I am not sure why, but I always have difficulty in setting goals (or at least verbalizing what it is and why it is that I want to do something.) I think that some things are just common sense to me so I have difficulty with the expression of goals. However, it is interesting that I always ask my third grade students to set SMART goals that are both long and short term.
S-specific
M- measurable
A-attainable
R- realistic
T- time bound
T- time bound
This posting will list three goals that I have for this semester that will assist me in becoming more effective in my professional role.
1. Learn more about the state and local policies that affect the schools in my district.
I can be honest in saying that it is rare that I attend school board meetings that discuss upcoming trends and directives that are coming down the pipeline, unless it is a mandatory meeting. It is not that I do not care, but I spend a lot of time outside of my school, coaching students at an area high school leaving me little time. Meetings are held monthly. It is my goal to attend 5 out of the 8 meetings this school year.
2. Become more of an advocate for students and families that my school serves.
I have recently switched schools leaving one Fulton County Schools to teach in Atlanta Public Schools. We are in extreme need of advocates in Atlanta as we are rolling out turnaround schools. Many of the supports that other schools and systems have are missing from Atlanta. Programs that we had for years in my previous school are just getting to my new school which is a disservice to the families and students I serve.
3. Research grants
I have learned that many of the decisions that my administrative team makes is based on funding, not what has been researched based and a proven way to help the students that we service each day. I would like to research and write grants that will help the students, teachers, and administrators in the school have all of the resources that they need, and give them some autonomy to teach the students to the best of their abilities.
