While walking around the week before spring break, I had the opportunity to visit a 3rd grade teacher’s classroom. As I watched her model and talk through the writing of an expository composition with our Wolves, and saw the energy in which her students attacked it, I had to stop and ask what the secret was. She passionately went on to explain how easy this graphic organizer was, how it simplified the process, and really set the stage for our 4th graders who would be assessed on expository writing on their STAAR exam.
I asked if she thought her students could come up with a handout “or something” that could explain what an expository paper looked like and how she was teaching it, so that parents could see what we were doing to prepare our students for this assessment.
I could have made a detailed flyer. Or I could have not engaged in her a conversation. Or I could have assumed the same trickle down way of learning could take place and I didn’t need to get involved. But really, I just needed to ask the right questions and then get out of her way.
I hope you are surrounded by innovative teachers like I am, and that you know when to get out of the way!
Amber
As the resident “leader” in our hallways, sometimes I also feel a bit like an imposition when going to a teacher to suggest a different method or a new way of doing things. Thanks for pointing out the reason why this imposition is so necessary…and not really an imposition at all. Great post!
I just talked about something similar in my blog: https://educationalexplorations.blog/2017/03/09/transparency-trust-social-capital-the-community-allowing-a-certain-degree-of-risk-taking/
Innovation in education is essential. However, many decision makers/policy writers/administrators/teachers/community members are apprehensive regarding innovation. Innovation often requires change. Change is scary. Change often requires resources. Change requires challenging the status quo and rocking the boat. Unfortunately, I’ve found through consulting and presenting that the more affluent districts often tend to be more trepidatious regarding innovation and change. I’m sad for those administrators, teachers, and students who are afraid to innovate. But, like you said, I love working with innovative educators. I’m still working on getting out of their way. :0)
I could not agree more! Our students are so capable. We need to set them up for success and get out of their way while they go to work. Teachers naturally want to help kids, but sometimes the best way to help kids is to let them struggle. We often end up enabling our students instead of empowering them!