Though I've been teaching for over ten years, I had to attend the 1st year Teacher Academy since I'm new to the district. I was looking forward to it, though. I strongly believe in continual learning and professional development since oftentimes teachers become lackadaisical in teaching because they think that they know it all and that, the only thing they need to learn this year is technology. That's a selfish and arrogant way to view oneself as a teacher.
This year's focus is courage, equity, and excellence. There are great endeavors to remember at the beginning of the first COVID school year when there's so much uncertainty as to whether returning to the buildings is safe for student and safe, but also whether distance learning is effective for children. Teachers need the courage to take risks, be flexible, and maintain professionalism. They need to keep in mind equitable practices and expectations so that all students can succeed. They need to maintain the expectation of academic excellence for all students within grade-level standards, and then assess the gaps in order to scaffold individually.
Will it be easy? No way!
Teachers have always been resilient as much as children. I can spend the rest of the school year with a negative attitude about administration's disorganization and lack of communication; the unrealistic expectations of social distancing and make requirements with the children; or the ever-changing policies regarding standards, curriculum, hybrid learning, distance learning, and in-building learning. Instead, I choose to be positive and flexible because administration is struggling to figure it out as much as the rest of us, but have the daunting responsibility of preparing everything so that it's safe, equitable, and excellent.
Because I'd rather be part of the crew that steers the ship in the right direction than part of the crew that sabotages it.
Assassin's Creed Odyssey
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