Goal 4: Revisit an Idea of The 30 Goals Challenge for Educators. Click the link to find out more about the 30 Goals Challenge for Educators.
An idea that is not dangerous is unworthy of being called an idea at all. ~ Oscar Wilde
This year with the 30 Goals Challenge for Educators we have adopted the theme, “This is MY Moment.” Each goal focuses on getting educators to believe their plans of action now will lead to positive changes and transformation in their teaching and learning environments.
My Thoughts
As a teacher trainer, I work a lot with educators from various parts of the world in various settings. I am blessed they share their stories with me and allow me to get a peek into their classrooms so that I can understand their successes and struggles. The best part of my job is when I get to hear the teachers’ stories. I am moved by how much they enjoy helping a struggling student or mentoring a colleague. I like to hear about the project, lesson, activity, or event that inspired their learners and often their school community.
However, I don’t always hear stories of success. Many times teachers share their ideas with me. They tell me how they long to do a certain project but don’t feel confident they have the resources or experience to carry it off. They tell me how they want to use technology in a certain way but don’t think they’ll receive support from their leadership or staff. They tell me how they’d like to implement a program to support others but don’t believe they have the time to commit to such an endeavor. Each of us have ideas that we have put aside, because we see the obstacles. One of my favorite quotes is from Henry Ford, “Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.” Whenever I get an idea and begin to immediately think of how it won’t work versus how I can make it work, I think of Ford’s quote.
Our greatest achievements and accomplishments only came about due to action. We never know where an idea will go. When implementing The 30 Goals, I wasn’t sure it would catch on. I was a new blogger, having only blogged for 8 months, and I hadn’t built up my readership. I wasn’t getting very many comments. But I had an idea and it was one of those that nags at you and burns within you and screams to get out. I remember telling myself, don’t worry if no one does this with you, just do it for yourself. I remember telling myself if I accomplish at least one goal and inspire one teacher then the idea was a success. Now, nearly 4 years later it is over 9,000. I still pinch myself. Our aim for each idea we implement should be to inspire at least one person. Inspiring a student, parent, or colleague is success. We shouldn’t think we will fail because we don’t inspire a certain number like 100 or 1000. The only failure is to not do anything, to not inspire.
Goal
Thanks to Jake Duncan, @DuncanBilingual, for suggesting this cool collaborative tool, Mural.ly. For each goal, we are aiming to use a new collaborative tool.
Long-term– Try to implement a new idea each year. Try getting your students to implement their ideas by having them complete idea and goal boards like our Mural.ly. Allow them opportunities to share their ideas and try to connect them with mentors who can help them implement these ideas. Monica Hardy does this with her high school students. Read about it here, Redefineschool.com.
Educational Leadership Goal
This year we will also be outlining goals for those in leadership roles- principals, vps, administrators, district policy leaders, superintendents, instructional technology leaders, etc. Lisa Dabbs, who was a principal for many years, will be posting her thoughts and reflections for leadership in her blog, Teaching with Soul.
Goal– As a leader, think about ways to support your teachers in implementing their various ideas. Perhaps, you could dedicate one meeting every month or quarterly to implementing an idea or ideas from your staff? Create a way for teachers to submit ideas to improve the school in some way. This could be an idea box where they fill out a form. They can choose to be anonymous. You could create a poll with these submitted ideas and have teachers vote on which idea to implement. Seek teacher input on how to implement the idea. In this way, your teachers will see that you believe in them, are listening to them, and cherish their input. Too many times we want teachers to step up to the plate but don’t provide them with the opportunities, push, or guidance.
New Teacher Goal
This year we will also be outlining goals for new teachers or teachers in training. Lisa Dabbs, who mentors new teachers through #NTChat (new teacher chat), will be posting her thoughts and support in her blog, Teaching with Soul.
Goal– As a new teacher, don’t be afraid to implement an idea due to inexperience. At the same time, try to seek a more experienced colleague and/or mentor to help you implement the idea. You’ll gain more support this way from the rest of the staff and you’ll probably learn shortcuts.
Challenge:
Revisit an idea and make plans to see it through. Post your idea on the collaborative idea board here, http://mrl.li/1a1vNVd.
Please leave a comment that you accomplished this goal by either posting your own video reflection on Youtube, using the hashtag #30GoalsEdu, posting on the 30 Goals Facebook group, or adding a comment below! All goals are organized in this 30 Goals Livebinder.
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