#teacher5aday 2017 Pledge

Seeing as it's New Year's Eve tomorrow, it seems about time to get on with my #teacher5aday pledge for 2017. I've already blogged my reflection on my 2016 pledge, so here goes:

#connect
Now I've been in my school for a year, I have settled into some routines, not all of which are positive. One thing I think I should do this year is to try and visit the staff room more often and get to know more people. I don't think I've done an awful job so far but I could do better.

I also intend to get to know more of the people who I follow, and who follow me, on twitter. Now the masters is done I think I'll be able to network a bit more than I have been up until now.

#notice
I find this one the hardest, setting targets of posting a positive tweet or taking a picture every day often fade away quickly. I think the best I can do is say that I will try and notice more of the positives and share them, not just on twitter but at home too.I think maybe I'll read some other pledges for better inspiration here.

#volunteer
I have signed up with Age UK to make a weekly call to an elderly person who would benefit from having someone to chat to. It sounds like a great programme and I'm looking forward to being involved. I didn't think I could commit to visiting someone weekly, but figured that I can always find 30 minutes for a phone call.

#exercise
Ah, so the gym didn't go that well this year. Surprise, surprise! We have cancelled the membership we had in favour of doing things at home. This will probably have to wait until we move house in the new year. I got some exercise kit for Christmas including a mat and some weights so I'm ready to go! I may even join my parents for the Park Run every now and again as I quite enjoyed the Santa fun run I did this month.

#learn
Now I've finished the masters I can get on with something else! I'm using Duolingo to learn a bit of Italian before I go on the school music tour in the summer.

I also intend to read and write more this year. I spend far too much time needlessly flicking through my social media feeds or watching something I'm not actually interested in or have watched a million times before. I plan to bring this to an end and use this time to read, I have a stack of books already and a wish list on amazon that is growing. With all this reading comes some reflection, I am going to take part in #weeklyblogchallenge17. I think I'll find this tough, but hopefully I'll see some improvement in my writing by the end of it.