| All new teachers need a teaching plan once the new | | | | every morning and remind yourself of your purpose as |
| year has started in order to keep track with their goals. | | | | a teacher. |
| However, most new teachers constantly become | | | | - Make your weekly teaching plan religiously - don't |
| distracted by time and curriculum pressures which | | | | forget to include some blocks of free or 'me' time |
| often don't allow them to follow through with the goals | | | | where you can simply 'catch-up' on yourself. |
| they initially set out for themselves. So, are you ready | | | | - Check your progress every month by asking |
| to have the best 2009 year yet? If so, you'll need to | | | | yourself the three questions: What worked? What |
| know how to make your teaching plan work for you! | | | | didn't? What's next? |
| First steps: Evaluate What You've Done During the | | | | Give yourself time to try new things and allow yourself |
| Current School Year | | | | time for things to take shape. |
| Before you can build a new teacher plan for 2009, use | | | | - Do small things on a regular and consistent basis |
| this three questions to help you evaluate what you've | | | | Make sure you have a system for keeping yourself |
| done during the current year: | | | | Do you have a system for keeping yourself on track |
| - What worked? | | | | with your 2009 teaching goals? |
| - What didn't work? | | | | If your answer is 'no,' chances are you're letting time |
| - What's next? What do you need to change? Do you | | | | and other curriculum constraints get in the way of |
| know what you need to change? | | | | having a productive and fulfilling teaching career. |
| December's a great month to honestly reflect and | | | | So many new and experienced teachers start out the |
| write your goals down so you can revisit them every | | | | New Year either writing (or thinking about) some |
| morning on your way out to work. What did you do | | | | teaching goals but don't really follow through. Start the |
| for your career that didn't work? Try to stick to no | | | | new year off right with a system that will help you |
| more than three goals, otherwsie you will be too | | | | keep on track. A working checklist includes those |
| overwhelmed (and stressed) trying to fulfill them. | | | | teaching goals and actions that are important for |
| Staying Focused on Your Teaching Goals | | | | maintaining positive relationships with your student while |
| - Keep sight of your new goals by placing them on a | | | | teaching effectively. |
| sticky note or where you can read them to yourself | | | | |