As a PYP-educator I aspire to carry out the learner profile in all that I do. I want to lead by example and demonstrate my love of learning.
Setting up a new slow-chat on Twitter was a challenge. Something that was going to stretch my skills, my thinking and probably my patience as well. It was scary, as I am always afraid to fail when starting upon something unfamiliar and new. Would others buy in? Would people post questions? Would people use the hashtag? Would people volunteer to help? Would I be (unknowingly) stepping on people's toes?
Setting up a new slow-chat on Twitter was a challenge. Something that was going to stretch my skills, my thinking and probably my patience as well. It was scary, as I am always afraid to fail when starting upon something unfamiliar and new. Would others buy in? Would people post questions? Would people use the hashtag? Would people volunteer to help? Would I be (unknowingly) stepping on people's toes?
In the past I would probably have done nothing concrete with this idea. I would only talk about it to others. I would not have tried to initiate change, I would not have taken action.
Lately I have been thinking about the element of Action in the PYP. It is possibly the element I struggle most with in the PYP. I find it hard to promote it authentically. Students seem to take action at random or it feels too much directed on my part.
Lately I have been thinking about the element of Action in the PYP. It is possibly the element I struggle most with in the PYP. I find it hard to promote it authentically. Students seem to take action at random or it feels too much directed on my part.
I started reflecting on how I take action. What things have I done lately to make a difference? To share and spread learning and ideas? To challenge and extend my own perspectives?
I hate to admit that my list was rather short. Of course I share learning and ideas all the time in the classroom. That is my job. But outside of that? A few tweets (mostly sharing blogs written by other educators), a post in a Facebook group and that's about it.
I had always wanted to think about myself as a practical person, but here was the real me. Talking the talk to my students, not walking the walk myself. And the question rose: How can I expect my students to take risks in sharing their thoughts and ideas, to take action outside of our school walls, when I do a poor job of modelling this behavior myself? How can I ask them to be enthusiastic and passionate about learning, when I do not carry out my passions to the world?
So setting up #PYPweek is really just for me. And my students. So that they can learn from a teacher who is a risk-taking global communicator. A teacher who shares her passion for teaching and learning with others. A teacher who is a learner, a writer, a reader, a designer, a creator, a researcher. A teacher who cares about her students and her craft.
I truly hope I am becoming that teacher. One day at a time...