Now that most of you have gotten through the first night of sleeplessness (students aren't the only one's nervous for the first day of school) and are beginning to set a normal schedule, I would encourage you to look at some promises of a new school year.
Promise #1
Just as the world turns, school always begins again in the fall. Hopefully you have had a restful summer and are reenergized to begin a new year with new students and fresh ideas. While the days at the beach are coming to a close, bring that beach feeling into your room everyday and energize your students.
Promise #2
Your students are excited to see you. Yes, most students lament the end of summer but you have to remember that most of their developmental years are spent in the school environment and there is a level of comfort to that. Strive to provide your students a welcoming environment where they feel free to explore, invent, and inspire each other.
Promise #3
You are only limited by your own creativity. While there are many standards that are imposed on schools in order to ensure that students gain specific skills, you have the ability to direct the path that you take for how you get to those standards. Seek out new ideas and strategies to make your path different this year. As a wise administrator recently stated as the goal for his staff, "Innovate Wildly!" Your students will thank you for not resting on your laurels, and while it may take more energy from you, the results will far exceed the effort.
I would like to leave you with one of the most invaluable videos that I have stumbled upon. I try to watch this at the beginning of every school year to reinvigorate my creative spirit! Have an amazing school year!
