Learning Through Observing

Mesmerized by the passions of others. Writing, sharing, teaching. Educators striving to make an impact with students, with colleagues and with a community. Learning does not happen in isolation. 

Learning is not a moment in time, learning is constant over time. 

Watching others contribute to ones growth in knowledge has no specific formula. There is no specific way. We stumble, we attempt and we stay firm in our belief that in the end, we are better than where we started because we believe in each other. We believe in our growth.

Our convictions are strong. Anchored through the conversations with others and built on the foundation of trust and a goal to be committed to the organization in which we serve and to learn ourselves. 

Learning occurs through observing. And, doing. We must have a willingness to let go of what we may have thought was once the only path and find the path that will make us better tomorrow than we were today. Sometimes looping back, paths are meant to be blazed through the daily challenges in life. 

Not every step has one that follows. Your path is just that, yours.

Watching, growing, breathing. Being the best version of ones self. 

Always learning. Always observing. 

What I Have Learned So Far This Year

This week will mark the one-month moment in our school year. Hard to believe that a little over 30 days ago we were in our final stages of preparing for students and staff to return. The excitement, anticipation and eagerness is still with us today as it was just a few short weeks ago.

Putting time into perspective, it is hard to believe that one-ninth of the year has passed. You heard that correctly. Thirty days of teaching and learning have concluded. There is no "do-over" for the days and weeks that have passed. How have you made the most of your first month with students and staff? For me, it was full of learning and in many cases, reaffirming all that I believe when it comes to education. With that, it is time to reflect on what those 30 days have taught me. And, in 30 more days I will do the same.

Here is what I have learned so far this year:

1. It is All About Relationships. We were purposeful in how we welcomed our students back. We were intentional in how we established our school culture. And in the end we must sustain those relationships and come back to them each and every day. Our #1st3Days must be in existence all 180 school days of the year. It is how we are intertwined with each other that will set a tone for the direction we will go. (Resources - Sean Gaillard and Bethany Hill)

2. Personalized Learning and Blended Learning are Everywhere. What spent much of last year as a buzz term in education, personalization of teaching and learning for all students is truly taking form as we get into the second month of school. Both administrators and teachers are embracing the craft of ensuring each students academic experience is aligned with their style of how they are taught and how they best demonstrate mastery. Personalization is best practice and has rightfully taken its place in our schools. (Resources - Randall Sampson and Marcia Kish)

3. Homework is Out. Whether a social media revolution or Hattie's work has finally made it into mainstream academia, teachers are realizing that piling up hours of evening work for their students has very little value and in fact is as archaic as rows of desks in classrooms. For those that are well versed in the research, we know we need to move homework out of the students after school experience and instead focus on more impactful practices. We as educators who believe in this shift need to continue to share with your colleagues. (Resources - Connie Hamilton, Starr Sackstein, Samantha Althouse)

4. Space Matters. Three years ago I took on the task of revamping our Media Center in the middle school in which I serve. Having been furnished in the mid 90's, it was time to re-think the space that I considered the hub of our school. Seeking the input of our community, doing some research on higher educational settings and listening to professionals talk about their evolvement of their spaces, we completely overhauled the focal point of our building. Now, students and teachers clammer to head to a location that is open and inviting. With comfortable seating and a mindset of 21st century best practices, our teachers are also rethinking how the space in which they serve students needs to evolve as well. (Resources - Dwight Carter)

5. Instructional Feedback is Essential. This past week I found myself in a couple of tough conversations. I had stepped into a classroom and decided to stay for a while in an attempt to learn a little bit more about the co-teaching delivery that was taking place. While knowing the teachers had good intentions, I found myself a bit frustrated in what I was observing. I took some mental notes, reviewed the time I was in the room for 24 hours and then decided the next day that the teacher(s) and I would need to have a pretty straight forward conversation about best practices. It was time for some intentional feedback. In the end, there is work to be done. The positive is that the teachers are receptive to my involvement and are learners themselves. With this relationship, and an establish growth mindset, students will benefit. Even though it will take some time, I look forward to all parties growing through this purposeful conversations over time. (Resources- Neil Gupta and Jennifer Hogan.)

As you work through your year, make sure to take time and do some intentional reflection on the progress you are making in your own teaching and learning. Having taken some time off from blogging to start the year, I am re-energized to get back at it and tell our schools story in growing as leaders and learners.

So Much to Learn

Later this week I head off to Boston to present at the November Learning, Building Learning Communities Conference on the invitation from Alan November. This is an amazing opportunity to share with a fresh audience of educators about my passion for teaching and learning.

I often ask myself how I have ended up in the place that I have. A kid growing up in upstate New York and having attended a small university in Ohio, I feel like I have finally found myself as an educator. I take great pride in being fully invested in my school community and that is essential for me. Also, I am fortunate to work in the school district that I do that not only embraces innovation, it demands it.

The reality is, however, I made some significant errors along the way to get where I am today. In fact, for a period of time I felt like I had mastered the art of "failing forward". Without that period in my life, however, I would not be heading off on a jet plane this morning to connect with passionate educators from across the globe to share my story.

