Connect with your students so they will want to learn the curriculum. I find by getting to know my students I build a relationship of trust and respect. Humor is my number one weapon. I joke a lot with my class. When they start laughing, a classroom of eager learners seems to appear. This is a lesson that needs to be remembered especially when test prep lessons begin. I vow to stay connected with my students the whole year.

Foster a positive communication line with parents. Prior to school starting, I mail home a welcome letter to all of my students. When school starts I send home a letter to each home with my email address. I personally meet each parent at back-to-school night and parent-teacher conferences in early November. Lastly, I introduce the parents to Genesis, the online website where parents can view their child’s homework and grades. Working together is always the key to positive communication. I vow to handle parents with the same love and care that I handle their kids with.

Listen to kids. This is an important area that I sometimes neglect. There is so much to cover with the curriculum and test prep lessons that I sometimes find myself telling students to wait to tell me their stories. I shamefully must admit that I don’t always get the chance to ask that student what they wanted to tell me. I vow to be more committed to listening to my students stories. I am thinking a chat blog may be a cute idea to listen to students’ story, and get them more comfortable with technology.

Refer to your philosophy of education. This is an easy one. I think every teacher has written a teaching philosophy. It is time to post it on my desk, revise it if needed, and remember each day why I teach. I vow to remember why I choose to teach.

Plan meaningful lessons that incorporate technology. Not only do students need to understand what they are learning is relevant, they need to be motivated and engaged. Using technology helps accomplish both goals. I vow to incorporate technology for 180 days of school.

I also liked what you wrote about relevance (both in this blog and the one about your personal teaching philosophy) because that is often the missing link for students: understanding and valuing the role of education in their lives.

I look forward to reading more of your posts!