Imagine you're on the receiving end of this conversation...

Good morning!

It’s six months into the academic year, and I’m here for your mid-year review. Think of it as a guided self-reflection on your year thus far. Not an assessment. We wouldn’t want anyone feeling all put-on-the-spot or being-made-accountable or anything…

So, where was I? Oh yes…the review. OK, so you’ve been working away since September…how’s it going? Yes I know you’re a professional. Yes I understand your budget has been cut and your salary has been frozen for the third year in a row. No I’m not aware of the rumors about RIFs coming before Spring break. Yes I do like the Sox' chances this year.

OK so seriously...we're half-way through the current school year...what have you accomplished thus far? Yes I know there’s a state prescribed set of standards. Yes I have seen the district curriculum and strategic plan. Good, I’m glad you have all that covered. But what have YOU accomplished YOURSELF as we head towards March?

• Can you name three concrete things you have done to make a difference in children’s lives?
  
  
• If you had to justify your job to a panel of community education stakeholders, what artifacts of your work would you share?
  
  
• Do you have a professional learning community and how have you contributed to it?
  
  
• How far have you gotten in fulfilling your personal learning plan? You do have a plan…don’t you?
  
  
• What commitment have you made to leave things better than you found them?
  
  
• What decisions have you made to change your status quo?
  
  
• What risks have you taken to learn and grow? Personally? Professionally?
  
  
• How have you taken your effectiveness to the next level? Not in the immediate here-and-now, but in making connections across the community that will benefit students and their families as they continue their education? And if you’re really thinking globally…how about the connections you’ve made for them world-wide?
  
  
• Show me something new you have learned to accomplish using technology. Not a familiar old task that you now do digitally…a completely new task you’ve never tried before this year…
  
  
• If you walked away from the job today, how would you be remembered?

Sorry…I seem to have caught you off-guard this morning! No worries. We can reschedule when you feel you are ready. I’ll work with your schedule...so…when might that be?