Amy+Potter

Amy Potter (ampotter16@yahoo.com) Grade 5 all subjects (except for Science)

I have to tell you that this year has been a tough year for team meetings and even team events. I am a fifth grade teacher in a district that gives us one planning period and this is very difficult to meet with the Special Education Teacher, members of Administration, other fifth grade teachers, and other faculties all in 45 minutes. So what I have proposed is that this time be used to discuss sensitive matters, that should not be aired on the edublog, but use the blogging time to “catch up” and “meet up” with other faculty members and team members. Now school is over as of tomorrow so implementing this will be tricky, but I thought maybe some summer communication between colleagues would be interesting and “updating” and also help to start this edublog. Then next year, really put it into affect. To create an environment where all teachers, administration and other staff can communicate and keep up to date with ongoing materials and projects. To allow teachers and team members to meet without meeting. To go over team leader ideas and possible team enrichment ahead of schedule and then have discussion. To grow as a team by engaging one another. Allowing other teachers to experience our classrooms without having to be there. To enhance our technology use. I think this tool would help my school so much because we have so many time restraints. This capability allows us to discuss information without all having to sit down and be there face to face. Whether it is just a quick discussion question or a team issue that needs to be discussed. It also allows for the administration to add their input by being involved as well. With such a small amount of shared time, we just can’t meet with everyone we need to, and no one wants to work beyond the needed time. This method of communication will enable us to complete meetings and discussions all at the comfort of our own individual computers. If this edublog works throughout my team members, I would like to extend it out the entire school and possible district. That way all schools know what is going on at each other school and teachers can talk with other teachers without the hassle of individual emails. I think the assessment will show through the participation of blogging or the lack there of. Obviously the more comments the better. And we are talking about topic related and detailed responses. CHANGE! I think my biggest fear is that some of our staff will be hesitant to participate. They will not want to have to be bothered with learning how to access and blog. Which is really a very easy process, yet there are some that need that face to face interaction. I think that most of our staff will be on board and once they see how much time and effort it will save, they may jump on board as well. I guess we will have to see.
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