Dear team,
Last notes of the year! We did it. 2016-17 academic year - check! Well done to each and every one of you for a hugely successful year. You’ve made it to the summer break and we invite you to use this time to take a break, relax and reflect on the wonderful year. The questions below were brought to the Leadership team this week and it was agreed that summer is a great time for all teachers to set aside an hour to reflect on the questions below. Going forward, they may be very useful for next years professional growth conversations.
Five Questions to Ask Yourself Near the Year's End
The month of May sometimes feels like a stumbling stagger toward the finish line. It can also be a time to reflect. Before the rush of the school year recedes into a hazy memory, give yourself 15 minutes to ponder these five questions. Grab your computer, or scrounge up a pen and notebook, and jot down your responses. Talk about them with a friend, family member, or colleague you trust. Or take a long walk, some evening when you’re not too worn out, and give yourself a little time to ponder.
1. What have you taught? This means a lot more than the bulleted content outlined in the standards. What have you taught the children in your care this year, by your words or example, about how to be a human being in the world?
2. What have you learned? What do you know now that you didn't in August about children, teaching, and yourself?
3. What have you done well? Teachers tend to be hard on ourselves. Don't gloss over your strengths and successes, large or small.
4. What do you need to work on? Not a single teacher in the entire world has had a flawless school year, so don't beat yourself up for the ways you may have fallen short. But think about what you can change or learn to better meet your students' many needs. Seek out resources on teaching English-language learners. Resolve to speak more kindly to the children in your class, even when you're frustrated. We still have a little time left to make those changes.
5. What impact did you have beyond your own classroom? Teacher leadership doesn't have to happen on a grand scale to be significant. If you led a professional development session at your school, gave your grade-level team an idea for a project, or gave a new teacher a little reassurance and wisdom right when she needed it most, your influence extended beyond your own students.
This comes from an article from a second grade teacher - full article, read here
Thank you’s and Recognitions
- Kelly, John and Vigna for the great community garden presentation on Wednesday
- Karen, Rachael and Hilary for helping with report card proof -reading
- Daphne, Lakshmi, Sherene and Sweety for teaching the upcoming Jumpstart camp this summer
From Ryan in the AD Office
We have need for two more athletic coaches for next year.
- Assistant girls' SAISA soccer. Season runs February 19-April 22. Tournament in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Female staff member preferred, but filling the position more important than gender! Most practices will be after school.
- Head or assistant girls' ASIAC volleyball. Season runs January 22-March 11. Tournament in Mumbai. Most practices will be before school.
If you've got questions about coaching here is the FAQ about ASIAC and SAISA. If you're interested, just send a quick note to mryan@aischennai.org.
Naming conventions of classes
Due to several of you in the same grade having the same initials, we will now be going by both initials - e.g - 5MB (Marianne Brooks), 3SS (Scott Stier), EY5JR (Jana Rogers), etc etc…… Look for new and improved door signs next year.
Have a wonderful Summer break and safe travels!
Keryn and Lori
