I was so excited when my copy of Good to Great Teaching by Dr. Mary Howard arrived just before March Break. Perfect timing! I have been a fan of Mary and her wonderful social media presence since I found her on Twitter a few months ago. Her posts are grounded in research and experience. She always speaks from the heart...
This book is wonderfully no exception!
So, I was happily reading along (Richard Allington wrote the flipping foreword! ACK) and I was stopped in my tracks.
“We do this by choosing to allow only relevant, meaningful experiences into our day. We do this by choosing learning experiences that have the greatest outcome. And we do this by choosing to make personal professional learning a priority – even if we have to initiate these opportunities on our own. These are the responsible choices excellent teachers make every day – choices that reflect the very essence of this book.”
The reason that made me stop in my tracks?
In my job as a Literacy Coach and as a Professional Learning Chair for my cluster of schools, I am constantly thinking and reflecting on adult learning. The good, the bad and the ugly.
I know teachers do the best they can. every. single. day.
I also know that teachers should be reading and reflecting to ensure their teaching is moving from good to great! No excuses!
So here are the things I do and recommend to teachers to stay current:
-Get on Twitter and Facebook and find a PLN (Professional Learning Network).
-Read excellent professional books by passionate educators.
-Go on EBSCO and read the current research.
-Plan with colleagues. (Collective Teacher Efficacy)
-Request to have a lead/coach come and co-plan/co-teach with you.
-attend after school learning opportunities.
-apply for grants to attend conferences.
-Read, read, read
These are the choices every educator should be making.
No excuses!
Thank you Mary!
