Reflection - Red Raider Learning Academy - Day 2

Today's reflection questions:

How might 6 hat thinking (see here for explanation) be used within the classroom or with colleagues?

• I think that 6 hat thinking could be a great 'tool' for facilitating a discussion.  It recognizes the different hats we all wear at times and takes those into account.  The 6 hat thinking could help create better discussion by recognizing what everyone brings to the table and help avoid feelings of exclusion, hurt, jealousy, resentment, etc.  However, I do feel that if not facilitated well, it could hinder discussion.  

Describe when you have seen elements of the 4 stages of community (see here for explanation) in your community, school or family.  What stage is your school community in? 

• I tend to see the 4 stages of community, (pseudocommunity, chaos, emptiness and community) when "communicating' in life.  The communication could be actions, words or both.  I feel that I constantly see all 4 stages, depending on the situation, people, etc.  In my school I feel that throughout the year we go between all 4 stages depending on the issues that arise or are being discussed, but I do love when that stage of community is achieved!!      

Reflection - Day 1 - Red Raider Learning Academy

This week I have signed up to take part in the Pulaski Red Raider Learning Academy within my school district.  This week long academy will have many components including collaboration time, goal-setting, experiences, reflections and more.  I have chosen to do my daily reflections via my professional blog to hopefully share / pass on what I learn!  Also, if you have any comments on my ideas/thoughts/etc. please share them.  I love the feedback!!  So here goes...

Day 1 Reflection Questions:

• Where are you at as an educator?  I feel that as an educator I have come a really long way and have filled my "toolbox" with many useful teaching tools in 10 years, but I still have a really long way to go and will never be able to fill up my toolbox to the point where I won't need more!  I love learning, especially about learning and technology! It is fascinating to learn how the brain works and exciting to develop new tools to improve and motivate student learning.   Right now I feel that I am and will continue to be a builder of ' learning experiences' who continually needs to keep learning to improve and make those experiences successful!

• How have you gotten there? I have arrived at where I am at through the many experiences in my life and what I have learned from other successful educators.  I also feel that taking risks in my teaching practice and consciously working to improve have been huge factors in forming the educator I have become.
• What were the challenges and successes from the past school year? I did a recent blog post, where I reflected on the past school year and my thoughts can be seen by clicking here.