As a Special Education teacher (and the only one for only a short period of time longer) I am in a unique position to see Venture work and I am often reminded of this quote. I see so many amazing things done by amazing teachers. I see so much passion and desire, as well as frustration and angst that builds up. Although we may seem disconnected at times, on our own islands trying to survive, we are all very much engrained to the fabric of this school year and to one another.
To sum this up I see so much caring.
I also see some struggling. I see learners not being able to complete given tasks, behaviorally not able to sit through a class, and a great many not care at all whether they make it, whether they become a success story or give in to the pressures either internally or externally to show up and care.
To sum this up I see our juxtaposition.
With that being said, I struggle. The main focus of my practice as an educator is to help kids normalize their behavior and most days, I fail. Sometimes I fail miserably while others are a simple swing and a miss. Then occasionally I knock one out of the park (well...at least hit a ground rule double). Those days feel so good. They help me wake up in the morning, they give me the strength to keep forging on, to lace up my spikes and step up to the plate once more. So now, here are some things that have worked for me and hopefully help you as well.
OPR (Ownership, Plan, Repair)
We developed this process to take the “sting” out of correction, to help students look intrinsically at the issue and figure out what the ideal response is.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AIJVs3NUfQHLB5gqG7DevsmuzVfjCOgC1brH-YIGUu4/edit?usp=sharing
TBRI
TBRI Resources
The idea of connection before correction- for the ability to make change there has to be a relationship first. The more depth the better.
Playful engagement-Lightening the moment and disarming the behavior
Structured Engagement-When disarming the situation doesn’t work, explicitly telling the student what needs to happen
I know that the day-to-day is a grind. I know that sometimes it feels as though we are running in circles and some that we are banging our heads against a wall and some days feel like those ideas combined. Give yourself grace. Give yourself time. If you need to take away from your content and go back over your norms, do it. If you need support in a specific area, reach out to those who do it well. Take time to get kids excited about what they are learning. Help them understand what you are teaching them and why.
Education can be such a beautiful mess. Helping kids advocate for themselves, helping them find their voice, and letting them take ownership of their educational environment can be a cacophony of chaos. But take a deep breath, lean on each other, and do the best we can.
Go forth and conquer
For the earth is small
And you are a giant
And every step
You take
Will make the ground shake
As it rises
To meet you
-Atticus Poetry
Bus/Parking lot duty: Cooley and Smith
Monday 10/18: Non-work day
Tuesday 10/19: Kaiser out @ AM Baker- Admin. designee
Wednesday 10/20: Kaiser out @ AM Design Team Meeting
Thursday 10/21:
Friday 10/22:
Bus/Parking lot duty: Baker and Doering
Monday 10/25: PD Day
Tuesday 10/26:
Wednesday 10/27:
Thursday 10/28: Kaiser out Baker is Admin Designee
Friday 10/29: Kaiser out Baker is Admin Designee
Bus/Parking lot duty: Mazhan and Posey
Monday 11/1: Non-Work Day
Tuesday 11/2:
Wednesday 11/3
Thursday 11/4:
Friday 11/5:
