Over the March Break, I read Teach Like a Pirate and loved it so much that I ordered copies for each of our staff members.  During the transaction, I met (online) the author Dave Burgess and before long we had booked him to come to London to be a part of our Professional Learning Day.  

Dave entertained us with stories about his high school history class and excursions to Frederick’s of Hollywood to purchase historical teaching aids.  Without giving away the whole story, imagine lots of red bags and a “supporting” prop.   Dave’s passion for his chosen profession was evident as he shared presentation hooks which allow him to engage his students and catch them off guard as they realize, “Oh no, he’s teaching us again”.  The circular intersection of content, teaching strategies and presentation are the key to forming a strong foundation for meeting the needs of all students, but most importantly for those students who may be “at-risk” or disengaged. 

Dressed in full pirate costume, Dave wove magic tricks and American history content into his two hour presentation and we, as the audience, found ourselves saying, “Oh no, he’s teaching us ~ something about how to be better educators”.  

His message was one of no excuses and his most memorable quote was “It’s not meant to be easy, it’s meant to be worth it”.  I couldn’t agree more.  I can’t think of many teachers who would say that teaching these days is easy. Our students arrive at our door with a variety of challenges and it’s our job to find ways to reach them, to excite them about learning and to ensure that they are ready to go into the world and make it a better place.  

 It’s going to take more than an eye patch and an earring, but learning how to Teach Like a Pirate will undoubtedly have a positive impact for both you and the students who are fortunate enough to be in your learning environment.

Last night I was pleasantly surprised at how inspirational the movie, “Won’t Back Down” was. Based on true events, the movie depicts the story of two women (one teacher and one single mom) who take on their local public school in order to transform the culture into one of love, respect and high academic standards.

As the movie begins, the audience is quickly drawn into the single mother’s pain and distress as she realizes her daughter’s current class placement is not one that is going to meet her academic or social needs.  The other heroine, the teacher, presents as an educator who has lost her passion for her job as she struggles with her crumbling home life and professional dissatisfaction. She has lost all hope.

As the two women connect in their dream of a better educational experience for children, we begin to cheer for them as the underdogs who must challenge the status quo of educational bureaucracy which includes a strong teachers’ union and parents who don’t understand the apathy that has enveloped their child’s school.

One of the most powerful scenes in the movie is when we see the teacher physically transform her classroom as she begins to psychologically transform herself.  The desks go from rows to groups and the monotone “lack of responses” from the students transform into harmonious chants as they share their excitement about learning.

At that point, regardless of the outcome of their bid to take over the school, those children in that one classroom and the subsequent classes of that teacher have won, for they will reap the benefits of a passionate educator.  One who now remembers why she started in this profession and why she is driven to do what she does.

When a teacher is excited about learning and believes that their students are capable (regardless of socio-economic status or learning challenges), then great things happen for both the teacher and the students.  That is not only the stuff that movies are made of, but that is a school culture that is possible in every school in every city.

There are many things which we can’t control. But our attitude and our passion for our chosen profession are two attributes which we are solely responsible for. Yes, it takes hard work and a commitment to make the most of each school day for our students. But, that’s why we chose this profession ~ to make a difference, to not back down when things get challenging, to not back down because we understand the urgency and the power of ensuring that our students feel loved, respected and held to the highest of standards.

As I awoke last weekend, I found myself dreading the task of the day that was awaiting me. We are attending a wedding this month and I needed to go and buy an appropriate dress for the occasion. Anyone who knows me well knows that I am not a “shopper”.  I love clothes and I love new clothes, but the thought of trying on endless outfits, to find one that fits the bill, as well as the waistline ranks up there with any other domestic chore.  

But, I needed to find something suitable so I gathered my nerve and reluctantly entered a very chic dress salon.  Much to my surprise, I was greeted by a pleasant, helpful and down to earth sales woman, who helped me select the perfect outfit, along with a few other essentials.  By the time I exited the shop, I hugged her and thanked her for making this experience painless and almost enjoyable.

As I was driving home, the song, “Pretty Woman” by Roy Orbison was playing on the radio and I recalled the scene in the movie, by the same title, where Julia Roberts (dressed in her boots, half-top and mini skirt) enters a chic boutique.  Within minutes, all of the saleswomen pass judgement on her and subsequently question her right to be in the store and purchase clothing.  Roberts is quickly made to feel unaccepted and unwanted ~ although her pockets are lined with thousands of dollars.  She eventually returns to the store in her new attire and shares,   “Mistake, big mistake ~ Huge!”

