The older a student gets, the quicker they’re likely to disqualify themselves from what you’re up to. “Oh, we’re doing a math problem? I’m bad at math.” Disqualified. “Oh, this teacher likes writing? Not me.” Disqualified. “Wait, the gym teacher wants us to run? I can’t run. I’m out.” Disqualified. “Wait, all my teachers are […]
Uncategorized
You Really Don’t Know
The point of telling you this story isn’t to say a thing about me. I’m a normal educator, like you. I do normal work, like you. I’m on a journey to professional excellence, like you. The point is to tell you something about us. The other day I went to the grocery store in town, […]
The Teacher’s Journey
It seems like the teacher’s journey goes something like this: I like this better than the two bottlenecks language from a couple weeks ago. A few reasons for that preference: This shows that the journey is cyclical. Good days can follow bad ones, and bad ones can be followed by good ones again. It’s applicable […]
The Change to Come
Community AND content. Humility AND boldness. Curriculum AND instruction. Hard work AND deep rest. The most impactful teachers in the world are masters of embracing paradox. They’ve got an eye for what Jim Collins calls “the genius of the AND.” Where do they acquire this sense for nuance? In their dogged pursuit of first principle […]
The Two Bottlenecks
So here’s the good news: a lot of teachers have experienced rich, rewarding careers in education, and a lot of teachers are even doing that right now in the midst of all the topsy turvy. On most days, I count myself among this group. Despite its difficulty, this work remains an excellent way to spend […]