“What?! Summer’s over?” Nope, it’s not. Not really. In fact, I predict many more beautiful days for about three months! What’s over is sleeping in, but late mornings are over rated if you ask me.

So, how did you spend your summer? Aside from the vacations, the camping trips, the family reunions, and maybe a trip to the ball park, I’m wondering if you were an educator that attended seminars or classes, or read new books about how to do this crazy job of ours better.

Did you set a few goals? Try a few new things? Then I would say that you’re THAT kind of educator. The kind who loves to learn. Good for you. Actually good for those kids who will be entering into your classrooms in just a few more days.

I set a few goals this year, too. I have been trying to push myself to learn some new things in technology. Not just anything, but rather to do things that create “value-added” to my week. I don’t want to learn something just for the sake of it…not that that’s wrong, but I’m a practical kind of woman. I have long wanted to become a coach. An instructional coach.

I believe that if we are to have any chance of improving learning with students, schools must invest in their teachers. Training, or professional development, can’t just be one of those conferences that give us break from the kids for a day, but rather true professional development must qualitatively and quantitatively take us to a new level of learning. That’s where a coach comes in.

So, here I sit. This is the first step toward my goal. At my computer. Taking a deep breath and launching a qualitative change to my career in education.

I’m taking ownership of my learning. And that’s what I hope to help readers do. And what I hope you’ll then be able to help your students do.