Reflecting Forward by https://padlet.com/michaelpalmer/adj6obl3jrf86abj Please add your thoughts to this prompt: At the beginning of the year, I thought ___________. At the end of the year, I learned ________. en-us 2021-06-28 05:28:34 UTC 2021-06-28 18:51:39 UTC hello@padlet.com At the beginning of the year, I thought our students would not have problems adjusting to the restrictions. At the end of the year, I learned the students absolutely needed teachers to support them through all of the uncertainty. michaelpalmer https://padlet.com/michaelpalmer/adj6obl3jrf86abj/wish/1627857312 2021-06-28 05:33:22 UTC https://padlet.com/michaelpalmer/adj6obl3jrf86abj/wish/1627857312 At the beginning of the year I thought I had enough time to plan/assess built into my schedule. At the end of the year, I learned that trying to plan / do "everything" that is expected of us is not realistic within the time constraints. https://padlet.com/michaelpalmer/adj6obl3jrf86abj/wish/1628699862 2021-06-28 17:09:33 UTC https://padlet.com/michaelpalmer/adj6obl3jrf86abj/wish/1628699862 https://padlet.com/michaelpalmer/adj6obl3jrf86abj/wish/1628704819 At the beginning of the year, I thought I could do everything and go above and beyond with my assessments, units, clubs, etc. By the end, I learned that being exhausted was not helping my teaching and therefore not helping my students. Knowing when and how to say no. ]]> 2021-06-28 17:13:32 UTC https://padlet.com/michaelpalmer/adj6obl3jrf86abj/wish/1628704819 At the beginning of the year, I thought I just wanted to focus mainly on the social emotional wellbeing of the students. My goal was for the students to be happy, healthy and safe in light of COVID. At the end of the year, I learned the children were more resilient than expected but still needed support with social/friendship. As issues were surfacing because of the lack of opportunities for children to problem solve and explore in social interactions. There was a part of the social emotional learning my students needed more support from myself and parents (interactions/problem solving). https://padlet.com/michaelpalmer/adj6obl3jrf86abj/wish/1628771018 2021-06-28 18:09:46 UTC https://padlet.com/michaelpalmer/adj6obl3jrf86abj/wish/1628771018 danielle_minichiello https://padlet.com/michaelpalmer/adj6obl3jrf86abj/wish/1628772793 At the beginning of the year I thought that this year was going to be a time to focus just on keeping each other safe and that everything else would be a bonus. At the end of the year, I learned that students and staff were hungry for as normal a year as possible and that drove an incredible amount of learning. I also learned that if you don't take the time to be present, you miss the most joyful things. ]]> 2021-06-28 18:11:35 UTC https://padlet.com/michaelpalmer/adj6obl3jrf86abj/wish/1628772793 At the beginning of the year I thought we would get through the Pandemic because of our strong team. I thought I would do everything to ensure that my students felt safe and that they were going to have fun learning despite all the restrictions in place. At the end of the year I learned that students do much better socially and emotionally when they can see the faces of each other and of their teachers, when they can play together, and interact with different students outside their cohort. I learned how important social and emotional well being depends on interacting with and playing with others. triciagrzybowski https://padlet.com/michaelpalmer/adj6obl3jrf86abj/wish/1628773534 2021-06-28 18:12:23 UTC https://padlet.com/michaelpalmer/adj6obl3jrf86abj/wish/1628773534 kristinesoo1 https://padlet.com/michaelpalmer/adj6obl3jrf86abj/wish/1628774341 At the beginning of the year I thought that we wouldn't be in school very long. I thought the pandemic would close us down and we'd be back to online learning. At the end of the year, I learned what an amazing community we have that worked together to keep us all safe and how lucky I was to have this year with this cohort to learn and grow together. ]]> 2021-06-28 18:13:09 UTC https://padlet.com/michaelpalmer/adj6obl3jrf86abj/wish/1628774341 At the beginning of the year I was so grateful to be back in school and amongst peers and students that I perhaps missed the warning signs of early teacher burn-out and students struggling with how to interact. By the end of the year I learned that meeting students where they are at is key at every stage of the year/unit and that supporting teachers to pivot is an area of stretch for me. Many of the challenges I experienced are because teaching and learning was not happening at the pace of the child, but rather the 'average', partly due to the fast pace we set for ourselves. gillianlouie