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Something to Think About
Creative Schools: The Grassroots Revolution That’s Transforming Education

By Ken Robinson, Lou Aronica

Due to the fact I am not teaching full time I have more time than I otherwise would to think about teaching. The relationship between learning and teaching as well as teacher and student is fascinating. 

So my latest read, Creative Schools By Ken Robinson is right up my alley. Ken Robinson, for you who don’t know is a Professor who has been looking at this relationship on and off for 40 years. He has a PHD and has the most watched TED talk ever.

 (Watch that here.) For the last eight years or so he has been talking and writing about why the current trends in education are way off the mark and not doing our children any favours. Such things as high pressure standardized testing, centralized curriculums which are narrow and restrictive. By being these things a large numbers of students are being turned off and belittled by an education system that so narrowly defines success. In this book he continues the process of explaining how he believes education can be improved and made more inclusive. One of the things that jumped out at me was the following;

The fundamental purpose of education is to help students learn.

He goes on to say

At the heart of education is the relationship between the student and the teacher, everything else depends on how productive and successful this relationship is. 

He is of course right. Effective teaching or coaching is all about good relationships. Success is impossible without it. This got me to thinking about what good relationships look like and how we can effectively foster them with our students. More about this later. In the meantime I highly recommend this book whether you are a teacher or a parent. 

Patience is a Virtue?

I am an impatient man. It’s only been the last couple of years that it has dawned on me to what extent I have been driven by  impatience. Perhaps this wisdom is something that comes with age, one of the perks of being older, the ability to see that patience is indeed a virtue. 

At the moment I am teaching, albeit subbing, and coaching swimming. It is ironic that I have chosen to return to two professions where patience is a central pillar of not only success but of understanding. There is no quick fix in the classroom, no instant way to acquire knowledge or the ability to use it. Likewise there is no easy or quick way to become a good swimmer. It takes work and time. In other words patience. Of course it takes a great deal of other things as well, but without patience both student and teacher / coach will quickly be disappointed. 

In my defence and that of all impatient people everywhere, the world that we have created is at it’s very heart impatient. We want things and we want them now.  Gone is any notion of delayed gratification. If we can’t have it now then we don’t want it. I exaggerate but only slightly.  

Been spending time in K over the last few weeks. So much fun working with the little guys and gals. 
Been spending time in K over the last few weeks. So much fun working with the little guys and gals. 

So I am working on being patient. Patient with the fact that getting a job is harder than I hoped. Patient with my swimmers as they learn new skills and patient with myself as I continue to stumble through life. Having said that I may have stumbled onto something rather exciting which has renewed my optimism. Lots more research needs to be done… but watch this space. 

It’s been a while

It’s been a while since I have been here on my blog. I have been somewhat disillusioned and dispirited with the whole process of finding a teaching job here in the Yukon. After the excitement of finishing my course at The University of Alberta and getting my teaching certification, not having a teaching position has been a great disappointment.

Some art work from a school where I was subbing. I  loved this, there's so much going on in it.
Some art work from a school where I was subbing. I  loved this, there’s so much going on in it.

It’s been a while since I have been here on my blog. I have been somewhat disillusioned and dispirited with the whole process of finding a teaching job here in the Yukon. After the excitement of finishing my course at The University of Alberta and getting my teaching certification, not having a teaching position has been a great disappointment.

The job interview mentioned in the last post could have gone better, obviously, as I didn’t get the job. I put it down to my first interview in education in almost twenty years and the fact that I was up against a tremendous teacher. How she hasn’t got a full time job for the year I don’t know. But that’s another story. 

I’m trying to stay positive but I am worried the longer I am out of the classroom the harder it will be to get a work.  There have been a few more jobs come up, but they were either spoken for before they were posted (I’m guessing here, but when you get a letter from your son’s school the day after the job posting closed, about the new teacher, I’m pretty sure that the job advertisement was a formality) or I’m not qualified for post. Another little gripe is that after looking at the job postings for coming up on a year, you can tell the positions that are being written for individuals… they are so specific that it’s laughable. I know that I am not the only one in this boat but having others in it with me, doesn’t make it any more fun. A full time teaching job seems as far away as ever right now.  My father used to say in situations like this “FIDO son.” So FIDO it is and who knows perhaps a job will appear with my name written on it… 

On a brighter note,  I have two days teaching at Jack Hulland which is always as pleasure. 

