Brand new shoes! A fresh coat of paint! A blank calendar! The beginning of a school year means more to educators than "ringing in the New Year" in January. What are your New Year's Resolutions? Here are ten ideas to ponder:
1. Take better care of your health: floss more often, park farther away, make healthier food choices, drink water, apply sunscreen, take mental health breaks.
2. Pay it forward: take someone's bus duty, put money into someone's account, change the roll of bathroom tissue, leave the copy machine ready for the next user.
3. Smile more often.
4. Write a least one thank you note per week: text, email, sticky note, or formal card.
5. Apply at least one strategy from summer PD.
6. Allow data to really guide your instruction.
7. Take formative assessment seriously.
8. Don't take yourself seriously. Refer to number 3.
9. Be a better communicator: talk, text, talk, email, talk.
10. Learn something new: how to play an instrument, crochet, blog, golf.
Whether you are just beginning your career or counting down the days, determine to make this year the best ever! Welcome to the 2014-2015 school year!
