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We've had three days of sunshine!! And the magical connections of learning and learners as contributors, creators, collaborators, global connectors, and critical thinkers are real. Learning is the heart and soul of a school and the SAAS attendees at ISTE are the embodiment of that energy.
This evening I've been looking over some past reflection and theory papers that I've written over the past several months. The following excerpt from one such paper captures the essence of the teachers we have the privilege and honor of co-learning with on a daily basis. They are our artists and scientists! They have embraced the journey with all of the attributes Dexter describes with added doses of grace, humility, laughter and an insatiable thirst for learning with enthusiasm and passion.
Facilitator of learning
(from July 14, 2011 ed platform)
The teacher
is the conductor of the learning environment – balancing the dynamics of the
learning: environment, participants, subject matter, connections, and
timeliness. The teacher is the facilitator and collaborator of the learning
process. The teacher is the “first face” of the school for the community of
learners and families, making the school more personal and relational. The teacher is the keeper of the heart, mind,
body and spirit of the learner. The teacher who is passionate about teaching is
never finished with learning. The art
and call of teaching is integrated in all that a teacher does. Marzano (2007) states that effective teaching
is both an art and a science. The science of teaching comes from using research
and data to guide instructional practices.
The art of teaching is the teacher’s interpretation and expression of
that practice.
My dear
colleague and friend, Dexter Chapin, is an exceptional teacher and learner. In
his recent book, Master Teachers: Making
a Difference at the Edge of Chaos, he describes the journey of a teacher:
“Please do not even try to be a teacher if you do not have all of the
attributes of character: integrity tempered by empathy, intelligence tempered
by awe, risk-taking tempered by common sense, independence tempered by the
desire to serve, and most important, self-confidence tempered by
self-knowledge. Even with all the attributes, please do not start or continue
on the journey just because it is possible. Start or continue on the journey
because it is what you have to do, almost a calling” (Chapin, 2009).
*****
Thank you all for jumping in feet and head first, sharing the swag and going for the gold - or flip cams!!! May the FORCE be with you on your journey (and play with as many sabers and swords as you can!)
AND THE WINNER IS ARE..........
LEARNERS LIKE YOU!
Learning without reflection is a
waste, reflection without learning is dangerous.
- Confucius
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