Helping teachers have a greater impact on the lives of their students every day

My Three Educational Goals for the New Year

2014 is coming to an end, and I am very excited about what 2015 will bring.

In this post, I want to share my Three Educational Goals for 2015.

I’m expecting 2015 to be a great year where I will have a greater impact on those around me – my family, my co-workers, my friends, etc.

I believe most teachers are like me. We want to make a difference with our lives. Most teachers get into this profession, because we feel it’s a calling. We want our lives to mean something. It’s not for the money. We don’t spend years of our lives in college, so we can get rich from teaching.

We want to make a difference.

It’s tough sometimes, however. Teachers are being asked to do more and more with less and less.

While our friends in corporate America are getting bonuses and company cars as rewards for jobs well done, we get pats on the back and every now and then an award of appreciation that we can hang in our classrooms.

I know I’m sounding a bit cynical, but as much as I love the idea of rewarding great teachers with bonuses and company cars, the rewards we receive as educators are in many ways more gratifying.

I can’t place a value on the feeling I get when a former student finds me in the market and tells me that I inspired him/her in one way or another.

What is that worth?

So, my goals this year are centered around the idea of making a greater impact in the lives of others.

I designed these goals to be measurable. I want to go back at the end of the year, and I want to be able to calculate how well I met my goals. Knowing myself, if I don’t do this, my goals will probably not be met.three-educational-goals-201

Goal #1: Identify at least 5 at-risk students and be their personal coach.

I can think of more than 5 students who are in danger of failing this year. They don’t have the support at home, and they don’t think too highly of themselves. They don’t care if they fail, because they still haven’t seen the importance of education.

To reach this goal, I’m going to schedule meetings with them at least twice a month to go over their grades. I want to also want to use this time to inspire them to reach their true potential.

This can’t be a “better do your homework” kind of meeting. It has to be a “I believe in you” meeting.

My hope is that the momentum that we gain this year will continue even after they leave my school.

Goal #2: Read at least one personal development book a month.

In order to have a bigger impact on others, I need first have an impact on myself. That sounds kind of weird, but oh well.

I have recently been inspired to become better. I read a quote by Jim Rohn where he said, “Your level of success will seldom exceed your level of personal development.”

If I want more success as an educator, an administrator, a mentor, a parent, a spouse, etc., I need to improve my level of personal development.

I love to read.

I just finished James Patterson’s, Hope to Die.

It was great, but it didn’t help me be a better educator or spouse.

By reading more books on personal development, I will be able to make a greater impact on those around me, including my students.

Right now, I’m reading, Be your own best life coach (52 Brilliant Ideas), by Jackee Holder. (As of this writing, you can download it to your Kindle for free.) I have learned so much already, and I’m only half way through.

I still plan on reading Patterson, but he’ll have to take a back seat to my goal.

I’m looking for good books to read on educational leadership, goal-setting, communication, and time management, so if you have any recommendations, I would love to hear from you.

Goal #3: Thank more teachers for all they do.

Again, like I said in the beginning of this post, most teachers are in this profession, because they want to make a difference.

What happens, however, is that as time goes by, as the years pass and the demands get greater, that initial motivation for teaching can begin to fade.

We begin to focus more on the stresses of the job and less on the rewards.

My goal this year is to be that person who reminds teachers of why they do what they do, and to thank them.

As an administrator, I have so many opportunities to give props to teachers. Unfortunately, I let so many of those opportunities pass without even a word.

This goal has to be measurable, so I am going to document these moments of gratitude.

I don’t plan on showing anyone. It’s just to keep me accountable.

I work with amazing teachers who give so much of their time and energy so that their students receive a quality education. They do this without expecting any kind of reward or recognition. They do it because they want to make a difference in the lives of their kids, their community, our society.

The least I can do is thank them for all they do.

Personally, I think this should be a goal for every school and district administrator. Let’s let our teachers know that they are succeeding in their life’s purpose of making a difference.

 

What are your goals for this coming year?

Are they measurable?

Will they make you a better teacher? Co-worker? Administrator?

Will they allow you to make a greater impact on your students, your friends, your family?

I would encourage you to take some time and write down at least three goals for this coming year.

If you can, I would love for you to share them with me. You can use the comments box below.

I’m looking forward to an amazing 2015.

Please follow me on Twitter at @SamRangelSITC or like the SITC Facebook page.

Until next time,

Thank you for all you do for our kids. You ARE making a difference in their lives!

Here’s to your Success in the Classroom!

Sam

 



 

2 Comments

  1. Pat's Gravatar Pat
    January 2, 2015    

    These are great goals!! I like your reading goal. Mine is close to that but I want to read more nonfiction books because I always gravitate to fiction. I’ trying to stretch my wings. Last year I read one nonfiction book a month and it was really hard for me so I am continuing this goal for this year. Good luck on reaching your goals!

    • Sam's Gravatar Sam
      January 4, 2015    

      Hi Pat. I’m focusing on non-fiction as well. I still have my one fiction book that I listen to on the way to work, but if I’m going to be a better teacher, administrator, parent, husband, etc., it won’t just happen without making the decision to learn more from my readings. Thank you for sharing!

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