Your weekly source of learner-centered inspiration
Dear Educator,
I was so grateful to get into classrooms and facilitate learning walks last week! As I worked with school and district leaders in Kentucky, many shared that although they were overwhelmed with the urgent tasks associated with the recent surge (and there is so much that is urgent), they were grateful to get into classrooms and observe practices to better understand what was happening across the district. The opportunity to see students engaged in their learning was encouraging and also provided opportunities to learn from and celebrate their colleagues.
In our debrief, the highlight for me was the common sentiment that, “3 years ago the Profile of Success was a poster on the wall. Today, it drives what we do, and there is evidence of that in each and every classroom.” This week's Bright Spot focuses on how one school uses observation and feedback to grow in the classroom.
With Gratitude, Katie
I'd love to hear from you! Reply to this email to share your Bright Spot this week!
BRIGHT SPOT OF THE WEEK
"I Would Love Feedback"
With so much going on, it might feel as if there is no time to set up an observation of a colleague or ask for feedback on your lesson. However, consider how much time you could save by learning something new or picking up some tips on how to organize your day and specific lessons.
At Chandler’s Elementary School, teachers identify what they would like feedback on, and the QR code sends feedback directly to them. Administrators, peers, students, and other visitors can pop in and provide feedback based on the teacher’s goals while also learning so much by seeing others teach.
Evolving in our teaching and learning practices can be hard, and we can’t expect to do it all on our own. It is imperative that we learn with and from others.
Interested in exploring how methods of feedback can help you improve in your learning journey? Let's connect!
Below are some resources and opportunities to support shifts toward creating more authentic learning experiences for all learners.
1. Celebrate and share each step of the journey. The act of creating a shared vision for graduates serves as a starting point to define a learner-centered system. In this article, Rebecca Midles from Getting Smart and I share steps you can take to make your vision for graduates a reality.
2. Creating better learning experiences. To open classroom doors, here are five practices that can facilitate the sharing of new and better practices to meet the needs of learners in our classrooms today.
3. Fireside chats with learner-centered leaders. Join us alongside Digital Promise on Feb 4, at 10 am PT / 1 pm ET for an insightful conversation with Superintendents from Menlo Park City School District, Highline Public Schools, Lindsay Unified School District, and Middletown Public Schools as they share how they're leading districts towards a learner-centered future. Register for the virtual session here.
LET'S SHARE OUR BRIGHT SPOTS!
How are you growing in your specific learning context? Use #LCBrightSpots to share your experiences on social media!
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Learner-Centered Collaborative, 49 Stevenson Street, San Francisco, CA 94105
