Teaching and learning are inherently vulnerable processes. Powerful experiences in teaching and learning involve leaving our comfort zones; being open about our struggles; showing our humor, enthusiasm and passions; and admitting our faults. These leave both teacher and learner open to the potential for ridicule or mocking; and yet, they are also the foundation upon which the relationships that make learning possible are built.
The classroom is my favorite place to be. Whether as a teacher, a learner or an observer, I am captivated by the teacher moves that prompt student responses. The dynamic interplay amongst the actors is a study in courage and resilience. Teachers routinely pour their hearts into lessons with guarded hope that students will receive them with open hearts ready to learn. But, learning is risky business and the emotional wounds from previous vulnerability may still be a bit raw. And wounded hearts seek to wound other hearts. Upon this stage Venture teachers practice their craft.
Thank you for your courage to model for students the vulnerability that makes relationship and learning possible. Thank you for your willingness to risk the emotional pain that comes with vulnerability. Thank you for nurturing your own resilience and modeling that for students.
“As I teach, I project the condition of my soul onto my students, my subject, and our way of being together.” Parker J. Palmer
Reflection Points:
- How are you nurturing your own resilience as you work with students?
- In what ways can we support one another as a team?
Canva: Has now been set up for district use. Here's a teacher onboarding guide with teachers and staff. Please take note especially of the login directions (here's a separate copy with the login pages only, if that's helpful) - there are a few steps that are crucial for folks who already have pre-existing Canva accounts.
Canva is also linked to Schoology and can be found in your course on the left-hand menu or in “Add Materials.”
From Kate Keinert: Would you like to serve on the POG indicator team? A stipend is available. If so, let me know ASAP.
From Jeff Voeller: Cleaning Protocol: We will be using the same cleaning protocol as we used last year for classrooms. The custodial team will use a heavy-duty disinfectant that requires a 30 minute dwell time, so it must sit on the surface at least 30 minutes and then be wiped. We will continue to ask teachers to use the food-grade sanitizer to wipe the desktops and counter surfaces each morning in their classroom to complete this second step of wiping. If you have any questions about this process or need supplies please check with Autumn.
