Journey to School

When sharing stories about school with my siblings a few years ago I realized that the journey to and from school was sometimes as important as school itself.  I remember getting to the bus stop early for all of the fun we had playing with friends.  I also remember a few mishaps and adventures on the bus itself, especially on winter roads.  For my own kids they have had it pretty good: a walk across the playing fields, a 5-minute drive around campus, a 5 minute drive up one hill or another, a walk of a few blocks (although that was sometimes very very cold), and now a 15 minute drive.  Each one though has brought it's fair share of stories.

The journey to school does represent the commitment to education.  My grandmother walked about 5 miles each way to get to school before she had to stop going at age 16 to look after her younger brothers after her mother's passing.  She was just a bit short of getting her high school diploma and many years later was able to receive that honor with a little help from my dad.  For the lucky ones it's a simple stroll each day but for many others it's very long walks, early departures followed by long bus rides or for many of these people something much more difficult every day just to get to school.

Journeys To School

The Importance of Relationships in Learning

I've been struggling with how to best articulate the importance the relationships play in a great learning environment.  I hope to revisit this idea soon but for now want to save the article from the NY Times that highlights the important of having a mentor or some other meaningful relationship to provide a successful learning experience.   I know this made all the difference for me when I was a student.  

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/17/opinion/sunday/teaching-is-not-a-business.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=c-column-top-span-region&region=c-column-top-span-region&WT.nav=c-column-top-span-region&_r=0

Idle Parenting?

This is an interesting article pleading for parents to back off the pedal a bit.  The term "helicopter parent' has been around for some time but now I've heard about the "lawnmower parents" and realize I've seen them in action.  Those are the parents that want to mow over any challenge or obstacle in front of their child to make their path easy.  As always I encourage balance; I don't support the idea of parents dropping their kids off in the wilderness and finding their way home as director Baz Luhrman described in a recent interview.  This article though seem to present a happy medium:
 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/mother-tongue/familyadvice/3355719/Idle-parenting-means-happy-children.html?fb

It also remind me of a great little kindle short I read a few years ago called Beware Dangerism.  It reminds me of the great play I had growing up, mostly outside, with neighbors and siblings.   When I get together with family my mother is often surprising to hear more about what we were up to all those hours we we occupied our own time before the dinner bell range.

Technology

Some interesting thoughts about technology and the struggles to implement it well and keep it relevant in a school setting: 
http://tomwhitby.wordpress.com/2014/08/12/does-tech-hold-back-educators/

When technology is implemented just of the sake of implementing technology so much is lost.  When it is integrated as part of creating an innovative learning environment that reflects the evolving nature of work and life in the 21st century it has great relevance and value:
http://creativetension.wordpress.com/2014/08/24/do-parents-really-want-schools-with-innovative-learning-environments/

Back to School Jitters

A common conversation during preservice meetings with my teachers this year was the feelings we have when returning to school, feelings familiar from youth that teachers return too every year when the days start feeling too long and too hot.  The typical response is a combination of excitement and nervousness.  The scale can tip from one side to the other depending on what we are thinking about or planning but having a healthy dose of both is important. 

An educator that isn't excited to get back to students and teaching after a nice break probably shouldn't be back in the classroom.  Sure, one might not look forward to writing comments, attending meetings, or other such tasks but getting back to teaching and learning should spark enough enthusiasm to make one linger in Target's school supply section a bit longer (not these ones though).  Hopefully for most teachers it's even more than just school supplies but a yearning to see the youthful light and energy of learning again. 

Likewise, a teacher that isn't a little anxious is probably too comfortable in their routines and relationships with students.  I'd rather work with a teacher that is too nervous and needs some guidance and support to prepare for the first day than the teacher who starts the year putting up the same displays, copying the same worksheets, or considers a syllabus update to be nothing more than an exercise of changing test dates.  Perhaps this is a good place to apply the principle of creative tension.  An elastic band won't bind if it's not tight enough to stretch but if pulled to far it can also snap.  Having enough tension to keep me on my toes and not complacent is best, but not so much that it becomes a difficulty or distraction to working effectively with students.

