After 20 years of teaching at Brookfield Central, I am saying goodbye. Although I spent the majority of that time in the physics classroom alongside my learners. That changed for my last 18 weeks. I ended up in a place similar to where I started, teaching chemistry and biology. So, rather than dealing with juniors and seniors at the end of their high school careers, I was in classrooms with freshmen and sophomores still trying to find their place. At the same time, I was learning and teaching a set curriculum I hadn't taught in over a decade. So, we were learning. But, of course, I already knew the content. The point of this post is to take a step back, take in, and share the gratitude from the last students I had in my 20 years at Brookfield Central High School through the cards and notes they made for me on my last day with them. I don't take many yay me moments. But after 20 years, I think I'll soak this one in.
"T he powerful play goes on, and you will contribute a verse." - Walt Whitman The last section of George Couros's book asks the reader to make the innovator's mindset a reality by creating a culture that encourages innovation. To this end, the readers must take action. He sets forth a series of questions reflecting on 5 key elements set up in the first sections of the book. These elements are essential for unleashing the talent of the individuals in our classrooms and schools. This is what the book is leading up to. Not some magic one size fits all solution. It's the insight to create the solutions that are right for your situation. George has frames the argument, it's our turn to fill in the canvas. If you haven't answered these questions for yourself, you haven't really "finished" the book. Below are my answers to these questions as they relate to my classroom practice. Strengths - Based Leadership Do I know and buil...