Written by Some guy told me once that true learning comes when we reflect, so I figured I would take a moment to reflect on my experience on Saturday. Unlike many of you, I didn’t walk out of Saturday feeling energized. I’ll admit that I felt a little overwhelmed, a little frazzled, and a lot hopeful. I choose to focus on the last because I know the growth that will come of this year long journey and I know that it will benefit me tremendously both personally and professionally.
Here’s the deal: I don’t do “messy” (unless, of course, you are in my kids’ basement playroom). The thought that this process is described as messy is a little bit terrifying for me. Typically, if I don’t know how something will look in my classroom, it means that I don’t do it. I like to try new things, but only when I can visualize the end result and have a plan for implementing it. I know that this is good for me, but I would be lying if I said there was no trepidation going against what I’ve always done. But, I will spend my time focussing on the task at hand, controlling the things I can and accepting the things i can’t, practicing gratitude along the way for the people I meet and the things I learn, and most importantly, growing as an educator and a person.
So, what is my takeaway from the day? I can do this.
@acorbett I LOVE that you just stepped into the unknown like this and shared your 1st face to face reflection. You are not alone in your feelings and insights. Rest assured that the process you have just embarked on can be as structured or as open as you want. All that we ask you to do is give yourself permission to change your mind along the way, test your assumptions constantly and leverage your students as often as you can in the design process. They have so much to offer. For now…… what is in most urgent need of addressing with the cohort you have or what area of opportunity do you wish pursue “action” in?
Any other tips?..
@lbettencourt @acampbellrogers @apetrolito @mmoore @adamcaplan @ljensen @tjagdeo @lmcbeth @ckirsh @gnichols
@acorbett I applaud your courage. As we discussed on the weekend, hit publish, and take the leap. We look forward to hearing more from you and your feelings and insights. Reflection is a major aspect of the process and it’s important at every stage. Human-centered design is a quintessential element, which includes the user(students) and the facilitator(teachers). Settle into the process, research, ask questions and tailor the experience to fit “you” and “your students/community.” Looking forward to connecting again soon.
@jmedved and @lbettencourt – thanks so much for your words of encouragement. I am big on reflection, probably to a fault and struggle with second guessing myself, but I think that I know what direction I’m going in. I just have NO idea where I’ll end up!! But I’m looking forward to the process, connecting with my students and like-minded educators, and exacting change in some way (big or small). Thanks for the support!
@acorbett you are exactly where you need to be – open to growth and in acknowledgement of the things that give you pause … I can completely relate. When I started my Cohort journey two years ago I ‘didn’t do messy’ either. I still struggle with it. I would encourage you to take small steps in the direction of change, when you come up against tension you’ll know you are learning and headed in the right direction. If that tension feels really sticky, remember that you have mountains of support here to get you through! Look forward to connecting more on this subject throughout the year!
Thanks @acampbellrogers – nice to know I’m not the only one!
You are definintely not the only one – but I would say a huge THANK YOU for being one of those that are able to put yourself out there and articulate this. As educators, I think that this is the big shift: learning to get messy with students because that is where really deep learning can happen. When you are confronted and challenged with ideas, protocols and processes that challenge one’s own paradigm and status quo. For example, would you ever share this post with your own students? Might you reach out to them in this way the next time you hand them an assignment that they may not see the end result?
Thanks Anastasia!