I dare YOU to go first!

Are you a role model for learning?

We know that students are always watching the adults in their lives. From an early age, they mirror the attitudes and habits of their parents. That’s how they learn to walk and talk. That’s why they speak with an accent and why they bring unquestioned attitudes and beliefs with them to school. But then educators present them with new information, new ways of thinking.

We are all bombarded by so many competing priorities for our time, our attention, our energy. We launch initiatives that are important… emphasis on literacy, on math skills, on higher order thinking, on character, on social justice, on developing 21st Century skills… the list goes on and on. But what’s important?

Let’s be honest. When two teachers are scheduled to be co-teachers, it’s not easy. There are issues with expectations and communication, with differing perspectives about students, and with establishing mutual classroom routines for instruction and management. Over the years, I’ve witnessed all sorts of things that can go wrong. But it doesn’t have to be that way!

Many schools and districts have instituted a position of Instructional Coach to support teachers as they improve their instructional practices. Coaches are everywhere in the fields of athletics, performing arts, and business leadership. Most books and experts on personal development recommend finding a coach to support your own professional learning path.

What does a special educator bring to a team?

I have been puzzling over this question ever since I first heard of the new special education law in 1975. Exactly what is a special educator supposed to do?

Does your school have an Instructional Coach? Many schools have added such a position, either for general or discipline-specific support to the faculty. The person hired is usually an exceptionally strong teacher who has existing influence in the building.

Last month, during a conversation of possibilities, I asked a school leader about his practices for family engagement.

“Would you be interested in expanding your practices to build stronger partnerships with your families?”

“Leaders don’t know where they’re going.”

I was deep in my daily reading time – this time the topic was leadership – when I stumbled on this statement. Leadership expert, Orrin Woodward, went on to explain.

In a recent interview, former Vice President Joe Biden said, “That’s how we make progress. Shine a bright light on a problem. Look at it closely, and change the culture.” He was talking about domestic violence, but doesn’t this work for all issues?

As we approach the New Year, we’ll start hearing about new year’s resolutions. Thinking back, I don’t know many people who actually achieved those resolutions. Do you? Why is that?