3 Words for 2011 – Ode to Chris Brogan and a Few Friends….
He says they are neither goals nor resolutions, but instead “guiding pillars for what I will focus on in the upcoming year.”
Over the past two years or so, I’ve gotten a little off-course, thinking I wanted to leave education — a profession I was apparently destined for, as evidenced by my earliest attempts at teaching my stuffed animals and baby dolls, and later, in the staff development I coordinated while in the Navy.
Within a few years, I was mentoring peers and providing staff development/training opportunities when I wasn’t in my own classroom. I learned a lot from working with colleagues and students, visiting classes, and watching teachers, administrators, and students in action; I developed professional interests that would become the foundation of my professional philosophy:
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how teachers teach (and the effects)
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how students engage (or don’t engage) in learning (and the effects)
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efficacy – teachers’ and students’ (and the effects)
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the domains of learning
After a school year that began on shaky grounds (both professionally and personally) I finally feel (mostly) ready(!) to take my professional plan to the next level.
I admit, this is the word that’s been holding me back. Ironically, I embrace change, liking the idea that things will be different, fresh, new…anything but stale. I get bored easily. But risk scares the heck out of me. Does it scare you?
I knew when it was time to leave the classroom as a full-time teacher (it took three years to make that decision).
I’ve known for nearly two years that it was time to fulfill my long-term professional goal:
allowing me to mash-up my creativity, passion, gazillion skills/interests, and diverse experiences – for different projects, with different groups of people, increasing my Circle of Influence (thank you, Stephen Covey)…. and allowing me to (hopefully) make a difference in a bigger way.
I’m finally ready to say it out loud. Yell from the rooftops. Tell a friend. Tell a colleague. Tell you.
This is huge. No, really.
Being cubicle-bound for two years, I’ve had time to think about what makes me happy… and what doesn’t.
Working directly with teachers and students = bliss. happy. happy. happy!
Working in a cubicle = not so much. miserable. miserable. miserable.
What to do next??
I’ve been implementing My Plan in baby steps – for well over a year. Recently, I’ve shared it with others, and received affirming feedback and amazing support. Thank you, all!
I did. And….
Creating more intention…..
Need a facilitator or motivational guest speaker with a unique mix of skills, interests, and experiences, can tell a compelling story, and has lots of energy?
I’m a click away, and my calendar is filling quickly for summer 2011 and the 2011 – 2012 school year. E-mail me today, and let’s discuss your organization’s needs.