"Make this your best school year yet." - Dr. Perella

Updated, more formalized ideas, 9.12.2014:

Download three formalized SMART goals for each category here, generated after a meeting with Nicole Chiesa.

My ideas for achieving district priority/ELA department SMART Goals, 9.8.2014:

Goal 1:  attend curriculum committee

Goal 2:  work with social studies teachers to develop curriculum (particularly involving muck-raking with the juniors); grammar and style handbook?  (a great way to stand out on isolated skills Fridays)

Goal 3:  keep using the school-wide rubric; keep pushing for common assessment

Goal 6:  observe Esner, Sanford, Bow-Fly, and Kain, particularly when they are doing Socratic seminars

Mr. Ambrose, what did you do each day to stand out?

9.2.2014 (PD day 1)

• wrote out welcome back cards for each member of the high school English department, including personalized messages and candy

9.3.2014 (day 1)

• challenged students to set measurable goals by sharing the story of Arantxa King

9.4.2014 (day 2)

• learned every single student's name and went around the room to name them
• reviewed school-wide rubrics and 21st century learning expectations

9.5.2014 (day 3)

• had students complete a collaborative diagnostic (in line with district goal of pre-test/post-test and school goal of collaboration)
• attended girls' varsity soccer game with my children to support my students

9.8.2014 (day 4)

• students complete writing diagnostic in class (will be scored according to school-wide rubric; students will have opportunity revise for more points)
• emailed all students' parents to introduce myself 
• NEASC steering committee meeting with Mr. Tucci, Dr. Perella, and others to plan accreditation visit
• met with Mackenzie and Jillian to discuss their taking the AP test (as similar students have done with success in the past)

9.9.2014 (PD day 2)

• presented at faculty meeting about upcoming NEASC visit, sharing tips for incorporating core values, etc.

9.10.2014 (day 5)

• tried to really enforce core values while going over objectives and throughout lesson
• met with and tutored three current honors students - Mackenzie, Jillian, and Emma - to learn the basics of taking the AP test (goal:  they will all get 5's!)

9.11.2014 (day 6)

• printed out directions for NEASC visiting team for Nick Tucci to include in packet
• showed kids an engaging ESPN OTL mini-documentary about 9/11 ("The Man in the Red Bandana") - video was shared by one of my colleagues, Sarah Terranova

9.12.2014 (day 7)

• met with Nicole Chiesa to discuss ideas for measurable SMART goals
• provided cover sheets for samples of work for NEASC accreditation visit
• in class, scored and reviewed collaborative diagnostics from last Friday; these will act as pre-tests to determine our group's strengths and potential areas for improvement
• sent Friday email to all parents

Week of 9.15.2014

• significant amount of work for accreditation
• sent slips of paper to students for subcommittee meetings
• organized yearbook students to photograph entire faculty and design board for visiting team work room
• attended numerous steering committee meetings
• contacted Dave Blauch about our upcoming standard meeting
• helped Nick Tucci with a variety of items
• guided 12 yearbook students through the process of writing and rehearsing for the panel presentation
• presented with 12 students on NEASC Sunday
• interviewed by NEASC visiting team chair Ron McCarthy on NEASC Sunday
• represented yearbook wtih students at activity fair
• attended welcoming reception

Week of 9.22.2014

• helped Nicole Chiesa with curriculum materials
• helped Nick Tucci with various accreditation needs
• tutored Simon on PSAT and helped Tyla on college essay after school
• had great fishbowl discussions in class
• observed twice by NEASC visitors
• nominated 13 students for the National Youth Leadership Forum

Remember - SMART goals are MEASURABLE goals, so I should be able to show evidence that I am working to achieve these goals!

Do something each day to stand out!

Testimonials from parents, colleagues, and students.