Reflexive Agility
December 11, 2020 1 Comment
For those who haven’t heard this yet, 2020 is not a normal year. In every way, shape, and form, it is not normal. But in the educational space, we are bending ourselves over backwards to try and be normal. Unfortunately, the typical catch phrases are being flung from all directions to try and keep everyone in their traditional identities and to minimize (or ignore) the need for reflexive agility.
For too long, educators have been directly or suggestively reminded that the metrics of their success are measured on the amount of themselves they ignore in order to prioritize the students in their class. Analyzing the profound cost benefit of this activity is a prime example of how the abnormality of 2020 was (and may still be) the greatest gift given to education. This unwritten rule must come full stop and we must focus on the needs of our greatest resources in the educational process…. passionate educators. At no point in our teacher training programs were we presented with an instruction manual that outlined our steps to success… Step 1: don’t think about yourself. Step 2: write your standards on the board… Unfortunately, we continue to hear Administrators and parents perpetuate this myth. Rarely has there ever been a more appropriate time for the saying :”you can’t love anything until you love yourself.” Now is the time…
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#MaslowBeforeBloom
October 22, 2020 Leave a comment
One advantage to online teaching is the occasional moment to consider things outside of “school”, and possibly the time to act on them. This could be a small home chore, project, article, news blast, social media check in, moment of silence, or many other things. Today was a chance to dig into Dr. Pearlman’s “Maslow Before Bloom“. This fantastic (and easy) read is digestible, thoughtful, reflective, and empowering.
“If a student is hungry, tired, or scared — give them food, a nap, or a hug. This does not require board approval or a bond issue. It seems so simple. It is simple. It is also very effective.” (p 8)
Throughout my career, I have participated in a number of conversations about students that are focused on the WHAT a student is doing and ignores or dismisses the WHY a student is doing it. You can contextualize it in a behavioral setting, academic setting, or…
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Filed under Educator, General Commentary Tagged with Bloom, education, Leader, Maslow, School, Trauma