Embracing Change - and Understanding the Power of Words

As we begin this year, I feel it is important to weed and till the garden before planting seeds.

There are many mentors that have shaped my pedagogy and methodology over the last sixteen years of teaching. As I enter year seventeen at my fifth school, and first at a single-sex school, I am rethinking my craft yet again.


At my alma mater, Phillips Academy Andover, I was shaped by two school mottos: Non Sibi - "not for self" and Finis Origine Pendet - "The end depends upon the beginning."

So I teach, and I meditate on the importance of beginnings.

In 2014, my dad passed away from cancer, and I think of him often and one of his mottos:

Read: Austin Kleon's blog post.

John Seely Brown reminds me of my dad in a way.






Notes - and keywords (there are many points to unpack):

Embracing Change

Tested/measured

Guild - Community of Learners - "learning how to join"

In an internet/youtube age - takes less than 48 hours to go global (viral)
        Understand how the internet amplifies information

In an internet age - many skills have a short shelf life.
         Learn how to learn - echoes Joi Ito.

Consider trajectories over endpoints
           - constant and never-ending improvement (Japanese concept of Kaizen)

Tinkering Disposition - as a skill that melds thoughts with actions
         Poetry - finding the perfect phrase
         Engineering - hands-on experiential learning



JSP: "Power of play"

Which leads me to the gamification of vocabulary...and vocab.com (trade dopamine addictions - words for likes).

OPTIONAL but recommend REVIEWING the following vocabulary lists.

• Declaration of Independence: A Transcription - Vocabulary List 
• The Constitution of the United States: A Transcription - Vocabulary List 
• Alexander Hamilton: The Federalist No. 9, [21 November 1787] - Vocabulary List
• James Madison: The Federalist Number 10, [22 November] 1787 - Vocabulary List

In the future, we must embrace new metaphors for teaching and learning; see Joi Ito.

And why we need to READ MORE.

And why we need to give students choices in what they read. 

Yet we must be mindful of how we connect (and disconnect) from technology - a powerful tool - full of possibilities and peril. "Attention Must Be Paid"

Because we must understand what really motivates us: Autonomy Mastery Purpose.

And we must understand how our brain works and wires - what fires together, wires together.

We need to "flip the script" as Shawn Achor suggests.