All of these jittery feelings also help me feel young again as they reflect the emotions I had each August when I was getting ready to go back to school.  I remember waiting for the day when class lists were posted on the school windows.  Discovering who was in your class and the big question, which teacher do you have, hatched much of the same positively nervous energy.  Of course "day one" and "day two" can each look a bit different but hopefully the energy of enthusiasm and productive anxiousness can carry on through its ebbs and flows to bring students and teachers through a successful year.

Supporting Enthusaistic Learning

I never tire of the great story told on "Caine's Arcade."  Much of the attention goes to Caine, the bright, creative, and wonderfully genuine young man at the center of this story.  The more I watch this the more I appreciate Nirvan who was willing to support and highlight Caine's unique project.  I think we sometimes have predetermined ideas of what learning or creativity looks like instead of seeking it's authentic demonstration through natural play and exploration.  We can do a lot more by discovering and supporting this natural growth than trying to mold it into our own ideas of what children should be doing.  That's not to say teachers and parents can't provide inspiration and ideas but if a child takes that support in a new direction the best thing to do us provide support and recognition, just like Nirvan did here. 

Games for Learning

I couldn't agree with this more. We do this often at home and I have some classroom favorites too. 

http://m.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2014/07/how-family-game-night-makes-kids-into-better-students/374525/

Does America Have the World's Best Colleges?

The link below is a response and continued discussion of an article that appreared in the NYT last week.  It raises an interesting question about the value of America's colleges compared to other countries around the world.  The article provides some compelling evidence to consider that the US colleges may not be as strong as many think.  Even if the top US schools dominate the list of top universities in the world the overall system may have some under reported challenges.

It's an interesting debate and I haven't read or studied enough to make an definitive decision of my own.  However, as I have traveled the world and met with many students there is a clear preference and desire to study in the US.  I went into more than one classroom in China where the only thing on the walls was a copy of the room schedule and a copy of the US News and World Report top 50 US universities.  This is unsettling in it's own way but it does provide some anecdotal evidence that there is certainly something going for US colleges that are making them the most desirable option for the majority of top international students.

American Colleges Standing in the World Part II (Part I is linked in the article)

"Don't Make Your Children the Exception to Every Rule"

Sometimes in an effort to focus only on "happiness" parents find themselves protecting, defending or otherwise stepping in for our kids when what they really need to learn is conscientiousness.  This article makes some great points along this general idea :"Children who are industrious, orderly and have good self-control are more likely than their careless or undisciplined peers to grow into happy adults."  Letting kids make mistakes, take responsibility, resolve their own problems, etc... can be greatly beneficial even if sometimes difficult to watch.  I remember realizing as a teen that I needed to get my act together because my desires for bad behavior or choices wouldn't change as an adult, I would just have increasing responsibility for them.  I'm grateful my parents let me learn these lessons

"Don't Make Your Children the Exception to Every Rule"

Saying Sorry

I enjoyed this great advice on teaching kids to apologize.  We have worked hard to do this with our own children, especially ensuring that a response of "I accept your apology" was given.  One of the biggest challenges are offenses done not on purpose.  Kids (and many adults) need to recognize that even if an offense or injury wasn't on purpose it still needs to be apologized for if you are the source.

This article takes it to the next level though having children (and again, many adults could use this) think through the process and it's purpose, not just go through the motions.

http://www.cuppacocoa.com/a-better-way-to-say-sorry/

Under Construction

After a very long break from this blog I've decided to take it up again.  The intent is to use this for a place to gather my thoughts from time to time.  I'll also post articles or other resources that I want to write a bit about, especially so I can remember and access them more easily later on.  I'll also use this to place a bit more information about myself professionally so I can direct anyone interested this way (for better or for worse).

I'll leave all previous posts up without changes, even though a quick browse makes me want to fix their mistakes or make other changes.  I suspect posts will be shorter on commentary and more links and other information.  I almost just went with tumblr for that reason but figured that I already have this up and running so I'll try that first.

Anyway, since my last post I moved back to Utah, started a job where I was able to travel the world visiting schools and racked up 380,000 frequent flyer miles in 18 months, then moved to India where I now am Head of a small international school.  Some of our travels and fun in India can be followed at we5nomads.