writing in the open spaces

About a year ago, I pasted a quote into Evernote by Chris Lehmann (probably from Educon 2011):

If we want our students to grow, we must do that ourselves. This weekend we believe differently. All of us have a stake in the game. Solutions must include us (and our students). We cannot solve problems by doing things TO students.

This morning, as I bumped into the quote again, I was reminded of a teacher I met this past weekend. We were discussing change and what kind of “change agents” we want to be. He paused, turned his head slightly, eyes widening: “I just realized,” he said. “I ask my students to take risks all the time….and yet I don’t put myself out there at all.”

He was referring to sharing and working online, being willing to reach out to others to learn and grow. He’d been satisfied, thus far, to be the director who told his students what to do without doing the work himself. He looked as if he had walked into a strange, new place with no idea how he had arrived.

I smiled. I’ve seen that look before. And it can be both scary and exciting.

During our session, this teacher had shared some amazing insights, and I was eager to find his space place online to learn more.

“I don’t have a space online,” he’d said. “But I guess that needs to change.”

We must model the kind of learning we want from our students. And we must also be willing to learn from them as they explore their interests and passions.

First, we must believe in the change. And then we live the belief.

This seems pretty simple, doesn’t it?

 

I was reminded this weekend how powerful having a passion can be.

The Marine Corps marathon runners ran right by my house Sunday morning. I love the event as I get to watch friends, neighbors, and inspirational runners give it all they’ve got during this 13.1 mile challenge. We are at the top of a hill, and it is one of several, so the race is no easy feat.

I don’t know if you can see in this photo, but take a close look.

The hand cyclist was struggling to make it to the top of the hill, and several runners stopped to cheer him on and applaud. I wish you could have heard the loud yelling of encouragement as he pushed himself.
I watched a woman run on two artificial legs, an elderly man taking one small step at a time, and one of our hometown runners who started in last place, determined to raise money for every person he passed. He thinks it was 5,600 and he finished in 28th place!

Later that day, we drove to Arena State where we saw Ruined, an emotional play about a woman who  ”both protects and profits from the women whose bodies have become battlegrounds ‘ruined’ by the brutality of government soldiers and rebel forces alike.”

The acting was superb, and although the stage sits surrounded by audience members, I was transported to the Congo. Jenny Jules, who played Mama, was amazing. Her passion for her craft brought the play to life, and I was engrossed until the end when I finally breathed.

To watch people who care so much for what they do was both moving and inspirational. We owe our students the chance to discover whatever it is that makes them feel life is worthwhile and good.