it is not simple--

“The main feature that characterizes complex systems is the dynamic interaction of various elements of the system over time such that the results of these interactions are not entirely predictable or proportional. A complex system, due to its dynamic and sometimes chaotic and random self-interaction, cannot be reduced to simple parts which relate to each other in very predictable ways.” Chaos Complexity and Language

These words from 3 years past--

The body of my soulmate -- fighting poison of cytoxan as it attempts to restore some balance to his system, to strengthen and repair some neural pathways so we can walk again together in the park, to halt or hinder the progression of MS -- his strong will and mind that rise and greet each day ready to deal with all challenges, to adapt to new refusals by his leg or foot to listen to his brain and move, to go beyond himself and always think of us. A complex system—

And now today as the cytoxan infusions continue--

The steps-- more measured, more hesitant, far slower, yet more determined

The balance-- more obtuse, unstable, unsteady

The walks-- shorter, taking longer, sending me on ahead and pushing himself to the limit

Our lives, our love, our bond-- far deeper, tighter, far more full of meaning despite the chaos of his immune system--

A complex system -- with some components far more than broken than others--

With a continued appreciation for the intricate, dynamic relationships and nuances in complex systems, there's so much I don't know but this I do --

it is not simple
determination and resolve mean everything
collaboration is priceless
appreciation, positivity yield far more than their opposites
celebration of small things is essential

I'm thinking that other complex systems are no different-- education for example. Our system is broken in so many ways. And often, to many, the the challenges are insurmountable. Yet I do know

it is not simple
determination and resolve mean everything
collaboration is priceless
positive, appreciate approaches yield far more than their opposites

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/67968452@N00/2668649059/

Father's Day

Miss you Daddy--

Breaking down walls, inviting in, and supporting

Dean began our last PLP Connected Coaches' Elluminate session with this video. It stuck with me. The joy, the wonderment, the uncertainty, the appreciation for something new, the really wanting to test something out is transparent with little ones.

People get bigger and I'm willing to bet that all of that is still there yet--- somewhere along the way for some reason, invisible walls were built to hide these feelings. Think middle school and high school students -- we label them "reluctant", "unmotivated", and "lazy". A few, (well likely many) conversations, some encouragement, a safe place to risk and share, and some strategies for "fall(ing) down thoughtfully and how to hop" back up", as Bud the Teacher so eloquently shares:

"If you’re going to do pretty much anything worth doing, you’d darn well better be prepared to fall flat on your face. There’s risk in the places worth working for. And it’s worthwhile to know how to fall, how to land in a way that will minimize the long term harm to yourself.

Just as important, you’ve got to fall with a thought for how you’re going to get back up.

I hope you’re thinking about how to help people fall down thoughtfully. I hope that someone taught you about how to take a fall, and how to hop back up, raring to go. Are you preparing the folks you know and work and learn with to go down hard in ways that’ll lead towards more chances to, well, take chances?

and there's a shift-- little bits at a time-- first maybe some wonderment, then perhaps some transparent uncertainty and sharing of testing new waters. It's there, I know it-- we need to dig deep enough to break down those invisible walls, to uncover it. We need to shift from disparaging conversations about students to those in which we share the strategies that will help us help them rediscover the joys, the wonderment that are so compelling in this video.

People become professionals; think educators who have adopted the persona of expert, who fear for their futures, who don't infuse technology into learning, who also build great invisible walls to protect what they view as vulnerability. We label them "reluctant", "out-dated" or worse. We adopt a us vs them mentality. A few, (well likely many) conversations, some encouragement, a safe place to risk and share, and some strategies for "fall(ing) down thoughtfully and how to hop" back up", and there's a shift-- little bits at a time-- first maybe some wonderment, then perhaps some transparent uncertainty and sharing of testing new waters. It's there, I know it-- we need to dig deep enough to break down those invisible walls, to uncover it. We need to shift from disaparaging conversations about failure to adopt and infuse technology into learning. We need to remember the uncertainty, the tentativeness of when we started (my first introduction to computers in a workshop in the early 80's-- they told me to key in a basic program and click run and the computer began counting to one million. I jumped back sure that I had broken it) and then we need to help them rediscover the joy, the wonderment in this video.

And as we are sharing strategies that work we need to step back and take time to consider as Paul R. Wood has done and ask ourselves:

"are we taking care to make sure that we are reaching out to those who are just starting to dip their toes in the water or maybe those who are eyeing the kool-aid stand but not sure they really want to buy the drink itself?

We talk about how students learn in different ways and at different times but are we taking the time to make sure those adults who have come to learn are getting the same attention?"

I'd take that one step farther -- are we taking the time to make sure that we are inviting in, providing safe spaces and strategies for "fall(ing) down thoughtfully and how to hop" back up" for those may not yet have come to learn, just as we do for our students?

Imagine the possibilities in our classrooms, imagine the possibilities in the professional learning of all educators-- Can we touch it?

Improving education in Ohio?

From THE Journal today:

"Effective teachers know and communicate subject matter and design curriculum, instruction, and multiple assessments. They know about diverse student populations, use data and technology effectively for all, communicate effectively with parents and other staff, conduct action research to improve their practice, and implement existing research containing significant findings. They are ethical and learner-centered in their approach setting high expectations and contributing to the academic, social, and emotional growth of their learners."

And then this from Cleveland:

"The teacher-recruitment group recently singled out by the governor and state legislature as a way to improve education in Ohio has started planning to put recruits in the state - possibly in the Cleveland schools - by the fall of 2012. ... Until this spring, Ohio law blocked Teach for America recruits from Ohio schools because they do not follow normal teacher training and certification programs. Gov. John Kasich and the state legislature waived the certification requirement specifically for Teach for America in April."

"TFA participants get "five weeks of intensive training .. before taking over a classroom". --source

So in Ohio we are improving education by placing teachers with 5 weeks of training and a 2 year commitment into classrooms; although I've no doubt TFA folks are temporarily passionate (read 2 year commitment) about serving the children and they are bright, it escapes me how they, with that training can be termed effective teachers. My guess is they'll become employed primarily by charters and our large urban districts. Our children there, born into circumstances beyond their control, deserve far better. I'm wondering, if your child was a student in a classroom whose teacher had 5 weeks training, how comfortable would you be?

Photo credit:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8107002@N03/3121815917/