Knowing your Learners (Innovators Mindset)
I am only about half way through George Couros book, but I can't believe how much I have enjoyed it. I love reading for pleasure, but not usually as much for professional topics but I have a hard time putting this book down! It is an extremely inspiring, and reaffirming read for me. There are so many parts that have resonated with me so far, but one theme that keeps coming up and I strongly agree with is the importance of knowing your learners/staff, and helping to move them along their learning journey:
"Effective leadership in education is not about moving everyone from one standardized point to the next but moving individuals from their point "A" to their point "B". (Page 47)
This is an area I have really been working at the last few years in order to make sure that I am challenging all of my students to push themselves to reach their potential. I really like the focus also of stopping to think "Would I want to be a student in my classroom", which is so important to remember to reflect on regularly. I know that some of my favourite PD has been when I've had choice and the ability to learn something I am interested in, such as the unconferences we did last year. I look forward to continuing to build and strengthen my relationships with staff and students in 2018 to enhance my learning journey and meet the needs of each individual student.
"Effective leadership in education is not about moving everyone from one standardized point to the next but moving individuals from their point "A" to their point "B". (Page 47)
This is an area I have really been working at the last few years in order to make sure that I am challenging all of my students to push themselves to reach their potential. I really like the focus also of stopping to think "Would I want to be a student in my classroom", which is so important to remember to reflect on regularly. I know that some of my favourite PD has been when I've had choice and the ability to learn something I am interested in, such as the unconferences we did last year. I look forward to continuing to build and strengthen my relationships with staff and students in 2018 to enhance my learning journey and meet the needs of each individual student.
Yes! Yes! and Yes! I agree with you 100%. The theme you chose to focus on really resonated with me as well. As a newbie to Eldorado only a few short years ago, I was very overwhelmed with all of the expertise and innovation that was literally exploding out of every classroom. I felt like a first year teacher trying to survive and keep her head above water. I now realize that where I was in my journey at that point in time was very different than many others. I think it is very important to remember that every teacher and every child stands on the path along their own journey. As long we (teacher/students) are open to growth, change, mistakes along the way, we will be able to reach our potential.
ReplyDeleteIn chapter 3, Couros created a list of mantras ... I think I will print this list out and post in my classroom as a reminder to push myself to be a better teacher for my students. Two mantras that stood out for me were:
"I will utilize the tools that are available today, and I will continue to search for new and better ways to grow, develop, and share my thinking, while creating and connecting my learning"
"I question thinking, challenge ideas, and do not accept, "This is the way we have always done it" as an acceptable answer for our students or myself.
**Sorry, my iBooks says this is on page 204 and 205/836! Not sure which pages it would be in the
actual book**
This really resonates with me, Christine.
DeleteI felt the exact same way! Now I am just so happy to have so many amazing people to learn from and with.
DeleteChoice and Voice! Strong words that mean so much for us and our students!
ReplyDelete