Kicking off another Cohort!

Here we go! It’s my 4th year teaching, my 2nd Cohort, and my 1st time as a Coach. It should be an interesting year…

I hope to pick up my Action Plan where I left off last year, encouraging and developing GRIT in my students. Last year, grit was just a buzz word to me, but over the summer I picked up the original Grit book, by Angela Duckworth. Although I haven’t finished it (yet), it has given me a much deeper understanding and appreciation for what grit is, how it is measured, how it can predict future success, and (most importantly) how it can be improved. I’m sure my future posts will heavily reference this book as I work through my action plan.

                                             [images from www.amazon.ca]            

Another book I picked up this summer (and haven’t yet finished) is Bill Nye (the Science Guy)’s latest one, “Everything All At Once”. I watched his show growing up, watched “Bill Nye Saves the World” on Netflix, and he is probably my #1 inspiration in science education (slightly edging out Miss Frizzle). I went to his interview/book signing at Yorkdale this summer, where he signed my book and we “blew it up” (something he does with all the guests on his new show).

[Photo cred: my cousin Jessie]

Among the many pearls of wisdom in Mr. Nye’s book is that “Everyone in the world knows something you don’t”. This is great advice for anyone, but especially teachers. We must learn from our students and each other. But don’t forget the corollary: “No matter who you meet, you know something that they don’t!” That is my message for all new Cohort 21 participants: learn from each other, but more importantly – share what you know! We all want to learn from YOU! Have a great year!