My One Word- Resolute (366)

Resolute is digging in- steadfast anchor. Determination wrapped up in a blanket of perseverance and optimism. It is looking at the world with curiosity and wonder- all the while keeping ones head out of the clouds and more stationary in the here and now. Imagination lit up, whimsy and excitement surrounding- but a level of grounding. This root system is the branches of resoluteness.

This network of belief, confidence, dare devil enthusiasm. This is what keeps me moving forward. There is no up, down, left or right. There is no east, west, south or north. There is only momentum and avoidance of inertia. There is only a focus, deep seeded within the tunnels and pathways of hope and follow-through.

My sentinels are in place. My field clear. My vision open. I am embarking not on something entirely new. I am not rebuilding. I am not purchasing new materials or tools. I am merely recycling and shuffling my old materials around a bit. For great ideas when forgotten do not lose their ingenuity or creativity. They simply need a resurfacing. A recognition.

So my year is about minimalism and engineering. Not tossing out the old but repurposing it. Being resolute to me is accepting what I let go as a purposeful. The tools I found useless can be altered to give new insight. So resolute for me is my word. To anticipate, acknowledge and accept. Then to do something about it. Actively seek change. Actively seek purpose. Actively seek transformation.

2021 is not a year for big changes - sweeping epic changes. It may be relocation. It may be publishing. It may be a few big, audacious alterations. But for the most part- I am focusing on the incremental. The beginning with an end in sight. The middle, well that is the exciting part. That is what makes everything worth it. The flexibility to find life awesome.

2021 I am resolute. I am flexible. I am imagining the best.

Rider and Elephant (365)

I read everyday. Social Science books, Psychology books, Education books. I edge in some fiction too, I absolutely love Ernest Cline. I have a lot of books, shelves and shelves of books, and the count is growing daily. I buy more before I have read the last batch. I guess it is an obsession- because I like them as a reference. I like to learn new things and then I try to see if any of them are purposeful and relevant to my classroom.

Some aren't. They are broad and theory based. Some are based on mindfulness or self-reflection. This helps me in my quest for awareness and growth, but not fully in my classroom design. But they all help me realize things. They help me see the complex world as just that- complex. Not cruel outright. Not pitted against me. Not easy or designed to make my life purposeful- that is me.

I am reading a book about a Rider and an Elephant. More details to come in my future writings but for today, I will share the basic idea. We all have a rider- the part of our minds that steer us, guide us, see the big picture. The one who can make rational choices if given time and reasoning. But we also sit a top an elephant. Gentle and beautiful and generally compliant with our riders decisions.

But the elephant is full of emotion. Full of, at times, frustration and withdrawal. But also full of kindness, empathy and generosity. We often live our lives with our elephants willingly taking us where we need to go. It is our emotional side. But it can lead us astray just as fast. It can suffer from choice paralysis, it can run away from opportunity because of ambiguity. We need our elephant and rider on the same page. But we do not always achieve this.

In 2021 I am going to write. Write a lot. Not to blog them out necessarily, but to write chapters of books I need to finish. I will also write my blog but focus less on daily posts. 366 this year, I must say was a bit daunting. I wrote then forgot to post some days. But I wrote every day a blog post and one got posted for every day in 2020. 

But instead of #EduBlogYear my new # is #2021Write52. This means weekly so less constricted. I already feel the weight being lifted. My elephant tends to win- when I say I will do something- if it is up to me, if it is possible and in my hands, I do it.

So in 2021 my focus is on my rider and my elephant. Making things less ambiguous and more focused. Using my energy to improve, gain knowledge and apply. To share specifics rather than generalities. By using these last 5 months of the school year to continue to help my students be self-thinkers, self-actualizers, self-healers and self-go-getters. 

In 2021 I am not going to set goals or achievements- but script a doable plan. A flexible and structured plan. A self-paced map I can choose my own roads and climbs on a daily basis. Set a beginning and an end and make sure the middle is unscripted because the middle is bound to change- I have no control over that. 

But if I have a scripted plan,  I can start on my journey strong. I can keep my intentions clear, so my elephant and rider know where we are going. I need to eliminate the ambiguity of my own actions. Life is full of unpredictability- but my intentions need to be free of ambiguity. Flexible and adjustable but clear and concise. Too many choices can lead to action paralysis. 

