..to appreciate my "we support you no matter what because what you're doing is good for kids" administrative team more often.
...to be understanding and patient every time I hear the phrase, "This is soooo confusing!" rather than always assume students aren't trying. (I have extreme teacher-guilt over this.)
...to continue to try new educational technology and new instructional techniques in an effort to find what works best for my students--and not exclusively relying on anything written or said by people who don't know my students and their individual needs.
...to not settle for less than anyone's best, including myself.
...to get outside of my comfort zone so I can help students get out of theirs. To paraphrase @Principal_El, to get into the learning zone, you have to get out of your comfort zone.
...to remember that my students are products of the factory-model of education, and that changing their fixed mindsets into growth mindsets takes a heck of a lot longer than the 9 months they spend with me.
...to keep showing students that learning is a journey, not an all-or-nothing game, and continue to build their confidence in their own ability to learn.
...to think up some new and atrociously bad science jokes to unleash upon my students.
...to remember that, even though I have 90+ student products to review when scoring student work, I will learn something about my students or something I can do to improve my instruction every time.
...to realize that I love what I do, but it cannot be the only thing that I do. I must remember that if I constantly work at school and then come home and work until I go to bed every night I will be an intensely unpleasant person to be around. (@Tools4Education can provide copious testimonials to this effect.)
...to run, run, and run some more. Running is essential "me" time to help me decompress from life's annoyances.
...to have more fun--with students, friends, and family.
Have a great 2012, everyone.