Change Project Ideas and Thoughts

What ideas do you have about your final project? 

Did any of the projects you reviewed inspire you? 

Initially, there were so many ideas floating around in my head about the change project. The original ideas were very inspiring to solve the absentee crisis in my school to the tardy problems that don't seem to be going away. The more I thought about these problems the larger-than-life personas they took on for me. I want to change those things but I also started to realize that these might be too heavy a lift for me at this time for this project. After viewing some of the previous projects, I realized that it was ok to not take on such a huge lift. It was ok to just take care of things that I exist in my own space. It was validating for me. I am thankful that we were able to view past projects. I decided to start smaller and look at the things that I want to change in my own classroom space.

The three ideas I have centered around better communication. Admittedly, I am still looking to fine-tune it. I am not sure if I can incorporate all this year into this one project or just focus on one so as not to feel overwhelmed during the year. These ideas are all central to my core beliefs as a teacher and a parent. Open lines of communication are essential to cultivating and growing that classroom community of learners.

1. Parent communication - I would like to improve the communication between school and home with my students' families especially my MLL parents who struggle with the language.

2. Classroom communication - I am always looking for ways to connect with my students to create that classroom community .....and ways they can connect with each other. I think this is well established in my class since I have most of my students for 4 years but I always want to make improvements in this area. I am thinking of blogging this year.

3. Teacher-to-teacher/intern (internship communication) - SInce my students intern in a variety of placements it is important to keep the line of communication open. In the past, I have sent out newsletters, calendars, emails, and hand-delivered notices. I visit the classrooms as often as possible but I am looking for a way to streamline the communication process. It might be remind or a blog for this as well. At this time I am still searching.

I am not sure if I will start small with just one of these ideas and then branch out as I feel more confident or if I will just stick with one. However, I feel they are all intertwined with each other. Looking back, these change ideas will impact daily attendance and tardies at least within my own classes and students. Hopefully, this will help to also influence the larger student body as my own students encourage their larger friend groups to be on time and come to school. They will in turn become the champions of this systemic problem. Communication is an essential piece of education and learning so I know I am heading in the right direction for the change project but need to narrow it down a bit.