Institute Over

Our 3-day Institute finished today--It was excellent, but I think everyone was a bit brain-fried by the end of it. I also reflected a little more on the dynamics created by throwing everyone together in a group (it was the first time many of them have worked together) without prior team-building or norm setting experiences. Even though we didn't have time to do this extensively (that's what I'm dedicating the week of Aug 10th to), I should have done it at least briefly. By the end of today it was clear that we need to agree upon and adhere to common meeting norms and that we have a LOT of close collaboration ahead (which means inevitable moments of tension and friction)--we've got to have some really positive experiences together as a school team and then as grade-level teams and team-teaching partners from the beginning. I'm learning. :)