Putnam has finally assembled a fairly good size of teacher's with wonderings: Julie Glisson, Debra Foreman, Leah Curtis, Carolyn McClain, Maeghan Morris, and myself. I think we have a great group and am excited about the beginning thoughts of their wonderings.

Putnam's group of teachers minus one met this morning to begin tossing around ideas for wonderings. It was wonderful to see everyone's enthusisam increase as ideas were tossed around. Everyone left with at least one vague but lingering wondering to consider over the weekend. We will meet again next week to get more focused. But....we have begun.

Well, the kick-off is over, and I have mixed feelings. I am so excited about participating again. I tried recruiting, expecially from the other grade levels (high school and middle school). I actually had several email responses, and expected at least 4-5 to show up today. However, no one came!!! I expeect some of this is due to our Protocol. And of course, some of it may be because some schools are doing "school wide action research projects" where teachers are being told to do an inquiry and what they will do it on! Ugh! I can't tell you how much that upsets me....but that's another story. Sorry, I am rambling...it's just that I had a FANTASTIC day. I really wanted to share the experience with other teachers from my district. I feel so disappointed! Any words of encouragement?? Words of wisdom?? I could really use them about now....

The highlight of my day was an email I did recieve from two highschool teachers that are interested, but could not come today.

Everyone was fantastic today! Jack and Debbie - I watched both of your presentations and they were so informative! Awesome job!

I tried recruiting teachers in a more proactive way this year because last year I felt unsuccessful in this area. I began by sending an email to our district elementary contact and asked her to forward this to the principals. A week later, I sent a slightly shorter version of this to all of the reading coaches in the county. As I received phone calls or emails from interested inquirers, I sent a friendly email asking them to make sure they registered on the NEFEC website and asked for them to let me know when they had done so. (see previous blog with letters attached) A few days ago, I sent the agenda and reminded them to bring their planner so we could plan for our next meetings.
I have eight teachers (that I know of) that are interested. I am SO excited! This is a very diversified group from many schools – from high school science to pre-K. I can’t wait to begin … and best of all, I feel successful in recruiting teachers from other schools this year.

I just want to say that I am getting responses from other schools that have not participated in an inquiry before! I am so excited. I was worried that the same people would participate, and there would be no new blood! Well, you know what I mean! :O) So far I have 7 teachers I have never met before asking questions and wanting to go to the kick-off.

I want to add, I agree with Nancy and Jack, that we need to participate, and sometimes we can't be brief.

Sherri

How am I getting in my blogging time? Well, If I can't make more hours in the day I just have to steal some from the night.......:) so I'm just getting up earlier and I'm able to get more work done before anyone gets here in the AM.

To address another point that Nancy raised (recruitment). I think I sent my goal a little to high. I've got six people who have given me their verbal committment but I thought I'd have more interest. It's taken a lot of arm twisting to get them to commit. One of the barriers (believe it or not) has been the kick-off. Our district is not giving any TDE this year (hardly) and for everyone to make it to G-ville at 3:30 they are having to take leave time. Well I guess at some point there has to be an input of your personal resources.

Attached is the recruitment letter that was in your folders, so you can use as is or adapt in any way you'd like. -Nanc