I hope that you are enjoying your Christmas holiday and are re-energizing yourself for your return to the classroom in the New Year. When you return you have a wide diversity of experiences from your students. Some may have traveled a great deal for a family vacation. Some may have just stayed home. Some of your students got as much loot as the GDP of a third world country and others got nothing at all.
As your return to the classroom here are a few tips and suggestions (in no particular order).
1) It’s all about the students. No matter what happed during the holiday break, you need to be ready for school on the day you return.
2) Establish goals for the class. Make a chart that illustrates their growth as a group.
3) Stimulate creativity. Encourage your students to think independently and creatively.
4) I know it sounds crass, but start to develop review plans for your state assessment testing in the spring.
5) Take care of yourself. Winter is the time for colds and flu. Try to eat healthy and exercise.
Make sure you take time to relax and energize yourself.
6) Make contingency plans for bad weather. Chances are if you work in the Northeast, Midwest, the Plains, etc. you will have a few “snow days.” Be sure lessons are posted on your school’s web site and encourage students to keep up to speed while at home. Develop assignments that can be completed independently.
7) Begin to explore professional development opportunities to sharpen your skills or develop new ones. Summer programs for teachers have application deadlines that often are in February or March.
8) You may be receiving your mid- year evaluation from your supervisor or principal. Be sure to take the opportunity to meet and review your strengths as well as those areas that need improvement.
9) Believe it or not you may be welcoming new students into your class. Some families may choose move early in the New Year as one family member may have secured a new job that starts in January. Make these new students feel welcome and encourage your class to do the same.
10) If your school allows it, begin to develop plans for a spring class trip with educational value.
Best wishes for a Happy and successful 2013.
c. 2012 J. Margolis
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