After my script is written (daily, weekly, monthly) depending on need- I will relax and enjoy the scenery because man is there going to be a lot of beautiful scenery. This is my 'big picture moment' the rest, the details- those will unfold and I will accept my path. I will write about it. I will share my ideas to anyone who will listen. This is the way as any Mandalorian will tell you. This is the way. 

Find your way. Find your balance and the rider and elephant will make sure you reach it. All you need to do is trust yourself. Minimalize distractions and start your journey.

Seeing Patterns (363)

Our minds are mysterious. None alike. Each with a different lens, a different processor, a unique perspective. We all crave something, we have habits, rituals, routines. We have preferences. Some of us can curb a craving. Some of us bend it its will. We find things funny, sad or exhilarating- while the same things are dull to others. 

The awareness we have of our minds, how they work- is also unique. Some reflect, meditate and seek moments of epiphany that lead them to a new awakening. Others fight the urge to change and grow because changing and growing is difficult. Determining we are not perfect and need to alter course is hard for a lot of people. For when you do- you can never go back.

We are trained to see patterns. To get into a rhythm of push, pull. Stretch, rebound. We begin to notice when we are exhausted. When we are ready to try something new. We begin to pay attention in times when things are going great. How did we get here? What can I do to stay here- in this euphoria? But it vanishes sometimes just as quickly as it arrived. We have more distractions bouncing off our shields, then we have moments to reflect.

We are human and humans crave immediate response, immediate reward, immediate satisfaction. And so we continue often in a pattern of our making. One where we only see the flashing lights, hear the band as it trumpets out a march. We often move from parade to parade so the cadence never stops. But the end of the parade is inevitable. There is always the discarded streamers and popped balloons that need to be collected.

This is the season of parades, glimmering lights and shiny streamers. This is the moment where we let our guard down and simply celebrate. And we should. We earned it. This has been a hard year, to say the least. But after the disco ball descends, we must hunker down and again look for different patterns. Patterns long designed and implemented by our students, our families and our goals and aspirations.

Intentions. Actionable progress. Growth and a little bit of organized chaos. Lean in and look around. The rubble left by 2020 needs to be reassembled. We need to construct new foundations. Your one word, your goals, your hopes- let them flow. Then grab one- just one and roll with it. Too many goals is a distraction. Lessen your distractions- eliminate ambiguity. 

See the edges, sharpen your focus and grab one- and make it happen. Then grab another and make it happen. One by one the march- the parade, the band of trumpets, trombones and the rat tat tat of the drums- let your goals unfold. For when we see the pattern, slow down our cadence- we will be able to reach them all with confidence and conciseness. 

Namaste (361)

Today is boxing day....the first day of Kwanzaa. The day after Christmas. Less than 7 days before the New Year begins. And it is just that... a day where I am only writing my sentence, my word and my mantra for these upcoming 365.

Namaste- find peace. Embrace the breathing and quiet moments. The focus on your body and mind. It is the way to your sanctuary. 

Word: Momentum

Sentence: I will write, I will publish. I will write more.

Mantra: Never take more than you give- it throws you spirit out of balance. Give more, every day give something positive to the world and your spirit will balance and your mindfulness will thrive.

Acceptable (358)

Acceptable, another word used frequently. But to me this has more quantifiable evidence supporting whether something is considered acceptable or not. Like a 70 is acceptable as a passing grade. 2 days is an acceptable arrival time for a package from Amazon. I suppose it is of course based on a standard not always fixed. But it does tend to have a bar- a level- a number or range.

I find a lot of behavior unacceptable, yet I tend to keep it to myself. As I do not want to appear unacceptable myself. I just tend to steer clear of it. I find words and actions, of those who are unwilling to listen to alternate points of view, unacceptable. It doesn't take anything but strength, grace and humility to listen to someone else. Their ideas might offend, but maybe if we listened a little bit more, we could bridge the divide between the corners.

The corners we are backing ourselves into by standing behind such a firm line in the sand. A line our sticks drew as we gathered the stones and branches to defend our ideals. There is so much room for acceptable behavior. For acceptable speech. For acceptable action - we need action to be based on benevolence. Not misunderstanding and blind faith.

These days in the tumultuous times we live in- it is even more important to be acceptable. Accept others opinions as their own- rather than dismissing them, because they are different- from our own. Being acceptable means being open-minded, being generous and patient. It takes time for alignment to take place. For a middle ground to be forged. Recently there has been little hope for the conjunction of compromise.

