Unleashing Talent

#IMMOOC Blog Buddy Blog

Nike has an add that is about unleashing human potential.  We as educators are constantly trying to unleash student potential.  At our Community School we are constantly unleashing community and partnership potential.  By giving students the freedom to critically think and problem solve we are giving the opportunity to unleash, what we don’t even know is “leashed”.  That my friends is exciting!  

A simple question posed to students, “Where would be an optimal place to put a community garden?” The students began thinking of sunlight, water, wind and other various environmental concerns in relation to our garden.  By asking this simple question and stepping aside, allowed the opportunity to unleash potential for students to take on leadership roles; sharing their knowledge of what is the best conditions to grow vegetables, types of soil and even where the sun rises and sets.  

 

George Couros states, “Should we be a sage on the stage or the guide on the side or the architect of learning?  The answer is that teachers should be all of those.  The art of teaching is figuring out when you should be which one.”   Innovation is about adding value to learning in a way that afford opportunities for creativity and curiosity.  Humans are curious by nature, but somewhere along the way we have developed a way to “do” school.  By providing questions, student voice, choice, modeling authentic passion and experiences we we unleash the talents, the learning.  Sometimes this feels like a big task, but really it is about going with the flow of learning.  

Heidi and Melanie

empathy. trust.relationships

Building relationship and a culture of trust in my position is crucial. Without a foundation of trust in the classroom, it is hard to learn from one another and sail through muddy waters.  If I have a hard time learning and growing from someone I do not trust or have a relationship with, then I would think my students would as well.  Bottom line, it is important!

So…I make an effort to stay present within the classroom and get to know my students.  I intentionally find out their passions, what motivates them.   I go to their basketball games or swim meets.  I have authentic conversations with students waiting in line for lunch or packing up at the end of the day.  I ask how they are doing.   I empathize when they are late to school because they missed the bus.

empathy.trust.relationships

xo,

Melanie

Would I want to be a learner in my classroom?

Would I want to be a learner in my classroom?

What is best for this student?

What is this student’s passion?

What are some ways we can create a true learning community?

How did this work for our student?

These are some REAL questions, I mean, let us get down and dirty with ourselves and be real.   Honestly, sometimes, well many times I think sitting in my class would be boring, downright pull out my hair and stare off into space boring.  Those lessons that you need to teach before the state test and it is crunch time.  The lessons that everyone else is teaching because it is on the timeline and it is what comes next.  I think we can all relate to this as an educator at some point in our teaching career.

I am at fault all the time and I am not perfect by any means…thank you grace.  But, do you know what saves me, asking these questions above.  When I stop and reflect and sympathize with my students and their needs.  When I am reminded of what is important and what is best for students.  When I am inspired by others and their strengths and passions.   When administration tells me to try it and helps with overcoming any obstacles in the way.   When I empower students to take ownership of their own learning and I step back and smile.  Those moments, those small little seconds in life, remind me of what really matters as an educator…..providing what is best for students, by giving students the voice and choice.

 

xo,

Melanie