Educated Visions

Communities of Learning

What would our schools look and feel like today if they were truly communities of learning? Imagine if all the stakeholders in the school community truly identified themselves as learners. All of us, administrators, parents, teachers, board members, and of course our students, acknowledging that what we don’t yet know is a more powerful motivator in our lives than what we claim to know. What would the conversation sound like in our staff meetings and our board meetings? What approach would we take to a phone call with a dissatisfied parent or a child who has been sent to the Principal’s office? How would we present our ideas in our professional associations? How would we respond to the ideas of other?

Honoring Your Parents' Child

You have a valuable job.  You spend every day nurturing, educating and caring for children.  But when was the last time that you took extra care of your parents’ child: You?  Do you make sure that you eat properly, get enough sleep, have fun, take time for the things that are most important to you?

Many teachers feel that they would be cheating their students if they didn’t work so hard.  I know many people (including myself from time to time) who feel that they just don’t have the time to relax; that too many other people depend on them. 

The irony to this way of thinking, is that when your own needs are being sacrificed, you might be giving it all you’ve got, but it isn’t close to what you are capable of.  No one wins.

An example is demonstrated through the pre-flight video on commercial airplanes.  When the flight staff instruct you on the use of oxygen masks, they always state that parents of small children must put a mask on themselves first, before they put one on their child.  This goes completely against parental instinct.  But the reasoning is valid: if you become unconscious, or worse, who is going to take care of your child then? 

Teachers are one of society’s most valuable resources.  Parents entrust you with their heart’s greatest treasure everyday.  Honor them (and your own parents) by living well yourself. It will be a gift for everyone.