Therefore while it's true that there is more knowledge than we can capture, the reality is that we have to develop strong foundations for the knowledge areas we're responsible for. Otherwise we will not be able to teach those knowledge points with strength.
As school systems take on new structures of greater transparency, communication, and support, educators gain the time and autonomy to move towards mastery in subject matter and pedagogy. The change from the past here is that rather than simply learning a curriculum in a one-size-fits-all professional development session, the vast resources available now allow a teacher to readily gain a deeper knowledge foundation with a personalized learning path. Creating and traveling personalized learning paths allow educators to develop knowledge foundations that are far more extensive and rich than the past practice of simply reading and following a curriculum outline.
Where does that take me as an educator?
This path takes me away from desiring to remake systems as new systems support the work I need to do to teach children well. New systems provide greater time, vision, broad direction, role definition, and regular communication--the kind of effort that builds team and inspires good work. Leaders who embrace a servant leadership model provide the coaching, mentoring, and freedom for educators to move towards effective practice and service that empowers, engages, and educates students well. Streamlined efforts essentially rid systems of outdated, no longer useful paperwork, procedures, and products thus clearing a path for better work and service to children and their families.
This path also moves me towards the rich resources available to inform and deepen my teaching efforts, resources including the following, most of which are free of charge:
- State education courses.
- edcamps.
- Online curriculum frameworks such as the Next Generation Science Standards.
- Local tech-ed events bringing the private and public sectors together to learn about new tools.
- The wealth of online resources related to specific subject areas, and representing many wonderful organizations such as PBS, Smithsonian Education, National Geographic, Discovery Learning, Google+ Communities, YouTube, and more.
- A ready global Professional Learning Network via Google+, Twitter, blogs, and other online venues.
- Museums, zoos, nature preserves, historic sites, plays, theater, and other educational venues that can be accessed in real time or online.
- Courses from higher education institutions either online or offline.
The issue is no longer access, but time, and with this in mind it is essential that educators carve out time for this knowledge building effort. Time that can be almost anytime of day due to the wonderful tech tools available.
Knowledge alone won't suffice since effective pedagogy is imperative too. How do we inspire, mentor, and coach young learners towards dynamic learning? What processes, tools, and routines do we put into place to encourage children to learn with confidence, vision, and effective effort? How do we build strong, meaningful professional relationships with children, the kind of relationships that create safe, productive, caring learning environments?
This is where research is important, and collaboration is even more important. We can help each other reach this goal with worthy, targeted professional conversation and effort. Together we can problem solve, support, coach, and mentor one another as we face the most challenging educational issues, issues such as a child who is not making progress, demonstrates low self esteem, and/or presents challenging student behavioral issues. Together we can share best practice and design learning for best effect. With appropriately sized teams, we can reach for collective success and impact with structures such as Professional Learning Communities (PLC), Response to Intervention (RTI), classroom share, team teaching, and more.
Overall a sense of team with timely, shared vision and goals will set the stage for dynamic, positive, collaborative learning environments while personalized learning paths will lead each educator toward a strong knowledge foundation to support effective teaching.
Children thrive in learning environments where educators' knowledge foundation is broad and deep, pedagogy is effective, and students hold center stage. Educators' individual learning and collective efforts lead schools in that direction.
