I often tell my students that learning is a journey. Each school year is just a small part of our lifelong adventure of learning. We begin learning right from birth and then we start "formal education" in preschool/kindergarten and then continue through high school and college. But, what I try and model for students is the fact the journey doesn't stop when we graduate. Learning is a lifelong adventure. Sometimes we are journeying alone...sometimes with friends and sometimes with teachers/mentors/parents. Sometimes we are jogging. Sometimes we have to take a few steps backward. Sometimes we are dodging obstacles, but the learning never stops! No matter what the pace or who we are journeying with, it is important to pause periodically and reflect on our experiences. This online journal serves to hold some of my reflections and ideas that are an ongoing part of my journey.
I decided this summer to create a virtual journal that I could share with others. I believe that our education journey is enhanced when we share our ideas, thinking, and resources with others. I believe in building a culture of thinking and couldn't agree more with Ron Ritchhart in Creating Cultures of Thinking: The 8 forces We must Master to Truly Transform Our Schools when he states, "At its best, a culture of thinking lifts up the individual to achieve heights that he or she could not reach alone." It is my hope that I can be a part of someone else's journey as well. I want to start the conversation by sharing my goals for the upcoming year. Maybe you have similar goals and ideas?
My goals for the 2015-2016 school year:
- Continue to grow and develop my classroom as a culture of thinking and innovation. I have studied the ideas of Ron Ritchhart (@RonRitchhart) on building a culture of thinking for 3 years. I really hope to go more deeply this year with regards to building a culture of thinking and innovation. In addition, I am hoping to lead a study in this journal of the ideas in the book, Creating Cultures of Thinking: The 8 Forces We Must Master to Truly Transform our Schools. Stay tuned!
- Continue to grow and build my professional learning network. I have been working on this for 3 years as well, and this year I hope to continue to build and learn from my network.
- Continue to spread the #choosekind message and the importance of "Taking Care of Others" and "Taking Care of Ourselves." I have been working on these initiatives at our school for 3 years and I hope to take the initiative/message beyond our school walls this year through the #TakingCareThurs project. I hope you will join me!
- Continue to grow as a leader. I just completed my Masters in Educational Leadership, so my official "internship" is complete, but I hope to continue to grow and develop as a leader in the field of education.
"Ideas have to begin somewhere," says Dr. Spike Cook (@DrSpikeCook) in Connected Leadership: It's Just a Click Away. Thanks Dr. Cook for the inspiration to get started with this online journal!
What are your goals and ideas for the 2015-2016 year?
Laura