To encourage dialogue and reflection about improvement and growth, our question of the week is: What do teachers do that help their students improve and become better learners? Improving Learning (Week of 5/1/22) (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
It was lovely to wake up this past weekend to the spring sunlight - definitely a great source of hope, energy, and inspiration. The first week back after a vacation can certainly be an adjustment, and I hope that everyone had a nice couple of days. We had a quiet couple of days in our house, taking time to rest and go slowly - not the easiest thing for me to do!
As the week progressed, I had some bursts of energy and then realized pretty quickly that I had to step back and give in to my health and energy. It is a humbling experience, and although frustrating, I do know it’s important for me. And, what I realized is that I am still learning - and, I think more importantly, I still want to get better at it. However…it’s easier said than done.
I could certainly continue to share the breakdown of the week (there was plenty of time to do that!), but what I really found interesting was the parallels and connections between my ups and downs of learning with the experiences of our students in school. Growth, change, and reflection are all habits we espouse, but they simply are not easy. We often know what we want, but the process sure is a bumpy one. It brings me right back to Christi Barney’s words about change, struggle, and the role that struggle plays in learning (see blurb below from a blog post back in May of 2017)...
Considering and Reconsidering - May 23, 2017 (excerpt below)
Christi Barney's words from both professional development and conversations have helped to frame this thinking - 'The struggle IS the treatment' - and, the treatment is the learning. She shared that the phrase helps to remember 'that it is actually in the service of mastery for kids to struggle and make baby steps forward.' Wise words, indeed - and ones that we should remember for ourselves and one another. Please remind me of this often so I can consider, and reconsider, my actions, thinking, and beliefs - and, I will continue to try and do the same for all of you.
Looking ahead, both short and long-term, that is what I hope to carry forth - allowing myself to ‘give in’ to the process and for the pursuit of improving and learning. If I’m being honest, as many times as I have written and espoused the mission of our school community (particularly ‘...the willingness to adapt to a continually evolving world’), there are more times that I have a hard time allowing myself the permission to live it - truly live it.
The month of May is now here and the countdown towards summer is certainly starting to feel like it’s getting a bit louder. With all of these thoughts and lessons in my head, I hope that we (and please hold me accountable too) can make room for change and growth to evolve, be realized, and affirmed. It is in the space and systems that we establish for ourselves and one another that the process of improving and learning will thrive.
The quote, posts, and small sampling of responses from last week’s question below all speak to this process…
** The sub-header of the post from Youki Terada and Stephen Merrill in Edutopia poses a question that is poignant and critical…
What really moves the needle for educators and, by extension, their students?
If you have never changed your mind about some fundamental tenet of your belief, if you have never questioned the basics, and if you have no wish to do so, then you are likely ignorant.
– Vera Nazarian
The Research on Life-Changing Teaching
by Youki Terada and Stephen Merrill in Edutopia
Being an effective teacher is about more than just improving test scores—it’s also about making a difference in students’ lives…What are the fundamental levers that teachers can pull to refine their practices, improve their craft, and make a significant—or even life-altering—contribution to the lives of their students?
1. ALWAYS BE COLLECTING (TARGETED) FEEDBACK
Becoming a better teacher isn’t just about refining your craft—it’s also about developing the right tools to shore up your weaknesses and identify blind spots.
2. ATTEND TO RELATIONSHIPS (AND CLASSROOM CULTURE)
One more time for the folks in the back: Relationships before learning. “In school, children need a sense of belonging to be productive learners,” explained Linda Darling-Hammond in an Edutopia interview. “They need to be connected to their fellow students and their teachers, and affirmed in who they are in a way that is positive and accepting.”
3. DON’T GIVE AN INCH ON STANDARDS
Relationships matter—but they’re not a substitute for rigor. In fact, to get the most out of your students, you’ll need to strike the right balance between caring deeply for kids and exposing them to challenging or even frustrating materials.
4. MAKE YOUR CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT ‘INVISIBLE’
The best classroom management can feel almost invisible: Proactive strategies that emphasize strong relationships are quietly at work behind the scenes, putting a stop to student misbehavior before it gets started.
5. HUMANIZE YOUR TEACHING
You can calibrate your bell schedules and arrange your classroom seating immaculately, but it’s the messy emotional worlds of students—their daily ration of hope, fear, sadness, passion, and confidence—that ultimately determine academic readiness.
6. CHECK YOUR BIASES
Bias is sneaky; it has a way of creeping into spaces we think are airtight.
7. AUTHENTICITY + PASSION = SUCCESS!
Don’t spend time trying to live up to mythical teachers or fall prey to the popular notion that educators are entertainers. In short, be yourself.
8. CLOSE THE BOOK ON THE DAY
We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention that teaching is clearly getting harder—too hard, in many cases…To educate kids, teachers need a clear end to their work day and time to replenish themselves, and it’s the school systems—not the teachers—that need to adjust accordingly.
Sampling of Responses from Last Week’s ‘Question of the Week’: What are your hopes for the end of this school year? How do you want to grow as a learner?
- To get all fours
- I want to grow in all my subjects in all different ways.
- Get better at english and science
- I want to be a better listener
- I hope that I will be a good student at the end of the year. I hope to grow as a learner by paying attention in class.
- That everyone gets along and that I am getting good grades
- I want to grow as a learner by gaining new learning styles
In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, I am sharing words from Voltaire that I have shared in past years along with some of my own sentiments. They may sound and read as repetitive, but I assure you that the feelings are genuine, real, and current. This practice of appreciation is one that is critical and beneficial for all...
Words do not truly express the appreciation I have and feel for the teachers (again, broadly defined) with whom I work, along with the teachers who have left their imprint on my mind, heart, and being. I have been fortunate to have wonderful teachers/mentors throughout my life at all levels (Dr. Sheila Fisher, Professor Jerry Watts, John D’Auria, and Mrs. Goldsmith are teachers that often come to mind), both personally and professionally, and I hope I honor them with my efforts each day. I hope we can all find time to appreciate each other this week.
As I say quite often, Blake Middle School is a special place (it may sound trite, but the sentiment is sincere) and I am so proud to be a part of the collective mission to enhance the learning experience for our students. It is a privilege and a joy to work every day with such a fine team of educators and this recognition is a reflection of our students, staff, and learning community.
As always, let me know of any questions/concerns.
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Take care.
Nat