End of Institute Reflection
Imagine sitting at a table with 21 people you have never met, all educators, many of them the same discipline as you. Each one works in a different building, a different district, and maybe even a different state. Imagine sitting down with them and being asked to read aloud an introduction of yourself written as a metaphor. To some this is a terrible idea, but for me this first activity invited me into their lives and I felt like a part of their community. Without this little bit of vulnerability we would not have been able to have open and honest discourse about our struggles in the classroom.
The act of introducing our “stuck place,” the skill or assignment that is a mess in our classroom is very freeing. We were given an avenue to research ways to fix the stuck. Being able to share our findings with each other; I can think of no better Professional Development. Being able to present some solutions that we found I research, teach those ideas to this group, and then to get more suggestions and so much positive support. This has never happened in a school that I have worked in. I could not have asked for a better experience.
Now imagine this group sharing stories every day, about work and growing up.Imagine crying with them because of a personal story they told. Imagine laughing so hard because this group “gets it.” They understand what it’s like to do what you do every day and how ridiculous things are. We decided to laugh but sometimes it’s needed.
We all gave up three weeks of that important summer break. How much do we care about our practice to do that? I cannot remember one day where I was not excited to get up and drive in to get to work, to share a resource, or just a funny video. I valued each person’s opinion and I couldn’t wait to write more, talk more, and to laugh more. I wish all PD was this fun and this productive.
Every single presentation added to my practice as a teacher. I am already a better teacher and I haven’t even taught yet. I have made great friends and connections from all over the Kansas City Metro area. I can pose questions to them and get ideas outside of my personal situation. New thinking always helps me get “unstuck.”
The act of introducing our “stuck place,” the skill or assignment that is a mess in our classroom is very freeing. We were given an avenue to research ways to fix the stuck. Being able to share our findings with each other; I can think of no better Professional Development. Being able to present some solutions that we found I research, teach those ideas to this group, and then to get more suggestions and so much positive support. This has never happened in a school that I have worked in. I could not have asked for a better experience.
Now imagine this group sharing stories every day, about work and growing up.Imagine crying with them because of a personal story they told. Imagine laughing so hard because this group “gets it.” They understand what it’s like to do what you do every day and how ridiculous things are. We decided to laugh but sometimes it’s needed.
We all gave up three weeks of that important summer break. How much do we care about our practice to do that? I cannot remember one day where I was not excited to get up and drive in to get to work, to share a resource, or just a funny video. I valued each person’s opinion and I couldn’t wait to write more, talk more, and to laugh more. I wish all PD was this fun and this productive.
Every single presentation added to my practice as a teacher. I am already a better teacher and I haven’t even taught yet. I have made great friends and connections from all over the Kansas City Metro area. I can pose questions to them and get ideas outside of my personal situation. New thinking always helps me get “unstuck.”