But being reasonable and acceptable is on the approach. People are still rude and self-centered. Many are following a misplaced ideal of one is better and thus one is all that matters. There are many acceptable voices, reasonable voices- and together reasonable and acceptable means crossing the border towards a center- a commonality, an alignment. I for one find this reasonable and acceptable.

Reasonable (357)

I hear this word a lot these days. Reasonable action. Reasonable expectations. Be reasonable. This person or that person is unreasonable. Reasonale is a vague word. What does it mean to be reasonable? To many it means being fair and equitable. Again, not clear. The word lends itself to ambiguity. Conciseness of reasonability is impossible, unless you have very specific expectations. Even then interpetation is personal.

I think reasonable in most cases, means simply to be adequate. Make sure everyone is getting what they need. Make moves towards something better. But doing so, in such a way, as to not cause unreasonable consequences. Right? The word can mean so many things. What I deem reasonable, you may consider down right unreasonable.

It is specifics and clarity that helps guide reasonability. Having expectations is only part of the picture. If you are vague on your options, routines or actions- is this unreasonable. Often someone who might be considered unreasonable is just living by a different set of parameters than you. Often it is pure exhaustion, pure frustration- that leads to unreasonableness. 

Whatever unreasonable action befalls your path- I guess the important thing to remember is why you consider it unreasonable? What situations do you consider reasonable? Are you reasonable when it comes to living a reasonable life? Talking in circles like this, using the word in an imprecise, nebulous, obscure manner, am I being unreasonable?

Using the right word at the right time is not always possible. For we speak out of turn, we speak before we think, we speak with our emotions, rather than our logic at times. So we are often incapable of being reasonable. Within the framework of what others see as reasonable anyway. I guess what I am trying to say is - treat yourself with a level of reasonableness you expect from others. Whatever your ideal reasonableness is that is.

If others do not find you reasonable- they might need to learn some reasonableness. So judge not your action, on what others require to fit their defintiion of reasonable. Be kind, be graceful, be forgiving, be generous and mindful- and hopefully these qualities fall within the reasonable- for those around you. This my friends is what being reasonable is all about.

Seeing, feeling, experiencing beyond expectations of others and living a joyful, loving, responsible life. For that is reasonable. And we are all reasonable when we stop to define the term to ourselves. When we consider the situation, listen to the sounds of behavior and look at the data- data we collect- we become more reasonable than we ever expected. Because honestly- reasonability is not finite, nor is it universal.

Reasonability is flexible- it is fluid and it encompasses all aspects of our lives. So be reasonable. See reasonability as a gift only you can bestow upon yourself and others. Then reasonability becomes something very reasonable. Right?

Every Note, A Warble, Every Strum, A Synergy (355)

Reflection day. 355 days of writing. I forget sometimes to post live, but I write every day. I write creatively, purposefully, reflectively. Sometimes it comes out metaphorically or thematically. Others straight forward and precise. Each day, I get out of the way and just write. Some days lots of edits, others it just flows out like cooling lava- creating new land. Creating a new landscape for my thoughts.

I can't believe that we are nearing the end of 2020. I do not plan on not writing every day in 2021. I just won't be so thoughtful in posting a daily narrative. I will start focusing on my books. I have ideas circulating, forming, adhering to my mind. They are unfolding. They have a solid hum going. The warble echo of dreams colliding with phrases landing upon my wave of sound.

It takes time to believe in yourself. To trust your voice for a longer piece of prose. I write blogs after all- what makes me think I can write a book, or two. I finally have added a contribution to other peoples books. I guess that means I am published. But I have to get my name on the cover. I need to share my experience. I have had great classrooms, horrible administrations. I have had horrible classrooms and supportive teams. 

Yet, as Green Day says "I am still breathing." I am still forging ahead willingly into the arena of education on a daily basis. Lucky enough to be able to do so in person and virtually. I have always felt like I have been in a sprint- but recently I have settled into a marathon. But one with out a ribbon to cross or cheering fans. I just know that the endurance I have built up over these last twenty years- is enough.

Now I can share my knowledge. And for this I am hopeful, excited, and down right scared to death. But, without leap does not come fall. Without fall does not come landing safely into the water- a plunge into such a vast ocean of opportunity. Without the dive- the plunge- there is only ripple and sometimes- sometimes we need the wave to carry us. We need the tide to rise and ebb, we need the sea grass to tickle our feet so we swim to the surface.