My learning has been powerful. My story is about how I picked myself up, recognized my errors, accepted my need for growth and how I bought into the notion that I needed to increase my own learning which in turn would evolve me into a better practitioner, a better leader and a better person.

Keep the following in mind as you fail forward:

1. Embrace the uncomfortable. Just 4 years ago I was having some tough conversations with my colleagues about my direction in this field. While in my seat in, I sat and squirmed and felt like the walls were closing in. Those were some rough days in my journey. My decision that day was a simple one. Instead of running from this tough moment, I embraced it. I looked it dead in the eyes and demanded more of myself. The growth began immediately.

2. Own it. When failing forward the hardest part of the process is to own the errors. If your colleagues, community or even harder to accept your superiors are giving you the impression that you are losing your way, you can respond in one of two ways. My advice is simple. Own that there are improvements to be made and commit to seeing it through. The sooner you own it, the quicker the path to success.

3. Let down your guard. Too often when we fail we build up a wall of trust, or lack there of. That is natural and instinctive. As hard as it is, try not to leave that wall up. You can't get better on your own just as you didn't fail forward on your own. No, you were not pushed. However, at some point others may have stepped away on your journey. I understand being cautious just don't be resistant. Allow others to be a part of your improvements.

4. Have a plan. Now that you are owning your errors, moving forward to being a better educator and embracing the reality of your situation, make sure to know the direction you are heading. For me I had to reach out to my most trusted colleagues and friends. I owned my missteps and dove in to seeing my improvement. I created a plan, set some goals and put my eyes forward to the potential that was there to be had. For me, the plan is what made all the difference. Going in blindly just leads to more failing. Having a plan is essential.

I am not finished with my journey in teaching and learning and especially leading. I have more to do and there is a passion within me to share my story with each of you. We are unique. Our paths in life are independent of each other. However, at the end of the day, we have one goal in common. Simply, we want to be better today than we were yesterday. There is so much to learn.

Be Present.

Often we find ourselves thinking ahead about "what's next" and we lose our focus on the "what's now". Our intentions are good. However, it is our actions that can become overwhelming.

Recently I had the opportunity to listen to colleagues talk about their work with Growth Mindset. What they shared was validating and engaging. Great stuff to say the least. As they were presenting I was able to make connections across the board. We were of the same mold. And having read Carol Dweck's work a while back and having been implementing some of the strategies and supporting my colleagues, I realized the need for me to reflect even more so.

I fully engrossed myself in the moment and I became the student during their lesson. It was now my role to gain knowledge from this unique opportunity and to embrace this time. For much of the conversation I could nod in affirmation that I had been, and was continuing to bring, the concepts of growth mindset to my staff. I even believe and am fully aware of the word (and the meaning) of "yet" and each day find an opportunity to apply that word to my work.

What I also discovered during this time and within this lesson was that I have spent a good bit of time thinking ahead and not always keeping grounded to what is happening currently. Like many of you, it is common. I began to realize that there needs to be two lists during my day. They shared their experience with "To Do" and "To Be". And with that, I was hooked.

By no means has has it been a negative experience that I have been working ahead in my professional goals and ideas in supporting teaching and learning. In fact I am often motivated and excited about coming to work each morning because of those very goals and aspirations. Instead, today was a reminder of the importance of being present in what is already being accomplished and celebrating the now. I engulfed myself in the notion of what needs to be done. That is the "To Do's" we each face. And the compliment to that which is the "To Be". That is where my feet are today.

There is a balance between then and now. We have to be reflective but not stagnant. Teachers are yearning for more yet need to be encouraged to embrace the lessons of the day. We have to look ahead, that is what keeps us the innovative educators that we are. Yet at the same time we have to be mindful of the present. We will always have work to do, but we also have to remember where we are.

We All Start Somewhere.

This is a guest post by Abbey Obrist, an eighth grader at Weaver Middle School in Hilliard, OH.  

Abby has an insightful take on practice and how we can each learn from our experiences. In fact, she is embracing our work at WMS as we talk Growth Mindset to our teachers, to our students and to our community. 

Our motto this year as a community of learners is when we are faced with a task we feel we can't accomplish, we simply add, "Yet". Abby is a great example of living by this motto and displays her talents through her writing and sharing of ideas.

We All Start Somewhere

My fanart for a webcomic called Homestuck by Andrew Hussie
 Lyrics are from The Bird and the Worm by Owl City

Just like the title says, we all start somewhere.  Art is like learning to ride a bike or starting to learn to play an instrument.  You're not going to be the best at first.  You have to practice and practice and practice.  Sure, it may seem hard but if you keep working at it you'll be able to make a semi-quality sketch in about a minute.  I had always loved art but didn't really start drawing until two years ago.  I look back on my old art and cringe but at the time I thought it was good then.  That's what kept me drawing.  The encouragement from myself and others helped me keep practicing and wanting to get better.  You are not going to start out magically being able to draw.  If you keep working you can get better.  I often think about how much I've improved in just two years.  But like I said, I only improved because I tried and practiced.

Enough about me.  Let's focus on you.  You're wanting to start drawing.  "How do I get good?" you ask me and other artists.  Practice.  If you're starting out, here's a list of things that are okay to do.

