Within a matter of hours I'll be back in the classroom, but I pause to ponder on ways I've used the past ten weeks to look at ways for self-improvement in this profession. Although I'm comfortable with the content, I reviewed past lesson plans in an attempt to create more meaning and tie-in to standards. Much like a composer who revises their compositions, I make it a practice to pen notes as to what works well on any given day and what needs attention. When students raised questions regarding a topic, again I made notes in order to delve deeper to find interesting content. When I sensed struggle about an idea, I jotted a note to clarify the intent of the lesson. It's an ongoing process and requires constant monitoring from day to day.
I allocated some time every day to kick back and read books related to Economics and real life. One such reading was "Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions" by Dan Ariely. While the average person generalizes the topic of economics as dry and boring, it's all about the many decisions we make every day. We're all guilty of making decisions and then later wonder what we were thinking. Through experiments Ariely breaks down our decision-making process and explains why people act in logic-defying ways. It definitely changes the way one thinks about rational behavior and will instigate some interesting conversation in this year's AP Economics class.
"New Ideas from Dead Economists" was another enjoyable read and offers a historical perspective on many of the concepts taught in both micro and macroeconomics. While I was fully aware of the impact of Adam Smith on our Founding Fathers, I journeyed deeper to find how he clearly defined the proper role for government: first, providing for national defense; second, administering justice through a court system; third, maintaining public institutions and resources and the 'dignity of the sovereign.' I was incensed by the authors constant reminder that "economics is the study of choice. It does not tell us what to choose, It only helps us understand the consequences of our choices." Teachers can sometimes make the mistake of drowning their students in facts without spending adequate time exploring the rationale behind those factoids. This book provided that perspective and emphasizes that there is clearly more to economics than prices, profits, rents, and costs. Laws, morals, fashions, and philosophies all contribute to an economy. Parents must eventually learn to teach their children how to handle uncertainty, not how to ensure stability. This is why Economics should today be a required course in every high school!
My summer also consisted of curriculum building as I am preparing a new course offering of "Global Studies" for the 2015-16 school year. Much like I did with AP Economics, I'm provided the freedom to explore resources to construct this new course which will become a requirement for all incoming freshmen. While the challenge is great, I sense an opportunity to create something very meaningful. Again, it's more than content...and requires rigor and fortitude. Content must not only align to standards. but help students learn to think, communicate and solve problems. The course outline is only one step on a long stairway to higher learning, but an important one which sets the foundation for excellence.
Finally, there was also considerable time spent on PBIS for the coming school year. Detailed lesson plans for every homeroom adviser were assembled to insure a good start. Presentations to staff not only provided statistics on 2013-14 but put forth some attainable goals for 2014-15. Videos featuring students and modeled behaviors will reinforce the message throughout the school. Best of all, our superintendent has made PBIS a district-wide initiative this year...so every school will be on board. As students from elementary and middle schools make their way into high school, the concept of recognizing and rewarding positive behavior will become all the more easier.
And so my journey continues. The path will not always be smooth and straight, but bumps and curves create an interesting ride. It also keeps the traveler interested in the scenery. I see some wonderful landscape ahead!
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