When No One Was Looking

 When no one was looking, they did the right thing. They collaborated and expanded their thinking. They listened to alternative points of view and changed their own. They delved deep and felt a connection to others they never felt before. They were isolated but then blossomed into a new reality with hope.

When no one was looking there was a confluence, a collision of the invisible and powerful with the macro-world. This invasion was vast, unprecedented and it stopped gatherings, intimacy and connection. It caused isolation, and it destroyed lives. For viruses are relentless and we were unprepared.

But this turbulence, this precariousness led to camaraderie for so many- virtually for most, in person for others. It created a commonality. A universal disturbance in the force. It made people pause, listen and plan ahead. For precaution became the norm. Mavericks became empowered. For awareness heightens and strengthens.

The place is unimportant. It could be a hallway, classroom, or playground. A supermarket, a public park. There could be a single person or one or many- nearby. The maverick remains silent. Noticing. Acquiring. There is a privilege of being here. An inheritance of understanding that this real estate is invaluable. That being outside, being in school, being active in the world is the music of life.

When no one was looking they sewed the fabric. Tightly and proficiently, they brought together the threads, wove it, nurtured it and teased it into a tapestry. When the verge of chaos reigned- these warriors, rebels, and architects designed sturdy lessons. They developed routines and familiar paths so their students could feel safe and comfortable. No one noticed the dedication of such an endeavor. For the threads were many and the needles dull.

When no one was looking they fused together atoms into molecules and with sheer willpower and faith, the mavericks and warriors created an organism of trust and curiosity- energized and animated. No one noticed the fortitude of such an endeavor. For energy refuses to be harnessed, but when we win and it seizes- the task seems effortless. But these educators never wavered.

When no one was looking, the subtlety came back. The behaviors returned. The nardowellers pushed over their shelters and began shouting negativity and anger. They stirred up the muck and the once clear waters became murky with superiority complexes and a battle for control. Control over freedom and choice. They are acting out from fear. They are destroying normalcy for their own gain. These are those we must keep an eye on, try to engage with, yet keep our distance- for they are out to cause chaos for the sake of chaos.

When no one was looking people started voluntarily wearing masks and voluntarily getting vaccinated. There was a movement towards humanity and the greater good. Although some are on their own path, swayed by a myriad of circumstances- many are protecting, many are seeing the big picture. This is necessary. This is the stability we need to recover. We will slowly move towards common ground- but for now we are in a quagmire- wrought with idealism, dissension and strife. When no one was looking, solidarity became polarity and group think.

But within these walls of confinement and separation, beneath the frustration and us versus them- we have an opportunity to discuss and understand. We have an opportunity to reach out and help mitigate the effects of fear and ignorance. We have the opportunity not to judge and ridicule but to listen and empathize. I hope we start to look, to see these opportunities rather than hunker in our corners and pass blame.

When no one was looking we forgot. We neglected it. We focused on the wrong things. Some day soon we will be looking and designing, developing, determining where to go from here. We will lay the groundwork for big positive changes and with grace and kindness we will reach out and gather others to join us in this effort- and many will join willingly and with purpose. This is idealism, this is putting humanity, decency and faith first. This I hope is not going to happen when no one is looking- but when we all stop and stare- focus and engage. 

The Story of Education is Extraction

 Situational Fatigue

The situation is universal- The wrenching of familiarity and replacement with the obscure. Uncertainty- apprehension. Education envelopes itself with the uncomfortable. The discovery and extrication of knowledge unbeknownst to ourselves. Sometimes we search for the gold- we mine for it. Other times we stumble upon it, as we navigate the bombardment of the new. New ideas, new commentary, new tools to dig, tug and quarry data with.  

As educators we seek the strategies to enhance growth- embody individuality. We read, practice and discuss. We are in a constant state of extraction- pulling resources from the vastness of the Internet. Attending conferences. Reading in our free time how to become better educators. We are uprooting our former and adapting to our current. We shift and we erode what doesn’t work until, with creativity and innovation it becomes a shiny new element of our teaching.

Withdrawal from the chaos of political strife, expectations of those who do not know of our plight- this is a constant struggle. Yet we persevere- we continue to evoke, express and advocate. We do not let the lode slow us down. We get exhausted, we feel like the canary in a coal mine- heavy and soot covered- yet we fly free. Not because we are forced to, but because we choose to. We continue amidst the negativity.

Education is a story of extraction. Moving every rock and finding every vein from which to source common ground with our fellow educators. We believe, as Ted Lasso,“Taking on a challenge is a lot like riding a horse, isn’t it? If you’re comfortable while you’re doing it, you’re probably doing it wrong.” and “For me, success is not about the wins and losses. It’s about helping these young fellas be the best versions of themselves on and off the field.” We look for reasons to “believe.” To be the voice of solace for our students.

The world can be struck down, in a state of relentlessness. It can cave in on top of us, burying our spirit. Yet, we dust ourselves off and enter the classroom with a smile, eyes wide- showing our students, even behind a mask that they are valued. This is our extraction. This is our process- separation from the stresses of life, taking out our best instruments and letting the sparkles of minerals and precious stones shine through.

