Back to School Ready: How to Set and Achieve Your One Teaching Goal
Welcome back to Equipping ELLs, the podcast dedicated to empowering teachers of English language learners! We want you to start your next school year with confidence and clarity, so in episode 2 of this series on being “Back to School Ready”, host Beth Vaucher dives into practical strategies for turning a single, impactful goal into actionable steps.
Setting a goal is exciting, but the real challenge lies in building a foundation that supports consistent progress throughout the year. In the episode, Beth shares examples of teachers who, after setting their goals, feel overwhelmed and in need of a structured plan.
Dr. Emily Turner, an educational psychologist, emphasizes the importance of breaking down large goals into smaller, manageable tasks using the S.M.A.R.T. criteria – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. For example, integrating one new language support strategy each month can make a significant impact over time. Dr. Turner also highlights the need for regular reflection and adjustment.
Beth outlines clear steps for creating a successful plan:
- Define Your Goal Using S.M.A.R.T. Criteria: Clearly define your goal and ensure it is measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.
- Create a Timeline: Break your goal into monthly, weekly, or daily tasks and set deadlines.
- Gather Resources: Identify the resources you need, such as training or materials.
- Implement and Monitor: Take action on your tasks and track progress.
- Reflect and Adjust: Regularly review what’s working and adjust your plan as needed.
To stay focused on your goal throughout the year:
- Use a Planner: Track tasks and deadlines.
- Stay Organized: Keep materials accessible.
- Seek Support: Ask for help from colleagues or mentors.
- Celebrate Milestones: Reward yourself for reaching milestones.
- Stay Flexible: Be open to changing your approach if necessary.
Beth closes the episode with answers to some frequently asked questions; after all, our goal is to provide practical steps to help YOU achieve YOUR goals! Setting a goal is just the first step – consistent action and adjustment bring success.
If you missed last week’s episode, make sure to check it out. With a small investment of time, we believe this Back to School Ready series can make a big difference in your upcoming year! And if this podcast has been of help to you, consider leaving us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts. This is the best way to help us reach more educators like you!
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Resources:
- Join the Equipping ELLs Membership (We have everything you need for your school year!)
- Shop our TpT Store for Hundreds of ELL Resources
- Check out our new Pathways to Proficiency PD platform
Connect with Beth:
More about Equipping ELLs:
We all know that teaching isn’t easy, but it doesn’t have to be this hard. Equipping ELLs is a podcast for both ESL specialists and homeroom teachers who are looking for effective and engaging ways to support their English Language Learners without adding to their endless to-do list. Tune in each week to hear tips, strategies, and inspirational stories that will empower you to better reach your ELL students, equip them with life-long skills, and strengthen relationships with colleagues and parents.
Your host, Beth Vaucher, is the founder of Inspiring Young Learners. She is an ESL certified homeroom teacher with over 10 years of experience teaching in the US and internationally. Her background of M.Ed in ESL and Curriculum and Instruction combined with her experience has led her to develop a bestselling newcomer curriculum that has sold in over 90 countries around the globe. She brings a different perspective to teaching ELLs from her years teaching and living abroad and working with ELLs from around the world. You will walk away from each episode with the ideas and tools you need to transform your experience as a teacher and cultivate a thriving and welcoming environment for your ELL students.
