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.
No comments:
Post a Comment