Today is one of those days when I have so much to share that I am having a hard time choosing what to write. So, I am going to share this link, right now! It is a link to an article written in Doug Curry's "Free Resources", website. It's long, and I intend at some point to break it down into sections as I have in the past... but, gosh, what if you wanted to read it right now? True to Doug's writing style, 14 pages goes by in a flash (there's lots of pictures and he uses big font!) since he writes as if he is talking to you in the room...
Here is the conclusion to the article:
Do you want to know what the good ones look like? [he is talking about a good middle school]
• Passing periods are loud. Kids are happy. All teachers are at their doors. All administrators are visible. It’s boisterous, but it seems happy and under control. There are not large mobs of kids. Teachers are right in the middle of any situation. There are lots of positive interactions occurring. You feel safe walking along. Kids are quick to greet you and ask if you need help.
• When classes start, the hallways are clear. If a student appears in the hallway, you can see that the student has a clearly marked pass of some kind. If the student does not have the pass, an adult is quick to ask the student for one.
• Adults appear energetic. You can sense their feeling of efficacy. We are not powerless. We know that our school will be what we want it to be.
• Meaningful and engaging learning is going on in every classroom from bell to bell.
The world’s a little more crazy every day. However, these kids did not choose this world. They deserve the same chance that you and I had in order to live successful lives, and a loving, safe, and engaging school is a right.
Doug Curry gave me the strength to stop "putting my head in the sand" in terms of addressing misbehavior because he empowered me with strategies, skills and confidence. He gave me strength to be myself...
Before I moved away from Cy-Fair back in 2013, my classroom was entrenched with Quantum Learning strategies. But, when I moved to Amarillo, my teaching techniques came under the scrutiny of my colleagues. I kept hearing excuses, "oh, we tried that and it doesn't work, the students won't like that, the students won't respond, that will could never be me..." etc, etc, etc. Teachers would stop by my door and question me all the time... I felt intimidated and finally shamed for doing the things I that were really a part of who I was as a teacher.
QL teachers are different. We approach the Foundation, Atmosphere, Environment and the Design and Delivery of our classroom as a whole system of interchanging parts. We know the impact we have on student learning, both emotionally and cognitively.
I hear that sometimes now, after a presentation, that I will be told, "I could never dance around, stand on a chair or chant, like Tracy. It's just not me", or "I thought QL was all about laughing and dancing, but now I know it impacts relationships, teaches character and builds students capacity to learn and retain information." But, Quantum Learning is a deeper understanding of the brain and how it learns, content AND social skills, it's much much more that dancing, plants and lights. I am a shy extrovert. It takes a lot of courage for me to do the things I do, but, I do those things for the kids I teach.
Here's an example of a shaming moment I experienced:
Background: When I taught Moon Phases, on the very first day I would wear a baseball jersey, baseball pants and ball cap. I would carry a bat and have a baseball on hand. I stood in my threshold greeting kids with this outfit on while John Fogerty's Centerfield was playing. There were pennants decorating the room. For the lesson, students would place the changing phases on a baseball diamond field.
Home Plate is the New Moon
First Base is the First Quarter
Second Base is the Full Moon
Third Base is the Last Quarter
When you are on first base, you are on the right side of the diamond, first quarter moon - light is on the right. You get the gist...
Okay, so this day arrives to teach Moon Phases at my new school and I set up my room as always. Except, this day is also a faculty meeting, the first faculty meeting since I have arrived. (I started my new role in January)
True to form, I do not remember that there is a faculty meeting until late in the day... But, in my mind, it's just a meeting after school. I did not know I would be introduced to the faculty as the new hire, replacing the 8th grade science teacher who had left in December.
Do you know what is coming?
I get introduced in a baseball uniform (worst is I am in Ranger country, and yep, I am wearing an Astros jersey). I'll stop there and let you visualize the stares and weird looks I got.
In that moment, I stopped... QL teaching stopped in my classroom for months. I stayed low, I stayed below the radar. I quit being "weird". I got tired of teachers poking their heads in my rooms and questioning me, I kept having to explain why I did the things I did. There was a lot of eye rolling and retorts - "good luck with that".
I ended the school year miserable. Lost
In AISD, if you fail your core subjects (or STAAR), you had to attend summer school. But, your school hosted your own students. STAAR students retook the test for the third time, I think at the end of June. It was really good pay and was only a half day so I signed up. I taught Science and Social Studies to a handful of students. Two other teachers taught math and reading. It was an easy gig. (my last year to be at this school, I ended up being the 'Principal' for summer school) Great experience in the end.
It was during this time that I attended Doug's "How to Train an Llama" session. (I needed the PD hours) The next day, I came back to my classroom, sat at my desk and just reflected. It was summer and the students hadn't arrived, the school was silent. I remember, looking to the right, looking to the left of my classroom. You know that time, when your classroom is empty and you can feel the potential energy in the room. With astonishment I said out loud, "my classroom will be whatever I want it to be".
And it was...
Your classroom can be whatever you want it to be as well. So, can your school as a whole. It takes effort and confidence. But, you are in control. Never feel ashamed for standing on the side of hope, for never quitting on kids, to keep trying new things, to keep showing up and being yourself. Check out the link above for some ideas of what taking control of your school looks like.
If someone asks why you do what you do? TELL them... you are helping them get faster! The best PD is often the teacher down the hall. The best reason for this conversation is the kids sitting in your class. Share your knowledge and never be ashamed.
I am a Fast Llama and Quantum Learning Teacher...