I can’t help but wonder if some of our students ever feel that way as they walk into their classrooms each day, knowing that they don’t have the latest, greatest, cleanest clothes, book bags, lunches etc. ?  Do we pass judgement on them because of their postal code?  Do we expect less of them because of their socio-economic status?  Do we encourage them to “shop” elsewhere?

Or do we embrace each student who walks through our door, knowing that within them lies a destiny and great potential?   We are only one part of their journey.  But we have an obligation to ensure that ALL students feel welcome in our classrooms, in our schools and in our communities.    And once all of our learners feel that they belong, that’s when great things happen.  Not only for the students, but for the entire school community.

Massoud Adibpour from Washington DC., took the simple concept of a holding a sign in public and turned into a way of touching the lives of strangers.  I came across the following YouTube video via a Twitter link and was instantly inspired by how such a simple act could have such a powerful impact http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EwYLZmkUxo

 We spend our days dutifully following the directions of signs; the hexagonal red STOP sign, the NO PARKING sign, the ONE WAY sign, the DO NOT ENTER sign and the list goes on and on.

Yet, how many of us would “Honk if you Love Someone”, “Don’t be So Hard on Yourself” or my favourite, “Make Today Count”?

 Massoud shared some of the emails that he received from strangers sharing how seeing his signs made a difference in their lives.  People would purposefully drive along a stretch of the road, knowing that they would pass his sign and begin their day with a smile.

 If a sign from a complete stranger can have such a powerful impact on one’s life, imagine what receiving a sign from someone who knows you and cares about you would mean? We all know the feeling of receiving a positive text message or a #FF from a friend or loved one.  One of the positive aspects of our technologically rich world is the ability to instantly reach out and connect with others. Yet, Adibpour did not go techno with his message, he simply took a marker and a large piece of cardboard. It was not how he shared it, but the fact that he saw a need to bring a smile into the lives of complete strangers.

 Now imagine a school where each day everyone was greeted with a sign that gave them hope and inspiration for a positive day of learning?

 What would that sign say?

When we think of metamorphosis, the most distinctive case is that of the butterfly as it transforms from a caterpillar to a beautiful butterfly. There is a story that is told of a child who, upon seeing a butterfly trying to escape the chrysalis and wanting to be helpful, cuts a hole so that the butterfly can easily emerge. The reality for that butterfly was that once he emerged, his wings were not properly formed and therefore he lived his life stumbling along, not able to fly.

The butterfly is conditioned to struggle as he works his way to escape the chrysalis. The struggle helps him to build strong wings so that he can reach his full potential and soar to great heights.

Although we can’t always see the reason for our struggle and during our times of struggle we just want the pain, the suffering, the hurt to stop, once we survive the struggle, we find ourselves strong and ready to soar.

If we do not provide our students with challenges, with projects and tasks that will give them cause to re-examine what they are doing and to develop better strategies, then we are condemning them to a life of stumbling along. If we want our students to soar to great heights, we need to allow them to work hard, to transform themselves into life-long learners and then celebrate with them once they conquer those challenges.

As an educator, how have you transformed yourself this past school year? What has changed about how you meet the needs of your students, of yourself as a learner and as a colleague. What challenges have you overcome which have allowed you to soar?

I start each day with reading Seth Godin’s Blog. Sometimes they are short and sweet and provide me with insight, excitement and the encouragement to do a better job today, than I did yesterday. Sometimes they are rather long and I find myself skimming them for catch phrases that I can use in my world of education.  On Christmas Day, as I was waiting for the rest of the Bruyns Bunch to wake up and enjoy the day, Seth’s Blog ~ Learning How to See,  not only resonated with me, it provided me with the inspiration for this post for my own blog.

The ability to see is what sets us apart. We all possess the same tools (a university education, access to supplies, technology); we all are blessed with the same raw products (a class full of eager learners), we all want to do what is right and yet some of us have the ability to not only teach, but to see the endless possibilities of inspiring children to want to learn.  Teaching and learning are two very different actions.

Today in education, one can easily see many negatives such as the current labour relations, the poverty that many of our families deal with, an apathy for education on the part of some parents, a lack of funding and competition with a technologically-entertaining world (XBox, Ipads,Wii etc.). For those who can’t see beyond those negatives, they settle and use phrases such as, “We are doing the best that we can under these circumstances” or “If only we had more of this or less of that, we could make a difference”.

But for those true educators, for those who are brave and determined, they see possibilities at each turn. And even though I know that they are working tremendously hard to continue to hone their craft; what others see is their love of learning, their love of inspiring others, their love of making the impossible seem possible ~ not only for themselves but for the children who are blessed to be in their classes.