This is the warble and wobble of my existence. The constant switch between breath stroke and sink. But as of late- it is the float. Arms extended, letting the sunlight bathe me in optimism and strength. My legs on the edge, the precipice of water and depth- and together these actions of succumb, this lack of motion- has allowed me to find my air. Coming up for air. My book.

Get Out of the Way (353)

This is a phrase we hear throughout our lives, generally though, it means duck or side step because something is about to smack into us, or on top of us. It is a warning. So when we hear it, we immediately look around, searching for the hazard. I have needed to relocate many times in my life to avoid the danger of flying objects, speeding cars, or natural causes. And to this point, I have been pretty successful at it. In other words, I am still here.

I have learned through my fifty plus years, that avoidance of collision is a good thing, in most cases. Steering clear of the singe is preventative. If we can make it to the other side of the battlefield still standing it is a great day, if we can exit the war scathed and more focused- it is a great day. Faith is tested daily. Our grace is tested. For this alone, we can not simply get out of the way. For these we must engage.

Our lives are tumultuous- even on the quietest of days. There is a noise, a crack of the branches warning us to hunker down. There is a siren, alerting us to the unexpected. There is a gust of dirt, kicking up from the landscape, stinging our eyes, reddening our raw faces- all in order for us to survive. All in order to keep us on course with a deep seeded reminder, we are human. We must remember we are not in this alone.

Get out of the way to me- means- open my eyes. Hear the cracks and sirens. Embrace them. Wear goggles. Wear protective gear. Make sure I am prepared for the tussle. Life might be great for some- little danger, few worries. But for me and most humans, there is a layer of dust these days. Circumstances blinding- yet also, many that nudge us out of harms way. We expect the setbacks, we only pivot when it is necessary, stay on course when it is necessary.

I get out of the way- not of others, but from myself. I have a fear, a heavy fear of rejection. Of abandonment. Of isolation. I have never quite felt accepted. I have always felt like I was on the fringe, on the outskirts. Close enough to get invested, close enough to join the battle- but always just a little too far away for others to flank. So I am nervous to share my journey- I am afraid "to slip away across the universe"- as The Beatles so eloquently put it.

The Beatles also said- "Nothing is going to change my world." The only way I can guarantee this- is to get out of the way. Let some scary things approach. Dodge the flying projectiles meant to distract, and continue the fight. This fight is internal, mental, often debilitating from experience. The memory of youth- still stinging the exposed skin of the dust storms. We are never quite clear of them. For the wind is relentless and scars indelible.

The only way to avoid the mines and cross the barbed wire is to get out of the way. See things from a location where the whole battlefield is within view. Those entangled within it are not enemies, yet they feel like it sometimes. They are troops on their own battlefields and we are participants in their maneuvers and skirmishes. We are the reason they get out of their own way. And for this, we must stand tall, sidestep when necessary and endure the path we choose to traverse.

Lean in, walk through the rubble, let the dust settle. For in the warble and wobble of life we find gems. We find reflection. We find the reasons why we always go to our battle stations and enter the fight. The rubble represents success and failure. The toppling of fear and hesitancy- but also exposes the bricks and pieces of life, that we build our hopes and dreams from. 

The foundation of our next step. For the end is the beginning. The piles require sorting. The area beckons us to not get out of the way, but to pick up the first piece of the puzzle. And we must get out of the way in order to see this. We must lean in to see it. Believe in the process in order to learn from it. Accept the juxtaposition - enjoy the warble and wobble of our orbit. For when we do, the action itself becomes natural and the result frequent.

Cheat Sheets: Yes or No (351)

This is the time of year for final exams. Most teachers do not allow any type of cheat sheet for their students. Several years ago I allowed students to use a note card, then I expanded it to a sheet of notebook paper. I have found that when you call it a cheat sheet- it makes it more appealing. They actually make one. 

Then they write super small and take copious notes. They try to use every inch of the paper. They organize them, color code them- even draw graphs and diagrams. I allow them to add anything as long as it is drawn or written by their hand. No typing and no printing of things to attach.

Most students work so hard on their cheat sheet- they never need it on the final. Plus this year with virtual classes and face to face classes- I find it a solve to actual cheating. I only use them for final exams- not for quizzes or unit tests. But students know there are cumulative finals- so they start making them early.

