Teachers are the greatest example of what a collective effort can get you. Team meetings, department time, hallway conversations and passing moments of engagement are all a testament to the power of dialogue.
Educators, like no other group of people in all my years of work, do it better than anyone else. Embracing each others ideas, showing the utmost respect and care for each other and unconditionally supporting one another during the best and worst of times is evident day in and day out.
As we head into the Ohio Middle Level Association State Conference, I am energized knowing I am surrounding myself with some of the best the region has to offer. These educators are being the given the opportunity to gather at a location set a side for some intense professional development and then take this knowledge back to their respective districts. The cycle continues. The ideas will travel. The collective effort will be showcased at this event.
I encourage you to take the time this week to reflect on your role in the collective effort. Think about the conversations you are having and what you bring to the table. Ensure that you are part of the team and moving the organization forward. Be a problem solver, a solution seeker, a lesson planner, a passion finder and a student-centered educator. Be a leader, an advocate and a listener.
Be a part of the collective efforts of those you work with. We are better for it. Here is a quick video that reminds us of who teachers truly are.
As I read this, I'm reminded of when I first became an administrator. I went from having 100 colleagues who were classroom teachers like me with whom I could collaborate, to being 1 of 4 administrators like me in the building. That was 11 years ago, before Web 2.0 and collaborating easily across the globe appeared. I'm so thankful to have now not only my in-house team, but also my global team, aka PLN.
ReplyDeleteThe topic of next week's #ALechat on twitter (2/16/15) is Silos vs. Collaboration. Hope you will join in!
Jennifer
#compelledtribe
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