Thanks to Ruth for having a spot where we can celebrate life together. Please check out the other celebrations as well.
I am celebrating 2 weeks of life that couldn't have been more different than the other, yet I cherish both of them!
My other celebration actually encompassed multiple days of this past week. Each day was full of learning and collaborating with others. Two mornings, teachers with whom I collaborate and coach gathered in my family room, and we spent time reflecting back on a year of writing instruction/learning, and looking forward to next year and what instruction might look like then. These were educators looking to refine their art of teaching. A huge celebration!
At one of those meetings, 3 new teachers to our district were in attendance. They stayed for yet another hour after others had left, asking smart questions, and setting dates with me to meet again. I'm excited about the conversations that are happening now, before they begin the set-up of their classrooms. The thinking we are doing together will help them be even more thoughtful as they design the learning environments in their new classrooms. Another huge celebration!
Then, on Thursday, I led a summer literacy chat for our district around the topic of independent reading in the workshop model. 27 educators showed up and we talked about our beliefs surrounding children and learning, and also had good conversations about how to document student growth during this block of time. How lucky I am to work in a district that not only promotes professional development, but where many teachers have a huge buy-in to it as well. It was rainy and dreary, and would have been a good day to stay at home doing something else more leisurely, but they came, we talked, and we learned together. My final celebration!
I've always wanted to go to Nashville. It sounds like you had a wonderful time!
ReplyDeleteLove that you had your grand trip to Nashville & it sounds like you made the most of it. I've never been & it sounds like fun, Karen. The educator-getting-together week sounds wonderful, too. You are fortunate to have so many ready to talk and plan for good starts to the next year. Have a good weekend too!
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful celebrations! Many blessings!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a wonderful week - travel with friends and family, and days of learning and collaborating!
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