Unity of Purpose: Why are we here?
The real questions before us are: Do we really believe we can make a difference? Are we able to rise to the challenge? Do we believe our students can learn? Am I able to teach my students? Are we the professionals? Do we know how to reach our students? Do we know them well enough to “snag” their interests to manipulate them into wanting to learn more about what it is we are teaching? How interesting/engaging is your classroom presentation? Would you sit through it?

Focus: A planning tool to keep us focused on instruction
As we have looked at lesson plans, goals, benchmarks, standards, and strategies, we have attempted to put into action the best practices that we, as educators, can pull out of our “hat”. As I have seen this evolve, I see the “I can” statements as a real effective tool. As a student in your class, the objective of the lesson is now clear. I should know what it is I am expected to know and/or be able to do after having been in your class session. “I can….”. This sounds really simple and I believe it is the basis of instruction.

Reflection: What could I have done to make my presentation better?
The end of our first semester is fast approaching. How many of your students would be rated as FFB? Approaches? Meets? Exceeds? What are you doing to bring your students to the next level?

Everyone should be meeting the expectations for your course; there should be no failures. The “I cans” should be evident and reflected in the grades. We have set 80 per cent as our trigger levels and for those not making the trigger, how will you help them say, “I can”?

Sense of Urgency: Our students need to achieve at a higher level.
The power to teach our “eagles” to soar rests within each of us. Now is the time to
engage that power. Let’s teach for learning. Let’s make it so!