I think that it is important for School Leaders to make themselves New Year's Resolutions. There has to be freshness and re-invention in every organisation in order to keep it forward-focused and dynamic. One of my resolutions has been to change the nature of how I work. I'm changing my office... getting rid of my desk and desktop computer. I'm going to work mobile, from a laptop. I'm pretty minimalist anyway, but am going even more minimalist. I've taken some furniture out. I've brought the books on learning, education and teaching that I store at home into school... they're now displayed on a bookshelf in my office because I want to display my commitment to my own learning for pupils and staff. I have long thought about having a staff library... there's one on my bookshelf now. People can borrow books as they please. Books on educational theory and practice are mixed in with copies of The Cat In The Hat, The Iron Man and other books that I read with children in school. Subtle changes bring about other subtle changes. I've found that I'm taking my jacket off every day... something that I'd got out of the habit of in winter.
The was an article in the TES on 3 Jan 2012 entitled 'Ten New Year's Resolutions for teachers'. Resolution 6 was:
Reboot your classroom
Walk in, day one, and imagine
you were seeing the class for the very first time. What would you think
of how they behave, of their routines, of how they speak to each other
and you? Then do something about it. It’s amazing how our own
expectations often wither over time. What would you tell yourself if you
observed your own lesson, your own style? Be harsh with yourself. Do
something about it.
I agree. We should all reboot our classrooms from time to time... Perhaps twice, even three times a year. As School Leaders we should take the same advice. The biggest opportunity for improvement that we can gift ourselves is eyes that see things afresh.
