You may already have an idea in mind for your fellowship, or you may have so many ideas that you don’t know where to start. Consider the following questions to simplify your planning process, and move from brainstorming to fellowship planning:
First, Reflect…
Think about your students:
- What are your students’ needs, talents, and special interests?
- What experiences do your students bring to your classroom?
- What transformative learning experience would you want to give them?
- What is getting in the way of their achievement in terms of engagement and mastery?
LISTEN: FFT Fellow Japho Hardin describes how he used his students’ interests and talents to plan his FFT fellowship.
Next, think about your own practice:
- What problem of practice needs to be addressed?
- What part of your teaching needs deepening?
- In what specific areas do you need more experience or information to maximize your teaching?
LISTEN: FFT Fellow Megan Helberg encourages applicants to dream big, not only for their students, but themselves.
Then, Brainstorm…
- How can you accomplish your ideas in a creative manner?
- Where could you go? Why there? What activities or experiences will help address your problem of practice?
- Why would this particular plan best advance student outcomes?
Discuss your ideas with colleagues, administrators, students, and parents and use their insights to help focus and inform your fellowship. Lastly, we suggesting printing this Planning Timeline to keep your application prep process on track for submission in January.
In the next issue: Research. For past issues, visit our Article Library.
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