Carrie - I wholeheartedly agree with you about the value of this yearly book study. Every blog post from helps me uncover parts of the books I might have missed and leads me to learn through different perspectives.
The reminder to acknowledge proactively rather than reactively is a useful warning. Routman, Renwick and Brown all clearly communicate the importance of celebration in learning and within teams. Thanks for sharing your reflections!
Thanks for your comment. I've been trying to be proactive as much as possible when working with teachers - anticipating due dates, needs, all that good stuff. Being on top of things is important for me!
Carrie, what a great post. I enjoyed reading about your exerience and what this year brought you. I too am concerned with the trauma we are seeing with students, adults, and families, which also impacts our colleagues. I also love a good Brene Brown reference!
Thanks, Paige! One thing I really appreciated about this book is how Matt wrote about ways to actually support teachers in ways that help. Listening and clear communication is so much more helpful than random wellness reminders. Wellness is important, but when it comes down to feeling supported I feel that listening goes a lot further than yet another reminder to "make sure you fill your cup first!"
Carrie, just so you know...you are not alone in your feeling of "Limping to the finish line" this past school year. Myself, and many, many others felt the exact same way. It was an extremely hard year. The trauma children, parents, colleagues, staff, etc... seem to need more than ever. I too, appreciate the inspiration found in the pages of the book, the posts and reflections from the writers, and connections created by this book study. As a classroom teacher, I appreciate your willingness to be vulnerable in asking for feedback from teachers. You are correct in that folks, ourselves included, can't continue to learn and grow if they aren't receiving feedback on what is helpful and/or not helpful. Yes, it hurts a bit when we find out what areas we are lacking in, but growing from that place of hurt into one that is more serving to ourselves and others is well worth it. Your teachers are super lucky to have you as their coach and colleague.
Thank you so much, Ryanne. It's certainly been a long, strange year. Something that's helped me get more comfortable with receiving feedback (I haven't always been this open to it) is that I make sure to remind myself to separate the feedback on the product (e.g. a curriculum guide) from what I may see as a criticism of me as a person.
Carrie, I greatly enjoyed reading your post. I also appreciate when my hard work is noticed. My favorite show of acknowledgement has been when I had a principal who would put little notes in my mailbox or on my desk. I received about 3-4 notes a school year and they always seemed to come at the time I needed them the most. My confidence would be boosted and I would feel reenergized.
Carrie - I wholeheartedly agree with you about the value of this yearly book study. Every blog post from helps me uncover parts of the books I might have missed and leads me to learn through different perspectives.
The reminder to acknowledge proactively rather than reactively is a useful warning. Routman, Renwick and Brown all clearly communicate the importance of celebration in learning and within teams. Thanks for sharing your reflections!
Thanks for your comment. I've been trying to be proactive as much as possible when working with teachers - anticipating due dates, needs, all that good stuff. Being on top of things is important for me!
Carrie, what a great post. I enjoyed reading about your exerience and what this year brought you. I too am concerned with the trauma we are seeing with students, adults, and families, which also impacts our colleagues. I also love a good Brene Brown reference!
Thanks, Paige! One thing I really appreciated about this book is how Matt wrote about ways to actually support teachers in ways that help. Listening and clear communication is so much more helpful than random wellness reminders. Wellness is important, but when it comes down to feeling supported I feel that listening goes a lot further than yet another reminder to "make sure you fill your cup first!"
Carrie, just so you know...you are not alone in your feeling of "Limping to the finish line" this past school year. Myself, and many, many others felt the exact same way. It was an extremely hard year. The trauma children, parents, colleagues, staff, etc... seem to need more than ever. I too, appreciate the inspiration found in the pages of the book, the posts and reflections from the writers, and connections created by this book study. As a classroom teacher, I appreciate your willingness to be vulnerable in asking for feedback from teachers. You are correct in that folks, ourselves included, can't continue to learn and grow if they aren't receiving feedback on what is helpful and/or not helpful. Yes, it hurts a bit when we find out what areas we are lacking in, but growing from that place of hurt into one that is more serving to ourselves and others is well worth it. Your teachers are super lucky to have you as their coach and colleague.
Thank you so much, Ryanne. It's certainly been a long, strange year. Something that's helped me get more comfortable with receiving feedback (I haven't always been this open to it) is that I make sure to remind myself to separate the feedback on the product (e.g. a curriculum guide) from what I may see as a criticism of me as a person.
Carrie, I greatly enjoyed reading your post. I also appreciate when my hard work is noticed. My favorite show of acknowledgement has been when I had a principal who would put little notes in my mailbox or on my desk. I received about 3-4 notes a school year and they always seemed to come at the time I needed them the most. My confidence would be boosted and I would feel reenergized.