So the English 7 team just found out where we would be officially yesterday. Though we will all be in the building we want, only two of us will be teaching 7th grade next year. One person is moving to 8th and the other to 9th. It is very exciting for us to all still be in the same building, but I'm sure there will also be many growing pains as well. I am staying at the 7th grade level, which will be much easier than learning a new curriculum; however, it will still be an adjustment, planning with just two people, learning to coteach, and teaching curriculum to two other teachers at the new building. I am wondering how everyone is feeling about next year, whether or not you are moving buildings. Are you excited? Apprehensive?
I myself am very excited to have a second chance at Honors English 7. I like what I did this year and being able to adjust the independent research paper and continue to increase rigor while still using gradual release makes me look forward to next year. I am also excited to be coteaching, as the method has seemed to work well in the two 7th grade classes that used it this year. The idea of parallel teaching seems like a fantastic way for us to meet each student's need while still beign able to increase higher level thinking for the class as a whole.
I apprehensive about our two most experienced teachers leaving the department. Nate and I have experience and will do well together, but it does make me anxious to go it a little more alone. We are now the more experienced teachers, as the teachers from the other school will not have experience in the curriculum.
I am also nervous about how we will keep consistent curriculum with two buildings. How will we meet to make sure we are implementing our assessments in a common way? Will we meet in one school? And then how will we make time for that? I think perhaps meetings could be biweekly instead of weekly for PLC so that we could meet for a longer period of time, but weekly check ins do seem important. Any great ideas for how to have a PLC accross buildings?
Thanks for this post, Connie. I am sure we are all both excited and anxious about any sort of change--and we will be a different building next year--as there will be changes in many buildings next year. I love how you are so positive about this. It is a chance and opportunity for growth for everyone. I think we are sad to be losing wonderful colleagues to other buildings, but it is also important to look at what is gained. I think you and Nate will be great leaders and you both have insight into the curriculum for 7th grade. I think it gives a good opportunity for growth and creative ways of looking at the curriculum and how we can better at working to reach all students. I think it is important for all of us to also welcome the new people into our buildings. It is always much nicer to come to a welcoming team and building--and we can welcome new people to our awesome school. I say keep the spirit, Goedtke!
ReplyDeleteWonderful topic!
ReplyDeleteI assumed I would be moving next year, regardless of what building I was placed in. Turns out, I'm going to the Junior High West. I believe only 3 staff members are moving from the Middle School to the High School. This does make me a bit nervous, as I basically won't know anyone over there other than people on my vertical team.
So I know where I'm going, just not what grade I'm teaching. I have a feeling 7th grade because no one in that building has taught it and moving from 6th to 7th wouldn't be a big jump for me. The problem with social studies is that next year we have to implement literacy standards and then the following year we have completely new (grade specific) content standards. Likely this means two new curricula for me in 2 years and lots of changes for the vertical team!
I am concerned as to how the PLC thing is going to work next year. Hopefully tomorrow brings some answers! As a member of the tech integration committee, I know some people are considering video conferencing so we can actually "meet" and work on things weekly. Perhaps through a google+ hangout? That would require some new hardware though. Just a thought!
I am also nervous about PLC work next year. I am curious as to what the specific expectations will be from administration. How mirrored are the two buildings expected to be etc... I think sometimes in education, the intentions/motivation starts out really strong...meeting once a week...or video chatting etc... and then as the year progresses and people get busy with the day to day stuff...things like that can fall on the priority list. It will be interesting to see how it shapes up!
ReplyDelete