Thinking it Through

As I read through the assigned texts and start thinking about the classrooms I am to work with next year I am getting a bit nervous.   There are several unknowns at this point:

1. The impact of the budget rollercoaster on the campus.  When I left campus we had cut down to 3 teams at each grade level and every teacher would be teaching more students.  Since then more money has become available but no word on what impact that has on the number of teachers on campus.
2. Schedule - a variation of block scheduling was proposed at the end of last year to try to make the best use of the staff we have.  The master schedule was still a work in progress when I left for the summer and word was there was resistance at the district level for approving the proposed schedule.
3. New grading policy - Standards Based Grading - the campus is moving towards standards based grading and this is not an item that has the full buy-in of the staff.  With the transition away from traditional grading comes a lot of preparation to build assignments that meets with the philosophy of standards based grading.

And now I come along and will ask that they use technology in ways they have not done before and add to the stress level that is already high.  

I have worked hard this past year to lay a foundation for what is to come.  I have tried to recognize teachers who use technology in meaningful ways.  I have baked cupcakes and provided chocolate for teachers willing to learn something new.   I began teaching a series of week-long technology "camps" for students to remind the teachers that I am first and foremost a teacher.   I have tried to convince teachers that above all else I am on their side and I can be trusted.   Now to see if that will pay off in the coming year as I push a little harder for teachers to reach a step outside their comfort zone and move towards the land that the digital natives are living in.  Wish me luck!

I welcome feedback on ways to work with the teachers or on any part of my action research plan!
Action Research Plan