 

An Interview

It’s been almost 20 years since I had an interview. It’s probably longer since I had an interview that really mattered to me and this interview that’s coming up is one that matters. I want to teach and while I could substitute (literally it appears) forever, I want more from my teaching. Teaching is at it’s core about relationships and as a sub it’s difficult to create meaningful relationships with students. Which means in most case you are nothing but a placeholder until their teacher returns. This was made very obvious to me while teaching for the last three months of the 2014/15 year where I was engaged as a long term substitute for a G3/4 class. There I was able to build relationships and, with help, was able to make a positive difference in the classroom. I enjoyed it tremendously, even if I did find myself working harder than I had for a long while. Interestingly it was also the first time my wife understood how much work goes into teaching. 

I digress. This interview means a lot. It is another opportunity to work full time with my own class. The only slight cloud is that it’s only for half the year as this is a compressed English class – meaning that the second half of the year is intensive French and taken by another teacher. But still, four months of teaching will suit me very well and will be my first contract, if I am appointed, in the Yukon. 

(My son pretending to be trapped in a cage... in case you were wondering.) 
(My son pretending to be trapped in a cage… in case you were wondering.) 

The Yukon has a category system for selecting teachers for interviews. From 1 to 4 with 1 being permanent teachers and 4 being those just arrived in the territory. This is somewhat simplified but it means as a 4 (which is where I find myself) it is damn hard even getting an interview. This information isn’t something easily found on the Govt. Ed website. (I was going to post a link…) So as a category 4 applicant this opportunity is a good one for me and I now have to go and prepare. I’ve had some pointers, I have some info from the U of A so with preparation I should as least be in with a chance. Wish me luck. 

Expectations and their impact on learning

Expectations play a big part in student achievement and behaviour. There was a landmark study done by Rosenthal and Jacobson in 1968 which illustrated the power of expectations on students in the classroom.

This effect is amplified, apparently, in low-income neighbourhoods, which means students from disadvantaged backgrounds benefit most from high expectations from their teachers. 

If you would like to read more about this subject then I have created links to several articles that talk about the subject and it’s close cousin the self fulfilling prophecy. 

Home Reading – It’s Important

Photo Credit - www.imgkid.com
Photo Credit – www.imgkid.com

I came across a great article on Edudemic called The Long-Term Effects of Skipping Your Reading Homework. It’s of particular interest to me, and hopefully the parents of my students, as I have recently re-introduced home readers into the grade 3/4 class I am currently teaching. In short the article illustrates very well the need for reading at home. 

The idea that reading is fundamental to education is of course not new. But the idea that everything a child needs to learn, is learnt at school, is. Some parents seem to believe that the responsibility for a child’s learning rests solely on the shoulders of teachers and schools. To be fair to parents, this is an idea that has been encouraged by governments both in North American and the UK. It’s simply not true, learning is a collaborative experience between teachers, students and parents. 

Of course, teachers should and do carry the responsibility for the learning they foster in schools. This is as it should be. However, if a child is to maximize their learning potential, there needs to be parental participation in their education. At its most basic, and perhaps it’s most useful, is the idea of spending 15-30 minutes each day reading with their child. 

Here is the link to the article. Please let me know what you think in the comments below. 

(DeLoatch, Pamela. ‘The Long-Term Effects of Skipping Your Reading Homework.’ N.p., 14 Apr. 2015. Web. 19 Apr. 2015. <http://www.edudemic.com/skipping-your-reading-homework/>.)

 

A lot has happened in the last 2 years!

It’s been 2 years since we decided on a course change in our lives. A reboot of sorts from business owners to employees. From photographer to teacher, and to graphic designer for Christa. Much has happened. We sold our house, moved in with the in-laws, moved to the Yukon. Chris found work as a Flight Attendant with Air North, me, work as a substitute teacher. At the end of August, 2014 we all moved to Alberta so I could attend the University of Alberta and fulfil the requirements needed to get my professional certification in Canada. That transition included a month in a tent, which although sounds romantic, isn’t when it’s not an optional activity. We eventually landed in Red Deer in a new apartment building. Which on reflection was blindingly lucky, the housing situation being what it is in Red Deer, (and we’re very grateful to the people who allowed that to happen.) After a month at UofA, which I loved, I completed a nine week teaching Practicum at Glendale Science and Technology School, which was also a fantastic experience.  Unexpectedly, While I was doing my teaching practicum, Christa was offered a job back in Whitehorse. Having the opportunity to make the Yukon home was too good an opportunity to miss.  The quiet and beauty of The Yukon had captured our hearts. So mid November, Christa headed back to Whitehorse with Oscar, (Nancy doing escort duty) while I finished up in Red Deer, staying with my mentor and her husband. (So many great people.)  Once my practicum was completed on December 12th, I  headed back to The Yukon. Christmas was a quiet affair, just ourselves and some good friends and in the New Year I started work as a substitute again for Yukon Education Dept.

