As educators across the country are settling in to the new school year, NYC public school teachers like myself have just finished our first week back. It has been a successful week for me and one I entered recharged and re-energized. This year is unique to me for several reasons since this year I’m teaching completely alone whereas in the past I’ve had co teachers for most of my classes, I’m teaching ELA and social studies, and I’m entering my fourth year of teaching which means I’m up for tenure. Even the administrative surface of my school has changed as my former principal has retired and a former assistant principal and colleague has moved on to another school issuing new leadership. So one can imagine the amount and impact of change not only for myself but for my school community as a whole.
However, in the days leading up to the new school year, I found myself surprisingly not stressing as much as I would’ve had this happened earlier in my teaching career. Perhaps this could be attributed to the fact that I had my share of nightmares when the previous school year ended or else towards actual growth as a teacher within my craft. Maybe this could even be attributed to the fact that I had an extremely relaxed summer after a much stressful previous year. Whatever the case may be, I definitely felt more assured, confident and overall at peace with the upcoming year. This mindset, I think, paid off greatly in my first week with my new kiddos that I feel even better about the school year. It’s not to say that I won’t have challenges, we all do at some point and trust there were a couple of moments even in my first few days, but the mentality seems to make a world of difference.
This in mind, I have some goals that I definitely want to accomplish this year in strengthening my craft and continuing to grow as an educator:
- Continue to create and modify lessons to make as engaging and enriching as possible.
- Strengthen relationships with students by offering more opportunities outside of the classroom through field trips, extracurriculars and the like.
- Conduct more frequent conferences to check on student growth and keep them cognizant of their progress.
- Keep a journal to reflect.
I think with these goals in mind, some of my practices will be even stronger and so will my students because of it. I look forward to this year and all that comes with it. It will most certainly be a year to remember.
Your goals sound admirable. I’m not a teacher, but I work on the “other” side, so to speak, because I am involved in curriculum development, course and assessment writing, and instructional design.
Loved reading your goals! In not a teacher but can relate with many of them!! Good luck!!
I’ve thought of keeping a journal or a diary several times but I always get busy in other things. But lovely to see that you can keep track of your goals and aims, I hope you have an influence on everyone who reads this. š
I love that you are checking in with your students more frequently! That’s so important!
Your goals are very inspiring, and I hope you’ll achieve them all this school year. š
I graduated college a few years ago now, but I still feel so productive at this time of year. It’s like a built in internal clock now!
I’d imagine so and then with fall comes new possibilities. It’s definitely time to revamp or spruce up some goals!
You’ve listed some great ideas here. After teaching Academic Writing to Korean university students for almost 18 years, I’m glad to say that chapter in my life has closed. I do have goals for September, but they don’t include the classroom. Good luck with your new school year.
Thank you! And thank you for your work as an educator! I’m sure your new pursuits will be just as fulfilling and deserved.
I think these are great goals as an educator because you’re keeping things fresh. Teaching is one of the most admirable careers in my opinion, because you’re helping shape the minds of the future!
Yeah, I definitely have to keep improving and trying new things to reach my kids. It is imperative!
I love writing in my journal, it really helps me to reflect.
It is definitely cathartic and worthwhile.
These are such admirable goals. I go through phases with journaling. I need to work on consistency.
Ha, me too!
Great teaching tips and goals for teachers everywhere. Keeping a journal is one of my favorite ways to improve my teaching skills.
Thank you! I hope I can keep up with the practice of journalling.
I don’t have kids at home anymore but I do feel that September is GO TIME for goals. Even if you haven’t reached the goals you set at the beginning of the year, you can still put a nice dent in them if you start today
These are awesome goals!! I may not be a teacher but some of these could be changed a bit to work for the goals I need to make this year. š
Keeping a journal is such a good idea and really helps keep track of things.
Hopefully I can keep track of the journal this year also!
I love it that you continue to improve on your strengths and have goals besides just surviving the year. Good for you!
Yes, if we’re not constantly seeking to improve then perhaps it’s time to find another job! Thanks for the well wishes!
Love these ideas, I think keeping a journal is such a good thing to do (when I remember to do it!!)
I feel the same way too! Hopefully I can keep that one up!
Nice post and really enjoyed reading your article. I always love setting a goals it really helps me a lot to do things more easier. Good luck to your goals and hope you achieve it.
Thank you!
Such a nice post and it so great that you were able to share your goals with us and I hope you are able to achieve it before the end of this school year.
I hope so too! Thanks for reading!
Great that you share us your goals. Being an educator is such a hard role for the entire school year. Setting goals will really help you.
I definitely agree!
I love goal setting and constantly revisit goals as well as tasks, which are many. I hope more educators take your approach.
I have to continue to remind myself to check in on my progress. Self-reflection is so important, I agree. Thanks!
I really admire teachers. You have such an important job and Iām sure it can be difficult at times. I hope you have a wonderful school year!
It definitely can be but it’s important to remain positive and optimistic. Thanks for the well wishes!
Yes, the start of a new school year definitely means setting some new goals š I’m actually mostly going to be working on actually finishing my new year’s resolutions š
Progress made both professionally and personally are all super important! Being reflective is necessary and key. Thanks for reading!