To encourage dialogue and reflection about reflection, action, and hope at the end of the school year, our question of the week is: What are your hopes for Summer 2023? What are you looking forward to doing this summer? Time for Reflection (June, 2023) (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
With the last day of school having passed by a couple weeks ago, I find myself in a state of constant reflection. Many of the ‘events’ over the last couple of weeks certainly helped to create avenues for thinking/planning (our last faculty meeting, Strategic Plan development, 6th grade visit to Dale Street, Creature Feature, bike trips, Kathy Thompson’s retirement party, etc.), and my notes/list of things ‘to think about’ seems to be growing! This time is a centering one for me and I truly enjoyed the busyness and excitement that always comes with the end of the school year. Each year our tenets and aim for coherence can help to serve as guideposts for this process of reflection…
** Responses to the prompts from our June faculty meeting
** Lots to read, but they are all important and centering
At the beginning of the year, I hoped/imagined/wondered…
I hoped to form meaningful connections with my students…I wondered how each class would come together as a mini community…that we would really get to begin our new "post-covid normal" and implement some new strategies that "kids these days" really need to help them grow…how my students would grow and mature over the course of the year…How would grade 6 students be different this year than last?...for a return to "pre-covid normalcy".... (whatever I imagined that would look like)...I hoped this would be the year when things returned to "normal"...I hoped that I would be able to make many positive connections with my students…I hoped this would be a year for more robust data collection and less testing…I was hoping to make connections with each student and help them foster a love of writing. I was looking forward to learning about who they are and how they will grow…I wondered what it would be like to work with middle school students...a year of interesting conversations with my students and getting to enjoy seeing their growth both as people and learners. Truly feel the end of covid as well…I hoped I would be able to approach my classes with a lens that would allow ALL students to access the math…I hoped that students would enjoy the new units we were designing for the year! I also hoped to foster a "family" vibe in my advisory…How my first year at Blake would be!...I hoped that my students would grow as scientists and learn to enjoy exploring the scientific world…I wondered if I had the stamina to make it through this year. I imagined growing, learning and recommitting to my WHY…I wondered how we would see the effects of the pandemic manifest in this year's group of students. I hoped for an amazing year and a return to "normalcy" for all (staff, students, families)...How I would be able to reach all the students in my class and how I could change some lessons with some new ideas…I hoped we would have a gentle Covid year…That this would feel like the first "normal" year in a while…I hoped Covid would be a distant memory…how my new group of kiddos would gel together…How this year would be different from all the previous ones. I was hoping it would go back to the way it was before covid and imagining doing all the fun things we used to do with our students…I wondered what the new normal for teaching was going to be like in a post Covid condition…At the beginning of the year I was really hoping for a smooth transition to a new role. I was looking forward to reconnecting with students I had worked with previously and curious about how best to work with those who were new to Blake…Honestly? I wondered if it would feel more "normal". (post-covid)...I hoped to make a solid connection with each of my students…I hoped that we would be back to some kind of 'normal'...I hoped I would be able to make an impact on student performance as much as possible…At the beginning of the year, I hoped I would be able to properly insert our study of local and national midterm elections into our Civics curriculum…I wondered how the year would shake out with 2 new content partners…I hoped I would build strong relationships with students…I hoped it would be a good year. I wondered how we would continue to recover from Covid era schooling and imagined what the school year would be like…Hoped and imagined that transitioning back into the 8th grade English classroom would feel like coming back home…I would create an engaging class where students learned useful skills to support them in other classes, I wanted to increase reading across the grades but especially in 8th grade, I wanted to make the library a resource for across the school, and I wanted to continue to have the library be a welcoming space for all…At the beginning of the year I hoped that some of the organizational changes I was planning to make in the learning center would allow for some more focused instruction and more student learning…I hoped to make connections with a new group of students…I wondered how my second year at Blake would go - what I could do to build upon the work I had done in year one to work with and engage my striving readers. I was also excited to begin working with Christina…for great connections with students…What a normal learning year would be like? How would the students be with the