Reciprocity

Research tells us that we as educators have a tremendous effect on our students… What about the effect our students have on us?

The connections students make with their teachers are so profound and deep that they remember them for the rest of their lives.  As adults, we use our childhood experiences as reference points to anchor our memories and shape our ability to develop relationships.

As educators, the relationships we build with our students have a similarly profound impact.  It often seems easy to dismiss the effects they have on us.  We’re supposed to be the ones that mold, but is it possible that we change as well.  Do we take it for granted?

Is it like the theory of relativity?  Are we static and the kids are moving (changing)?  It’s not until we have time to reflect and digest, that we realize we have moved (changed) as well. 

The Efficacy of Consultation

The consultation process has facilitated conversations that need to happen regardless of legislation. 

Our experience this week and from past consultations has taught us that some teachers didn’t realize that they could talk about class size and composition.  Was this a non-discussable prior to the arrival of the consultation process?  It shouldn’t have been.  A class shouldn’t have to break a threshold to trigger a discussion between a teacher and an administrator. 

Have we evolved from a past practice that lent itself to closing the door, dealing with it on your own and not taking the risk to show a weakness? 

Our consultations have been very productive.  When it’s all said and done, we believe that it has given some teachers the confidence to come in and have a conversation about their classroom environment. 

These educational discussions are always healthy.  The inevitable product of these discussions is a better understanding of how we as educators can support each other.  The goal is and should always be to ensure appropriate and effective learning conditions for our students.

Celebrating Success

Do we celebrate our successes enough?  What does celebration of success lead to?  What is the barometer of success?  Is the perception of success enough to continue to be successful?

Pygmalion Effect  …  Self-fulfilling Prophecy!     Do we become what we think we should be?

If we do self-fulfill, then as educators, we must raise the bar of expectations within our schools.  During our start up, we spoke of mission statements, school codes and school goals; it’s now time to develop and commit to a shared vision of success. 

We must find a way to agree on what makes a school a success.  The collective strength will provide the impetus to move forward.  The challenge is to find what success looks like in our school.  We cannot look at our past as a means to measure where to go.  We need to collectively evaluate what is needed for tomorrow.

If we work to celebrate our successes, only then will we recognize and know that we are successful and thus continue to fulfill the prophecy!

Scaffolding in Education

The first week of school... What level of support should we provide in order to achieve success?  

As parents, we are highly invested in our children’s educational lives.  This is, at times, contradictory to the way we were raised.  When we were young our parents trusted that the system would educate and guide their children… but, at what point do we invest in new ways of thinking rather than relying on tradition?  As we get our feet wet moving into uncharted waters, we need to arm ourselves with different tools.   We’re all afraid to let go of our tried and tested tools.  They provide us comfort and security.   

We recognize that we need to challenge what’s in our repertoire or we risk complacency.  This is what it means to be a professional!

First Day of School

Anxiety and the first day of school... Is feeling anxious a hinderance or a necessity to planning a successful start up?

We say..., "anxiety" is a normal healthy function that allows one to stay focussed and alert to the task at hand.  The recognition that things don't always work out the way you planned them, doesn't necessarily mean that you didn't succeed.  Do we have to control every step in the process?  What does giving up control look like at this time of year?

Identify the stakeholders... Trust the process... Trust the people...