I am making a vow here and now to stop making math a punch line. I'm embarrassed to say that I've become one of the masses that speaks differently about math than any other subject we teach. It's no surprise to me that kids struggle with math because, outside of those that teach it, we seem to talk about it like it's the hardest thing we've ever done and that we're not surprised someone is struggling in math. It's almost like we're saying it's ok if you don't get it because I never did either.
That's not what educators are supposed to do. We are supposed to help kids dig deeper within themselves when they are struggling. We are supposed inspire the a "never say never" attitude that encourages them to struggle and persevere. I am ashamed to admit that I've used the very attitude I am promising to rid myself of in the name of fostering relationships with kids, adults and numerous other school stake holders. The funny thing is, when I was saying those things it wasn't even true. I didn't struggle with math. Rita Pierson said "you say it long enough, it starts to be part of you." It's no wonder kids think math is hard, it's what we tell them. I won't make it my punch line anymore and I would ask every educator who follows this blog to do the same.
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I am going to make a rather bold statement: We view professional learning as cumbersome and tedious. It’s something we have to do in order to keep our licensure, accreditation or certification. We approach professional learning as an expectation to fulfill when we should be looking at it as a discovery waiting to be made.
I’ve heard many complaints during my career about professional learning. “Too long, too boring, not applicable” and many others. I get that a certain level of professional learning is going to feel that way. Somethings just have to be discussed in a meeting, training or professional development session to meet a legal obligation or requirement. Let’s set those aside as there is little to nothing that can be done about these. Let’s focus on what we can control, the learning we choose to be a part of to grow as a professional. How do you go about choosing that learning? My guess is that at some point you’ve asked someone what they were attending so that you could attend together. You want to make sure that you have a lunch buddy and someone to sit with. What about the topic you’re attending? Probably the more buzzword-laden the better. You'll want to make sure that your professional learning looks good in the eyes of your supervisor right? This is professional learning driven by obligatory mindset; it’s something I have to do in order to fulfill something else. If you feel like you’re stuck in professional learning purgatory, stop the cycle described above. Take some time to decide who you are as a professional. Ask yourself (and answer honestly) a few questions like the ones below:
Create your plan from what you determine about yourself. Put yourself into places where the learning will truly benefit you. Go prepared to make a discovery, not fulfill an obligation. Maybe the best advice, and possibly the scariest: Attend some professional learning by yourself. Frightening as it may be, I believe that we often impede our own learning by attending based on who we know will be there. In fact, one of my greatest professional connections came at a professional learning session. I didn’t go with anyone and I was forced to make connections. Those connections can become even more valuable than a big takeaway from a training. The bottom line; professional learning is not the fulfillment of an expectation, it’s a chance to discover something powerful. |
AuthorJeff Lahey Archives
January 2020
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