TL;DR Emotional safety is just as critical as physical safety. Creating safe spaces in our classrooms starts with understanding our own safety needs. Build hands-on tasks with students and colleagues to break down complex emotional ideas. Using mood meters provides learners with a language to describe their emotions. Feeling safe is a fundamental need. Learners’ attention in our classes depends … Read More
Five Leverage Points For Supporting School Improvement
TL;DR: Every year, schools work to establish school improvement goals. Schools may fall into one of three categories: improvement, diminishing returns, or flatlining. There are five leverage points schools should look at for improvement. Each year, school improvement teams identify needs, create goals, and determine how to measure each goal. Staff commits to focusing on school priorities and strategies for … Read More
Persevere Better: Understanding Grit and Resilience
TL;DR: What are the differences between grit and resilience? Grit is an intrinsic quality within a person that drives them to keep going. Resilience allows you to bounce back from hardships. If you already have grit within you, resilience will allow that fire to stay alive. Grit and Resilience I recently engaged with my learning network members about the difference … Read More
Creative Struggles: The Expert in the Room
TL;DR: When someone has a creative struggle, think outside of the box for ways to support them. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Leaders don’t have to have all the answers, but they should be able to find someone who does. Leo is constantly drawing, doodling, sketching. He creates these pictures of characters with elaborate backstories. He spends hours … Read More
Recasting Language: I Was Brooming The Mess!
TL;DR: Celebrate what students are doing in their language development. Recast their language by acknowledging the strengths they have while modeling correct usage. As educators, we are constantly checking in on our students and their progress. We are always looking at ways to support our students in their academic, linguistic, and social-emotional growth. Our brains are almost wired to pinpoint … Read More
