I cannot believe that it is already August! This summer has really flown by. I have been so busy with my internship and Kenan Fellows professional development that I haven’t had time for a break yet. I am definitely feeling tired and ready for a vacation before starting the school year, but I wouldn’t change this summer for anything.
As I look forward to starting another year of school there is a lot from this experience that I will take with me. First, I am going to try to use technology to more efficiently communicate with parents and students this year. At NCCAT I went to several sessions on using technology and I am excited to start using a class website, class twitter, and texting app to better connect with others. Second, I am going to bring Citizen Science to my school this year. Working at the museum with scientists who are so passionate about connecting with the community has inspired me to learn about more citizen science projects and to connect other teachers at my school with citizen science projects that are relevant to their curriculum and will be meaningful for their students. Third, and most importantly, I am going to take the positive energy and excitement for education that has grown in me this summer into everything that I do this year. Being around so many passionate educators (the Students Discover team specifically) has reenergized me and given me a peer network that I know I will be able to rely on for support and inspiration throughout this school and beyond. For that I am most grateful.
The best Teacher-Scientists and Scientist-Scientists that I know
I am super excited to start a new school year and see things through my new Kenan Fellow lens. Before I do that, though, I am going to take a true vacation. Later today I am heading off for a week long vacation including a trip to Florida and a Cruise to Mexico during which I will not think about education AT ALL. Hey, we all need a break some time and I think that I have earned it! =)