Those teachers who see the possibilities in each of their students allow their students to see the endless possibilities that an education and a passion for learning can bring them.

Thank you to those teachers who continue to inspire me to see the endless possibilities of leadership within education.

Our journeys in education can take us to a variety of schools and in a variety of locations.  I’ve been blessed to be both a teacher and a principal in the same school. Twenty years ago when our school opened, I was thrilled to be chosen as a member of the first staff.  Opening a school is a once in a lifetime experience. After 7 years, I took the opportunity to transfer to county school and from there I entered administration. My second placement as a principal is back at that same school that we opened twenty years ago.  One of the joys for me is to see some of our former students return to our school community as parents of new students.  

Yesterday was the last day before the Christmas holidays and throughout the day my desk continued to overflow with cards and gifts.  As I wanted to make the most of the day and spend as much time as possible with staff and students, I didn’t stop to open any of my gifts.  At the end of the day, I packed them all up and then when the house was quiet, I opened each card and gift.  They were all lovely and very appreciated, but there was one card that caught me off guard.

It was from a former student of mine, who is now a parent at our school.  Within the body of the letter she included that to this day, she can’t listen to the California Raisins without remembering the grade five phys. ed. class that I taught years ago.  I can remember hours upon hours of choreographing music to aerobic routines.  It’s nice to know that they were memorable.

As a teacher, we can never predict which lessons, which activities or which presentations will have a lasting impact on our students. Let’s hope that our impact is a positive one which brings happy memories to former students and that they take the time as adults to share those memories.

The other day, I saw the most incredible thing…. I watched as students were so entranced with what they were doing in their classroom, that they continued to create, to communicate and to share their stories well into their recess. They were having such “fun” learning that they didn’t want to stop. On more days that we care to admit, students are watching the clock waiting for the magic bell which will allow them to go outside and have “fun”. And yet on that day, in that classroom, recess was the last thing on their mind. The “fun” was happening in the classroom. Oh, to be able to “bottle” that!

Critics would say that they were engaged because they all had hand-held technologies and yet, it wasn’t the device, it was the fact that they had choice of their activity, they were creating something that appealed to them and they were sharing their creations. As I walked in the students all wanted to share, but not just with me, they were sharing with each other and I loved the authentic feedback that they were giving each other. It was one of the those days when all of the theory was being put into practice and it was magical.

What magical learning opportunities are you offering your students?

When was the last time that your students would rather continue learning than go outside?

James Bond has always been known for having the latest technologies at his fingertips. “In 21 films over four decades, the Bond movies have introduced many new technologies to the public”. Yet, in the latest installment of the Bond series, Skyfall, we find Bond saying, “And youth is no guarantee of innovation”. It’s almost as if our hero is struggling with the new world of technology and it’s link to terrorism. A world that he once dominated with lasers, two-way radios and cars with several cool gadgets. James challenges the audience to remember that “human intelligence” still has a place when fighting the bad guys. The entire plot revolves around the theme of “out with the old and in with the new”.

I started to reflect that regardless of the latest technologies, at the end of the day, we need humans as a part of the equation. As a school, we can fill our classrooms with the latest and greatest technologies and yet if the teacher isn’t prepared to learn how best to use it and if the students aren’t prepared to use the technology for creation, then it becomes a waste of resources. Technology needs to be partnered with human intelligence. James can hold the latest gun in his possession, but he needs to know when to pull the trigger. Students can be given hand held devices, but they must be able to decide when to use an application and when simply talking to a classmate might give them the same level of understanding.

As a child of the 70’s, I grew up watching crime dramas and some of the most memorable ones revolved one main character, Columbo, McCloud, Barnaby Jones, Mannix, Ironside and my personal favourite, Police Woman.

These characters seemed to magically solve the crime, without the assistance of anyone of importance. Clues fell into their lap and evidence magically appeared. If you look at shows that are popular now, you will find the likes of C.S.I where a team of experts is needed to solve the crime. They rely on each other and spend a great deal of time communicating their thinking throughout the mystery.

Likewise, gone are the days of teachers working in isolation trying to meet the diverse needs of their students. The best teaching and learning occurs when we call upon the strengths of a team approach. This past week, our primary teachers took part in a collaborative inquiry learning model whereby they collaboratively planned a numeracy lesson, taught it with a partner and then took the time to debrief about their observations and next steps. The excitement was evident as they shared their “co-learning” with their students. Teachers need to talk about our teaching, just as we need to ensure that we are providing our students with time to talk about their learning.