A Different Look

Something nagging at me for quite some time has been this sensation around the school experience not feeling and looking much different now than it did during February of 2020. While I know that there are differences - such as increased technology use & options and the proliferation of online/virtual academy offerings - most of it still feels like it always has...and I'm not necessarily sure that's a good thing. 

Looking back, it makes perfect sense that much of the last couple of years has been about surviving and keeping things afloat. At this point 24 months ago I'd had training with and some time to develop virtual "snow day" plans and lessons. Conversations with colleagues at the time around what appeared to be the slow elimination of snow/cold days, and lamenting the loss of that youthful 'right of passage' in MN, all seem antiquated and innocent now. Within weeks everything was paused and emergency training was happening to help 'blow out' our single-day plans into weekly, monthly, and beyond(?) planning. Everything went quiet for a few weeks, we immediately lost daily contact and interaction with our students, and then basically scrambled to finish out the rest of that school year.

Last year was quite exhausting at times, teaching in-person and virtually at the same time, and for some of the year only seeing half of my kids in person at a time. For many students who experienced being suddenly cut off in the spring of 2020, their detachment grew into a second, entire school year. Establishing and maintaining relationships with kids felt just as important as covering content, and mental health surged to the forefront of almost everyone's high priority list. 

While this year has felt thankfully much more 'normal,' there are a couple of thoughts that have kept coming back to me: 1. so much was lost that is still being made up for...MOST of which is social, emotional, and mental. 2. things certainly weren't perfect in school pre-pandemic, so why don't we do more in terms of using this as an opportunity to make things how we want them to be - to try and make some reasonable lemonade from perhaps the largest, sourest lemon ever given?

I don't have all (or any?) of the answers, and this certainly isn't a space for a full dissertation on the topic, but here are some things I'd love to have present in an 'ideal' school going forward. Keep in mind this comes from a middle school lens, so some of these things may look different at the elementary or high school level...

*Starting each day with a quick homeroom/advisory/home base check-in. 10 minutes max. Social connection, topical mini-lessons, sign up for activities, advice/support/communication, etc. 

*Dedicated time every day for kids to go to an activity of their choice...non-academic and hopefully incorporating some body movement! Fitness center, rock climbing, yoga, dance, walk & talk, intramural sports. Have staff lead things they're passionate about or simply lend a helping hand...get the blood pumping and minds clear before learning!!

*Grading or reporting that is directly tied to standards, and students' mastery and proficiency of those standards.

*On that note, students create and build on portfolios showcasing their learning, projects, work samples, reflections, goals, etc. Instead of conferences...or perhaps as a part of them - students using those times during the year to share their portfolios and lead discussions around all of the facets. 

*Interdisciplinary opportunities where students have flexibility in how to use larger chunks of time, instead of being locked into periods or blocks in specific classes. 

*Access to content being based on proficiency rather than what grade a student is in.

*Partnerships with community members and businesses to provide students the chance to make school-real world connections, intern, learn about possible careers, use their voice in the greater community, and learn about different viewpoints and issues just beyond the school walls and their social spheres. 

*Recess. Don't laugh, I'm serious. Kids need it.

*On that note, a mid-day block of lunch-recess-office hours-flex time. Every kid would either be eating, enjoying some much-needed recess time, or meeting with teachers in a one-on-one or small group flex setting to focus on specific needs, get help, work on enrichment, etc. 

*A focus on volunteerism throughout the year...this could connect with the community partnership if wanted, but either way have that as a component all students understand is a part of their time during the school year. 

*Built-in ways for online/virtual academy students and in-person students to connect within classes and curriculum, but also for larger events and purposes and different points throughout the year. No need for these to exist in silos!!

This is all quite a bit, but now seems like as good a time as any to really stretch our thinking about what might be possible for schools, and more importantly what could be possible for our students!

Good Intentions, Best Practices, and Unintended Consequences

Grading. One of the most complex, sometimes hotly contested topics within education. Almost everyone has strong feelings on the matter; each stakeholder group has a different perspective; and there are always new arguments to be made for any side. Over the last twenty-one years during my teaching career there have been plenty of inflection points, leading to a change in practice and/or philosophy. 

As a school, we have worked very hard over the years to refine grading practices so that a student's grade in a course is a true reflection of their mastery of the course content. Eliminating things like 'extra credit for bringing in Kleenex,' or heavy participation points - which can really hinder students who are either shy and/or have difficulty with the language as ML students, have proven to be positive, best-practice changes over the years. Additionally, taking a hard look at the mathematical breakdown of grade distribution and making a slight alteration has helped too...instead of the "F" range being from 59% - 0%, the "F" cut-off is 50%. In other words, if a student has done the work, taken the test, completed the performance, written the essay, etc. they can't score worse than a 50%. This has helped limit the number of times a student's grade completely plummet, thus maintaining a stronger, more positive mindset. 