return to normal?...Whether it was finally going to feel "back to normal" post covid…I wondered how to best manage the increasing social-emotional needs of our students…Having students “buy in” to art space routine, following SHOM as guidelines…I hoped to inspire others to LOVE Social Studies…I hoped that each student would feel welcome and comfortable in my classroom and with me…I hoped to be able to balance work & home life…Hoped we would have a safe/ healthy year…I wondered how my classroom environment could best foster the discussion of complex and controversial issues in Civics…I hoped to unlevel 9th grade English for next year…I was hopeful that the different social pairings would foster new and positive relationships between the kids…I wondered how my students would adjust to their new school and new responsibilities…I was excited to teach 6th grade - a grade that I hadn't taught for many years…Hoped for a great year -- connecting with students and supporting my colleagues…I hoped students would be excited about the activities I would offer this year…Have our kids started to make up the gap in learning caused by the pandemic? Are they recovering socially and emotionally?...At the beginning of the year I wondered how the students would feel and how they would be effected from the last few years. I was hoping it would not be as "strange" as it felt to be back to "normal"...How my colleague would do as a teacher, and I must say: he CRUSHED it!...I was wondering how my transition back to a full time position would work out for myself and family. I was hoping to make connections with more students and staff members in this different role…I wondered what my life would be like without basketball and coaching - something I have done for 20 years, but not anymore. I'm officially just a super fan…What it would be like to balance work life & home life
Over the course of the year, I discovered…
that teaching forensics was actually fun!!!...I discovered how funny my kids are. I discovered that everyday is an interesting adventure in middle school…Over the course of the year, I discovered it was great to have a connection to the Town Clerk…There will be days that are trying, but what matters is to keep showing up…That I need to get better at setting boundaries between work and home life…I discovered that book challenges are extremely time consuming…I discovered the need for students to make connections with others was even more important than ever…I discovered how ingenious students can be when given thoughtful direction and space to think…I love having a balance of whole-class novels and book group novels in our curriculum!...I rediscovered the need to always meet students where they are at and focus on the whole person…I discovered taking risks can have a positive impact even if things don't work out…meeting students where they are is much harder than people make it sound AND very complex, but when you can accomplish this, it feels great…Over the course of the year, I discovered I was capable of much more than I thought - with LOTS of room for error!...I am most happy at school when I'm working with students…That it was okay when certain things were outside of my control…that the to-do list will never end, and just do what you can each day…We still have a ways to go to get back to post-covid feeling better. Despite that, I was reminded again how many good kids we have in this building who want to do their best and have exciting ideas when it comes to literature...how essential our teachers' aides are...that the "covid gap/lag was real; that 8th graders lacked social skills/graces and academic maturaity that our 8th graders in the past displayed, and that I truly had to meet them where they were and build from there…Kids need explicit instruction in many of the things we "expect" them to be able to do. Our frustration with kids not being "able to do things" is not necessarily their fault, but a product of how their reality and overall environment is different than ours was growing up. We have to help them navigate their world, not force ours upon them…that kids need a space to be seen for who they are and their voice matters, no matter how loud or how soft…Saying hi in the halls is a wonderful way to get to know the students and even find fellow awkward wavers :)...There was such a wide range of students' abilities to problem solve independently. In grade 6, it seemed like high school students were combined with lower elementary at times…How much I am going to miss my colleagues…I discovered that there were somethings about COVID--some changes we made--that I liked and I wish we kept…The best part of my day is in the classroom…new ways to reach students through various accommodations and modifications…that after observing some of my struggling readers and listening to the podcast "Sold a Story", I have concerns about how to best help struggling readers in my classroom…I discovered the unique needs of my students and how to best accommodate their learning (and behavior) styles…That making new ways for my students to learn was not only fun for them, but really fun for me. I discovered that as much as I want to reach each and every student, it was hard to do that. I discovered that my feet and back hurt more each year!!...That each of my classes had it's own personality that was very distinct from the others. Lessons had to be tailored a bit to fit each different group…that there are some days