First time along the Alaska Highway was in January 2014. We were very lucky with the weather - great road trip. Just wish we'd known about the Liard Hot Springs. 
First time along the Alaska Highway was in January 2014. We were very lucky with the weather – great road trip. Just wish we’d known about the Liard Hot Springs. 

By mid Jan my documents had arrived from Alberta Professional Standards which meant I was eligible to apply for my teachers certificate in the Yukon. This I received shortly after applying and so twenty two months after we decided for me to return to teaching I was certified and ready to find work. 
So far I have been fortunate. I’ve been working pretty much full time and as I write this it may well be that I have a position until the end of the school year, which is very exciting. This won’t be confirmed until the end of next week but everyone seems to think that I will be there until June. 
Now I have to pull out all the stops and show people what I am really capable of. I am enjoying myself enormously at the moment even thought the students are tremendously challenging and there is a lot of planning to do. Talking of which I must away and get some of said planning done.

An ideal education?

Slow Education

Came across this today by way of the Guardian (a UK newspaper). In essence it compares today’s education to fast food and how that isn’t the best way forward.  One way to fight commodification of education is slow education – best explained by the following video. 

These sort of changes don’t happen by accident. They are deliberate and carefully thought out. They involve a lot of planning and effort on behalf of administrators and teachers. But the effort is worth it. In my mind, this sort of education, if done well it is how elementary education should look. It develops students who are independent learners who enjoy learning. A life skill that is not only desirable, but in an ever changing world, necessary, if they are to grow up and lead full and rewarding lives.  If you would like to read more about the Slow Education movement then you can follow this link to their website. 

Life in the Yukon

Sourdough Rendezvous Festival 

There is an ice sculpture competition each year with people from around the world. This year there were people from China, Finland, Japan, Alaska, Yukon (no surprise there) as well as NAFTA. On Friday the sculptures weren't quite finished so it was nice to see the artists at work. This particular work in progress was the Alaskan contribution. 
There is an ice sculpture competition each year with people from around the world. This year there were people from China, Finland, Japan, Alaska, Yukon (no surprise there) as well as NAFTA. On Friday the sculptures weren’t quite finished so it was nice to see the artists at work. This particular work in progress was the Alaskan contribution. 

This week I thought it may be interesting for teachers thinking about teaching in the North to begin a look at what life is like in the Yukon. We’re in Whitehorse so it’s a little different from the communities but still I thought it worth sharing some of the things we get up to.

Turns out it’s not so cold up here. Not at the moment anyway, which is a good thing as this weekend is the Sourdough Rendezvous  Festival – pretty much a celebration of being a Yukoner. From axe throwing competitions to free dog sled rides; ice sculptures to plenty of live music it’s a fun weekend. We were out and about on Friday when the sun was shining which made for some great pics as our little guy rode the dog sleds. 

Our little guy rode with another across the frozen Yukon River. Ride was about 5 minutes but it was long enough for them to really enjoy themselves. The rides were provided by Muktuk Adventures who, amongst other things, are and an adventure company. So a big thanks to all their dogs and volunteers. 
Our little guy rode with another across the frozen Yukon River. Ride was about 5 minutes but it was long enough for them to really enjoy themselves. The rides were provided by Muktuk Adventures who, amongst other things, are and an adventure company. So a big thanks to all their dogs and volunteers. 

Positivity – A nice thought.

Apparently it is true that optimists live longer and are generally happier than pessimists. I'm working on being one of the former.
Apparently it is true that optimists live longer and are generally happier than pessimists. I’m working on being one of the former.

When an article starts with, “The world’s top performing organizations achieve their goals by offering a rich blend of culture, work, and engagement that deeply enrols employees in the mission and purpose of the organization, attracts highly motivated, committed individuals to join a rewarding social network, and infuses the journey to success with joy and passion. That results in innovation, creativity, and a personal desire to contribute to systematic improvement. Overall, employees become part of a ‘story’ that enrols them in a cause and brings out their best talents.” I’m going to be interested, especially when it’s about teachers and the narrative that is being told about us. 

 

The short version of the article by Thom Markham, is that we, as teachers, should take ownership of own story. For too long our narrative has been dictated by politicians with an agenda that has more to do with winning elections than education, so instinctively I like this. I certainly don’t agree with everything he says but there is much which rings true. Of course I doubt that Mr Markham works day in day in a classroom so he has time to ponder such things.

It’s easy to get despondent about education especially reading the news, journals and blogs. But I see a lot that is good in the schools I work in, albeit from a substitute teachers view. Teachers have little time for ringing their own bells. Even if they did  the sound of the ringing would be drowned out by politicians and newspapers declaring the end is neigh. 

So it was a refreshing change to come across this article. You can read the whole piece here.