Your weekly source of learner-centered inspiration
The month of May marks one year of Bright Spots! I am so grateful to all who have been reading and responding each week, and I want to extend a warm welcome to those who are new to our weekly celebration of learner-centered practices.
To celebrate 1 year of Bright Spots, I hope you’ll join me for a live Q&A session spotlighting Bright Spots from the field on Monday, May 9 at 3 pm PT.
Although teachers should be honored all the time for what they do, this week provides a special opportunity to celebrate teachers near and far! We know that teachers have been stretched this year and have been working harder than ever. With that in mind, I want to share my gratitude for teachers and the impact that they have on learners every single day.
For this week’s Bright Spot, I want to share my appreciation for a teacher, Ms. Hassey, who has made a tremendous impact on my son, Zack, and our family as a whole.
With Gratitude, Katie
I'd love to hear from you! Reply to this email and tell me about a teacher who has impacted you.
BRIGHT SPOT OF THE WEEK
A Teacher's Impact
I will never forget Zack coming home from school and asking, “Mom, did you know I’m smart?” I said, “Of course I do Buddy, but what made you realize it?” He explained, “Ms. Hassey gave us a really hard math problem and we all used our own strategies to figure it out. She picked mine to share with the class!”
Ms. Hassey used a simple and powerful strategy that began to shift his mindset. This validation and encouragement that he had value and could solve problems in ways that made sense to him instead of just completing the worksheet was one of many breakthroughs that he experienced as a result of a caring educator who intentionally created a learner-centered environment.
Zack's teacher focused on developing knowledge, skills, and mindsets of learners, and by doing so, created an equitable learning community that prioritized personalization, learner agency, authentic work, and competency-based assessment.
I am incredibly grateful for the teachers who have helped both of my kids love school, feel more confident, and develop the skills and mindsets that we believe
are critical.
The impact of a teacher who sees their students as individuals, who takes the time to get to know them and cultivates their creativity and curiosity while developing academic skills is invaluable. I hope that you’ll take time this week to celebrate the teachers who have made an impact in your life, and if you are a teacher, know you have made a difference!
Interested in brainstorming actionable ways to support teachers in your school or district? Let's connect!
Below are some resources to celebrate all that teachers do in support of learners reaching their potential.
1. Because of a Teacher. I was honored to contribute to this amazing book by George Couros! Dive into the personal stories of 15 educators as they reflect on their early years teaching, offering advice and strategies suited to first-year teachers and longtime educators alike.
2. Show your support for teachers. From thank-you cards and creative drawings to goodies and classroom decorations, Waterford.org has compiled this list of 50 ways you can celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week this year.
3. Free chapter download.In the first chapter of my book, Evolving Education, I highlight the impact a teacher has on cultivating students' creativity, curiosity, confidence, and agency in their learning journey. Read now.
LET'S SHARE OUR BRIGHT SPOTS!
What is the most rewarding part of being a teacher?
Use #LCBrightSpots to share your experiences on social media!
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Learner-Centered Collaborative, 49 Stevenson Street, San Francisco, CA 94105
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