Fast Llamas,
We are back in the action! School starts tomorrow for me, 5 days of District PD and 5 days of Campus PD to prepare physically and mentally for the upcoming school year. Lots of anxious feelings, nearly palpable as we go back to "normal". But, we remain flexible (it's a life skill) as protocols may change.
My last blog entry in May ended with what our friend and fast llama guru, Doug Curry had to say about Collective Teacher Efficacy, our impact and what "Makes Schools Great".
I will begin this new school year with the same information... because the words are just so good. Doug's impact is reminding us that middle school and high school kids still need consistency, systems and relationships in order to have a sense of safety and belonging. Don't make assumptions, just because they are older that will automatically just, "know" how to behave in the hallways, or how to interact respectfully with adults when approached, it is our role to teach students beyond our content.
Doug Curry says that in order to have "Great Secondary Schools" you need these elements. And, when you read them, you will be thinking, "yes!", the next step is up to you to put them into action.
What makes schools great:
1. Belief - Teachers will not look away at behaviors, but will lovingly step in with consistency students need in order to teach students the ways of success.
2. Relationships - Teachers will get to know as many students names in their building as possible and interact with these students in the hallways, in their classrooms, in the cafeteria and at dismissal.
3. Expectations - "Middle school and high school students deserve a school that is both physically and emotionally safe. It is not their job to create it and maintain it. It is the job of the adults. And it is the job of the adults to have the courage and confidence to step in and intervene when students are not living up to the accepted standards of the school." D. Curry
We teach them how to act — how to respond appropriately, how to be kind to others, have empathy and integrity. We teach them to love school and to love their teachers. We help them and their families have a plan to go from middle school to high school to their future.
Do you know what your dream school looks like? Can you picture it in your mind? If you don't, spend some time thinking about it and picturing it in your mind.
Reflective Questions:
- what do passing period look and sound like? are they loud with happy kids? where are the teachers and administrators? What are teachers and admin doing while kids walk to class? Do you feel safe? Do students feel safe?
- once the bell rings what does it look and sound like? are the hallways clear? when you see a kid, do they have a pass? if they don't what happens? are students in their classrooms with meaningful and engaging learning from bell to bell?
Can you and do you understand the power of the herd?
Do you know your impact? What is your sphere of influence? It's a lot bigger than you think...
This is the most important of all mindframes and is the major message for Visible Learning. We continually adjust and refocus what we are doing. We stop talking and listen for our impact. Our impact in our classrooms and with our fellow teachers.
Take a look at the table below: (sorry for the formatting, I really just threw it down quickly this morning, but the info in more important to the spacing... sorry to those who are bothered! ha)
As humans, we are hard-wired in our brains for connection and for a sense of belonging. When our students have a connection to each other, to you and to your content, the "will and thrill of learning", can flourish., so does creativity. These feelings apply to the collective teachers on your team, in your department and in your building. This is the herd.
In great schools you can sense the feeling of efficacy. We are not powerless. Our schools will be whatever we want them to be. It takes effort, it takes courage and it takes confidence. But, together, we are stronger than being alone. If you see a slow llama (aka, a struggling teacher), help them get faster, in doing so, the whole herd gets faster and that makes our school great.More to come in the coming days...
