Blog Archives
Lunch & Tweet with the Commissioner
Join us for a “Lunch & Tweet” with Minnesota’s Commissioner of Education, Dr. Brenda Cassellius, on April 20th at 12:30pm CST.
Feel free to invite a colleague or fellow educator to participate. The questions we’ll be discussing are listed below. This is a great opportunity to dialogue with other educators who are committed to the success of Minnesota students.
Q1. What is working for Minnesota students? Share something great happening in your school. #MESPAmn
Q2. How are you helping all students and families connect and “belong” in your school? #MESPAmn
Q3. What is one thing you are learning, or hope to learn, to improve your leadership? #MESPAmn
Q4. What are some strategies your school is using to promote equity and close the achievement gap? #MESPAmn
Q5. Where do you see the greatest need in PreK education? #MESPAmn
Q6. Let’s talk pedagogy and innovation. How are you preparing students for their future? #MESPAmn
The Pedagogy of Skydiving
Click Image to View Video
I often hear people talk about the drastic changes needed in education to prepare students for their future. However, I tend to believe that the right people to do the job are already in our schools. To respond to the needs of the 21st century student we need subtle shifts in thinking and pedagogy. These subtle shifts will lead to transformational results.
Just. Like. Skydiving.
I had the opportunity to go indoor skydiving with a couple friends in Chicago recently. Our experience in the immense wind-tunnel was a pure adrenaline rush. Although the skydiving took place indoors the speed and force of the air blasting upwards was very real.
Indoor skydiving wind-tunnels are capable of blasting air that reaches speeds of 175+ mph. I found the mechanics of this high octane sport fascinating. The air speeds are so intense that super slight adjustments to body position can lead to jolting movements.
When I was in the standard neutral belly position (chin up and arms out) a subtle adjustment of my hands could have propelled me into a 360 degree rotation. This subtle shift in my wrists would have been indiscernible to the casual onlooker, but it could have had me resembling a human helicopter blade!
Understanding the impact of subtle shifts is critical in skydiving; it’s critical in education too.
The proper subtle shifts can lead to a transformative experience. Be sure to watch the two minute video of our indoor skydiving adventure that’s embedded above. (The end of the video contains raw footage of our highly trained instructors applying the principle of ‘subtle shifts’ that led to a jaw-dropping aerial acrobatic show.)
What subtle shifts do YOU think our students deserve?
Share your thoughts in the comments section. I started with a few subtle shifts in thinking that will serve our students well:
- How can I enhance the frequency and depth of collaboration in my classroom or school?
- In what ways can I give up more control so that students truly own their learning?
- How might we tap into the transformational power of technology to move beyond the prevailing belief that an interactive whiteboard is the pinnacle of technology integration.
- Am I teaching a lesson or facilitating a lasting learning experience for students?
3 Questions I Hope my Children’s Teachers are Asking
I often reflect upon how to empower students to learn at a high level while navigating the digitally-connected landscape we find ourselves in. I ask questions and strive to serve our students better today than I did yesterday.
In addition to being a principal I’m also dad to three pretty spectacular kids. My wife and I pray our children grow up to be loving people with humble hearts and curious minds. We also understand that their world is different than ours was, so we think about other important things too. My hope is that my children’s teachers are reflecting on some of the same questions I ask myself.
3 Questions I Hope my Children’s Teachers Are Asking
- How might I model digital leadership for my students?
- How might I help my students express their ideas in powerfully creative and appropriate ways using social media?
- How might I leverage the transformative power of technology to fuel collaborative conversations between students about their learning?
For the past couple years I’ve collaborated with Tony Sinanis and John Fritzky (principals in New York and New Jersey) to create cross-state collaborative podcasts. The podcasts feature our students sharing their favorite books, vision for education, and other creative endeavors led by kids.
This year we are adding an interactive Twitter-based chat to the collaboration. We’d like to invite you to join us as we strive to model how to leverage technology as a tool to connect, inspire, and amplify student voice.
The four chat dates for the 2015-2016 school year are below, and we’re planning to share out a student-created podcast prior to each chat. Please join us and include your classroom or school in the conversation. We’ll be using the hashtag #StuConnect on Twitter starting at 9:30am CST on the dates below.
#StuConnect Chat Dates
October 8, 2015
December 1, 2015
January 15, 2016
March 10, 2016
Adjusting Course 