School Year 2011-2012

Well as usual it was a very busy and productive summer in the curriculum/assessment office. Our dedicated teachers and department leaders spent over 2500 hours in June working on improvements to our curriculum and assessments. With the adoption of new math resources (that weren't yet published), new Illinois Learning Standards (incorporating the Common Core) and 16 new teachers in the system it was a crazy-busy process.

We kicked off the school year with a dynamic presentation by Mr. Jim Burgett. No matter how many times I hear him speak, I just can't get enough. Mr. Burgett reinforced so many of the initiatives that we have been focused upon; including the importance of building relationships and engaging students with technology in the classroom. It's easy to find a speaker that can entertain and amuse. It's more important to find professional development that helps us stay focused on the important district goals and he did just that. There is so much to learn from his messages- and I encourage anyone that has a chance to hear him speak to jump at the chance.

So I'm beginning my 22nd year with Coal City Schools and am so thankful to work in such a caring and professional organization. It's certainly not without challenges, but what fun would work be if it wasn't challenging?

Back in 2009 when I started to blog I wanted to end each one on a positive note about someone in the organization and give "thanks" for someone in the CCCUSD#1 family. I'm going to continue that practice this year. A couple of weeks ago, I was fortunate to get to work with the new teachers that we've hired into the district. While I truly enjoyed working with all of them, I'm going to single out one in this particular post. Sharon S. is a new teacher at the middle school this year. In each encounter with Sharon she has reminded me how "excited, happy and grateful" she is to work in the school district. It's a good reminder for all of us (when those 'fun challenges' are piling up) of having a grateful, servant heart. Sharon is going to be a great teacher because truly loving what you do, regardless of the job, is half the battle. We can't teach new teachers to have enthusiasm and love what they do, but it's certainly a vital component to great teaching. I was having a conversation with my son in the car about there being two types of educators, although I think it applies to any work and not just work in the field of education. There are those that see a job as a way to collect a paycheck and those that see it as a reflection of who they are (a calling, a profession). I wish everyone viewed their work as a profession and not as a way to collect a paycheck. I'm thankful we have people in our organization like Sharon who will help all of us remember just that.

Thanks for reading

Tammy