As a middle school, being the bridge between elementary school (no real grades) and high school (official transcripts, class ranks, college applications, etc.) is an important role to help guide and train kids toward what grades and grading looks and feels like. In many ways, we have made strides with some of these good intentions and best practices. In some other ways, I feel as though we're perhaps setting students up for and even harder time in high school and beyond.

The other day one of my colleagues relayed a very interesting story that has been gnawing at me for the last few days. A couple of her 8th-grade students approached her and let her know that they'd done the math and decided they just weren't going to do their final speech project because, to quote them: "we know the school's rule that you have to give us a 50%." This took me by surprise (it shouldn't have... I mean #teenagers) because:

• it's an end-of-semester final project
• it's directly aligned to specific state standards
• they're approach wasn't "just mail it in, it doesn't matter" ... the approach was a bold proclamation that "we're simply not going to do it."

And this is just another example of how tricky and maddening grading can be in 2022. Not to mention virtual, in-person, hybrid, quarantining, etc. We're in a situation that quite often feels "can't win." Students come from elementary school and many don't have much sense at all how grades work and what they might mean. We all work hard to talk about the importance of the learning process and how our tests, projects, and daily work all align with state standards and learning objectives. But in the end, middle school grades don't really mean anything (or more accurately, they mean whatever the beholder wants them to mean). The trouble is all of this changes DRAMATICALLY once high school begins. Everything counts, grades start to really "matter," and there is not nearly as much opportunity for retakes, trying again, etc. 

We talk a lot about gradual release in the middle school setting...that from entering in 6th grade through exiting in 8th grade, more and more responsibility, ownership, and independence are put at the feet of the students to get them ready for high school. I don't feel as though much of this conversation has been applied to grading yet. I'm not even saying that's the answer. The fact is it's still very much a top-down application of pressure going on --> colleges & universities look at grades, class rank, etc. for acceptance; high schools need to have these systems in place as a result and need to teach/train students around these concepts. Elementary doesn't do grades in a real sense at all (some start to do a little of that in 5th grade to help transition), so middle school ends up being a bit of this wilderness between two worlds. 

If you're reading this you might be an educator, parent, or both. Everyone has thoughts and feelings on this stuff, and I feel like there could be larger conversations with all stakeholders involved!

Coming Back from Breaks

Anytime we return to school after an extended break - winter break, spring break, even the occasional 4-day weekend - it can be tough for students to find their footing, maintain positive momentum from their time away, and create a sense of consistency. 

This is always especially true after winter break, which can sometimes last up to two weeks. With a nice stretch away from the 'grind,' most of us are usually able to unwind, catch up on sleep, relieve a little stress, and find enjoyment in activities outside of school. For many students, there can be much apprehension around returning to the day-to-day business of school, and they can quickly feel overwhelmed like they're back on the hamster wheel.

In my mind, there are a couple of important things students/parents/families can do to help ease these transitions. 

*First, be intentional about how you use your time. One of the most practical pieces of advice I received from experienced Principals, Superintendents, etc. during my Admin program was this: "run your schedule or your schedule will run you." While that made a ton of sense within that context at the time (and still does), I feel it applies to all of us in our everyday lives. It is so vitally important to be "in charge" of your time, as it is one of our most valuable commodities!

• carve out time every day for activities/hobbies/etc. that bring you joy! Maybe this is something you started over a break or it's a lifelong enjoyment...either way, make time for it. Even 30 minutes per day goes a long way.
• write down your commitments --> assignments, practices/games, weekend plans, etc. Seeing everything in front of you can help greatly with managing time.
• ask for help or guidance whenever you're feeling overwhelmed or just need a helpful hand with time management...parents, teachers, coaches can all be great resources. The good news about just any adult you ask is that they've been through it before!

 *Make a point to exercise your mind, spirit and body on a consistent basis.

• read for your own enjoyment 20-30 minutes a day. Not a big reader? Try shorter articles, the sports page, a magazine suiting your interests, etc. Read a wide variety of topics and genres if you can.
• pursue your interests and passions! This goes with the point above, but can even go beyond...look to join a club, do some research, find a cool documentary.
• plan to get yourself outside to play, get exercise, and be active a few times a week! Fresh air, vitamin D, exploring, creating games with friends...all of these have great benefits to our physical and mental health! If you're in middle school or high school and don't have recess anymore and/or only have gym class every other day, this is even more crucial. 
• make and build connections with people...help a parent around the house with some chores and talk while you're doing that. Write a letter to an extended family member who lives in a different state. If you have younger neighbors and you see them outside playing, help them build a snowman!