when I can multi-task better than others. I also continue to discover the varying levels of development among middle schoolers…A lot about myself as a teacher. I hope to continue to be reflective and open minded when looking at lesson planning and strategies…Over the course of the year I discovered that Covid had an even greater impact on social and emotional health of our staff and students than I could have ever imagined. There seemed to be a greater level of stress and anxiety from staff and a more difficult adjustment for students, in terms of their ability to connect with other students in an appropriate and meaningful manner…How incredibly challenging it is to be a classroom teacher, but also how exponentially rewarding it is at the same time…Over the course of the year I discovered (re-discovered) what a supportive environment and community Blake can be…So many wonderful connections with colleagues , students, and parents of students who are so supportive of the work we do…That building relationships with my students was going to be critical if I was going to engage them in an area that is more challenging for them…That connecting with kids and working with other staff members to support what student's need to be and feel successful is the center of my work. I continuously learn from students, staff and parents...I discovered how much, even in art, that students need a structured routine and that it can be challenging to break students from a pre-conceived assumption of what art class actually is…that sharing a classroom has benefits and that letting little things go is a often a good move…Over the course of the year I learned the importance of planning. I also learned how essential it is to ask for advice when I have questions. I continue to learn how important it is to be authentic to myself as a teacher…Different ways to approach teaching 8th; a new-ish curriculum; I made a good decision returning to 8th English; fantastic, supportive teammates…I discovered that that overall, the students were well prepared for 6th grade math. I also discovered that advisory could be challenging with my particular group of students who didn't always get along well…Over the course of the year, I discovered that students are more resilient than we thought and that I do a terrible job of taking care of myself!...This is not a new discovery, but it was really evident in some students this year, that the need for talking through questions and their responses is a must, and that we just are not set up to do this during the class. I did discover that this year has been back to normal and that has felt great. I had a great group of kids this year…Over the course of the year, I discovered how to organize my classroom so that I could reach students in various grades that were being taught at the same time, how to teach middle school math and how to build independence in my students over time…This was one of the best classes I have ever had! I am sad to see them go and anxious about the next group to come. I discovered how lucky I was :)…a great group of Spanish 4 and 5 students from the high school and enjoyed an incredible Spanish immersion trip to Costa Rica with them in April.. that all we ever have is the day we are in, with the people and resources that are around us. We do our best to be present each moment in order to learn and live well together…That kids love to learn about other cultures and are very curious when given the opportunity to discover other religions and traditions…Teaching this year involved far more classroom management and was not as fun as years past. Our cluster had several challenges and SEL disruptions that were challenging to work around at times. Nonetheless, I discovered that kids are kids as always yet this year needed more help navigating social norms in school…I discovered that there are always new challenges with students. For example the anxiety levels in many students are unlike I have seen before…I discovered how to use discussion boards to increase student voice…Through a difficult year managing community members and their opinions on our Health curriculum, I have a lot of support at Blake. And to ask for help when I need it…new strategies for working with students with complex needs... Mostly- being patient, kind, and flexible, while still holding students accountable…The importance of reviewing vocab with kids, they are largely behind and need the review…I discovered how many, if not all, of our kids need some sort of support…How much I can accomplish over the course of the year! I discovered how much helping and encouraging struggling students helped to relieve their anxiety in math…I learned that incorporating lots of visuals really helps the kids to learn and understand math. Also, I'm worried about the increase in mental health issues we're seeing in our students…I can create a balance with several accommodations/considerations - (1) I need to embrace the unexpected (2) lean on the support of others at home and at work (3) delegate at home and at work (4) create routines (5) learn to prioritize my time (6) ask for what I need (7) work to understand what I can let go of, and what I hold on to (8) understand one cannot "do it all" but one can "try hard" (9) (still working on this one) find time for myself to disconnect and take a breath
What do you/we hope our students will remember, 'take with them', and hold on to when they leave us all on Thursday, June 15?
