Reimaging Schools

My father passed away on May 26th of last year.....and here we are....almost a year to the day later.....nobody could have predicted the world as it is today a year ago. We are experiencing a once-in-a-100 year pandemic that has impacted nearly every aspect of our day to day life.

The traditional dine-in Friday fish fry's I enjoyed growing up are now take-out only or being served perhaps by a food truck. Trips to the cinema to enjoy the latest blockbuster release have been replaced by binge watching "Tiger King" or enjoying the last five Sunday's of "The Last Dance" on ESPN. 

The world around us is changing. We have adjusted and adapted personally and professionally. As Axl Rose once sang, “Where do we go now?” 

Education changed in Mid-March. Teachers across the country successfully transitioned to remote learning with the grace of Barry Sanders, cutting on a dime within days to support students. I commend every educator in the country for the work they have done to support kids, families, communities and each other during this pandemic. I read recently of Indiana's Department of Education declaring every teacher in the state with it's Teacher of The Year Award. I hope other state DOE's and local school districts follow this lead. To quote Adam Welcome "  Teachers Deserve It".  

Districts across the country are now tasked with re-entry planning for the Fall. In conversation I've had with friends and colleagues about re-entry planning I have asked - are we planning for the future or are we trying to go back to school as it was February 2020? If your goal is to return to school as it was in February 2020, please explain to me why. 

The world was changing rapidly before "coronavirus" or "Covid-19" became part of our vocabulary. This is especially true as it relates to technology. The Digital Revolution which began in the mid-20th century and ran through roughly the turn of the century moved files from cabinets to databases and music from 8-tracks, vinyl, cassette, and cds to portable, digital music accessible anywhere. Both innovations improved our quality of life. Looking back at 1987, I am glad that in 2020 I don't have to carry around a heavy, oversized boombox to listen to LL Cool J.

Let's look at 3 innovations you may have used in the last week: 

• The most popular media platform creates 0 content (Facebook) 
• The largest taxi company doesn't own a taxi (Uber)
• The largest movie house doesn't own a cinema (Netflix)

Just take those 3 innovations and think about their usage and impact. 10 years ago if I told you people routinely get in the car to get rides from strangers you would have called me insane. Yet, here we are. Advances in technology are disrupting every industry and are growing exponentially. Prior to COVID-19 there were schools "transforming learning" and moving to provide a student experience that prepares students for the types of jobs that will exist in the future global workforce. People like John Spencer, AJ Juliani, Eric Sheninger, Thomas Murray.......they've been talking about intentionally designing schools to transform the student learning experience for the past few years. 

As AJ said, "our job is not to prepare students for something. Our job is to help students prepare themselves for anything." The shackles of something aka "teaching to the test" are gone, hopefully forever.

Now is the time to provide this generation of students, regardless of their zip code with greater opportunities than have been afforded them in the past. We are obligated as educators to prepare students for THEIR future, not our past. We shouldn't blend our personal views and desires with the professional needs of an organization and the people it serves. That unequivocally serves no one.

The world us adults grew up in, that I've intentionally dropped nostalgia references to, DOESN'T EXIST ANYMORE. That world is long gone. We must create and lead schools that are relevant for the world our students currently reside in - and - the one they are moving into in the future.

Opportunity exists to return in the fall and provide:

• Personal learning experiences for ALL students
• Professional learning that is ongoing, engaging, relevant, and personal (here are some topics to consider: (asynchronous/syronchous treating strategies for accelerating learning, authentic assessment for rigorous and relevant remote learning, managing trauma through increasing connections - SEL is going to be vital once we return to buildings) 
• Using technology to accelerate learning (we must move beyond how to access technology tools and usage 101 to using the tools for deeper learning) 

There are numerous education leaders providing FREE professional learning right now. ICLE, George Couros, AJ Juliani, and Ross Cooper to name a few. Tap into these offerings. Learn from people who have led for the blended learning work we are now all doing. You don't have to go about it alone, nor should you. If you haven't read Weston Kieschnick's "Bold School" that's another great resource, as is Weston. "Bold School" shows that there is no need for the "old" vs. "new" ideological debate. We should not throw either by the wayside. Being resistant to digital leadership because of the quick transition to remote learning due to COVID-19 is unwise. Personal and authentic learning experiences are here to stay. Student-centered learning that builds on strengths and interests is not a fad. And, technology will continue to play a role in our schools. Education is not going to be the same. We should take the time to reflect on the last few months of remote learning and come together as stakeholders and plan/design schools that work better for all kids. 

THIS is the time to reimagine our schools. This moment, right here, right now (van halen reference) is ripe for innovation! Gone are evaluations, standardized assessments and "teaching to the test". The opportunity to transform education to better serve ALL children is here. Will we seize the moment or will we cling to ideals, long for yesterday, choose comfort, and limit the possibilities of what can be achieved? 

I started this post mentioning the passing of my father. He was a volunteer fire fighter. As a firefighter, when the bell rings, you answer the call. Will we answer the call? Will kids continue to wait for the schools they need and deserve? It's our responsibility to make it happen. "This is how we've always done things" isn't going to fly in the COVID-19 world. Simply put, the status quo has to go. If we are being honest with one another, this was true pre a global pandemic. 

Ultimately, like everything, it comes down to choices. 

What choice will you make?

The choice is yours (old school hip hop reference).........

If you watched “The Last Dance” you know the documentary closed with the Pearl Jam song “Present Tense”. I want to close this post with the song and it’s lyrics. After listening to the song or reading the words - reflect on how it applies to your life both personally and professionally.

Lyrics

Do you see the way that tree bends? Does it inspire?
Leaning out to catch the sun's rays...a lesson to be applied...
Are you gettin' something out of this all encompassing trip?
You can spend your time alone redigesting past regrets oh...
Or you can come to terms and realize
You're the only one who can forgive yourself oh yeah...
Makes much more sense to live in the present tense...
Have you ideas on how this life ends?
Checked your hands and studied the lines?
Have you the belief that the road ahead ascends off into the light?
Seems that needlessly it's gettin' harder
To find an approach and a way to live...
Are we gettin' something out of this all-encompassing trip?
You can spend your time alone redigesting past regrets, oh...
Or you can come to terms and realize...
You're the only one who cannot forgive yourself, oh...
A-makes much more sense to live in the present tense.

CJ