Your weekly source of learner-centered inspiration
Dear Educator,
This week we celebrated our 2 year anniversary as the Learner-Centered Collaborative! I am so grateful to work with a team of the most thoughtful, dedicated, and skilled change management leaders from a variety of contexts and backgrounds. I am also in awe of our amazing partners who we get the opportunity to learn and work closely with.
I love opportunities to learn, connect, and celebrate and this week my Bright Spot is a mixture of all three.
With Gratitude,
We want to hear from you! Share your Learner-Centered Bright Spot with us here.
BRIGHT SPOT OF THE WEEK
Prioritizing Play
As a remote organization that works with systems across the United States we prioritize getting together in person twice a year. Last week, our Learner-Centered Collaborative team came together to connect and align. Although we only had two days together and a lot that we wanted to accomplish, we knew that it was important to prioritize play. As a result, we not only had fun but we deepened our relationships and expertise. Some of the most memorable moments were playing Pictionary, doing a photo scavenger hunt, and impromptu karaoke around the fire pit.
Our team at our most recent retreat where we played, deepened relationships, and progressed toward our organizational goals.
Here are 3 lessons learned from prioritizing play:
Play is fun: I know this statement sounds redundant but as busy adults on a mission to go somewhere or do something, this simple truth can easily get lost in all the other “stuff”. Spending time playing allows me (or maybe forces, if I am being honest) to let go of the never ending to-do list and be present in the moment.
Play builds connections between people and ideas: In each of the different events, we spent a good bit of time “playing” but got so much more in return. As I reflect on the connections made through the various experiences, it was clear the opportunity to play and have unstructured fun was extremely productive. We created new knowledge and connections that generated new ideas. From our shared experiences, I had opportunities to develop new bonds–we problem-solved, we communicated, we laughed and connected.
Play paves the way for creativity and innovation: It seems every time I talk to someone there is a sense of too much to do and never enough time. There is a sense of urgency to get to work and make use of our time but after spending a significant amount of time playing I am reminded that sometimes you just need time and space to explore, tinker, and play.
As you plan for your back to school meetings, it is easy to jump back into the work but I hope that you will also create time to play—for you, your colleagues, and your learners.
Explore resources to help bring more play into your work and home life.
1. Play—it's important for adults too.This piece explores the benefits of play for adults—from physical to mental to stress-busting—and includes tips for incorporating play into your life.
3. Student-led high school. At One Stone teachers are 'coaches,' classes are 'workshops' and students get treated as adults in a school where traditional instruction gets turned on its head. See what the students have accomplished and invented this year.
LET'S SHARE OUR BRIGHT SPOTS!
When have you benefited from play? How did you play?
Share your #LCBrightSpots on social media!
Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Sign up here
Learner-Centered Collaborative, 49 Stevenson Street, San Francisco, CA 94105
