And here follows everything I have accomplished over Christmas break thus far:
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Exhibited slothlike behaviors. From time to time I have slept until 11 a.m. or noon, then dozed off on the couch a mere three hours later. For lack of a better word, it’s gross. (In my defense, I’m pretty sure I haven’t really slept since before Institute. June.)
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Eaten more food than I ate during the entire semester. Probably.
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Gotten to know my family’s new Yorkie – perhaps a bit too well, I’m afraid.
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Caught up with college friends.
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Read 1984. I have a thing for dystopian fiction, but somehow I’d never read it. (Verdict: thumbs up from Ms. ____.)
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Spent quality time with my family.
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Ruminated on those movies we’ve been watching (TransAmerica, The Dark Knight, The Ron Clark Story) somewhat more deeply than I would have been able during these past few months. Questions to ponder: What is gender, anyway? Is man inherently evil? And how does Matthew Perry get all of those kids to test above grade level?
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(CUE OMINOUS MUSIC) Graded my students’ final essays and calculated their semester grades.
Ahem. Those last two items — well, watching The Ron Clark Story, at least, and then letting the letter ”F” smack me repeatedly in the face as I rounded out my gradebook (which I didn’t do until after Christmas, I might add) — reminded me that I am just NOT an awesome teacher yet. Consequently, a fire seems to have rekindled itself, both within my soul and under my, well, you know. So. How can I become a better teacher? (Ah, yes, grasshopper, I knew you would ask.)
Why did I just feel compelled to quote Mr. Miagi?
Anyway, if I remember correctly from constant exposure to goal theory during Institute and beyond, a truly marvelous goal must manifest the following characteristics. I’m going to use bold print again, so prepare yourself:
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Measurable.
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Clearly defined and communicated. You can identify it when it happens.
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Ambitious — audacious, even! — yet also feasible.
I’m still trying to figure out the nexus between “ambitious” and “feasible.” So. Much. Tension. I will ponder this issue in greater detail tomorrow. And now enters my goal for tomorrow, The “Goal” Goal: Formulate at least three of these truly marvelous goals for the coming semester. Looks like I might have even more bullet points ready for y’all soon.
