2021 ADE Reflection

Moving On

The time has come to move on from CDS. It has been an enjoyable experience working at Cheongna Dalton School for six years, but all good things must come to an end. I wish CDS all the luck in the future as I begin the job hunt. I'm looking forward to my next adventure. In my time here I was able to put some good runs on the board and I'm happy with the accomplishments. Time now for new challenges.

October and Covid Fatigue

October has felt very long to me this year and Covid fatigue is very real. Although Koreans are pushing on with their fight against Covid, I think the enthusiasm for fighting it is gone. This is now like a 12 round championship boxing match where both pugilists have spent all of their reserves of physical energy and the only thing keeping them going is heart alone. I've been engaging in professional growth through reading some academic books, but not posting about it and that is because I'm a little tired right now. I've made the decision to be kind to myself and let myself not blog about everything for a little while, but I truly do want to get back into it. I have also been going back to the gym, but not as often as I wish I was, but again I'm being kind to myself and allowing myself time to rest. Covid fatigue is real, be kind to yourself. If you are waiting for someone to give you permission, I give you permission.

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Watering the Seed: Professional Growth Goals & Professional Learning Communities

Starting last year, with the creation of my new position as Director of Professional Development, our Professional Growth Goals (PGGs) were moved away from the division directors and placed under the authority of me. The first step in my mind was to establish a robust, yet flexible approach to meaningful PD through the PGGs. Because the approach was new, teachers were a little indifferent to the change at first. They diligently wrote their goals and then I began meeting with each of them for a short discussion understanding and clarify their goals. The meetings went really well and were very positive. I received a few comments from some teachers like, "This is great! I've never had a meeting about my PGG before." In the mid-year meetings, the new enthusiasm continued even in the face of Covid. And in the final meetings of the year, teachers shared what they had learned and how they planned to change their practice in the 2021-22 school year.

Along the way, I had been planting seeds. I had mentioned the idea of teachers teaming up to do PGGs together as well as entire departments collaborating in PGGs. So in my first meetings this year, I was ecstatic to see those seeds growing. Two of the music teachers wanted to support each other with improving their guitar skills because so many of our students play guitar. The entire Social Studies department wants to do a book study over Hattie's Visible Learning. Each teacher from the department will take the lead on one of the chapters. I was so excited to see a Professional Learning Community born completely naturally at our school without cajoling. I still have 40 more meetings to go, so I know there will be more amazing PGGs in the coming days.

Sometimes the best thing to do is to simply plant seeds, put a little water on them, and then sit back and watch them grow.