What's giving me energy right now

 The last time I was a teacher, there was no Covid and no AI. I used an iPod to play music in my classroom. Suffice it to say, things have changed. However, regardless of these uncertain times, there are plans I’m very much looking forward to as I relaunch my teaching career.

Here are three things that have me energized and excited for the coming school year:

1. Station Rotation: A good decade or so before I left the classroom for an admin job, I went all-in on collaborative groups, and I was getting really good at intentional grouping and differentiating instruction for students. Then, I went to Lindsay High School and learned a ton about Station Rotation models. My plan? There will be stations. There will be rotations. Laughter, good times, and on-time learning. Can’t wait!

2. The positive potential of AI: Technology has changed so much since I was a teacher. I want to use it effectively and wisely, and I want to ensure students use it effectively and wisely. I’ve virtually connected with a few educators who are on the forefront of this effort, and a few who are sounding alarms about AI in education. I’m learning from them and hope to share that learning as a teacher.

3. Being a marigold: It’s been more than a decade since “Find Your Marigold: The One Essential Rule for New Teachers” was published on Cult of Pedagogy. (https://www.cultofpedagogy.com/marigolds/) With 30 years of education under my belt, and the perspective of site and district administration, I hope to serve as a source of compassionate support for new and newish educators in my new district. At this point, many new teachers are younger than my daughter, and might I say, what a great group of young adults they tend to be. So much to learn from them, and a bit of old lady wisdom for me to share. 

So many reasons for hopeful anticipation of the new school year! If you, dear reader, have tips, hints, ideas to share, please do so! All will be much appreciated!