Well, my head is certainly full! I spent the day with a large group of teachers listening to Debbie Miller yesterday. If you don't already know, Debbie is my professional guru. I am always so inspired when I read her words or hear her speak. Yesterday was no exception.
I had heard her speak last year and yesterday was very similar, but like a good book, I learn something new each time, even if the context is repeated. Listening to her speak was a grounding experience. I have been caught up in this whole "failing school" stuff so much lately, that I have strayed from my core beliefs. Admin. told us we had to meet with our below level groups every day. That sounds reasonable, until you realize that that pretty much takes away the opportunity to conference one-to-one with the readers in my class. I used to meet with groups 3 days a week and conference with readers 2 days a week. I saw great growth in my readers. I feel like that one-to-one time was invaluable.
I feel so confused about things this year. I was told last year I did a good job bringing kids where they need to be in reading. This year my whole grade level was told that if we had students below grade level in January then we were doing something wrong.
I somehow need to clarify the goal for the kids in my classroom in my own mind. I need to return to the Reading Recovery philosophy of building on strengths rather that focusing on weaknesses. This has been a dark winter, but I think I see Spring breaking through!
On a really happy note, I get to see Debbie Miller in action today. I will be part of a small group that watches her teach a group of kids! I had actually begged for her to come to my classroom, but a teacher in Warsaw and one in Fort Wayne (yes, Sarah that's you) were chosen instead. I will contain my jealousy and enjoy this opportunity.
I will keep you updated on how today went!
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I hoped you learned a lot from Debbie wherever she was. She is so challenging isn't she? I am thankful to know that she like handing out challenges but also likes to take them on herself.
I think what I have learned in this topsy turvy world of assessment driven education is that I need to be grounded in my beliefs, and that I need to accomodate my superiors, but that they need to somehow align with my practices. Sometimes that takes a little manipulation of what they are asking me to do. It also takes some research. All in all though, they are not the people who spend 6 hours a day with these blessings. We are the lucky ones!
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