Learner. Human. Joyologist.
I’m sharing all of this because Mike also reminded us of something else quite compelling about good teaching: it doesn’t just improve academic skills. The research shows that it also grows non-academic skills. The very skills or attributes found in the Portrait of Graduate that many schools and states are creating and adopting.
Now before you start to think that I’m gaslighting myself, let me give you an example from today. I woke up this morning and took comfort in my weekend routine. I made my breakfast, put some electrolytes in my water, made my cold brew concoction in my glass jar, took my supplements, and changed into my gym clothes.
Too often, we view questions as some kind of attack on authority.
There is so much good in this world and in our school communities. Look for it. It won’t take you long to find it. And when you find it, name it, and celebrate it.
It’s amazing how quickly our brains decide that what we’ve seen is all that can be. What we’ve seen online. What we’ve seen or heard for ourselves. What others have told us. And in a world full of distractions, what we truly see or hear can be even further limited
Instruction is so much more complex than baking. But the world outside of the classroom has little truths to offer us too.
Make space for the joy. If we lose this kind of exposure, how will we evolve and grow? How will our kids evolve and grow? But most importantly, what if we don’t know we love something, and we miss an opportunity to find out?
I had the honor and pleasure of writing on George Couros’s weekly “three things” newsletter this week. The heart of what I shared is that we really don’t need perfect people working in our schools. There are no perfect people. But we do need more deeply human people.
That kind of feedback is my favorite. It’s so raw and honest and it’s an indication that some walls were let down…all of which is needed to build trust and a better future together.
If you are high integrity and doing great work for the right reasons and the right way, then chin up and keep going. Stay close to the truth-tellers who are rooting for you and can give you a more balanced view of the work and your role in the work.