Students do better on the final. They slow down and pay better attention and they spend quite a while making their cheat sheets- which is studying indeed. So for me a giant yes.

A Step into the Unknown (350)

Unknown- things we either prepare for or don't. The more we plan ahead, the more we can pivot and adjust to circumstances out of our control. These days we are in a constant state of flux. Not sure which students will be sent home to be tested, go asynchronous, or who will be entering our classrooms. 

It seems like a giant flow of unknown- like we are living in smoke and mirrors. Where we can't ever feel in sync- grand illusions keeping us guessing. But as educators we are used to this level of masterful distraction. We are used to aerial views and then blurry close-ups. We are never quite settled.

These days every door, every desk, every class period is like taking a step into the unknown- we can't even organize fully because as we track the scene- it is forever blending and fading into another. Like a giant movie screen displaying all the movies of our year at once. But, we pause the film, we try our best to unscramble the trickery.

This is why we are educators- we are quick on our feet. But, man this year has been hard. This has been exhausting. But, there is hope. There is a vacation ahead, and hopefully imminent upgrades. Imminent calm is around the corner.

How Important are Analogies? (346)

I have been having my students write a lot of analogies lately. One per unit. At first I thought it was an easy endeavor- that since they have been well-versed in metaphor and simile, that writing comparisons in science would be easy. But, I have discovered that a lot of students struggle with them. Especially if you give them a theme (football, school, park).

I walked around my classroom today just listening- they are writing analogies of the body systems- most chose a sport as their theme but many chose a classroom, so they could look around and get context clues- or their bedroom for virtual students. What I thought would take ten minutes took twenty. They struggled.

I asked them why they were struggling, especially when they have already learned all the body systems, and were tested on each system. These were their responses:

"Comparing things, that to me are abstract- like body systems is difficult."

"Finding a theme is hard."

"You think you know the information, but then having to write an analogy, shows you you don't know it as well as you thought you did."

"Analogies are hard sometimes cause you have to explain your reasoning."

I replied to all of these students-

"Yes. Analogies are a great way to see what you know. To make sure you can see the purpose and relevance of things."

I plan on using analogies in the spring semester too. I have been giving sentence stems to my Academic and ESL students and this helps them a lot. But, every student needs to keep writing them- because it is a different way of thinking. 

As one students shared-

"Writing analogies helps me see the big picture, all the threads connecting the body systems together."

and to that I responded

"The connections are the sinew holding science together. Everything is connected, all we have to do is look for the threads."

Others Othering (345)

Divisive

Corrosive

Both sides 

Words to insight

Words to obscure

Words to pummel and

destroy

Others

Othering

Me

teething on a newness

Simple made

complex

ugly

Once forgiving

Once including

Once believing

seems heavy

by persuasion

We must

see past 

divisive

corrosive

and rebuild

Why Breakout Rooms are Important (343)

Many teachers fear them, "How can I monitor six-eight breakout rooms at once?" or "It's to confusing," is what most responses are- when I ask teachers who teach virtual only or both virtual and face to face classes. I teach both and even split. We have interactive group lessons in class, and I find it very important for virtual students to experience similar lessons.

So I use breakout rooms about once a week. Some classes do not like them- I have a large group of introverts. BUT, if I give them an activity that requires solving a problem or investigating something they actually have some fun. I find it has to be purposeful. They need specific directions. They need a leader. They need a flow, a goal- or they will retreat. 

They may sit in a breakout room and only participate with the chat. But, if you get them interacting - give them a clear reason to discuss- they will. Now having said this some of my groups still are quite quiet- but they share a screen or are conversing via chat. This is important too. Not everyone needs to speak- they just need to participate.

Monitoring can be a challenge at first. But, I have used them enough- I trust my students. I know that they will complete the assignments and when I pop in to their room- they are always interacting in some way about the lesson. I have never had any issue of disrespect or misbehavior. Now on occasion someone will turn their camera off and I have to ask them to turn it back on- but I always give them a days advance so they know that breakout rooms will be assigned.

Sometimes- I let Zoom assign them- just to stir things up. But most days I have them in preassigned groups and as they sign in to Zoom I start sorting them- while they are completing the warm up for the day. So no down time. It is definitely a timing thing. But with a few hiccups at the beginning- I now have this down pretty good.

