Something's happening here--

Something's happening here--
And it's perfectly clear--
3 have something special over there
It's telling me I need to share--

I've been following the transparent journeys of 3 accomplished educators who generously share all they are learning as they and their students travel a path into PBL. It's been a joy to read their posts because clearly something very special is happening there.

And they each are so articulate, and thoughtful and honest-- so much to learn from them--

Shelley Wright, a high school teacher in Canada, blogs at Wrights Room where her reflections on learning and teaching are deep, and rich, and thoughtful -- full of joy and tears.

Marsha Ratzel, a middle school teacher in Kansas, blogs at Reflections of a Techie where her posts are filled with energy and enthusiasm, humility and humanity.

Kathy Cassidy, a primary teacher in Canada, blogs at Primary Preoccupation where her posts are filled with the amazing learning experiences in which her grade 1's are immersed and thriving

Shelley, and Marsha and Kathy are all about learning and learning more and sharing. They provide extraordinary windows onto their evolving pedagogical approaches.

And grand pieces of their journeys can also be found on the Voices from the Learning Revolution blog. Marsha's recent Teaching by Getting Out of the Way resonated with me as did Kathy's Global Learning: The Primary Way. And Shelley's Inquiry Learning: This Isn't Scary at All that ended with her wondering "what it will take to put us back on the path to real learning." called to me.

I'm convinced one of the things that "it will take to put us back on the path to real learning" is the authentic modeling and sharing found in the posts of these 3 extraordinary educators. Don't you think?

Occupy Education

Likely you've heard about or may even be following the "occupy" movements across the country. Did you know there is an "occupy education"?

From their website (http://occupyedu.tumblr.com/):

If you would occupy your statehouse to keep your job, pay, and benefits, please also consider occupying your classroom.

• Give your students at least a day a week to follow their passions.
• Get rid of your furniture. Help kids borrow, bring, or build their own.
• Get rid of your textbooks. Or redact them.
• Ask kids to make sense of the world as it happens across media and technologies.
• Build communities instead of reinforcing expectations.

It will be very scary, but not as scary as what others face. It will be very uncomfortable, but not as uncomfortable as remaining silent. It will cost us some, but without making some sacrifice we shouldn’t expect or ask our students to save us or our world.

We are inspired by the “We are the 99%” messages spreading across tumblr and social media sites.

We will collect stories about your classrooms, what you are fighting against and what are you doing to change it.

What do you want for your classroom and your students? What kind of education do you believe in?

Join us here and start transforming education! Reclaiming our Voice in Education!

So I'm wondering, what if you did just that? and what if you shared your stories there with other occupyed educators from around the country?

Really think on these questions; remember why we entered our profession-- to make a difference, to change the world--
What do you want for your classroom and your students? What kind of education do you believe in?