To encourage dialogue and reflection about keeping our hopes and actions aligned with our vision, our question for this week is: What hope(s) do you have for yourself as a learner over the next four weeks? Be specific. Naming (and Claiming) Our Vision (Week of 1/23/22) (This is an anonymous Google Form)
Blake's Guiding Lights
Our Students
Blake's Core Values: Respect, Responsibility, Resourcefulness, Reflection
Our Essential Question: How can we cultivate and curate the progression of student learning and growth?
Our Mission: Blake Middle School believes in a living mission statement, based on the concept that our community seeks and respects knowledge, integrity, character, wisdom, and the willingness to adapt to a continually evolving world.
The most important attitude that can be formed is that of desire to go on learning. - John Dewey
You cannot teach today the same way you did yesterday to prepare students for tomorrow. - John Dewey
Well, our first true two-day weekend of 2022 (I was not sure how I was going to do, not having the third day that we have had the last two weekends!) was pretty full for us, with lots of sports for the kids - Maggie’s senior night for swimming and basketball both days for the boys! It is hard to believe that we are nearing the ‘halfway point’ of the year and the end of January - wow.
That said, I know that one of my intentions (maybe all) will certainly be centered around the mantra of #willfulhope and #willfulaction. ‘Speaking from the I’, I have been really working on allowing the unsettled nature of things to be embedded into the ‘norm of how we do things’, for lack of a better way of phrasing these feelings. If I have learned anything since March of 2020, it has been the affirmation of my/our need to build and lean into systems that allow and intentionally make room for interruptions and change (factors/influences that are both internal and/or external). With these ideas in mind, it is our vision and mission that will help to ground these hopes, mantras, and ambitions - serving as guideposts for our ever-evolving action steps. With upcoming professional development and, believe it or not, plans for the upcoming school year (22-23!) starting to take place, holding ourselves accountable to our mission is, and will continue to be, critical so that we continue to work through challenges and obstacles on our path in a coherent and concerted manner…
Now is the Time to Build a New Field in Education
by Lindsy Ogawa in Getting Smart
Picture this: an equitable education system in which every child is known, loved, and equipped to live fulfilling lives. Every family and caregiver is supported to find nearby learning hubs that offer safe spaces for learners to build stable relationships and have places of inquiry. Not a day goes by without seeing learners engaging in questions and making a difference in the community. Aspiring learning facilitators have preparation programs that prepare them to support human development in ways that align with holistic learner outcomes. Local, federal, and state-level structures and conditions enable the community to be a playground for learning.
For those committed to truly transforming the education system, how will we engage policymakers, researchers, foundations, and the general public in a larger conversation when we aren’t even aware we are in the same movement? What could be possible if we saw ourselves as collectively building this distinct learner-centered field to increase its visibility and social impact?
In the way “success” has overwhelmingly meant “high standardized scores” in education, imagine instead a learner-centered starting point to think about questions like What does success look like? What does equity mean? What makes quality learning?
Whether you are in the pursuit of learner-centered education in your community or you hold a different vision, consider the power of distinguishing what you are working towards. As the saying goes, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
A Conversation with Dr. Katie Martin
Q & A with Katie Martin (@katiemartinedu) in Education Reimagined
I was committed that my students would understand that their voice mattered and be empowered to learn—not because they needed to know information for a test but because it would allow them access to new ideas and pathways for their own lives.
As a mom, this has become even more important to me. I have seen what I know my children are passionate about and capable of at home and in the world outside of school reduced to simple numbers and grades that don’t capture the whole picture of what they know and can do.
When we focus on learners—connecting to their interests, needs, and goals—we can create experiences that ignite curiosity, develop passion, and unleash genius.
Teachers who provide exposure, guidance, encouragement, checkpoints, and ongoing feedback are critical to the learning process. Teaching learners how to learn and embrace pitfalls to improve can allow students to deepen their engagement and sense of purpose in learning.
If you think about most school visions and the people who create them, they aspire to develop successful and self-sufficient young people who can collectively contribute to a better world. The problem is that our practices and structures are not always aligned with our aspirations or how we measure success.
When we come together, talk about what we really want, and work together to make it happen, we can build stronger communities and foster joy, passion, commitment, and really powerful learning and actions. This is what ultimately will create communities capable of ensuring that each and every individual has the opportunity to learn, grow, and become their best selves.
Tired of Achievement
by Sherri Spelic (@edifiedlistener)
That's where it hits me that I am tired. Tired of achievement. Tired of driving/striving/edging myself and others forward, forward. Tired of achievement to measure my worth. Tired of achievement to identify belonging. Tired of achievement as the price of admission. Tired of achievement as the lens I use to recognize others. Tired of achievement as a false god to whom all sacrifices must be dedicated. Tired of achievement as gospel. Tired of achievement as mandate. Tired of achievement as an institutional safety blanket. Tired of achievement as a broken record. Tired of achievement as the only record.
Isn't it ironic that I have made a career working in schools? In achievement factories.
But that's the thing. Students insist that there is always more than silly achievement. They show it. They speak and sing it. They write it. They play it. They dramatize it. They outsmart/outrun/outpace it. They skip it. They perform it. They hold it hostage. They hold it back. They hold it over our heads. They override it. They fake it. They make it. They deliver and withdraw it. They illustrate it. They erase it. They toss it. They remix it. They've got it. They are over it.
They are why I stay in schools. I am studying their achievement of resisting/retiring/releasing achievement. They teach me. They make me less tired.
Sampling of Responses from Last Week’s ‘Question of the Week’: What is one thing you can do each day to help others in our community?
- Be respectful and kind
- Say thanks when someone does something for you
- Say kind things
- Open the door for someone, help someone do something
- Make someone laugh if they're not as happy as usual.
- Hold the door, say hello, and be kind
- Make sure to remind people to wear their masks
- Say something kind to a person or clean up trash
- Be kind to people and caring
- Be nice
- Bring food to a food pantry in town.
- Help with HW
- Ask them what they need and then give it to them if you can...especially if it just takes time.
- I can tell people that I am glad to see them.
- I can be kind and empathetic.
- Help them if they are stuck and saying nice thing to other to make them happy
- Be kind, respectful, show empathy and be reasonable
- I can give money to a charity
- Listen and be attentive to the needs of others.
- I try to help out by holding doors, helping to carry stuff, and other general manners.
As always, let me know of any questions/concerns.
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Take care.
Nat