For those who are not on a school campus or in a classroom on a daily basis- this may seem unbelievable. It may appear to be a facade, a scaffold holding back the true mine below. But it isn’t. We wear our hardhats with pride. We know there may be tunnels yet to explore, that part of the system may be unstable, we are amidst a critical hour in the field of education. We know unequivocally that we must prepare for the worst- but then with shovel and pickaxe in hand- we must continue to pan for gold, because it is always present.

The Emerald City

There is a treasure trove just waiting to be extracted in every student sitting in our classrooms. They have struggled this last year, some being isolated for part of, or all of, the school year. Seeing their peers and teachers from behind a screen. But now, for most, they have been given the ‘Golden Ticket’ the directions to the ‘Emerald City.” Now it is up to us as educators to make learning fun again.

It is our responsibility to create lessons that dig deep. That inspire and inquire. It is our fountain of discovery, bonanza of investigation, and discussion that will lead them back into a growth mindset. We must use extraction to not only create the mystery of learning, but also to help them transition back into a classroom frame of mind. To create a stable, secure space for them to thrive. They need to thrive, it’s in their learning DNA.

Debates, Socratic Seminars and Jigsaw activities are great ways for students to lead the classroom. Give them topics and have them debate both sides. Fish Bowl or have students share ideas in a format where they comment and discuss, with little input from you. Instead of lecturing to students for long periods of time, provide current, interesting articles on the main topics and let them group-think and then present their article to the class. This way they are in charge of their own learning.

Have 1-minute check in’s with every student once a week, just to get to know one another and build trust. Create graffiti walls so they can draw and share content vocabulary. Have 2-minute mindfulness discussions at the beginning of class- to take the temperature of mind and spirit. Some days we all need to vent a little to feel like we are part of a group, that we share the same struggles. We need to feel our commonalities as well as our individualities.

I love to have students draw giant crime boards- C.R.I.M.E. - Connect, Remember, Information by Merging Evidence. Students write large bubbles (one for each standard) and then they take the vocabulary and concepts and draw lines connecting them to each standard, they add an emoji or simple drawing and as a group discuss the ‘big picture’ how everything connects. They do this as a group of 4 and the conversations I hear are awesome.

Collaboration is extraction- it elicits connections, uproots isolation and lets students feel a sense of camaraderie. It unites us and lets them articulate their knowledge. I have asked my students their preferences- do you want to work alone, or with a partner? Do you want to create a slideshow, poster or diorama? Giving students choice is part of extraction- whether they pan, pick, dig or scan- it is their choice of personal method of learning that is important. As long as they get to the gold- the strategy should be flexible.

Digital Domain Blends with Tactile Tenacity

These days I have discovered that it takes a lot more concentration and determination to go with the tactile version of things. For a year they have been making slideshows, using simulations and playing virtual review games. This was the only way we could teach for a while. But these days when I offer Play-Doh, LEGO, dice and card sorts- they get more engaged. When I have them step away from their Chromebooks- their eyes deglaze, they shift in their seats with anticipation. Students want to be challenged scholastically. They want to dust off the sediment from their recent endeavors and get their interest peaked. Get their hands moving, rather than typing.

Students are stressed about a lot of things: their health, their family stability, their social interactions, the expectations of being back in school, being near other students after so long being isolated. It is our responsibility to help them find strategies to cope with the burden of this heavy load. Lay down the track so they can maneuver through the new terrain. It gets bumpy and they get ornery- for we all cope with stress differently.

Get up and moving- go outside so they can remove their masks for a bit- spread out. Watch mindfulness videos to relax at the beginning of class. Have some moments of quiet reflection during class- some students need a quiet moment to think. Keep things on a routine- students like routine, but leave room for some spontaneity here and there to keep them interested. Above all else- listen. Observe. Really focus on the little things- for that is what agitates the heft of uncertainty- not anticipating the next cave in.

Thank You

To every administrator, cafeteria worker, custodian, librarian and staff member- thank you for showing up every day and supporting classroom teachers. To every educator, thank you for shrugging off the negative parent attitudes, the stress of paperwork and expectations. Thank you for showing up every day- mask on or off- and engaging with your students. They are actively seeking extraction, connection, stability and we are providing it for them. We are battling our own fatigue, our own worries of Covid-19 and entering our building, walking the hallways, and setting up our classrooms as safe havens.

We know that the mine walls are crumbling at times, that the booms of uncertainty are causing cave in’s and challenges- but we show up. We are not giving up. I am seeing many quit, many changing professions- these are dire times for education. Yet most of us are still here. Are still grading papers, writing lessons plans, monitoring accommodations. We are  sterilizing our rooms, washing our hands- trying to keep our distance (only physically). But we are here- present.

Thank you to those who are sharing their stories: writing blogs, recording podcasts, attending and presenting at conferences. These are the things that keep our profession lively and flexible. We are educators and we thrive on connection, just like our students. 

So when you finally get home tonight, put down your stack of work and rest. We need you to stay healthy. We need you not burnt out. We need you to be strong, tool in hand to continue digging and extracting. Take care of yourself and know unequivocally you are appreciated and valued.