1. Use references.  It is okay to use references. Use them as much as you want.  Now this doesn't mean just go ahead and copy the work. Use it as a reference though. Use it to help draw the pose, feet, hand, whatever you need it for.  
2. Find artists you like. Is there an artist you like? Love, love, love their style? Try it out. Find a couple artists you like and try it out. Mix and match different things and bam you got your art style. Do not just go and completely steal another artists style.  It's okay to draw alike or similar to them but do not just go and steal their style. It'll take a bit to finally find it though. In fact, I use what feels like 500 different styles all throughout my sketchbook. 
3. P r a c t i c e.  Practice is key. Art will not just come easily to you. Especially if you're not very familiar with it. Like learning violin. You're not just going to become Lindsey Stirling or David Wong. You have to start as a beginner like everybody else and practice.  
4. Nothing is set in stone. Your style is not permanent and there is always room to improve. Change your style up and try different or new ones every once in a while. You can always revert back to your original style if need be. Like I said, I feel like I have so many different art styles and that's okay. That will come in handy too. Something may look better in one style than it does the other style.  

There you have it. I could probably go on and on about tips and tricks but I don't have that kind of time. I feel like I've said practice and style way too many times but they're important words when it comes to art. Congratulations if you made it to the end of my rambling about starting to draw. I'm sure there'll be more in the future so stay tuned.  

Right Before My Eyes, Room 202

As an avid writer and blogger having a desire to grow professionally through sharing of my ideas, observations and experiences, what I saw this morning right before my eyes in Room 202 was all encompassing of years of dedication and passion for teaching and learning.

Room 202 was alive in every sense of the word. When we talk the education lingo and toss around all of the buzz words of our profession, what I saw in this classroom was each and every one of those terms, concepts, best practices and components of education being applied. Flawlessly. And, it did not happen as an independent event. It took effort and focus. Hours and hours to say the least.

There was trial and error, there were mistakes and disappointment by the students and the teacher, there was growth from their efforts and there was frustration from the rigor. There was grit, there was collaboration, there was noise. The room was alive with learning.

Right before my eyes I was witness to everything I strive for with the students and the teachers I work alongside with. Room 202 (and most significantly the teacher within these walls that is dedicated to being the best vehicle of sharing of knowledge and their passion for instruction) has reaffirmed that the hours of planning and preparing, collaborating and connecting, being given the freedom and trust and respect to try new things (and to fail and try again) is worth every moment of every day. The investment in our teachers is being returned in countless ways. The evidence is in Room 202.

On this Friday I am grateful to be surrounded by passionate educators that have a mindset that is built around growing themselves as learners. And, equally as important, they instill this mindset with their students. Room 202 is alive.

"Yet"

Heading into a new school year can bring excitement and anticipation. Eagerness to meet new friends, colleagues and classmates and, of course, the beginning of the journey of learning. Teachers are ready to implement best practice and their administrators are ready to support them each step of the way. Everyone will work in concert to provide the best experience and the best lessons possible. It will be inspiring.

However, a new year also brings challenges, obstacles and the unknown. Students are entering environments in which they are having to make new friends, learn the styles of new teachers and learn new expectations and routines. Teachers too are taking on unchartered roles as they continue to be lifelong learners themselves. Implementing one2one, incorporating a personalized learning experience and of course, always doing what is best for kids and being innovative each step of the way. It can be overwhelming.

As we came back together as a staff prior to the school year we talked about our mindset. Growth vs Fixed. And how we as teachers and learners ourselves could shape the climate of the year awaiting. With all of this excitement and anticipation and conversation there is a word that we as a community of learners adopted for the year ahead with the hopes that it will propel us to great things each step of the way. As we were talking about these unknowns, these fears and these opportunities for new learning, we know that students and teachers alike will be faced with doubt, worry and a desire to retreat to something more comfortable. Therefore, as this community of teachers, leaders and learners ourselves, we will add this simple word to our students and our teachers (and our own) vocabulary. When met with resistance, a seemingly insurmountable challenge, the brain that is telling us to stop or worse case, not even try to begin with, this will become our response. This word will be a part of our growth mindset.

Yet.

This year, as we recognize students becoming worried, fearful or anxious about material, relationships and responsibilities we will support them in their learning and work with them to be successful and accomplish what lies in front of them by adding the word "yet" when they say they can't, won't or have doubt. Ourselves as educators, teachers and administrators when we are handed moments of challenges and adversities in our day we too will implement this mindset into our decisions and our direction and be reminded of "yet". We will model what we expect of others. We will be relentless in our pursuit of success. And of course, failure may be a part of this growth but growth will occur none-the-less.

With that, can you add "yet" to your work? What will you do when faced with challenges? Will you fold to pressures and the weight of our profession or will you regroup, regain your focus and forge ahead? Will you add "yet"?

I encourage you to purposefully add this simple word to your classroom or school building/district and to your mindset this year and watch what unfolds. Already I have grown in my leadership and modeled how I expect others to do the same. As someone who thought they were always a person to persevere, this intentionality of "yet" has added that much more value to what I do.