Day two of New Teacher Orientation.  The first day was cut short because the high school where the training was held had no air conditioning, so I had the chance to join a leadership meeting at JMS for a portion of the day.  I was able to place an update on the web page because of that.  I really want to completely revamp the website, and I have a couple of ideas rolling around in my head.  Hopefully by start of school, they will gel into place.  We had the chance to begin planning the fall parent night.  We're going to do a talent show to try to bring in some people.  It's always tough to get people to come out to a parent night.

So anyway, New Teacher Orientation.  They have us divided up by school, so I'm with the new teachers from three middle schools, including my own.  There are seven of us from JMS.  The teachers are working through the info for the teacher observations.  It's a very thorough rubric.  And they're modeling best practices while doing it.  I find the training very encouraging and uplifting.  Much different from any trainings in my former county.  It's very positive.  They're also answering questions we have about how things are done here.  All the trainings I've had this summer have been very worthwhile.  I've come to avoid trainings in the past.  But these have been really good.  Has my attitude changed?  Or are these really better trainings?

I really like my new co-workers.  I know the school has had a problem with retaining good teachers.  I hope we can change the culture and get some good teachers to stay and help our kids learn.