Post update 11/2/13: Each year takes on a life of its own. As I read the answers to Dillon's questions from 6/13, I know am prompted to add updates and revision about 5 months later.
Dr. Robert Dillon posted "The Questions That Won't Go Away" on Connected Principals. His questions prompt us to think about the year ahead with depth. I answered Dillon's questions briefly from my point of view as a classroom teacher. I wonder how my colleagues and leaders would answer the same questions.
What is going to be fundamentally different about your school next year?
This is a tough question for a teacher to answer alone, but I know that those in my school, including me, are implementing new technology and strategies to teach children well. We are having our scope and sequence meetings in the spring which will give all educators time over the summer to plan for, and study upcoming units. Also, our schools will embark on the planning for a potential restructure. I hope the restructure choice will help us to continue to move our schools forward with structure, curriculum, and approach.
Technology has been met by surprising push-back this year which has placed it lower on the agenda than expected. The restructure process is ongoing, and no decision has been made to date. What huge risk for kids are you dreaming about implementing?
This is a challenging questions. For my own part, I want to increase our STEAM exploration and innovation times throughout the year. As far as a "huge risk" I'd like to see our school tackle the issue of students who struggle with physical fitness issues.
The huge risk ended in a huge dilemma. We tried and we hit unexpected giant, thick walls, hence I'm taking a break from huge risks for the moment. The school has not taken on the other risk I mention. Do you truly still believe in incremental change?
I imagine you mean here change that happens over months or years. I think that kind of change is too slow given the way the world is changing. I think we need to increase the pacing with which we make important change, but I do think change needs to be thought out, and planned for.
My thoughts remain the same in this regard. With what school in the country are you most impressed because of the way that they serve kids?
Presently there's no one school that impresses me alone, but there are multiple practices and efforts shared from all over the world that impress me. I look forward to reading this good news about education from leaders and educators near and far. Hence, I hope educators continue to share the wonderful work they are doing.
I am very impressed with what Pam Moran @pammoran is doing in her school district. Recently I was impressed with what a neighboring school district, Weston, was doing with STEAM particularly since our efforts were unsuccessful. Are you a disruptive force for your school and education as a whole?
I'll let the readers of the blog and my colleagues answer that.
I won't comment on that now, as I'm still smarting from the STEAM disruption. Do you have enough courage to do this position?
In my current position, yes.
Yes, but I'm rethinking strategy. What is your best example of how you model excellent learning for kids?
I am a learner with students. I embark on similar explorations. We meet to share ideas and questions. I teach my students and they teach me.
I continue to do the same and it remains successful. I only wish I had more time for my own creativity and learning--that would help. What fuel do you have in the system to promote students innovation and creativity?
We have some amazing tools and amazing, innovative teachers who are pushing new strategies and endeavor to promote innovation and creativity. I have been keenly watching and listening to those teachers. This week one of those teachers is going to host my class for a STEAM afternoon--I know I'll learn a lot.
I continue to look to those teachers, but currently innovation at my system level has met more resistance than support. Are your college-ready kids truly life ready?
I think the opportunities exist in our community and school to make students life-ready, greater access to those opportunities for all will serve to increase this effort.
I think there needs to be a greater emphasis on global, cultural, and economic share, contribution, and understanding for this to happen. Is your school a joyous place?
Yes, our students are happy. People remark that our students "skip down the hall" and if you visit our school, you'll notice that.
Overall the students are very happy. Many teachers are struggling with issues of choice and voice, and if this is not remedied, the struggle may trickle down to students. Teachers are more than conduits of information, and that's important to recognize. Are you dreaming big enough?
This is a great question for me--there are some dreams I've yet to consider. I see this question as a positive challenge.
Perhaps too-big, if that's possible. 
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