I was recently discussing "themes" for the upcoming school year. We discussed that maybe a new theme wasn't needed. If last year's theme was so encompassing and broad, then there is just no way that we could be finished with it in just one year. That got my Spidey Sense tingling; something seemed half-hearted or lazy about this.

So, I've been giving that idea some thought lately. Do we need themes? Or more so, do we need to change themes?

My conclusion is that it isn't about themes; it's about message. What is the message that you are wanting to convey? Is everything you are pursuing directly tied into your message?

I'm currently reading Buck Up, Suck Up... and Come Back When you Foul Up by James Carville and Paul Begala. These two are political strategists who market political candidates. They say that a good politician will always ALWAYS tie back into their message. This seems like a no brainer for teachers.

My message is that I want to make learning accessible to children, especially in the realm of educational technology.

Is everything I do as a teacher directly tied into this goal? I'm getting there. Be it Kagan, Foss, Literature Circles, Socratic Circles, inquiry based instruction, my website, incorporating social networking, podcasting, or Living Museum projects, I have been trying to carve out my style of teaching.

I am entering a place in my career where there is a shift. I have had some great guidance from friends and colleagues who have helped teach me philosophy. I've read books and articles and had discussions on "what do you think about..." I've had some time to learn, grow, and form opinions. I can tell I've begun shifting from a more passive listener and learner to one who is more sure of his message, and I am going through some more specific and focused instruction.

I want to be a good teacher. I'm still learning. There is still a lot I need to learn, and there is still a lot that I am curious about. I've got a lot of work ahead of me, but I can tell that I'm getting someplace.