It was better then I ever thought it would be...

So, I have to admit, the change to Common Core SCARES ME.  I love the idea of it.  I love what it brings to schools, but getting there is so hard!  I have 50  teachers and only 2 administrators to do the work of 100s.   I added Common Core days to our meeting schedule and thought, "I'm done.  I did my part."  So, the September meeting came and I did my thing in the office.  I left the departments to work and change things.  THEN I GOT THEIR NOTES.  They were so honest about their confusions and needs.  They were open with me about needing guidance or help.  I felt like a failure.  It was time to rethink my plan (of lack of plan).

So, I drove into the Common Core.  I had spent the last year learning Math because my Assistant Superintendent said "I need you to run the district secondary math committee to move us to CCSS."  So, I did and learned all about CCSS math.  The result, I know tons about Math and nothing about ELA.  I have spent the past month going to conferences, reading the standards (not as bad as I thought they would be), watching videos and webinars, and learning.  I spent time trying to figure out how I can help my staff.  We organized the meetings and then it hit me, I can't be everywhere are once.  How am I going to do this, help move the staff forward and meet their needs?

Thank you #fallcue!  Here is my Pearl of wisdom for the day. At one of the workshops, a presenter suggested using a backchannel during department meetings.  A light bulb went off!  I set up a Today's meet for the day and encourage participation.  I post some questions on it to get the departments started.  It took off.  The departments were using it to ask questions to each other.  They were setting up future meetings. They asked for help or advise from each other.  They gave each other shout outs! It was better then I ever thought it would be! (Hence the title of today's post).  I will totally use this again!