We did it! Our first real "experience-based" staff development and Whoa! I love working in education!
We called a meeting in a traditional work space - great school learning space - but it was at work. Have you ever noticed that when you attend a meeting at work, it's sometimes hard to pay attention or stay awake? Right! That's what we thought, too. We wanted to create an experience that to begin to think differently about education, we might need to conduct staff development differently in a different space.
So picture this, 15 educators sitting at tables in a library. Mission Impossible blares out of the computer.
"OK Everyone, we are going to the mall. You can go with us, someone else or in your own car. We'll see you at the Food Court."
The impact was immediate! Smiles, confusion, energy! Yes - that's what we were hoping for.
Secondly, no one said why - or at least out loud ; ) and they packed up their bags and followed! Yes! Risk-takers! I found it absolutely amazing that one teacher who had just been to the doctor's for a shot in her leg was late - she was at the mall and had gone back. We didn't tell them where we were going b/c that would have changed the experience. But she was not going to miss this - that is impressive! What commitment!
We get to the mall and passed out "the next mission" which is the picture of the dog in shades and says "Find a place you can facilitate learning." And told them we cannot answer anymore questions although some tried : ) Can we...? Is it ok to...? We just smiled and shrugged our shoulders.
Photo courtesy of MatHampson
And they were off for 35 minutes. And they all came back!
We reconvened at the coffee shop which I'm not so sure the public is ready for us - to use public places to learn b/c they asked us what we were doing there and how long we would be - to which we told them and kept to our word of 20 minutes. I can understand though so no worries - we would have found another place.
Since we didn't have a whole lot of time left, we used etherpad.com to capture our thoughts which we will post soon for reflection.
We talked for just a few minutes afterward and a few people made the comment "We wanted to ask you what you expected of us - but we knew you wouldn't give us an answer." Yep. That's right! I firmly view teachers as professionals with brains - and given the opportunity, they are fully capable of leading. By keeping it open-ended like that w/o expectations allowed for everyone to entertain their own ideas and construct.
We left with one a final note. Think differently.
And they were off for 35 minutes. And they all came back!
We reconvened at the coffee shop which I'm not so sure the public is ready for us - to use public places to learn b/c they asked us what we were doing there and how long we would be - to which we told them and kept to our word of 20 minutes. I can understand though so no worries - we would have found another place.
Since we didn't have a whole lot of time left, we used etherpad.com to capture our thoughts which we will post soon for reflection.
We talked for just a few minutes afterward and a few people made the comment "We wanted to ask you what you expected of us - but we knew you wouldn't give us an answer." Yep. That's right! I firmly view teachers as professionals with brains - and given the opportunity, they are fully capable of leading. By keeping it open-ended like that w/o expectations allowed for everyone to entertain their own ideas and construct.
We left with one a final note. Think differently.
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