Day One  − 15 August, 2008

Friday, August 15th, was my official first day at my new job.

The students won't be back in school until after Labor Day.  My school district gives plenty of time for planning.  Friday, however, was only for new employees -- a district level orientation meeting.

Now, I am not a big fan of meetings.  The worst thing you can do to a group of highly educated people, presentation-wise, is hold a meeting where you stand and read through your PowerPoint slides.  Arrgh.  I've been the victim of that sort of meeting before, and when I heard the term 'orientation', it was certainly in the back of my mind.

How wrong I was.

It was fantastic.

In a way, it was exactly like something I'd do in my class -- take a theme, and play it to the hilt.  The personnel department made like we were a group of stars entering the Oscars.  They had a school band play us in -- and even had a red carpet!

The first speaker was actually a motivational speaker (and standup comedian).  They even had entertainment -- from our school system, a jazz chorus and a step show.

It was well organized, informative, and enjoyable.

I'd never seen anything like it before.

In a way, it sends a message: this is the big leagues.  We, as teachers, are always told to make our class experience memorable, not some dry recitation of facts.  This is the first time I've ever actually seen someone apply those sort of classroom techniques to a group of teachers.

The bar is set pretty high here, evidently.

Looks like I've got a busy week ahead.

Comments:

edunn (August 17, 2008. 06:15pm)

Sounds like an awesome district! WOW! I am hoping it is just the beginning of great things!