Why do I do what I do?

This post is inspired by the following video by Simon Sinek.

It got me thinking about my vision in teaching. Why do I do? What drives me to go to work everyday?? What is my vision of teaching????

Let's run through them, should we?

I believe that my students need to be creative and innovative. Therefore my students need to create and innovate.

My students need to be able to pull knowledge (off the Internet) and construct their own knowledge, be critical and be aware.

My students need to be problem solvers.

I am only a guide. Often, in learning, I am not always necessary. I am merely providing the structure.

I am responsible for creating 21st century students, ready for a 21st century world.

I am a teacher.

Constantly exploring the WHYs continually challenges me to teach in a more effective way. I now need to listen more to myself when I am asking these WHYs!!

M.

Investing in Creativity and Innovation

I'm supposed to be writing curriculum resources at this moment. I've been blessed with the opportunity to join a committee writing lessons for teachers, focusing on equity and diversity in the classroom. No small feat.

I find it is a rabbit hole of sorts - the more I read, the more I get inspired, the deeper and further I go - viral learning at its best. I've gone off on many tangents, been distracted (Hey! I can get Facebook at the board office!), been inspired. It is teaching me again and again that I need to teach my students the ability to manage information. Teach them to navigate the incredible amount of information, mis-information, distraction, filler - teach them to create and be innovative amid all that chaos.

Which makes be thankful that my board is investing in me. I've been given the precious gift of time to create and be innovative. Now, there may be no such thing and anything new - but I am able to spend time climbing up on the shoulders of giants to see further than I have ever seen before.  Amid my caffeine fuelled wandering I am able to pluck, shine and present a couple of really good gems. Plus the time to network ain't bad either!

So here again is the power of time, collaboration, access to information... take your pick. It all works in order to be creative and innovative!

M.