Aims

We finished 2023 talking about assessment. Let’s kick off 2024 with another ‘A’ word: aims. We’re all familiar with aims, right? We write them for every learning plan, measure them, and then compile the next plan based on our findings.

Do we set aims for ourselves? Countless books talk about self-improvement. Developing improved ways of doing things, taking better care of ourselves, getting fit, losing weight, fighting off anxiety, and dealing with stress are among the recurring themes.

A new year brings resolutions to cut this, add that, do more of, do less of; the list is endless.

As teachers, we write aims that matter. We write them for our students. I have not met a teacher who didn’t want kids to succeed, even the challenging ones. Small gains are celebrated. Sometimes, we don’t see the gains until our current students have moved on. The results are often seen when we encounter former students as adults.

Let’s write some aims that matter to us. Take a moment. Is there anything you’ve wanted to improve? A hobby, a skill, a talent? We’re wound up in aims and goals for students. Have we taken time to consider our aims and objectives?