The last day of school (Friday, December 14 – 12/14/12) prior to vacation is always a welcome day! This past week our last day also brought the excitement of a Grade 12 student who received his early acceptance to Cornell University, the college of his choice. His acceptance added a great buzz to the last day for our Grade 12 students and for our teachers. One teacher commented on the great satisfaction that teachers of Seniors take as college admissions roll in over the course of the second semester. The hard work of preparing students for IB exams and supporting them as they navigate the obstacles of Grade 12 including the college admissions process offers positive rewards to teachers in the form of a successful college application. We do this work because we have a passion for teaching, building relationships with students, supporting them as they uncover Continue reading
A Good Time is Hard to Find…..
As a Principal, I seek to be sensitive to the timing of requests that I make of faculty. Teaching is a tough job with many demands. Some of these demands are driven by responsibilities scheduled on the calendar – reporting periods, extensive planning at the outset of the school year, parent-teacher conference days, and so on. I find myself regularly considering what else is being asked of teachers when I initiate specific requests or plan learning opportunities. Yet, as professional as teachers can be and as engaged as they are in their own learning, I often hear the common refrain – “It’s just a hard time of year”. The implication being that engaging teachers in that dialogue or activity would be better done at another time of the year! But, that time is tricky to find.
When is the best time? Time is that elusive need for educators. Time is what everyone would like to have more of every week. The demands for planning, marking, meeting with students, meeting with colleagues and communicating with parents are significant. Continue reading
A Fresh Start…a New Blog!!
The end of 2012 is almost here. Another round of holidays and another opportunity to renew my blogging spirit.
This time, I want to bombard the school community until I get some response!! Maybe I’ll offer such provocative posts that it will produce high interest and record levels of response! Maybe my posts will actually be read by parents, teachers, and students.
That’s my goal! Provide some food for thought about schools, teaching, learning, parenting, and being a member of a school community.
So, let the blogging begin and hopefully I’ll sustain it!
Geoff Smith
Secondary School Principal
Lincoln Community School