I have dabbled in a few district positions- probably more than most think I should. It's not because I don't love where I've been, because I have loved every single position with every school that I've ever had in our district. I move around a lot because I simply love to learn. I'm looking for growth. This year, I am in a brand new school with a progressive principal and teaching with two of the most amazing first-year teachers I could have ever wished for. I'm hoping to find that "great fit" where I'll be supported and valued for my ideas, contributions, and passion for kids.
My journey in this district started in Kindergarten. I've since then taught 1st through 4th grade before taking a position as a Curriculum Technology Partner for our district. It was a three-year position and I absolutely LOVED it. I met new people, participated in incredible PD, was invited into amazing classrooms, and worked with students in all K-5 grade levels. When I was sent back to the classroom to use all my newly acquired 21st century skills, I felt alone. I was dying to connect with someone who shared my philosophy about education. Someone who understood that kids CAN do anything, and should have more choice. Someone who understood that the traditional ways of teaching were boring, teacher-led, and draining. Someone who wanted to think outside the box, tear down our four walls, and connect kids with others outside our classroom. I knew what kind of classroom I had to create- I just needed the support to do it.
Two years ago, I was lurking on twitter and came across the Global Read Aloud. I reached out to Pernille Ripp, one of the most down to earth, positive, and helpful person. She was more than helpful- opening up her classroom, sharing ideas for books, classroom management, schedules, and communication with parents. I took it all in, found global connections and eagerly participated in the Global Read Aloud. The kids absolutely loved it. We skyped with a couple classrooms, listened to Sharon Draper talk about being an author, and blogged about the book, Out of my Mind. It was also through Pernille, that next summer that I learned about the book, The Book Whisperer, by Donalynn Miller. I read this book lounging on the white wicker rocking chair on my front porch and I can still feel the warm summer breeze wisping through my hair as I turned the pages. I remember vividly finishing the book then reading it again, and again, and again. Finally! An educator who really gets it! I've been teaching for over 20 years and had yet to pick up a book that simply said it was URGENT to help kids find the love of reading. I read her next book Reading in the Wild and reflected about how I could help kids acquire good reading habits. I couldn't wait to share these books with my teacher peeps. I also couldn't wait to throw out the reading calendar and just help kids find books that they couldn't put down. I joined other educators on #titletalk and @nerdybookclub who shared similar philosophies, new ideas, and titles of books. That year, I implemented the 40 book challenge, gave interest surveys, did status of the class, conferenced with readers about how to find books, and increased my independent reading time. I saw such growth! Kids were stealing minutes reading all day. Books upon books were shared daily and I couldn't keep the popular titles in stock. I think I spent $3,000 in books that year!
It was also on twitter that fall that I learned about Teach Like a Pirate by Dave Burgess. Passion. Something both Pernille and Donalynn had. Something I needed to hang on to. I read it and like a sponge tried to implement it all. I recommended this book over and over. Our technology department led a twitter chat and my good friend, Jessie, lead a book club. I was trying new things and had local people to talk about it with. I was enjoying my job, but I still needed more. I wanted to teach side by side with other educators who shared the same philosophy.
I am incredibly thankful for our local #ndedchat (North Dakota Ed Chat) and #gfedchat (Grand Forks Ed Chat). #gfedchat was started by our technology director, Joel Schleicher, and curriculum technology partner Carla Haaven. It is here where like-minded people can collaborate and share ideas on a variety of topics. After one conversation on #ndedchat, I heard about a concept called Genius Hour. I loved it! Giving kids time to explore what they wanted to learn about. I couldn't wait to start. I bought Don Wettig's book Pure Genius and devoured that attending book studies on twitter. During a twitter chat on #5thchat, I was introduced to @joyherr and joined the #geniushour twitter chat. Though one of these twitter chats, I met @PaulSolarz and followed his blog where he openly shared his kids journey with Genius Hour. He has since then written a book called Learn Like a Pirate where he shares his classroom and his journey into creating a Student-Led Classroom. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this book!!!! I get it! I get it all and I want all of it for the kids placed in my classroom. My very wise former principal used to say that we want to work ourselves out of a job. And that's what I want to accomplish this year. I want the kids in my classroom to work me out of a job. I want them to take ownership for their learning. I want them to love learning, to encourage each other like a family, and produce quality work like a business. So here we go!