that we are rooting for them even after they leave…I hope that students know their teachers at Blake cared for them…I hope students will be critical thinkers and understand that they are ultimately in control of their own destiny…I hope they remember that they matter, that others matter, and that language can enrich life…How much we care about them, are here for them, and want the best for them…That they were cared for and seen while they were in this building…I hope they will remember the laughs we had together in English this year, that my door is always open, and that I am rooting for them always!!...I hope they remember the ways that teachers cared for them…I hope they feel valued…I hope our students remember that they can rise to the occasion, persevere and learn/discover new things that might have once felt out of reach…I hope they feel seen, loved, and valued…That a group of adults care for them and their wellbeing…I hope our students leave school with confidence in themselves and also pride of all that they have accomplished. I hope they know how much we care and want them to succeed…That there is someone on their side…Hope that sixth and seventh students will look forward to coming back and hope eighth graders will reflect fondly but be ready for their next experiences…That Blake is a safe place where people care about them and where they can be their best selves. I want my sixth graders to be excited to come back to school for seventh grade…remember that they were loved, listened to, cared for; that they were treated as unique individuals…I hope my students will feel like learners. I hope they reflect on their time in math as a time in which they learned about how they learn - a time when they felt comfortable making mistakes - a time when they worked hard - a time when they felt proud…That they can all learn and that there are people that genuinely care about them, that they are loved…I hope they remember they are not alone- however they are feeling, they are not the only one that feels that way. I hope they know how much they are cared for. I hope they have the ability to focus on the good, even the little things. I hope they take time to slow down because time goes by so quickly!...I hope the students take with them that they were cared for and given room to grow, make mistakes, learn from those mistakes, and be the best person they were able to be for the past 180 days…I hope they feel unique in their own way and that they are valued in our eyes!...I hope they felt how much we care about them…To my seniors -- I hope they remember some math, how much fun we had and how we became a "stat family", and that they always have someone back at MHS to support them if they need it…I hope that they will take with them the sense that I, like all of my colleagues, am "on their side" and always will be. We are all here to help kids -I hope that they realize that and feel cared for…I hope the kids remember that we care for them and believe in them…That I was fair and cared about them. That I challenged them to think and do their best. That they left my class better ELA students, better writers, and have grown as people. Lastly, that they will miss being in my class…I hope they take with them that they can learn, that people care for them, and that their mistakes and successes both help them grow…Not really sure what I would like them to remember but, whatever it is, I hope they have some positive memories of their year at Blake, the relationships they have created or continued to grow and, for those that are coming back, at least a small sense of excitement for the next school year…That they learned something about themselves, grew socially and academically, and that they felt respected and seen…I hope they remember that they can do almost anything if they just try and that they can always come back to say hello if they need a friendly face…My hope is that they will take with them a sense that they can feel safe and welcome in the classroom, and that the 6th grade was a soft place to launch their 'career' as middle schoolers:-)...I hope they remember the laughs we had and our special little bond and felt safe and take with them the feeling of succeeding…I hope students hold on to the good feelings they had while they were here at Blake. I hope they remember how much we all cared about each other. I hope they leave with more confidence, more knowledge, more tools in the toolbox, and a growing desire to help make the world a better place and do good…That I believe in them and know they will all find their own success. That they think positively about 6th grade science, felt good about the class environment and how they were treated. That I genuinely cared for them…I hope they remember that setting boundaries is a method of caring for them, not limiting them…I hope that students know that they are cared for, and that within them there is always potential for change (personal, circumstantial, cultural, societal)...I hope they remember it is always better to be kind…I hope that they remember that I care about them and that they are very capable learners…I hope they always remember their safety and well being came first here at Blake…I hope they remember they were seen and important…After this school year, I hope they have a better understanding of their unique characteristics and embrace that in the future. Middle school can be hard to "stand out" but I think many of our students would benefit from being more of themselves…I hope we all take with us the unintended lessons of the year - I hope my students remember all of the teachable moments where they learned a life lesson about how to engage with one another or how to be considerate of others - I hope they better understand the boundaries we've kindly and supportively reminded them of along the way. I hope they carry with them the feeling that they belong here. I hope we continue our rediscovery of all of the pre-pandemic wonders that make Blake Blake…I hope students know how much they are valued, respected, and cared for. I hope they take some of the ideas they were taught and some of the challenges they faced and grow from those experiences.
