Hello New School Year

I've never really committed goals for a new school year to print. Of course, I've had some goals, and maybe I've even shared them vocally. But this year I've decided to more formally list what I hope to accomplish. Perhaps it will motivate me to pursue these five goals more vigorously than I would otherwise. So, in no particular order, here they are:

• Carve out space to focus on student agency. Since presenting on this at the Chromebook Institute this past June, I've been thinking a lot about it. It is always a goal, and I think I've done fairly well at times. But I want to make a more concerted effort to reflect on what agency means and how to work with my students to empower them to pursue their interests. 

• Do more making in the classroom. This encompasses working with both digital and physical materials. After participating in #CLMOOC this summer, I have been reminded of the way that creating stimulates ideas and fosters a more thoughtful, even mindful, attitude. In our fast paced culture, creating requires slow, which is sorely needed in most of our lives. Not to mention more time for play.

• Be an advocate for connected learning. Again, something I was reminded of in #CLMOOC. My Diigo links have multiplied greatly this summer as I picked up ideas regarding projects and tools from my colleagues. Not to mention the benefits I continue to accrue while taking part in a host of twitter chats. For that matter, I also want to stay connected to the great people I've learned from online.

• Encourage my own kids to be creators like I do with my students. While attending Educon last January, I had a number of conversations with other educators about this. Too many of us agreed that we wished our own children had the opportunities in their classes that we were trying to provide for our students. And we agreed that, with the time-consuming nature of teaching, it is too easy to lament a lack of vision in our kids' classrooms without trying to rectify this at home. A huge oversight.

• Lighten up and have more fun with my colleagues. I could probably include my students as well, but we have light moments in class. Outside of class, however, there is just so much to do. I find it too easy to bury myself at my desk. This is not right. I work with outstanding people. Interesting people. Funny people. Not to mention that research shows that laughter keeps you healthier. This is an imperative.

So there they are. Five goals. I could have listed more. For instance, I didn't even broach the need to work with students to help them create healthy digital routines that revolve around generosity, kindness, and curiosity. But I guess that one goes without saying. Tomorrow the new year begins. As the artist Chuck Close says, "Inspiration is for amateurs. The rest of us just show up and get to work." I'm ready.