And I was so looking forward to focusing on being the instructional tech coordinator again next year (though I love Matt Scully's new title–what was that Matt? Coordinator of Innovation and Creativity?)
Anyway, the bottom line is I am being moved from ninth-grade English to eighth-grade English (to fill an opening), which may not sound like a big change, but it is. And it's the fourth job change in four years!
New lesson plans, different assessments, and NO laptops in the classroom. After working for a year in our 1:1 program, going back will be difficult.
But I have a plan.
- I am going to take out a loan and buy some netbooks. Yep. Three or four or five to keep in the room so we can blog, wikify, and chat, as well as research, read, write, share, and collaborate online. The school has some laptops, but I don't want to share w/ @caphohanka :)
- What I've learned about effective teaching will be even easier at the middle school level. I"m ready to collaborate with @mrmayo, @pwoessner, and others to build a program of independent learners and thinkers.
- No tech coordination. This year I tried to do both, and there were days it felt like three jobs, when I consider how much time we spent on with the PLP (all worth it, but still time). Few people understand how much behind the scenes work it takes to build a network, help others build a network, find collaborative projects, and simply share readings and links. I am going to try to take the year off and focus on MY teaching. I"m not worried since I have a great tribe over in the Upper School in @jclarkevans, @dgarcia @snobles, and @kblashford, who will carry on and scale what they have learned across the division.
I'll be reaching out to you middle school folks to link up and inspire me. We can do great things together. I remember reading this quote years ago when I was teaching middle school, and it still frames my work:
divide the work, and give orders. Teach them to yearn for the sea."
Can you wear sandals in middle school? :)
Tough break.
Yikes. A big shift. But lucky 8th graders! There is a special place in heaven for Middle School teachers, I believe. But as usual, you are spot on:
“Few people understand how much behind the scenes work it takes to build a network, help others build a network, find collaborative projects, and simply share readings and links.”
I keep beating the drum here about defining “technology resources” with appropriate breadth. Time is unfortunately not usually part of that definition and needs to be, just as much as software, network switches, and RAM. It’s essential.
Thanks for checking in Curt. Now that I am getting used to the idea, the ideas are beginning to bubble up. And just doing my “own thing” will be a refreshing change!