For the first three years of my time at LHS my work
concentrated on what was going on in my own classroom out of necessity. What would I teach my students the very next
day? Did I have the supplies I needed to
teach? Was I ready? This year, finally, I no longer find myself in survival
mode. Sometimes I get to think about
what project I will choose to work on next.
I sometimes leave from school for the day with all my grading caught up!
I am finally in a place where I have the time and calm
mindset that would allow me to truly collaborate. My department is at the very beginning of the
work of a data team: outlining and agreeing upon the most important topics for
our class together and looking at the best ways to teach. We have a lot of work to do.
The real problem is now that I have finally tackled my own
personal struggles with limited time (at least for this year) these problems
remain for my data group. In September
we planned that we would have some preliminary common assessment data on a
state science inquiry project on pulse rate by the end of October. I have data, I have no idea if anyone else
does, and I have no assurances about when we will be able to work together
next.
I agree with Kathy.
The advice given in Hess and Robbins is great – I just don’t know when
we will have the chance to follow it.
This is my fifth year in my classroom and last year was the first year I was EVER able to collaborate with other sped teachers. It is very difficult to find the time, but SO nice when you are finally able to! I hope you get that time, and soon!
ReplyDeleteAs a first year teacher I am struggling with the same things that you did in your first few years. No matter how late I stay, there is never enough time to do everything that I need to do. It is even more complicated when you try to coordinate time with a team.
ReplyDeleteI hear you sister! I cannot seem to figure out how to help LHS as a whole in this area. Some departments have taken this to a great level, other flounder or drown with uneven attendance and participation.
ReplyDeleteWhat works at the other levels? I wonder....