Pushing the Envelope

We are about to embark upon an exciting new school year!

Our school received an Innovative Learning Designs Grant which 10 of our teachers are involved with. Those teachers formed small groups and wrote inquiry questions in April of last year. Those inquiry questions were to be their focus this year.  We  will be revisiting the questions and what Innovation means to them and their students in the coming weeks.

As part of our learning, we have the pleasure of having George Couros, Division Principal for Innovative Teaching and Learning in Edmonton, come lead our summer Professional Development Day this Friday, August 31st.

I am both anxious and excited.

I am anxious because we have many staff members who are not yet comfortable using much technology in their rooms. Their understanding of 21st Century learning is limited. I really don’t want them to become overwhelmed (although, for some, I realize this is inevitable).

At the same time, I am excited at the possibilities of change. I am excited to hear the chatter, the questions, the ambiguity, and even the possible frustration.

I am excited by the discomfort that I know will come on Friday. It is through this discomfort that growth happens. It is through this discomfort that change happens and people move forward.

I am excited to continue to learn in this area WITH my staff.

I am excited to be able to be there to assist everyone on this journey, even after George leaves.

So, indeed, like most educators feel at the beginning of most school years, I am anxious AND excited at the challenges and the possibilities.

How are you feeling as we embark upon this new school year?