The tradition of making New Year’s resolutions goes back long before there was a path around the Falls. As far back as the Babylonians, it was recorded that people thought about goal setting as they began the new calendar year.
Perhaps the catalyst in modern times is a bump in the needle of the bathroom scale after enjoying all the holiday goodies. Maybe it is that health risk assessment and the recommendation for additional physical activity.
Maybe it was the Chicago Bears’ loss on Sunday and the renewed breath of life that came as Packers fans realized, in spite of what seemed to be against all odds, a third consecutive NFC North championship was not out of reach. As this was written, the game was yet to be played, and everything was on the line.
For school people, there may be another factor or two that cause us to think more seriously about those New Year’s resolutions. It’s just about halfway through the school year and time for a quick big-picture student assessment. That assessment may identify a student or two who may be in danger of not passing a class or not reaching our learning expectations if they continue at the same rate they are going. This can provide a “make it or break it” motivation for the balance of the school year.
The halfway mark in the school year is a great milepost to stop and measure progress working through the annual budget. The school district budget is not spent on an even pace every month throughout the year. Supplies and major capital projects are usually paid for at the start of the school year. Fuel use is heaviest in the middle of the school year. The greatest use of substitute teachers often comes in the spring of the school year. Comparisons to previous years at this time can be helpful as we consider redirecting resources.
The practices of reflection, goal setting and making a fresh start are quite common in our classrooms, not just at the start of a new year, but this can be a good time to pause for focus on the big picture.
Starting afresh on a few different paths can lighten the stress and offer some hope, both in the classroom and in the larger world beyond the classroom where we all must operate.
Last year we made a resolution about focusing on relationships, something that is especially critical in the education business. That will continue to be a focus this year.
A second focus or resolution will be to do a better job of telling the story about the good things about our schools and dispelling some of the confusion about public schools. While the local media usually does a great job of covering our schools, the national media may be more inclined to lean toward sensationalism.
Some of this coverage can be due to interest groups using school issues for political gain. This past year’s controversy about the Common Core state standards was a good example. What really was a non-issue drew lots of limelight because efforts by some to mischaracterize the intent of the Common Core effort.
Uninformed consumers of media material may be susceptible to take those stories or opinion pieces on face value. Educators have the responsibility to clarify and deepen the general public’s understanding of those issues.
The coming calendar year will be another exciting one for Wisconsin educators. Final preparations for the fall implementation of Wisconsin’s Educator Effectiveness System will be put in place. School people will take further steps in the transition to a new multi-state Smarter Balance student assessment system. Continued curriculum revisions will be on the plate.
School districts will be looking at nontraditional compensation systems. Some are considering tying compensation systems to student achievement measured through the Educator Effectiveness process, but that can be like walking through a minefield covered with a blanket of fresh Wisconsin snow.
The holiday season offers a bit of respite from the usual daily routine as we take time to spend time with family and friends and to make a few New Year’s resolutions. No one will keep score, so this is on the honor system.
As we close out the last year full of many satisfying accomplishments, we wish all a happy New Year, a great finish to the season for the Packers, and another restful week of R&R before we come back for classes. Resolve to make the most of the time you have.
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