Author: Sweat to Inspire

Educator and Parent

Rethinking”Best” Practices

Posted on by Sweat to Inspire

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Its a phrase that has become popular in education, “Best Practices”. Heard in staff meetings. Found in session descriptions at conferences. Used as justification for change in how teachers teach. Using the phrase “best practice” implies that other practices are inferior. Are they? Shouldn’t teaching practices be dictated by what is best for our students? How can someone articulate what is best for a classroom without ever meeting the students? Finally who is the authority labeling it best? A teacher, researcher or business person who has never taught a class?

Surely there are different ways to teach in a classroom. This diversity is needed. Our teachers come from a variety of different backgrounds and experiences similar to our students. When education labels something as a “best practice” districts often feel that ALL teachers have to follow this practice. The practice can be made a look for in teachers evaluations. Is this right? Teachers should not be evaluated poorly for not following a practice. Teachers often try the “best practice” and find it does not work for how they teach or their students. Educators need to have multiple paths to delivering their lessons, can’t be limited to what is currently labeled “best”. Administrators need to take the time to discuss teaching methods teachers to find out why they choose the practice that was observed.

The other danger in the “best” practice label comes in a mindset created by the term. Teachers can say they used the “best” practice, even if it doesn’t work. Teachers who use the advertised “best” practices will feel they are superior to those that are not using these prescribed practices.  They will ask: Are the students to blame if I tried the “best” way and they failed? Surely not. Educators need to know that there are many paths for success. Professional Development needs to not just focus on what works but to focus on where, when and why a practice works.

It is time to leave the term “best” practice and adopt a better term for education. Practices can be labeled “good” or “next” practices.

But maybe by using the term “my” practice works best. Teachers can own their practice and label it theirs. Don’t we all take the best of what we see in the profession and make it our own anyway?

 

 

 

Dear Governor Veto HB 571

Posted on by Sweat to Inspire

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Dear Governor Snyder-

House Bill 571 is not good for our state. It is not good for our schools, communities, police and fire departments. It is just poor legislation. Kim Russell Writes in detail about this bill for WXYZ TV here.  As she says the bill will gag public entities from giving factual information about any bond issues for 60 days prior to an election. They are already ban by law from lobbying/ advertising in favor of bonds.

If you choose to sign this bill you will effectively ruin Michigan. Our already aging infrastructure will crumble. Why shouldn’t public entities be allow to share facts about bond issues? This would be the equivalent to banning politicians from campaigning for 60 days prior to their election! Oh wait no, public institutions aren’t allowed to campaign. It means politicians couldn’t answer questions about facts in their campaign or give any interviews what so ever.

It seems many GOP state legislators did not read the bill carefully enough and are regretting signing it.  If you won’t listen to those that are most affected by the bill. You should at least listen to those in your party who feel that it is an overstep by the government.

Most voters don’t pay attention to bond issues until right before the election. If you sign this bill you will be eliminating their ability to get the facts, creating many uninformed voters. A better bill would be not to allow any information about campaigns until 60 days prior.

House Bill 571 is not go for anyone,   only going to serve deep pocketed special interests. PLEASE listen to your state and veto this bill.

#OneWord2016 TIME

Posted on by Sweat to Inspire

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I am a teacher, husband, and parent of 3. Time is of the essences to me.

As Steve Miller expresses so well in “Fly Like An Eagle”, time is slipping into the future. So many things I want to accomplish, so many best intentions, I just seem to run out of time for all of them. I care, I give my time to so many causes. I often forget about myself and my family. For 2016 I hope to find a balance in my time so it stops slipping away.

Time for myself. Over the years this has been one of the most neglected areas of time. My health has slipped because I never find the time for proper exercise and doctors visits for regular body maintenance. 27 years of failing to give my surgically repaired back finds me scheduling a surgery for March. After being told it would place me on the sidelines for 12 weeks, I freaked out. After some reflection, it will give me time away from the teaching game to reflect and come back stronger. If we fail to give ourselves time: We won’t be here to give it to others.