Bottom line...coming back to the daily grind of school can be tough, especially after a nice, long relaxing break! Be intentional with your time, value your time, and make time for yourself and the things you love to do. Create and maintain a healthy balance in your life and you'll have the outlets needed when things get stressful. 

Establishing New Habits & Building

Coming off the business of the holiday season, winter break, and juggling many activities, I've come to the realization of just how important it is to have highly established habits. Not just for myself, but also - and more importantly from my professional standpoint - for my students. 

Down the road and in tweets I will address some of how that applies with my students. For now, I'm reflecting on how this plays out in and affects my own life. 

Over the last 3-plus months I have been recovering and rehabbing from a ruptured Achilles tendon injury suffered in late September. Following surgery, I have been diligent with my habits...first around recovery - following doctor's orders, doing the right thing, etc., and then with rehab exercises and disciplines. As a result, my surgeon, PT specialists, and I have all been very pleased with how things have progressed. I still have a ways to go, and am now working toward larger goals: one-leg calf raises, holding body weight with one leg, and building toward running and jumping again. 

Throughout this whole ordeal it has become increasingly obvious just how important small, consistent, and disciplined actions - habits - can be in our lives. I've subscribed to James Clear's email newsletter for a while, and have been reading his book Atomic Habits. It truly is amazing to see firsthand just how small habits can create change over time. With an injury recovery it can be so easy to become impatient! But, staying the course and being diligent can lead to sudden improvement. As cliche as it sounds, I have had days where I wake up and seemingly out of nowhere I have crossed some sort of invisible threshold. Walking feels stronger, the stability in the leg seems more sure, flexibility & range of motion have grown. 

For me, the next step is to apply this practice to other parts of my life. Re-establishing those small habits around working out. Carving space out of each day to read for pleasure. Creating purposeful sleep habits. Establishing household routines that lead to less moments of "oh man, we need to clean up the house!" Finally, making time each and every day to do just this...write. It sharpens my mind, helps me reflect on my teaching & coaching craft, and will hopefully help lead to building an audience of students who want to grow, parents who want more resources and ideas for their kids as students, and like-minded professionals who can share ideas and insights. 

So, here's to 1% more & better each day. Here's to small growth compounding over time. Thanks for reading!

Fall Break, Life Skills, and What's Important

 

Twenty-one years into teaching, and I have to say making it to this fall break feels about as needed and gratifying as any other. Every year is very different from another; each class of students has its own unique identity. Sometimes the beginning stretch of the school year - traditionally from Labor Day weekend until mid-October - seems to fly by; other times the same stretch can be a slog. 

This year, it's just been...different. 

We started a week before Labor Day weekend, so we've just wrapped up our eighth week. To be honest, those eight weeks have flown by. But the phenomenon within this is that while the weeks have been fast, many of the days have been slow - a grind. 

It could be easy to point at one particular thing or variable and say "Yup, that's it!" ... however, that just isn't the case this year. Students, work load, expectations, unique challenges...there isn't one thing out of that group that jumps out. This year just seems to have a lot of everything.

There has just been so much --> needs of students, meetings, feeling the push to play catch-up from the last couple of years, and back-filling/supporting so many typical 'non-academic' skills. Everyone - students, teachers, paras, administration, custodians, etc. - was very ready for a break this week! It'll be good for everyone to rest up and recharge. 

Now, about those 'non-academic' skills I mentioned earlier...

Non-academic skills, soft skills, life skills...call them what you want. What cannot be ignored or underplayed is just how important these are, and how so many students are behind or lacking in having & utilizing these skills. Because of this, I have found myself doing a lot more teaching, mentoring, encouraging, and modeling the following skills:

-live in the NOW...not dwelling on the past or something that already happened that you can't change; not worrying about what's in the future or what might happen. Believing in the Power of NOW and taking action and living in the moment. 

-showing up and doing the work EVERY DAY... this is hard for students, and also really hard to model (especially when you're tired, frustrated), but it's so crucial for young people to experience what it means to grind and get even 1% better each day, and to learn that every day and every class is an opportunity to get better, learn, and grow.

-listen to others and keep yourself open to new & different viewpoints...it's not required to have to agree or be best friends with everyone, but we're much better as a group, class, culture, etc. when we show that we can listen to and respect others. 

