Monday Musings

from The Kravis Center 

 
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April 8, 2019

 

The discovery last weekend brought tears to my eyes. Bruce Springsteen, Luther Vandross, Cat Stevens, Queen, Pink Floyd, Marvin Gaye, The Kinks, The Rolling Stones, CSN, Jackson Brown, Genesis, The Cars, REM, Earth, Wind and Fire, to name a few. And then the "mixtapes". With every plastic drawer opened, the memories flooded in: car trips, parties, romantic dinners, friends. And then, buried deep in the back, the discovery of the 24" by 48" speaker, the envy of all, that blasted music out the windows and onto the fields.


As some of you may know, Jon and I are moving to Fairfield this summer. Perhaps because of this move, the first in 20 years, contemplating change has become a part of each and every day as we decide what stays and what gets donated or tossed. But how does one possibly toss what was so intimately entwined in our lives for so many years?


This is precisely the thought that I had when I came across these tapes; and perhaps the thought that we've all been having as we consider changes, whether big or small, to our pedagogy. In the same way that I might keep some old assignments or graded papers, I am going to keep these tapes, simply because I can not bear to part with them - they were tied to my identity - even though I know that I will never listen to them again.


Change is good - transition is hard.


I can't speak for any other decade, but for those of you who grew up in the 80s, I am sure you have plenty of mixed tapes lying around; perhaps you, like my husband, can't part with the oversize speakers, even though we know perfectly well that they are obsolete. We are capable of getting so much more out of the innovative little Bose speaker in the kitchen. Perhaps that is where I am with my teaching. My music wasn't wrong - my teaching wasn't wrong. But there are more innovative, effective, ways to deliver that music. I can't rationalize playing my mixtapes given the advances over the past twenty years.


Although I am challenged by the emotional connection that I have to my cassettes, (to the 12 hour road trips measured by the number of tapes played), I know that I can't go back. This realization is similar to what we now know about the brain, the neuroscience of learning, about education innovation, and about what is awaiting our students when they graduate. After 20 years in a wonderful home, I am embracing not only the change, but the transition. I am not ready to give up the tapes (but the speakers are for sale!) and the memories; however, I am ready to embrace the unknown, the next step, understanding that it is in my family's, and my students', best interest.

 

-Sara on behalf of the Kravis Center 

 


Teachers as Change Agents 


The Challenge of Change


Leading Change from the Classroom: Teachers as Leaders, by Victoria Boyd-Dimock and Kathleen M. McGree


And, I continue to refer colleagues to this learning resource from Vanderbilt University.


An in-depth article about the new academic schedule that St. Andrews adopted. You will notice a lot of similarities between not only the two schedules, but the reasoning behind the change. This article is written by Glenn Whitman, the Director of The Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning (CTTL). Read more about the conference they offer from from July 21 - 25.

Ways to build interdisciplinary classrooms

Colleague Submissions


Is NYTimes correct that college students don't read books?, submitted by Sue Chrzanowski


The Cult of Homework submitted by Meg Stoecklin


Becoming a Warm Demander, submitted by Scott MacClintic

Professional Growth Opportunities


If you are looking for more ideas, please remember that the Loomis Chaffee PD doc has many exciting opportunities to offer. If interested, talk with your Assistant Department Head or anyone in the Kravis Center.

 

Take a deep dive into the neuroscience of learning with the authors of Neuroteach, Glenn Whitman and Ian Kelleher. Read more about the Science of Teaching and Leadership Academy at The Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning (CTTL) from July 21 - 25. Sara Deveaux attended last summer and would be happy to chat with anyone interested. Rachel Nisselson and Lena Sadowitz are signed up for July, 2019. 1-2 more spaces available.

 

Interested in learning more about project and problem-based learning? Read about an online opportunity from Amy Baeder. Read more about the Buck institute which is considered the gold standard in PBL training.


July 29-31 (College Park, MD): An entire conference dedicated to formative assessments. Formative Assessment Conference with Dylan Wiliam, Tom Guskey, Susan Brookhart and Jay McTighe (Understanding by Design). What an array of experts! Become the LC expert!


CAIS Conferences: The Connecticut Association of Independent Schools is offering a number of conferences in April and over the summer



 

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion PD opportunities

 

NAIS Inclusive School Network Institute in Potomac, MD on June 17-18.


Summer Gender Institute at Andover on July 28 - August 3.  


The Race Institute for K-12 Educators at the Agnes Irwin School in Philadelphia on July 30 - August 1.


Power, Practice, Privilege: Unpacking Our White Selves at Georgetown Day School HS on June 18-21.

 

 

Kravis Center portal page

 

Please fill out this form for suggestions for Thursday morning PD opps.

 

 

Professional Development Opportunities
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