The Value of Reflection

Today is Saturday.  I'm snuggled inside on this crisp morning with a warm peppermint mocha reflecting on another week in the trenches of Teacher Leadership.

In today's world we are constantly "doing."  The more peppermint mocha's I have, the more I can "do." Life is fast paced.  We have technology at our fingertips 24/7.  I can check my email, shop for things and communicate messages with multiply people at once without "doing" much.




I'm always busy.  I've created lists of more things to "do" to stay busy.  I create lists for the Teacher Leaders I work with to "do."  I have made them busy.

I recognize we all have work to "do," and part of that work will keep us busy, but this week I've had the opportunity to be away from my phone, computer, desk, and lists.  Myself, and the other Program Coordinator, Erin Watts, have been in our schools in classrooms observing, working with teachers, or helping cover their classes, so they would have an opportunity to learn from other teachers and reflect upon their own teaching, and best practice.  The idea is for teachers to see great teaching, have conversations with other teachers, reflect upon their own teaching, and apply the new learning into their individual classrooms.  To do this properly, teachers have to be given the opportunity to SLOW DOWN, REFLECT, and PROCESS how they can make changes in their own teaching.  Time is the key.  Reflection is necessary.  We need to stop "doing" and ask questions about the "doing."

I am thankful for the opportunity our school has to implement leadership roles for teachers and the impact it is having on teaching, and learning for students.  I am thankful that I had this week to be in classrooms seeing teaching practice that ROCKED MY SOCKS OFF.   I am thankful for the reminder to SLOW down, and REFLECT. I know the classroom teachers at Linn-Mar are benefiting from the opportunity to collaborate, and learn from each other.  I didn't realize how much I would learn and benefit from covering their classrooms, and working with them.  My mind is full of ideas I would want to implement into a classroom if I had one:-)  Now, I can share those ideas with other staff.

I am more aware of the resources our school district holds within it's school walls.  My challenge to all our teaching staff is to connect with the teacher leaders in your building and begin observing, collaborating, and reflecting with your peers.