Growing & Daring

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” 
― H. Jackson Brown Jr., P.S. I Love You

So, I had one of those emails.  The ones that go something along the lines of .... there were 50 applicants, only so many spaces and unfortunately this time you were not chosen.  My reaction to missing out on the Educational Trip - slightly disappointed, but realistic.

What I am not disappointed about is the effort I put in.  I am glad I went through this process and it has highlighted several aspects of my professional development that could, well continue to develop. So ... plan forward - keep planning the unit that will build on the Asian links within my curriculum area.  I have had another look at what PD is most relevant and needed to support my students' growth also - and this is where I will continue to maintain focus.  

March Edblog Challenge

So this is your chance to, "dream big New Zealand" (sorry), and blog about what your dream school would look like, function like, be like. What would be its purpose, its vision?
You might like to consider how you present your ideas. You could consider: writing, drawing, mind mapping, videoing, audio recording, interviewing students/colleagues etc. 

I need to admit that this one threw me a tad.  If I write down my "big dreams" am I showing dissatisfaction with my current status?  I don't want to put myself into a hugely dissatisfied state - but yet, if no one every dreams, nothing every changes either.   I decided to talk to a student and get their perspective.

The conversation with Student X ... "I want to know that every teacher is purely there to help the students create and learn.  Every student wants to learn and grow as an individual and to better themselves and others lives.  From a young age instead of teaching us functionalities (like rules and the majorities perspective) we could be taught to go with it, but going with it wouldn't  be like most people interpret it now.  We would follow out passions, rather than being told to do a certain amount subjects, you'd be learning what you want to succeed at that thing and be able to help others.  In primary school you'd need to learn reading and writing, but instead of being taught these with punishment you would use positivity.  Because the teachers would be trained this way it would just work. " (Dictated to me from Student X in secondary school; with permission)

(( Student X kept on talking "can we add in some stuff about decile numbers and stuff.  We wouldn't have really really rich and really poor - if we did school like this and governments like this we could even things out and school would become a better place to learn and kids would develop more.  We would end up having a better economy and country. "  I think this would be an awesome writing topic for my seniors!!! ))

What I took out of her comments ( and our subsequent discussion as said student was on fire) was that for this student:

• There needs to be space for students to be able to follow passions.  
• Students have a desire to be able to support fellow students in learning and life.
• There is a perception by students that not all teachers have remained passionate about not only their subject, but their learners lives & hauora - something this student feels needs to be really clear and obvious.
• There is a want for equality, some extra trips and courses cost - and those who need them the most may find it difficult to ask for help; if they even know where to ask.
• There is a need for students to have continual positive reinforcement surrounding them.
• A happiness from this student that they are not invisible for the most past which means they know their Hauora is cared for by most teachers.

My wants for a dream school:

• A want to be able to personalise the learning.
• Having strong supports in place so that teachers are able to remain passionate about their subject & sustain  passion and interest in and for learner's lives and hauora.  We are human to - and need to look out for and support each other so burn out does not happen.
• Money not to be an issue (hm.  Not sure how this would play out.)  I remember being that student in Y13 who had the home-made blouse rather than the expensive uniform one - at 17, I struggled with this.  In hindsight, I know my mum did the best she could, but for a teen, it was hard.  

Right - enough to be ruminating on for now.  

I love quotes!

 This spoke to me as I moved through my week.  I want my students to realise it is ok to have failure, it means we are moving!  We don't need to be up to Level 5P right now ... it's a long distance run not a sprint.

Keep on Moving

“Be not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid only of standing still.” – Chinese Proverb

I just used this quote to conclude an application I was writing for an overseas educational opportunity.   It sums up where I am at the moment quite well.   I might not get all 29 days of writing done, I might not get all 44 weeks of 500 word reflections completed, BUT I am not standing still in my journey.  I am giving things a go - recognising when other life priorities step in,  being willing to recalculate and redistribute the amount of energy required for projects and most importantly, being able to focus on my family and my students.  

Not standing still also means keeping on dipping my toes into Twitter as my biggest PD and learning curve at the moment.  My favourite PLN is the #BFC630NZ chat - something I can contribute and gain motivation from at least a couple of mornings a week while the jug is boiling and the coffee making it's way up to the brain.  

So ... what are you growing slowly in - don't stand still, baby steps are still steps!!  My next step ... actually get to the #EdchatNZ challenge and record on the ipad or audacity.