Traditions and Relevance
Tom Whitby's (@tomwhitby) words and thoughts on schools have served as key focal points for our learning community (Methods: Tradition vs. Relevance). Traditions and relevance are both important and critical for the institutions and cultures of school and learning.The key is making sure that the traditions are still relevant and that we allow and make room for ‘shades of gray’ (a balance of the two)...
These posts are ones I have shared in the past as we mark the end of a year together - let’s hold on to them...
The Psychological Case for Adult Play Time
by Jared Keller in Pacific Standard
Keller shares information gained from psychologist Kathryn Hirsh-Pasek, director of Temple University’s Infant and Child Laboratory and author of Why They Need to Play More and Memorize Less, about the nature (and importance) of play time for adults. We should make sure we acknowledge this need and listen to it. It is an area of growth for me and I hope you can all help remind me of this need - not only during the summer, but throughout the school year as well.
Recent research has shown that people of all ages benefit from unstructured play time as a respite from the grind of daily life. According to research, play can relieve stress, boost creativity, improve brain function, and improve our relationships with other people by fostering trust with others.
There are three main characteristics that we tend to use when we talk about play: It’s voluntary in the sense that you’re not obligated to do it; it’s flexible and can be changed or manipulated, like Play-Doh for your life; and it’s enjoyable and fun.
Re-ignite the child inside! The stigma around play is there, but it's our job to fight back and understand that we all really love to play. I believe we’re on the verge of a revolution in how we balance work and play. Imagine a billion people pushing for play time, not in a frivolous way or a way that negates progress, but in a way that supplements and allows us to make even more progress. It's time to put play back into our lives.
3 Things You Can Do This Summer to Be a Better Teacher in the Fall
by Elizabeth Stein in Education Week Teacher
Following the intent of the previous post, Stein highlights ways that we all can improve our practices this summer: Practice Mindfulness; Read, Reflect, Plan; Connect, Collaborate, Listen, and Share!
It doesn’t matter what grade or subjects you teach, how long you’ve been teaching, or where—there are three universal things that all educators can to do be a better teacher in the fall...The journey of becoming a better version of our teacher self is all about finding balance, joy, and opportunities to learn and collaborate. It’s an ongoing process that creates a spirited commitment that will no doubt guide our students to deepen their own relationship to learning.
Come Back Better
by Rebecca Mieliwocki in Education Week Teacher
This post reflects on the 'musings' of first-year teachers, expressing their thoughts on the first year of teaching as they look ahead to 'come back better' year 2. The ideas hold true for all of us - new teachers, veteran teachers, parents, and students. It reminds me that we are so incredibly fortunate to have the chance to renew and start again each school year. Let's be sure to take advantage of that.
Leave it to some first year teachers to perfectly sum up our work--work that is full of mistakes, miracles, and all the wonderful little ironies that fill our lives as teachers.
The beautiful dichotomy of our work means that while we are always striving for professional perfection, the complexities of the work and the children we spend our time with make it far too difficult to ever master completely the craft of teaching.
Wherever the next several summer weeks take you, make sure you take time to stop and rest. Let the lessons of the year sink in. Savor the successes and learn from your stumbles. Be kind to yourself; after all, you're a learner too. Immerse yourself in all the things you love to do that make you the kind of interesting person your students love to learn from. And when you come up for air, pick one thing about your teaching you'll improve for the year ahead. Then, come back better.
These two posts, although originally posted three years ago, are still very relevant and are worth reflecting upon - both now and in the future…
Why I Stay in Teaching
by Pete Barnes in Edutopia
This post (shared last year as well - very relevant still) speaks to me on a deep level, and Barnes highlights several reasons why I (and I know, we) stay with teaching -- Searching for Mastery, Valuable Colleagues, A Summer Reset, Permission to Nerd Out, and Work That Matters.