https://padlet.com/michaelpalmer/adj6obl3jrf86abj/wish/1628784015 2021-06-28 18:22:18 UTC https://padlet.com/michaelpalmer/adj6obl3jrf86abj/wish/1628784015 At the beginning of the year I thought that we were the most fortunate school to at least get to return into a building that had been made safe and okay to be in and start the school year together (plexiglass, arrows, sanitizer). I thought it might not last though so I savoured each day. I wanted to get to know my new students and teaching partner as well as possible in case we went back online. At the end of the year I learned how important being together in a classroom to learn is. The kids and I need and crave that interaction. I can't wait not to not be masked and to fully show emotions to my students. I feel relieved! https://padlet.com/michaelpalmer/adj6obl3jrf86abj/wish/1628785982 2021-06-28 18:23:51 UTC https://padlet.com/michaelpalmer/adj6obl3jrf86abj/wish/1628785982 https://padlet.com/michaelpalmer/adj6obl3jrf86abj/wish/1628800280 At the beginning of the year I thought that we had a great opportunity to be back in class, but I thought it was going to be very difficult for students. This turned out to be true, and many students struggled to adapt to the new situation and rules. It also made a lot of what we do very difficult, especially collaboration and group learning. We all became separated into our little boxes, and it even made collaboration between teachers more difficult because we had far less interaction with our classes. At the end of the year I learned that I really need to take more time to breathe and do things I enjoy throughout the day. It makes me happier and in turn makes for a better learning environment for my students. I also learned that some students really love mindfulness and meditation in class, and this is something I want to focus on for my teaching next year.]]> 2021-06-28 18:36:56 UTC https://padlet.com/michaelpalmer/adj6obl3jrf86abj/wish/1628800280 https://padlet.com/michaelpalmer/adj6obl3jrf86abj/wish/1628810521 At the beginning of the year I thought that I brought very little knowledge with me. Entering into an IB school, with no experience, proved to be a challenge. At the end of the year, I learned to not compare myself to others. ]]> 2021-06-28 18:46:00 UTC https://padlet.com/michaelpalmer/adj6obl3jrf86abj/wish/1628810521 https://padlet.com/michaelpalmer/adj6obl3jrf86abj/wish/1628811649 At the beginning of the year I thought that I wasn't cut out to be a teacher. The pandemic had rocked my self esteem in teaching and I wasn't sure it was for me. The wonderful community that is at Stratford Hall supported me and helped me find my confidence again. At the end of the year I learned that I am in fact 100% confident in myself and that my morals, values, and principles are important to who I am and how I teach. The interactions that I create with students are special and even if they can be overlooked the students are grateful for my presence and that I am there (in person) to support them through their learning journey. I am excited to continue my journey as an educator doing what I am trained to do, what I love, and with a supportive team behind me backing up my decisions. I am excited for the future.]]> 2021-06-28 18:47:04 UTC https://padlet.com/michaelpalmer/adj6obl3jrf86abj/wish/1628811649 amandapeacock1 https://padlet.com/michaelpalmer/adj6obl3jrf86abj/wish/1628811768 At the beginning of the year I was thrilled to be back to teaching and learning in person.  Online learning was absolutely miserable for me.  However, I was on edge the entire year because I figured we needed to be ready to pivot to online learning at any moment.  I wanted to be prepared and ready, which meant that I distinguished all hope for the future of the school year and put my head down to survive for myself and my students for the entire school year.  
At the end of the year, I learned this was necessary for me to stay sane and for the students to be socially and emotionally secure.  I learned that all of these things were very "good enough" and to be kinder to myself when I couldn't reach the highest teaching and learning goals for everyone.  Once I chilled out a little about this, life became happier and healthier for all....vaccines helped a lot with that as well.  I am grateful!]]> 2021-06-28 18:47:11 UTC https://padlet.com/michaelpalmer/adj6obl3jrf86abj/wish/1628811768 https://padlet.com/michaelpalmer/adj6obl3jrf86abj/wish/1628812995 At the beginning of the year I thought we wouldn’t be able to make it through. At the end of the year, I learned that being optimistic can truly change your outlook on anything!]]> 2021-06-28 18:48:07 UTC https://padlet.com/michaelpalmer/adj6obl3jrf86abj/wish/1628812995