10 years does NOT make me an expert

This year will be my 10th year teaching.  It would seem like after 10 years of anything you would be an expert, right?!?  Well, not in teaching...at least not if you are a good teacher.  I will never be an expert because the world is always changing and therefore the needs of students are always changing.

I am excited for a new school year, I am excited to be challenged, to improve, to try new things and find success, to try new things and flop, to use old tried and true methods, to borrow best practices, to become a better teacher.

My goals for the 2014/2015 school year:

1.  Use structured roles in groups to facilitate collaboration (Mrs. Rodriguez will be my go-to for this)

2.  Flip my classroom twice a month (very measurable)

3.  Help students produce GOOD writing not just A LOT of writing 

4.  Have students use TouchCast to produce

5.  Help at least 12 students find a book that they just LOVE 

6.  Send home 1-2 cards of encouragement per student (snail mail)

7.  Reach the groups I struggle to reach (the quiet boys, the girls always on task, etc.)

8.  Blog 1-2 times a week to share what worked, what didn't, what was AMAZING, what I would do differently