Use breakout rooms if you can. They are a fantastic way to get kids interacting on-line. Plus you can use them for one-one meetings, small group gatherings for project check-ins and my favorite- 1-minute check-in's. 1 with every student every week. Just as I do in person with my face to face students. If you have purpose and problem-solving, a fun, engaging interactive assignment- they will thrive. 

The Social Distancing Dilemma (341)

 A class of  26 sounds small, like it would allow room for social distancing in a science lab. However, it does not. 2-3 students per lab table. They wash down with wipes between classes, they use a lot of hand sanitzer- but the distancing, it is difficult. Students are wearing masks- this is great. But, keeping them 5-6ft apart is impossible. Classes are only going to get bigger after the holidays as more students choose to return to the building.

Today I observed- reminded and nudged them to stop touching each other- stop leaning in to whisper in ears- but with masks on it is difficult to hear, even the closest of people. Such strange times, scary times and students are behaving exactly as you'd expect- like children. All we can do is stay vigilant and remain on guard.

Pushing Molasses Up a Sandy Hill (339)

Sticky, viscous, caramel sludge. Great as a sweetener in baking, but the tang- the bitter after taste- to me is just gross. It is natural I know, part of nature, but to me- its a substance only welcomed in a bakery treat. It has a consistency, like honey, but a smell like motor oil- at least to me. I know how hard it is to clean up syrup off a pancake plate- or honey off the counter, spilled while spreading it on toast- and its not easy. 

Is a nuisance. Generally needing several passes to erase it. 

But around the holidays, its a staple. A bottle of molasses was purchased, for my household recently, for some gingerbread baking. My ten year old, curious as always, tipped it on its side and watched its contents slowly.... make their way to the spout... then bottleneck at the narrow opening. Then he opened the bottle and let it spill- not in a rush, but with a glop, glop gusto. 

Then, as expected, being ten, he lost interest. 

When I came across this side-winder plastic vessel, it had trickled a lot. The innards, dropping to the floor, in a stunted, fractal fashion. The dismal, odor filled stench (motor oil) smell - conquered the oven applause, of confections rising. It reminded me of a garage.

The visual was like an art house painting, stark and graphic. The molasses draped itself down the front of the cabinets like a tapestry. Making the contrast between clean and dirty apparent. Drips glistening ooze. I walked over to the culprit and stood the bottle back up, fastening the cap with one turn.

But the damage was done. The viscosity of glucose thickening. Instead of getting upset, I asked my child to come to the kitchen. I just pointed. I asked him to describe it, see it, then feel it and taste it. He didn't like the taste of it either. He winced at its attack on his taste buds. Then he squished it between his fingers. "Like runny glue," he said. "Muddy, sticky glue." 

I replied, "So let's clean up this glue, before it hardens." We took paper towels at first, it left white streaks of fibers in its path. Trails of fabric illuminating our error in judgement. This devilish fiend was strong. "It has the force," I said. "He replied, "Yoda would struggle with cleaning this up." - "Indeed, it is like pushing molasses up a sandy hill, the grains are troops hindering our march forward." Then we laughed. 

Determined to defeat the sugary substance of ooze- we got wash cloths and soapy suds to do our bidding and we were victorious, we high fived. Then the timer beeped, and our gingerbread cookies signaled their arrival. Then molasses became a flavor, rather than an ingredient. The smell changed, the taste enhanced with others, became a whole different thing.

It became tasty and sweet.

It is amazing the power of transformation. 

The power of mixing and baking. 

The power of a moment of clean-up, of mistakes in judgment and of above all else, the power of conversation.

When You Listen, You Hear Amazing Things (338)

This week was a cold one here in Houston. Chilly outside. It feels like autumn, finally. As we came back from a week off for Thanksgiving, students were eager to settle back into a routine. It is undeniable- students like to be in school for many reasons: social interaction, attention from teachers and as with all of us, a sense of belonging.

When you listen, you hear amazing things. You really do. I am not a desk sitter. I am a wanderer. I am very stealthy. I sit down sometimes at tables, join conversations. But, I also just aimlessly walk around, appearing to be focused on "doing teacher things" as my students call it. In actuality, I am "doing teacher things-" just not the teacher things they think I am.

I am a listener and a watcher. I can gauge the level of understanding just by a facial expression. Most teachers can do this of course. It is instinct. It is an energy that tickles us, taps us on the shoulder consistently. It is a whisper in our ear throughout the day- it directs us, steers us, makes us aware.