Time for my family. For ten years I took my family for granted. Working hard as a provider as my better half stayed home on tending to their needs. When she returned to work last year, I didn’t realize how much it would affect me. We have worked hard to find a balance (Not without many challenges) I now need to help my wife as she advances her career. In doing so I will be there for my lovely three children. All any child wants is time with their parents. I need to make the most of it being an example for my children.

Time for my students. In the classroom we have so much to do, so little time. Teachers often focus on cover all the curriculum that they forget their true purpose: educating children. Instead of rushing to judge my students and their actions, I need to give them time. Time to process their learning, time to understand WHY they might be acting out, time to listen to THEIR concerns, time to HEAR their desires. All Teachers need to slow down and remember they are CHILDREN that need our time. Forgetting test scores and political mandates, teachers need to go with their guts and give students TIME.

Time for my colleagues. Working in an educational setting leads to a team approach. All the teachers have the same goal, educating our students. We need to give each other time to accomplish this task. Teachers need to share what reaches the toughest students in their classes. Sharing the tricks of our trades so students can learn. I need to spend more time working with my team of teachers, discussing our students and how to make sure learning occurs. It is too easy just to close the door and teach only my subject, but I was hired to teach students. Taking time to collaborate is essential for schools success.

As I have read so many great One Word Posts for 2016: Equity, trust, respect, etc… to get to every word I need TIME.

Thanks for taking your time to read this, hope you found it valuable and a good use of your TIME. Allocate yours well my friends because you only have so much.

 

 

 

Be a Lorax for Education

Posted on by Sweat to Inspire

 

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Photo from Flickr HotRod

My class has been studying how humans impact our environment. I have been impressed with the passion my 6th graders have show towards protecting our resources. They have been shocked to hear about how little concern industrialists had for the environment. As a culminating activity for the class I choose to show the film of the Dr. Seuss classic the Lorax. The book was written in 1971 as a reflection on the side effects of industrialization. The Lorax speaks for the trees when addressing the industrialist Once-ler, hoping to stop the waste and destruction of the natural resources. The Lorax pleas fall on greedy ears as the Once-ler’s sole concern is profits and “human good”. Only after the last tree is cut down does the Once-ler realize the faults of his ways. The damage had been done.

As I watched the film, I couldn’t help but notice the parallels to education today. Teachers are the Lorax, speaking for the students, hoping the Once-ler Education Reformers listen. The Once-lers are killing the natural joy students have for learning. Making schools focus on content instead of students needs. Saying reforms are for the good of society. Reformers fail to listen to the experts like the Once-ler didn’t listen to the Lorax until it was too late. I don’t want to see a generation hate education because reformers fail to listen. We need more Lorax to speak up on behalf of our students before it is too late.

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I speak for the students and their joy for learning! Without FUN and Joy in learning we will fail to have an inspired generation.

Join me in Philadelphia at #AMLE2017 as I will lead a Spark session on being an Educational Lorax! 

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Tests, are they just a school thing?

Posted on by Sweat to Inspire

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As I sit in front of my computer mulling over recent student test data, I am finding myself surprised by some of the data. A few students who always seem to have the answers when we work in the classroom struggled. Some of those that never seem to be paying attention or have their work completed scored better than expected. Are my classroom observations off? Were my formative assessments not checking for the right understanding?

Examining students’ work does show if understanding is happening, but this is different than a test. When students work in my class they can talk to each other. I have taught them how to help each other become better students by asking the right questions: How did you reach your answer? What process did you follow? Where did you find your information? Our class motto is: Working together to achieve higher. Collaboration is a key element in all students success, in life and in school. BUT when it comes to tests students sit alone. NO help, NO collaboration, NO resources just them by themselves. All alone. Many students worry about their grades. Saying “If I don’t get a good grade I will be grounded!” etc.

Is an educational setting the only place where tests exists this way? YES, High Schools, Colleges, MCATs, LSATs, GRE, Medical and Legal Board exams all look this way. But where else. If I am a doctor do I face my patients alone, or can I call other medical experts for advice. When building a house do I work alone or part of a team? Obviously in most jobs tests occur but allow us to use the resources and our colleagues are available to find solutions.

In education we need to find a balance between the current high stakes testing world and the collaborative world that surrounds us. Our students are so much more than a multiple guess test score. Our students are unique makers striving to exist in a world that is not defined yet.