One Word at a Time

This morning, a group of teachers gathered to look over student work to compare it against the rubric. They wanted to better understand the rubric in order to use it during instruction, to gather information about their students, and eventually have their students use the rubric themselves. Over the course of the conversation we came across two different pieces of student work, both talking about a character in their books. One student was talking about a character and used language like "he throws tantrums worthy of an academy award" and "he acts like a spoiled five year old." We were blown away by the voice evident in the piece of writing. But when compared against the rubric, for the type of work we were specifically looking for, it ended up falling short of meeting the standard. The next student we looked at spelled words phonetically, like "awial" and "deturmend". Comments were made about the spelling and the handwriting. But, when com...

"But what happens if they come in and see the students drawing instead of writing? What if they ask why?" This question signified a shift in the meeting, away from student work and towards a troublesome mindset created, in my opinion, by the culture of our school. As a coach, I'm always considering the thinking behind statements or questions, wondering how I can support my teachers, learn what they know and think, and then give them the support, guidance, or resources needed to grow.  This set of questions made me think that teachers are feeling and thinking a few different things: 1) that observers expect "A", and if they don't get "A" they're going to ask why they're not seeing "A", 2) that there is an "A", and 3) that they're not sure of the why. Through probing questions and some frank conversation, we uncovered the reality of the situation. My role from here on out is to support their shift in thinking. To...

I've been spending a lot of time the last few years inside of my own head, avoiding the world going on around me. It's a coping mechanism, for sure, and an unhealthy one. However, recent life events, beginning the day before 2018 began and continuing right up until this past Sunday, have been the alarm clock that I've needed. <WAKE UP. LIVE YOUR LIFE.> <WAKE UP. LIVE YOUR LIFE.> <WAKE UP. LIVE YOUR LIFE.> There have been a few days this year so far where I've hit the snooze button on life. Postponed it for a few more hours. But more often, I've listened to the alarm, woken up, and lived my days a little more aware, a little more present, a little more me. This last week, I have had  to be present. I have had  to be aware. I have been me . It's been so long since I've been me that I had forgotten what it felt like. I had forgotten, a little bit, who I am. I had hidden away for so long, it was like looking into a foggy mirror...