Working with kids every day is rarely boring. Kids are naturally fun. Their curiosity and energy rub off on me and keep me coming back for more. No matter how much education changes, kids will always need good teachers, and we will always need them right back.
Let’s Hear It for the Average Child
by Margaret Renki in The New York Times
Renki’s op-ed is simply wonderful - widely shared two years ago when it was originally posted. It is one that I hope we can truly remember, live, and embrace. As a parent I hope the intent of the post is one I remember and live for my own children.
Summer beckons, a great, green, gorgeous gift. We’ve already kept you far too long, so let us send you forth with just one last reminder of a truth that somehow you already understand, though school is not the place where you learned it:
Life is not a contest, and the world is not an arena. Just by being here, unique among all others, offering contributions that no one else can give, you have already won the one prize that matters most.
Intentional Reflection
As shared in the last post, I am once again asking staff to individually and collectively #slowitdown, reflect, and answer the questions below as we end this school year. I ask these questions of myself as well and will find the time to reflect…
- What was meaningful this year? What made teaching worthwhile? What mattered?
- Describe a positive interaction or experience you had with a student during this academic year.
- Describe or explain an accomplishment you attained or something you are proud of taking place during this academic year.
- Describe a particular student or situation during the school year who or that you feel you could have handled in a way that would have resulted in a more positive learning experience.
- How have you 'lived' our mission statement in your work and growth this year?
- What is an area that you would like to grow professionally?
- What have you learned this year from a student?
- What messages do you want to leave for our students? What do you want them to remember? (A humbling but important and centering question)
- What are you looking forward to doing this summer?
Sampling of Responses from Our Last ‘Question of the Week’: What have you discovered about yourself this year?
- I love having things to do, whether it's catching up on a show or doing a chore
- To be kind and helpful
- That I can get lots done when I am focused and have the ability to dial it in on homework.
- I’m way ahead of the math curriculum.
- A lot of good ways to learn
- The ability to have one favorite teacher
- I discovered I worry too much sometimes.
- I've discovered that it's okay to say no.
- I'm a visual learner
- I have discovered about myself that I can learn.
- That i can do things even though I say I can't
- Who I belong with
Day 1 to Day 180
The images/words below are from our opening professional development days and have been sources of inspiration for me as an educator, father, friend, and human and the words resonate and ‘hold true’ - they continue to serve as a compass point. Keeping these words as guides, we can collectively foster a feeling of care in others, reflect upon successes and failures, building/continue building the new, stand as allies on our imperfect journey towards where ‘aspirations and realities intersect’, and maintain a culture and mantra of #willfulhope, #willfulaction, and #reflection…
With great appreciation for the efforts that have been put forth by the Blake staff this year, I want to express my sincere appreciation for continually giving your best to our students, one another, and the community. My annual hope is that everyone gets some well-deserved time to relax, recharge, and simply take a break during the summer months so that we can all, as expressed in the post above, 'come back better'. During the last week of school, I wish I had been able to personally convey my thanks to everyone and to share my wishes for a wonderful respite. I have said it many times and I promise that these sentiments are genuine and sincere - Blake Middle School is a special place and I am honored and privileged to be a part of this community. I am excited by what the future holds for our students and staff and am proud of the discourse and work that have taken and will be taking place. Thank you for the collective willingness to continually learn, adapt, grow, reflect, and support one another.
Finally, I hope you can all keep and carry these hopes I have for our students, staff, and families in your head, heart, and actions...
- Please recognize what we do well at Blake and know we are doing those things and can and will continue to do so
- Recognize and affirm our necessary areas of improvement and growth
- Think about the hope(s) we have for our students and take one step each day to help work towards their actualization
Please know that I am always happy and eager to process, listen, discuss, and share - my door (both physical and remote) is always open - and I encourage everyone to do the same with one another. I look forward to the work that lies ahead for all of us.