Module 2 changing mindsets
Based on my experiences this year, there seems to be a common thread in making change which is: there must be a foundation of trust and genuine relationship in the organization. When this is present others are encouraged to be vulnerable in their abilities and open to asking for help. This is true for teachers and students. We teach our students to be 'bucket fillers' to be kind, a good citizens, hard workers and helpful to others. We diligently plan lessons, experiences, create classrooms that inspire and encourage learning that empowers students to inquire on their own….build up confidence, increase their ability to problem solve and grow ( not just on tests) but in their divergent thinking, creativity and socially. We strive to make our rooms a safe place for learning, trial and error…..and dialogue. As teachers we have the opportunity to add value to our students' lives daily.
This also applies to our co workers. I have the privilege of working with a team of teachers who are different personality types and who have different teaching styles. Yet they all are passionate about student engagement and growth, engaging their kids in the classroom, sharing their successful lessons, sharing their struggles and being transparent. Sharing what works and doesn't work. This is creating a culture where diversity is welcome, where many are listening, linking arms in planning and creating a culture that is accepting and adds value to each and every person. This culture is growing. Mindsets are changing.
Personally feeling overwhelmed by all the new information presented this year, I have decided to take small steps with new apps. This past week a teacher shared A plus spelling with me. My little autistic guy did GREAT and not only did he stay focused, record his own spelling words verbally, he is able to open the list on his own and practice his words. This is a huge accomplishment as his attention his span and focus tend to be very short. He is also writing stories on his iPad and illustrating them. As our team of teachers are working together and learning together we are seeing our students grow. I am committed to learning about new ways to implement online teaching with my students.
I have been studying Cheryl Doig and her strategies for introducing learning walks, collecting data, student engagement and assumptions. There is information about a 3 year study of online blended learning in the classroom on her site. I recommend this site as even the basic truths of how we as humans interpret our interactions with peers, leadership and students is crucial in leading an organization, even a classroom. The short piece on assumptions shows how we interpret interactions and how our interpretation effects how we respond emotionally, draw conclusions and even evaluate. The ways in which we look at data and see what is actually occuring during an observation can be interpreted in many ways. I also really liked the term learning walks and more information can be found about learning walks as well.
I have found that the teachers I am working with this year that there is a genuine commitment to learning and professional development that encourages growth both professionally and personally. They are all in, want to be part of a team that is seeing the benefits of linking arms and opening their ways of thinking to add technology, new ways of thinking and embracing diversity.