-collaborate and work with others...we're all so connected now, and will only continue to be more so moving forward; kids have been online their entire lives but need to learn the value of truly connecting with others and how to share ideas, compromise, and work toward a common goal together. 

-pragmatic problem solving...learning to analyze a situation, weigh pros and cons, think rationally about next steps to take...whether as an individual, as a group, for an academic problem or a personal problem - these are all skills students need. 

-time management...learning how to plan ahead, budget time, and prioritize is so important and is something many adults may still struggle with...school can be such a great time with many chances for students to hone this skill and set themselves up for success in the future. 

-reflection...this world is so fast-paced and filled with so much distraction, students don't take the time to look back on an experience - good or bad - and reflect on what happened, what worked and what didn't, and what could be changed/done differently in the future. 

Thanks for reading and pondering! Hadn't written in a while and there's been plenty going on. 

Media: giphy.com, peacock

Self-Advocacy

For this week's focus, think about the importance and value of Self-Advocacy. Any adult reading this knows first-hand how vital these types of skills are in life. For most of us, we can point to impactful moments where we benefited greatly from being our own best advocate, while there are undoubtedly other times we might regret inaction or lost opportunities.To any student who is looking over this...I would encourage you to reflect on your own experiences - both inside school and out - and reflect on times when you might have benefited from utilizing strategies around Self-Advocacy.

So, with that in mind here are some great Self-Advocacy Strategies for students to use:

1. Ask Questions

-this is the most obvious but sometimes the most difficult. fear, anxiety, shyness, and other barriers can keep us from asking the questions we need answers to. 

-students: if you're nervous about asking questions aloud or in front of the large class, consider:

• sending your teacher an email (more on that below)
• asking via your school's LMS (learning management system)...most of these have messaging capabilities
• ask your teacher at the start/end of class, during those looser passing time periods
• stop by before school starts (even 5 minutes prior) or on your way out if possible

2. Learn How to Craft an Email

-this is important! there are basic elements you need to include in order to sound legitimate and thoughtful. research online or even ask your own teachers to see what features to include. when you have the confidence to write a quick, informative email you'll feel much more comfortable to use that form of communication with teachers, coaches, etc.

3. Establish a Homework/Studying Routine

-decide on an ideal location at home to always do your homework and studying. this will help build consistency, which is crucial. you'll find it easier to focus and eliminate distractions, as well as communicate with other family members that "this is my space" to get done what needs to get done. 

4. Use a Planner

-paper, digital, app-based, etc... whatever you're comfortable with is fine (huge fan of paper planners myself), just USE A PLANNER! write down upcoming tests and projects; record homework the day it's assigned and cross things off as you finish. you'll feel more organized and ahead of the game!

5. Take Time for Yourself

-you absolutely need to do this! take care of yourself...make sure to find space and time every day to:

• do what you love
• participate in activities/sports you enjoy
• spend time being mindful, meditating, or otherwise 'resetting' your mind
• get outside! sunshine, fresh air, and movement are huge for overall self care
• spend time around "your people" - friends, family, teammates, etc. who bring you joy and fill your cup!

There's more, but this is a good list to get you started :)

Feedback --> additions, questions, comments, etc. feel free to reach out! 

image: quietrev.com

Obstacles and Opportunities

As far as setbacks go, I was met with a pretty solid one this week. Last Saturday, while enjoying some outside activities with friends - badminton, to be exact - I ruptured my Achilles tendon. Not fun. Sometimes the universe is very aggressive in delivering simple messages like "hey, you're getting older."

Looking ahead to surgery in a few days followed by physical therapy and recovery, I know there will be plenty of smaller obstacles to work through that lie ahead.

With this situation comes opportunity. Personally, it's a chance to become more intentional establishing daily habits like stretching, being mindful, focusing on what my body is telling me and focusing on my body as a whole. There is every reason to think and believe I can emerge from this process better and stronger in many ways. 

The other opportunity for me is to be an example to my own kids and my students. In education we tend to talk a lot about mindset, grit, positivity, goal-setting, etc. This is my chance to show the people around me - in real time - what this might look like when working through very real setbacks. 

There will be tough days, good days, and bad days. Days where it will be very hard to put on a good face and power through. It'll be important for me to remember that it's okay to be honest with my students --> tell them when I'm struggling and why. Demonstrating thoughtfulness, reflection, vulnerability and - yes - toughness and grit, will hopefully be an example they can draw from in their own lives. 

Here's hoping... (also hoping that eventually that leg will get back to where it was - even though it might take almost a year!)