't be allowed to make judgments on others' teaching."

With this in mind, I 'm wondering how many people in leadership positions still trust their teachers to do what they know is best for their students.

I do hope that all teachers out there can continue to strive to enjoy their teaching and that they will be trusted to do what's best for students.

Goals -> Balance in 2013!

The summer holidays are drawing to a close and I am looking forward to the challenges of this term. Therefore, I have also been thinking about my goals for 2013.

Professional Goals:

• Ensure that each student will be getting the best individual learning experiences possible.  This year each student in my class will have their own Individual Learning Plan page on our class Wiki that will put an emphasis on their role in their learning experience, which I believe is crucial to a productive learning experience, as is achievement of their goals.
• With this I am planning to provide students with opportunities so they could stay interested in learning, with a desire to keep inquiring, exploring and thinking.  I would like them to want  to learn
• I won't sweat the small stuff and will only concentrate on my students, deliberate acts of learning and my teaching
• Try something new, like different teaching approaches - looking forward to see where this idea might lead to
• To engage in a developmental process of improving my practice by taking risks - here comes  'FAIL'
• Continue to strive to complete my job to the best of my ability and to be a teacher who loves her job, love the subjects I teach and to care for each student so that they feel valued as an individual

Personal Goals:

• This year I don't want to miss out on the present and will celebrate at the end of every day, little happenings/accomplishments. I will look at the here and now, not just reflect on and look at the bigger picture and what needs to be done
• Keep on interacting with other teachers and my PLN.   I can't think of a better way to learn from each other
• I need to keep my priorities straight, as I find it hard to stop in my search to finding new ideas on how I can enhance learning for my students.  I need to learn to stop and make time to relax and just have fun.

                    And this 5 W's of life will be added, as I see them appropriate for my sanity.