The Second Half

Now that we have come together through the first half of the school year, it is time to begin the second half.  We have reviewed the curriculum, made adjustments to lesson plans, and took time to renew our energy.  The second half of the year is ready to commence, and we are going to embark on our educational path until we reach the end of the school year.  In less that 6 months we will reach June, the school year will end, and our year end planning will serve as our educational guide toward completing the educational goals we set.

As we return to our classrooms, let us keep our sight on the horizon.  Lets visualize the path that we are going to take from now on, and make sure that the first step we take is a positive move into the future of education.  Working together (Students, Teachers, Parents, etc.) we can support each other, help our students reach the end of the school year, and advance further into the educational path that we have planned.  Soon, January 2014 will become June 2014, and our students will be moving on to the next grade.

Author: Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator

Copyright 2014.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

The Half Time

In some athletic events the team leaves the field of play, gathers together, then returns to the field of play to continue playing the game.  This is commonly referred to as half time.  During the half time the entire team can come together (Players, Coaches, Trainers, etc.) and use the time to a self evaluation.  The players can rest and those who have been injured can be cared for.  The coaching staff can analyze what strategies have been working, and which have not and need to be adjusted. The trainers can determine who can continue playing and who is done for the game.  As mentioned this month in a prior post the half time can be a time to observe "What we have achieved, what we need to complete, and what corrections we must make" so that "We can achieve completely the educational goals of this school year".

It would be nice if we could gather together outside the classroom (Students, Teachers, Parents, etc.) and do a self evaluation; however, with our personal schedules being so diverse, this may be a difficult event to coordinate.  This does not mean that we cannot do our own interpretation of the half time.  We have talked about some of the things that we could do during this period for example "Become organized and refocused".  Students can take a break and take care of themselves.  Teachers can help students "Reach the educational goals and achievements which they need" by making sure that they are "Taking charge of (our) lessons, curriculum, and classrooms".  Parents can help students and teachers by being supportive and understanding of what can be described as "A constant process of adaptation, implementation, and evaluation" that goes on in our schools not just on a yearly basis, but also on a day to day operation that is executed by all who are taking part in education.

Author: Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator

Copyright 2014.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

The First Half

As January comes to a close educators and students are completing the first half of the school year and getting ready to begin the second half.  We are at a balancing point academically, and many factors must be taken into account when looking at the overall vector and magnitude of the current tilt of the scale.  Now is the time to check our balances and decide if they are evenly and fairly in harmony.  If the academic scales are not even or fair, it is our responsibility to begin the delicate process of attempting to regain balance by making adjustments to both sides of the balance.

To achieve an even, fair, and harmonious academic balance we must work in collaboration with each other: Students, Parents, Teachers, Administrators, and everyone who is directly involved in education.  It will take time for year end planning, establishing education goals, and developing education guides.  As this school year continues to go on so goes the learning in the classrooms.  What begun last fall is now pivoting through winter as it prepares to spring in the months ahead.

Author: Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator

Copyright 2014.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

Halfway Point

January marks the halfway point of the school year.  What we began to plan and prepare for before the school year began back in August, is now a reality that has been fulfilled halfway.  Though we have made plans and preparations for the entire school year back in August and well before then, there may have been some unexpected challenges that caused our plans to be adjusted.  This January halfway point can serve us as an excellent moment to take a look at what we have achieved, what we need to complete, and what corrections we must make so that we achieve completely the educational goals of this school year.

 By analyzing what we have done, where we are now, and that which is yet to be finished, educators can become organized and refocused.  This can then in turn help our students reach the educational goals and achievements which they need to successfully demonstrate before they can move on with further education.  As educators we are in a constant process of adaptation, implementation, and evaluation, and it is important that students, parents, and administrators be aware of how we manage this process, as well as how they benefit from it.  By taking charge of our lessons, curriculum, and classrooms during this halfway point in the school year, educators can demonstrate that they are educational leaders who are helping students develop into the future leaders of their communities.

Author: Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator

Copyright 2014.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.