Laura used to say that her muscles never got sore the day after strenous exercise. It was always the second day after that felt worse. I think the same can be said for recovering from vacations, or from any extended work absence. Yesterday was relatively quiet, lulling me into a false sense of security. Today all hell broke loose – phones ringing, and everyone realizing that I’m back at work, and subsequently demanding more from me.
In the midst of this hubbub, I think an important decision was made regarding instructional technology in our district. I say "I think" because I’m not sure it was finalized, and I’m not sure whether or not it’s going to be a good thing or bad thing, and I’m waiting to see what the unintended consequences will be.
Per state law, our district has enacted a Technology Proficiency requirement for teachers. As part of this requirement, teachers were to have a technology goal that followed the Goals Based Evaluation requirements, and went beyond the basic requirements of the proficiency program. Today, the principals decided that for the GBE program teachers should only do two goals, and drop technology as a separate goal. The concept is good – that technology should now be woven seamlessly throughout the other two goals. However, I know that some are just going to let technology slip altogether.
Even more potentially harmful, teachers don’t receive recertification credit for courses unless it ties into one of their GBE goals. Either one of two things will happen – any technology course or workshop can count toward recertification since technology is part of each goal, or no technology staff development will count because there is not a separate goal. I’m going to try my best to see that the former comes true. We shall see.