Floating Thoughts: First week of school edition
It’s amazing how the beginning of school changes my energy level and shifts my focus from “next year” to “right now.” As soon as kids hit the door, we’re running! Fortunately in a positive way. We’ve had a great first week of school so far. Some thoughts as I begin the year:
- I’m still working out how to deliver the 40 Developmental Assets to our kids, but we picked up a lot of materials last year and I’m excited about what we can do with them. Look for a few school assemblies and plenty of classroom lessons to show us how we can live and grow and learn together.
- This is about the smoothest first week of school I’ve ever seen. It’s probably no coincidence that this is probably the most solid staff I’ve ever worked with, top to bottom, veterans to new teachers.
- Last year, I was a half-credit shy of moving over on the pay scale. I made sure that classes I have taken since then are on file at the district office. My current salary is now $40k more than my first contract when I started out in this business 19 years ago (not adjusting for inflation).
- I used a Promethean board in a classroom setting with kids the other day for the very first time. All I can say is that it’s unreal. Teaching and learning will never be the same again. I can’t wait until one of those things are in every single room in our building.
- Speaking of technology, one of my goals is to take a more active role in it’s implementation in our building (maybe our district) this year. Specifically, I’d like to demonstrate how to use the tools we already have to more efficiently do the job we’re trying to do. We have far too many really good educators who are dragging their feet in technology. Does this happen in other sectors as well?
- Also, speaking of technology, I get my Ed Tech inspiration and ideas from this guy, this guy, and this guy. There are a few others, also. Interesting that, more and more, those ideas are coming via Twitter and not individual blogs.
- My football recess kids from last year say they like Miss Thoelke as a quarterback better than me. Apparently, she throws better than I do.
Three day weekend coming up. Hitting Tri-Cities tonight, spending some time with my parents tomorrow at my niece’s shower, then having some friends over for dinner on Sunday. I’m going to spend Monday getting ready for next week. Have a great weekend everybody!
Technorati Tags: Floating Thoughts, school, education, technology, Promethean Board, school leadership, Labor Day, 40 Developmental Assets
I hadn’t anticipated playing again this week, but a last-minute change had me playing keyboards one more time. Consider this a bonus worship confessional. 
Man, it’s hard to believe, but the start of school is staring at us in the face. My list of to-do’s stays relatively constant, but for some reason I have more this year than others. We have a major schedule change, which means we’ve had to rethink how we do the start to the day, lunch times, and ending of the day. We’ve had to put together a plan that will accommodate the new times but be flexible enough to change when problems arise. This is still in progress.
