What stands in the way of a brighter future and better schools?
Well, mostly people.
People who tell others they can't or won't.
People who crush dreams and steal hope.
People who won't be parents to their kids.
People just showing up and going through the motions.
People who want higher test scores more than inspired learning.
People who cling to the past like it's a security blanket.
People who protect the status quo.
People making decisions for schools who are removed from the realities of what schools face.
People who spew hate and discord.
People who don't make kids a priority.
People who are selfish.
People who turn on each other, or a good leader, when something goes wrong instead of battening down the hatches.
People who make performance in sports or academics or anything more important in a kid's life than being a person of high character and respect.
People who make their own comfort their primary concern.
People who are petty.
People who complain about other people. I hate that!
People who are negative, pessimistic, or who go on rants. Rants are the worst!
Well, that felt good. But the problem is the more I think about the items on my rant list, I realize I'm probably guilty of many at some time or another. Like complaining or ranting. Ha!
As they say, it takes one to know one. In fact, someone suggested the things we tend to like the least in ourselves, we often magnify in others. In other words, we're more likely to see faults in others in areas we too have struggles.
And here's the other thing, it doesn't do any good to complain about what other people need to do. We need fewer excuses and more solutions. We need less focus on problems and more focus on actions. It starts with us. I cannot control another person, but I can control me.
I can encourage.
I can reach out.
I can step out.
I can lead up.
I can lift up.
I can never give up.
I can be the change I want to see.
I can set the example.
I can keep growing and giving.
I can dream of a better future.
I can work to be stronger myself, cause I have plenty of room to grow and learn.
I'd like to hear from you. Leave a comment below or respond on Twitter or Facebook.
I remember a post from George Couros about a teacher sharing how innovation had helped with improving classroom management. The educator reported that "the more innovative I have become, the less classroom management I have to deal with."
It was a great post, and I think the idea definitely has merit. Recently, I've noticed another thing. It seems like educators who have the inclination to take risks, innovate, and empower students, seem to have more energy and seem more satisfied in their jobs.
It seems like innovative educators are happier. They seem more optimistic. They seem to have more hope.
When they face problems, they see lots of possibilities to address the issue. They are willing to try different solutions. They aren't always expecting something outside of their control to change. They look to themselves first or partner with colleagues to find solutions instead of expecting a different structure, schedule, program, etc. to make the difference.
There are so many highly committed educators working extremely hard, putting in a ton of effort, who seem to be carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders. Sometimes they are trying to 'will' students to learn, but the methods they are using are the same ones they used last year or the year before that. They are just pushing harder with the same methods.
The innovative teacher will ask, "What might work with this group of students?" The innovative teacher is willing to try just about anything to reach these kids, all of them. These teachers are working hard too, but they are willing to change and be creative and step way out of their comfort zone to help kids learn.
They aren't just working harder. They are becoming more flexible in their thinking. There might be a better way to do this. They look for ways to make learning work better for kids instead of trying to force kids to adjust to how learning works in this class.
But why do they seem happier? More satisfied?
I think it's because they are hopeful for the future. They believe a better outcome is possible if they keep growing and learning. Other teachers are attached to their methods, their way of doing things, and when it keeps failing, well, that's quite disheartening.
The happiest teachers are the ones who are connecting, learning, trying new things and believing that even though things might be tough now, things can and will get better.
So what do you think? Are innovative people happier? Leave a comment below or respond on Twitter or Facebook.
The teacher asked her students to make some decisions about the direction of the learning. The lesson required independent thought and initiative.
But one student resisted, "Isn't it your job to teach me?"
Have you ever heard a question like that from one of your students? It's a question that was asked by a student in our school. And to me it illustrates the way many students have come to believe that learning is a product of their compliance with a teacher.
Just tell me what I need to know. Tell me what to do, what to learn. Teach me. Isn't that YOUR job?
Another student said to me, "I just want to take notes and then have a test." This comment came from a student in a classroom where students are expected to own a considerable amount of the learning and develop original thoughts. Learning in this class is demonstrated through projects and authentic activities.
I don't blame these students for thinking this way. I think, at least in part, they are simply a product of a system that has conditioned them to be passive learners.
So who owns the learning? The student? The teacher? Both?
How would you respond if you heard these words from your students? Leave a comment below or respond on Facebook or Twitter.
