As we head into our second F2F and people begin to reflect on what is urgent and important, I thought I would take some time to reflect on my journey so far, both as a participant and coach in Cohort 21.
What makes this next F2F so much fun, but also so intimidating, is that you take the time to try and hone in on a question. You take the time to consider what you want to focus on and the journey you want to take this year. This in itself can feel quite massive. Trying to find a direction, a way to work towards a solution to a problem you see as an educator.
When I started Cohort in 2019 I felt I had a simple direction; I wanted to become a stronger math teacher. I wanted to create more opportunities for students to become engaged in math and feel comfortable trying new things. With that being said, my ‘How might we‘ still felt massive. I am also happy to say that I have still not reached the end of my question. Simply because my initial ‘How might we’ led to another question, and another and another and another. Several years later my research is now on something completely different. It has taken me several years to come to my current ‘How Might We’, and I know it will lead me to new and important questions.
The point of Cohort is not to come to the end with a concrete answer, it is to create opportunities for constant reflection and growth. It can be uncomfortable but also some of the most exciting and motivating thing you can do as an educator and professional. My time in Cohort has given me such a fantastic and varied ‘teacher tool box’. I have become more responsive and much more comfortable in my own skin as an educator.
As we come together this Saturday please try not to feel overwhelmed, but know that you are going into a space where you can explore problems of any size, and that you will be surrounded by people that are just as curious and motivated as you are. It’s going to be a great day and I can’t wait to see you all there!