It is how we become educators. This skill of recognition. 

This week, with most every week, I listened, I gauged. I gave them time to interact, work independently and problem-solve and this allowed me to check the temperature- it was chilly outside, but inside it was warm and cozy.

I wrote down some of the things I heard.

"I am afraid to get Covid, but coming to school to me is more important."

"I wouldn't want to stay home, I don't learn well on-line, I need people."

"I can't wait to have Christmas break- I get to go to Florida."

"My brother just tested positive, he has to quarantine in Boston."

"I like being able to be in the classroom, even with having to wear a mask all day."

Needless to say a lot of the conversations during independent work time centered around Covid. But, when they were problem-solving and investigating together- I also heard some insightful and encouraging things.

"I like these types of assignments- you are having fun and forget they are a grade."

"Science is fun, we get to figure things out, I like to figure things out."

"No homework tonight, I got it done in class- whew! I appreciate the time to do that."

"Masks are annoying, but worth it. Worth it to be able to keep coming to school."

"Mrs. CJ, when do we get to dissect frogs?  I am totally psyched to do that."

I love it when students are truly excited to learn. Not all lessons can be bells and whistles, but we can adapt, many more to be- to be a hum at least, right? We can make sure that we give time for them to collaborate in breakout rooms, or at brick and mortar tables. We can make sure we ask them how they want to learn things.

I love to listen and observe, but I also love to survey and ask lots of questions too. I asked my students- During this stressful time, how can I help make learning important to you? This is how my virtual students and my face to face students responded.

"Make it relevant to what is happening, the best you can at least."

"Less is more, less leaves room for more, just more time to investigate."

"Thank you for not assigning homework."

"Details and specifics- these help me stay focused on-line."

"Reminders and checklists"

"I am getting overwhelmed with all my virtual classes, can we go asynchronous a few days a month?"

"I am thankful for the time to get my work done in class."

"I appreciate your positivity- everyone is feeling a bit of stress."

I think above all else, staying positive matters. When we put on a smile and give out joy like candy on Halloween, it makes a difference. When we forgive tardiness, forgive late assignments, welcome ideas on which to makes things better for struggling students- we make a huge difference in their learning. 

My new motto: Penalties are necessary on occasion- compassion is necessary always.

Starting out every morning as a beginner helps us see things from their perspective. They are children, they are struggling emotionally, we need to give them grace. We need to give them time. We need to give them room- to stretch in whatever direction they need to- in order to persist and propel.

 

Angel Maintenance (337)

Every time I hear the extensive routine of maintaining and protecting Air Force One, it surprises me. I understand the importance, I revel at its complexity and thoroughness. I am simply in awe of the amount of dedication and strict adherence to the process. I admire our country's nature to stand tall and look forward.

Just to be vetted to work on the aircraft is unbelievably rigorous- years in fact. It is dismantled and put back together frequently to check for any functionality issues, the crew is staffed with a well-vetted crew and it is well-guarded and revered. Every aspect of comfort, safety and procedure is under scrutiny at all times.

I appreciate this. I honor it. It makes me think of how our classrooms are like this Boeing behemoth- soaring into the skies, travelling miles and landing, traversing continents and crossing oceans. A blue and white icon of our democracy and power. 

We treat our classrooms like this well-oiled machine. We cherish it as if it was an extension of our home.

We design lessons, vetted, rigorous and fulfilling. We treat every student, like a first class traveler, and when they relax and start to enjoy the flight- we allow them the courtesy of a warm cookie and a soft pillow. We never stay in the cockpit for the entire journey- we walk the aisles and make sure they are belted and comfortable.

We take care of them. We show them the respect and grace they deserve. Every passenger on our aircraft however, is in first class. We see the space as unified, wall less and accessible. We make sure of it. For curtains do not isolate. The galley is open to all, the belly is full of luggage and the overhead is crammed with individual tool bags and souvenirs. 

Angel maintenance - for every student has wings, every student can pilot and navigate as well as those in the front of the plane. They are all well-traveled with years of experience- they have all been vetted. 

All we need to do is show them how all the buttons work. Right? Pull back the curtain and let them see the wizard. Let them see the sky, cloudy on days and bright blue and clear on others.

Let them see ahead.

Let them look in the mirror.