A direction

So I've had a hard time blogging lately.

I think because of a couple things...

1: I'm super busy right now. I realize every teacher says that at the end of the year. But its especially true this year. I'm expecting a baby girl in October :) But because of that I'm in super "nesting"-ish mode. I am planning things SO FAR in advanced. Example - I have the entire first half of next year laid out.

2: I am getting a promotion at work! I'm going to be part time science coach next year as well as department chair.

3: I will be teaching a new grade level next year, which means new content. I'm SO excited about this - I finally get to teach 7th grade - LIFE SCIENCE! My major was biology education so finally getting to teach biology is really exciting for me.

4: I didn't really have too much of a direction for my blog...

Which leads me to this. I decided this blog needed a direction. And I realize the direction isn't really changing... but I like that I have it written down and decided upon.

I will be blogging about these 4 things primarily...

1: This will be most dominant in about 5 months - maternity leave and then coming back. I think that will be a HUGE part of my year next year. Even though I only plan on taking 8 weeks, and ideally with the flipped classroom the kids won't even notice, I know it will be the most difficult thing I will have ever done teaching wise. So it will come up. A lot probably.

2: Being at a BYOD school. Our school is going BYOD for next yar - so integrating the technology into my lessons, managing it, and helping other educators include it will be a large focus.

3: Being an academic coach. As I learn more about the coaching cycle my district follows I will be sure to include it here. I know this will be an exciting challenge and a great step for my career.

4: Teaching life science in a flipped classroom. I plan on posting more of my video lessons and hands on activities here. Even if no one else looks at them I'm really excited about having a place where I can keep and reflect on them. Expect a weekly post about what is happening for the week and a follow up post later in the week or the following week reflecting on how the lesson went.

Now other things will come up I'm sure, and this doesn't seem very specific BUT - they are all things I think I'll have enough to talk about and meaningful enough that other people will want to read them.

I'll be spending my summer prepping lessons, making lecture videos, but mostly hanging out with elementary school kids at the day camp I work at teaching science, playing sports, and doing arts and crafts. Posts will be seldom, but will still happen.

2 days of school left! 2012-2013 is coming to a close, and I'm excited I took this year to get better at blogging and set a goal. I hope to look back at this post in a year and be proud of all the blogging I've done since.

Until then... lets see what happens!