Posted: April 27, 2020
Staff,
I hope you had a very nice weekend and are hanging in there. It’s hard to believe that May is coming this week. It doesn’t seem that long ago when we were kicking off the school year in August. At our back to school kick-off, we talked about our mission of seeing and serving EACH student through our collective story. We highlighted people, place, pictures, personal, and platform through the slides we shared and that included to the right.
Place has certainly changed a bit from where we thought we’d be this spring. We shared that place provides the context for cultivating connections and helping us to understand what it means to be human. I have a new-found appreciation for place, and as much as I enjoy getting the time with my family, I miss people. I miss our students, and I miss talking to you and watching you work to support them and each other. I appreciate the technology and the ability to “connect” with people virtually, and I long for the time to be in the same space, breathe and feel the connection that happens when we’re together.
Even though the place has changed, we are still writing our collective story of seeing & serving EACH of our students through your individual stories.
Our goal is still that EACH student:
- Develops their identity, agency, and competency
- Communicates, collaborates, and problem-solves with empathy and appreciation;
- Develops their own responsibility for learning and continues to be curious and joyful in discovering something new.
The change of place certainly creates new opportunities and challenges to meet that goal. With the grading guidance, we have an opportunity to really concentrate on meaningful feedback for our learners, and let go of some of the constraints of grading. We have the challenge of remote learning and trying to find meaningful ways to engage and provide that feedback.
Looking back on my own learning journey, I really don’t remember any lessons associated with an A or C-. I do remember the feedback that trusted teachers, mentors, and coaches offered. I remember kind words and specific moments where I felt like someone really noticed and cared for me. Our creativity and persistence in this remote learning world will help us continue the growth journey for our students and help them know they are seen and served during this unprecedented time.
Thanks for taking it one day at a time with this big picture goal in mind. I hope you have a great week!
Jeff
