Learning had been always easier for me than sharing or summarize about what learned. Articulation had been a skill I know I am lacking, or even just be open to others. I have known it but have not done anything to push myself out of the comfort zone. This summer, while I was in Ireland, I presented at the conference that all students in the program put together. That was the very first time, I might have looked somewhat confident speaking in front of adults. I was forced to step out of the comfort zone because it was our course requirement. Now, I would like to initiate pushing myself again. I would like to set the following three goals: setting SMART goals with my students, presenting at a conference, and becoming a Google certified educator to push myself to the next level in leadership and getting growing by stepping out of my comfort zone.

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Life is much like getting from one place to another. Every time we travel, there is usually a destination, transportation, time of arrival, possible routes, and if it fits our schedule. And the information needs to be detailed such as having an address verses just the color of the building. Depending on the situation, missing any of the information would greatly impact on when we get to our destination, or if we will.

I see this in setting goals on the daily basis, and we are all about goals now. In the education world, schools of all ages use models and teaching practices that promote setting teaching and learning goals. Setting goals can be easy, but it is not the same as setting good goals. The very first questions that came up to my mind when I attempted to brainstorm ideas for this essay was: what is considered a good goal?

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Recently, I have learned about the SMART goals from our school professional development meeting as SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time based. I would like to set SMART learning goals with each of my student in Math. I want to help my students knowing what they need to focus on and support them in ways that make sense to them. Before starting to meet with students on October 24th, I would like to do a research on a more in depth research on how to set SMART goals with students and be consistent in working toward their goals. I plan on using students’ latest Math assessment scores and formative observation to conference with students individually during lunch time or computer time. I wish to revisit these goals toward the end of every month with students.

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             picture: https://sites.google.com/a/homerschools.org/steam/smart-goals

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I am looking forward to see how to set goals with students and follow up in attainable way that is also meaningful and efficient. The learning part will weigh in the process as I will also be trying to achieve my own SMART goals.

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By October 23rd, I would like to complete writing a proposal of a presentation about best Chinese teaching practices to motivate students at the Chinese Language Association of Michigan Conference on November 19th that is hosted by Confucius Institute at Wayne State University. Through this experience I wish to practice articulating my thoughts as well as feeling confident as I present. I also wish to use this opportunity to share and learn practices and perspectives from other Chinese teachers. I wish to record myself during the presentation as I wish to review the recording and reflect on how I did after the presentation.

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As a teacher, particularly a Chinese immersion teacher, I feel like I need to work more on sharing teaching strategies and tools more with others. I was inspired by the TED talk given by Joe Ruhl on Teaching Methods for Inspiring the Students of the Future. The better we share; the more students will benefit. Through this conference I might feel more comfortable coming back to my own school and share with teachers I work with on the daily basis. I know to better on how to collaborate, communicate, reflect, and be better together as I plan to become the building representative for technology next school year.

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                         Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCFg9bcW7Bk

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While preparing myself to take on a leadership role in the building and facilitate conversations on meetings, I am also planning on strengthening my knowledge in using technology. Over the summer, I learned from teacher friends in my Educational Technology study abroad program about Google Certified Educator, I wish to spend more time exploring and learning about Google tools and becoming a Google Certified Educator. Through the process of learning, I will be able to utilize more tools with students on the Chromebooks we have at our school and boost students' education technology literacy. I wish to spend more time during Christmas break and get my certification before the end of January.

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               picture: https://morethanatech.com/2015/05/28/5-reasons-you-should-be-a-google-certified-educator/

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Life is much like getting from one place to another. Now I have set my destinations, identifying tools to get to each destination, my possible routes as well as setting a time for myself. I hope through setting these SMART goals, I can achieve more and being able to reflect and monitor myself better along the way.

On the Roads to your Destination