The courses were terrific and helped me to work with my colleagues to institute many practices that still support apt inclusion today.
One important strategy I learned was to shortlist goals. So instead of trying to do it all, you and your team choose 3-5 goals to reach.
I am thinking about this today as I am about to attend a team meeting related to students' needs and goals. As I think about this meeting of many, each with a different perspective and school role, I'm wondering first what our shortlist of goals will be. What do we deem most important for the children we want to serve well?
I am also thinking about the overall goal of the meeting? What is it that we want to achieve? Which of these school topics will take precedence:
- learning
- obedience
- mindset
- learning-to-learn routines and actions
- areas of competence
- coordination of services
- home-school communication and support
- just right academic goals and support
- specific content/concept areas
As I think about our students, I'm wondering about the need to establish the following constructs:
- point person for communication and collaboration--a team leader.
- small homeroom with team leader each day to support a healthy, prepared start to each day.
- homework club to coach home study completion.
- fewer overall teachers/classes with greater depth and targeted learning design.
Today our goal will be to create a strategic plan for better service to children. I'm looking forward to the conversation and resulting action.
