Each school year I try to take a new approach and have a renewed focus on my work as an educator. As a teacher this would often be impacted by the type of work we were doing in the classroom. While goals are always important, I believe a class “mantra” is even more important. Mantras impact “all of the work” you are doing and provide a daily reminder of what should be focused on. Last year my mantra was simple, “Take Risks”.
As a K-12 Technology Staff Developer I wanted to “take risks” with other teachers and for them to take risks in their classes. This led to gamifying our professional development and writing Genius Hour into our 9th grade curriculum. It also bled into my professional life as I took a new job as an administrator this summer. I’d have to say that “taking risks” was one of the best mantras I’ve ever had…so choosing a new one this year was going to be difficult.
This year, I took the list down to a “Top 10” before choosing one learning mantra for the school year. Here’s my Top 10 list, with my 2014-2015 choice at the bottom:
And finally, here is my Learning Mantra for the new year. I’m hoping to live this year with “new eyes”:
What is your mantra for the year? Please share in the comments!
Get the Innovative Teaching Toolbox
Relax, and let’s learn together!
Part of my job is being a 7th grade advisor. The themes of seventh grade are:
be a self-advocate
step out of your comfort zone
Most of my job is facilitator of our Makeries; I was formerly a tech integration specialist. A.J., all your themes can work in my makery work and I like the idea of having the words & quotes around the room; when the students see it, they will remember it.
Thanks.
What a great selection!!! Your choice for this year is terrific!!! Too often, our students see school as the source of everything they need to be successful and that’s in fact quite true. But in my mind, it’s NOT the information learned (the “new landscapes” – new or old)!!! It’s the the development of the habitual skills of critical thinking, effective and deeper learning, and effective problem solving (to enable the rich and rewarding application of the insights from our “new eyes”) that are the source of discovery.
As usually happens, a quote from Albert Einstein comes to mind: “Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.” Taking risks do increase the likelihood of mistakes – a real source of discovery…
To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.-S.Prefontaine
Don’t let your fears block your dreams!!