We officially start school tomorrow, so I thought about my reflection of 2016, and considered where I struggled and was challenged. I have set myself 5 goals for the year, I really hope to achieve to some extent!
- Schedule time for me!
I am sure everyone can appreciate the busy lives we are all living, and the million things we need to do, however, our wellbeing is incredibly important - we cannot do great things if we do not have time for ourselves. Particularly towards the end of the year last year, I forgot about me, and my Hauora. I was too focused on the kids, work, wanting to keep others happy, and trying to achieve the best I could at uni given everything else going on, and I burnt out.
I have decided to try and have about 2 hours per day for me. Whether this is out for dinner, at the gym, watching a movie or just having a nap, I want that time. Realistically, the workday is supposed to be about 8 hours. With uni part time too, maybe 10 hours. I then also have to chuck in 2 hours travel per day on top of that. So I think it is fair and realistic to switch off and give myself 2 hours... whether it happens or not will be a different story!
- Read educational blogs
I am going to set aside one hour per week to read through some educational blogs, like the ones I have been exploring as part of my assignment. I have really enjoyed what others have to say, and the things being shared through blogging. There are many out there that are goldmines of information and resources for teaching and learning, including technology, PE and broader education. Reading through others blogs is also essentially free PD! If I have extra time, and really engage with particular posts, I would like to write my own post as a reflection. Not only is this a great way of sharing others blogs, but also great evidence towards my registration (which I am hoping to complete this year!).
- Experiment with more digital tools
Although I have some knowledge about digital technologies in teaching and learning, I feel I only scratch the surface, so I am really keen to take some risks and use more technology in the classroom. By reading through others blogs lately, and hopefully throughout the year, I have started to pick up some apps and programmes to use, which I am excited to try. There are so many things I feel I have no knowledge about, or have little knowledge but no idea how to include into my teaching, hopefully this will change! I will possibly try one per month.
- Attend more extra-curricular activities
Juggling lectures, assignments, planning, teaching, a social life and a long distance relationship last year, I really struggled to get along to support the students outside of school. I am ashamed to say I only attended one football game, two basketball games, and two rugby games! So, this year my goal is to make time for more, because I think it is important for students to see you outside teaching, to build different relationships. I don't know how, but I think I may be coaching the Junior Boys Basketball too! Watch this space...
- Include blogging into 11PE
Although this is one of the aims of my dissertation, thus I need lots of evidence, I also think the students will find blogging useful for their learning. I find blogging helpful for my own reflections and rewindable learning, which I hope my Year 11s will too, so I want to include blogging as often as I can, without taking away too much time from fun and content development. I am aiming for 1-2 times per week. I am intrigued to see how they respond, and whether blogging will increase student knowledge and understanding, and possibly in turn their achievement.
If you are wanting to set yourself some goals, which I recommend, check out this short video explaining how to create SMART goals! There are many more online for a more depth explanation of SMART goals.
Great set of goals you have set yourself for 2017 Georgia! I am really glad to see that you have put the wellbeing one in and made it first too :) Look forward to reading how these are going throughout the year!
ReplyDeleteThanks Heath - hopefully they are realistic! Considering our dissertation this year, I think if I don't schedule time for me then it probably won't happen! Have you written some goals? Would love to see them so we can reflect together :)
DeleteWill document these in a later blog post, so will definitely be keen to discuss them with you when I do so :)
DeleteHi Georgia,
ReplyDeleteI really like the goals that you have set for 2017. I can really relate to scheduling time for yourself - if this isn't scheduled it won't happen! There is always more work to be done but we definitely need time out. It will be great to hear how you go with these this year!
Thanks Danni! Yea definitely important to actually make time for ourselves - I think I might actually put into my diary my "me time" to make myself relax. Have you made some goals? Look forward to seeing how we grow!
DeleteHow is the blogging for your year 11's going?
ReplyDeleteHey Hanchen, it's going slowly but surely! We are setting it all up now and starting to get some posts going. Students are definitely finding it a little difficult, but it's a good challenge because they're reflecting on what they know and don't know. I find it really helpful to assess their understanding and where their gaps are, so we will be blogging much more in the next unit. If you would like the links then let me know - are you thinking about students blogging in your classes? :)
DeleteGeorgia you have drawn together a lot of elements for how you are going to get this year to work for you and your students with realistic goals. Good on you! This is evidence of how you want to be involved in your 'community of learners' and blogging will help towards this relationship building and communication. Your reflections on each of the criteria are honest with next steps in place. This year is busy for you but you are tackling it with verve and vigour!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the positive words Anne, I appreciate your support! I like to create goals I know will challenge me, but are also realistic. Fingers crossed I have some success, watch my blog to see how I progress. :)
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