New Years Resolutions in Education

[MsCoffeeLover]

Many people don't make any resolutions, but I love New Years. I think every day should be New Years day because every day is a new day with a fresh start.

The kids and I discussed goals, and they had to complete an activity stating three specific goals, specific steps to accomplish those goals, and accountability/buddy system. They also had to create a personal goal, an academic goal, and a fun goal. I was really impressed with many of the kids choices and have offered with the reinforcement aspect of things. My goal is to have these assignments laminated so we can revisit them over the school year.

This school year, I can't complain. This has been a great year for me, classroom management has been great, I have been consistent with everything, did everything I said I was going to do. I follow through on everything, and most of the kids are pretty reasonable, but they still "like me" I am not here to be liked, but I am amazed at how the my discipline has specific results. Some kids should hate me, but, again, I am surprised. I think I have found my niche.

The kids asked me what my resolution was, and I said I wasn't going to be as nice or as lenient with certain things. This may be where the "pick your battles" thing comes in. I shouldn't laugh, but I have been consistent there as well, and the kids have mentioned how I have been good to my resolution.

Not sure how the resolution is going to go.

Have you made any resolutions regarding your teaching job?

[busbus]

Hi,

I haven't made any new year resolutions for my work. But it looks like yours are working. Good for you! However, don't be surprised that your "kid like me," they probably recognize that you treat them fairly and with respect. For the most part, students want fair treatment, and they understand when things are not fair. They want consistency, fair rules and consequences and fair rewards. They want structure and a sense of belonging. You have probably put all of this in place and you "pick your battles."

Hope that everything turns out great for the rest of the school year. :)

[Spectre]

LOL!

I have pledged to find myself another school or school system in which to teach. the one I am in just does not work for me.

[MsCoffeeLover]

Y'all, more kids turned in the goal assignment than I could have possibly ever hoped. Even though I teach science, I still wanted them to create some goals for the school year. When I presented the assignments to the kids, I really wanted them to think about something they could really make happen. We weren't talking about world peace by next week, but maybe read a book or something. Also, I asked them to make it pretty as I was going to laminate many of them and save them for future classes. This is the year of saving things, and I showed them a previous assignment that I have kept for a few years now because the student put so much thought into it.

I swear, some of the assignments I received are kids who really wanted to make my day and have their assignment as the "model" assignment for future classes. Some students put more effort into this than any major project for their other classes. Not only that, they really didn't just list the goals. Many of them really gave specific steps as well as a buddy/partner/support system.

Yesterday I spent the bulk of the day working on two power point presentations. They were good too. Somehow, in trying to transfer/save/cut/paste and burn to a cd, I lost them. The documents are on the computer, but the path is gone. The documents can't be retrieved, and there is nothing on this dvd. An entire day lost! and I was so excited too! Not having the power points kind of depressed me because the kids know how much I love power points.

Then the goals and resolutions came in, and everything seemed better.

[javamomma]

Simple one for me:
Be more organized.
That is for work and home.

[Bananas]

Finish my master's portfolio.
Sort through and organize pile by pile.
Try to convince hubby to get rid of a thing or two or two thousand.

The latter will be the hardest!:eek:

[Chef Dave]

I got my competency check lists organized and planned curriculum for the 2nd semester. I reorganized my culinary arts lab.