Many people have inspired me over the years so I thought I would blog about some of them. Can't believe that it has been two and half years since I met this amazing educator! In October 2018 I was able to travel to Kelowna from my small school on the Westshore of Vancouver Island and spend the day at Ellison Elementary. Victoria Den Ouden (or The Vicki as she is called in my school) had promoted the event on twitter. I had previously downloaded an article Vicki wrote about loose parts https://bctela.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/BCTELA-2018-Eng-Pract-Jrnl-lowres.pdf (page 25) The staff at my school thought it was wonderful and so I got the funding to go to a writing workshop given by Angela Stockman.BBCTELA-2018-Eng-Pract-Jrnl-lowres.pdfCTELA-2018-Eng-Pract-Jrnl-lowres.pdf So, why was the day amazing? First, Angela Stockman is a thinker and enjoys grappling with questions. The questions are meaningful, poignant, easily lead to engagement and most importantly, when you put the answers together, they tell a heartfelt story. If I was telling you this story out loud I would stop right here for effect and repeat that last sentence. Think about that for a second, minute, hour. The questions are meaningful, poignant, easily lead to engagement and most importantly, when you put the answers together, they tell a heartfelt story. Isn't that what makes us human beings? To learn through engagement and the heart. To have our stories heard in a safe environment? If you are a presenter or a consultant this is the key to excellent professional development. She knew her audience (which isn't always possible.) Angela used her time wisely, she had the right amount of talk versus getting her audience up and around trying new things and collaborating on ideas. She consistently asked for feedback (which I think is brave.) And she was inspiring. Not only that, Angela had two books published and somehow she added to the books instead of just repeating them. For the first time, in a long time, I wasn't an outsider with crazy ideas. I was home. I have so much to thank her for. My students love "loose parts." They love sticky notes. They love how individual the process of writing can be, and how they can still collaborate and let their voices be heard. I am so thankful to be part of her tribe. I am so thankful that I get to influence my school in this way. Of course, as we learn and grow we go deeper. Which really for me is what her latest book is all about. Going deeper, letting your students lead, asking deep thinking questions and grappling with answers. Disrupting the stories they tell themselves , and I tell myself about being reluctant to write (or in my case blog.) I am so thankful! If you want to check Angela out please go to www.angelastockman.com. Sign up for her weekly newsletter you will be glad you did!
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If you have spent any time with me you will know that I do not think of myself as a writer. Give me a subject concerning education and I can talk for hours about it. In fact, I have so many opinions that before long I will notice that your eyes are glazing over and you are thinking about all the laundry you have to do at home. Also, as you may have already noticed short sentences do not come easily to me. This could be why I am a fan of Henry James. And then, of course, there is the issue of commas. Where do they go, when do they go, and why do I either use too many or not enough? All of these issues are a barrier to print.
I also find it hard to keep on topic let alone know which topic I have decided to write about. I also find the rules that underpin writing way too constraining. For me, the physical labour of writing or typing just kills creativity and thought. So where was I? Teachers often apologize for things they make public - be it making a meal, baking a cake, creating art, knitting a sweater, or trying something new when teaching a class. Phrases like, "this is my first time," "I am still learning," this may not be good....." are the words attached to photos of beautiful creations and exemplary work. When did we as a profession become so critical of ourselves? And yes! I say things like this to myself all. the. time. So, this has to stop! I am facing my inner-critic head on and attempting to regularly blog my thoughts about education. It does not matter who reads it, or who doesn't. What matters is that I practice doing something I am not confident about. It will help me reach the students in my class who feel the same way about print. It will help me to have fun in producing the written word. |
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