Monday, October 27, 2014

The World Is Ours-Aloe Blacc and David Carrey

To quote today’s title song,
“I had an epiphany one night
Looking at the endless star filled sky
The world is ours

Dare what you dare to dream


I dare to dream of a world where teacher-leaders inspire students in the classroom, are respected as professionals, and help shape student-centered policy decisions.  

Tonight, I am headed home from a profound experience, a “teacher convening.”  They call it a “convening” because it’s so much more than a conference.  Today at the closing ceremony, Irvin Scott from the Gates Foundation had people stand and call out one word to describe their experience.  Here are a few:
 
“Rejuvenated”          “Elevated”            “Inspired”          “Empowering”


Hosted by the Gates Foundation, ECET2 stands for Elevating and Celebrating Effective Teaching and Teachers.  The Fourth convening was held in New Orleans, Louisiana and included over 300 teachers from 34 states and Washington D.C.  What an amazing experience it was.  Here are just a few of my take-aways:

  1. “Leadership is no longer optional in the teaching profession”

This quote is actually from another event I attended this past summer, NEA’s Empowered Educators Day in Denver.  However, this idea was reinforced tenfold at ECET2.  In an era where so many people are pushing education policy in different directions, it is imperative that teachers’ voices are not only heard, but that teacher insight helps shape the future of education.  I was fortunate to attend a session by the Hope Street Group in which they discussed the need for teacher advocacy at different policy levels and found myself inspired to action.  The movement has begun, we now need to be the “First Followers” who can bring the movement to the masses.

  2.  Collaboration is critical for students and teachers alike.

Whether we are providing our students the skills to engage in our interconnected world, working together to plan units or lessons, or tackling the tough challenges facing the field of education today, it is essential that we reach out, network, and listen to one another.  There were so many wonderful opportunities to collaborate throughout the conference, many intentional and imbedded in the schedule, and so many more spontaneously occurring over lunch or Twitter or bead tossing from balconies.


 

   3.     There is always more to learn.

I learned so much in just 48 hours-from presenters, keynote speakers, colleagues, Twitter, the streets of New Orleans.  It can sometimes be overwhelming, but many of us became teachers because we are passionate learners.  Continuing to find new ways to learn and then build on, and implement, that learning into our practice is critical to moving the field of education in a positive direction.

   4.     Find ways to keep the fire burning. 

It is so easy to leave a conference feeling inspired and then fall back into our routine once we return home.  Finding ways to stay motivated and connected is vital to remaining a positive force for education.  I found this Tweet on point.

  5.     Take time to breathe. 

Another important lesson for me this weekend, thanks to my colleague circle (Shout Out to Table #22!!) was to recognize that it is also acceptable to sometimes take a break from the constant stream of knowledge and information and breathe.  Taking care of our physical, social, and emotional needs helps us maintain the strength we need to keep going when the obstacles seem high.

  

   6.     It’s a small world.


The first person I met when I got off the plane just happened to be a teacher who taught all three of my cousins in Louisville, Kentucky.  Then, I had an emotional (at least for me, I’m so sappy!) reunion with one of my former students who is now, not only a high school social studies teacher himself, but also a member of the Gates Foundation’s Teacher Advisory Council and a presenter, teaching other teachers how to be culturally responsive in their classrooms.  Connections are so significant to maintaining that positivity (see #4) and these personal connections are even more inspiring.
 

  7.     The Gates Foundation knows how to make people feel special.


There seems to be a growing movement for the professionalization of the teaching profession.  I try to model this in my own practice, even in little ways-like ordering business cards.  But WOW does the Gates Foundation make you feel special.  Welcoming us with a live high school marching band and parade down Bourbon Street, providing us with, not just materials, but an online community where we can continue to share, amazing accommodations, exceptional food and beverages at every turn, chronicling the event with photographers and videographers and providing ways for us to stay connected and active in this movement. 


Not only was I inspired this weekend, but this treatment left me feeling empowered, I do matter.



During my college career I took a year off to travel with Up With People, an international educational, musical, and service organization.  For many reasons, (that I should cover in another blog post) this was one of the most transformative and inspirational experiences of my life.  My experience from a year of traveling around the world with people from 22 different countries, staying in host families, performing a musical show every other day, and participating in service activities, had a profound impact on the person I am today and my choice to become a social studies teacher.  Partly because of the enthusiasm and idealism of the group, and partly because of the performance component, everything in UWP is an event.  No one just makes an announcement, it becomes a song or comedy skit.  Some may criticize this aspect of UWP as being a bit cheesy, but you can’t leave an UWP event without feeling inspired and more optimistic.  I kept thinking all weekend that ECET2 is like the UWP of teaching movements, and that is one of the greatest compliments I could give.
 
Thank you to the Gates Foundation for investing in ECET2NOLA, for investing in teachers, and for investing in me.  I won’t let you down.