seen polarization in education before in my over forty years in the field. But it’s always been place based, horizontal—never really a debate over “truth” but about “philosophy.” This round is horizontal and vertical, reaching to the inner sanctums of state legislatures. Politics has always been a debate about “truth,” not about facts. SoR isn’t about facts. It is about truth. One side claims it, the other denies the claim, and facts become negotiable.
I’ve not seen you in action. However, through your writing and our conversations, I have formed conclusions about your dispositions, knowledge, and coaching skills. I think you are a model of an active agent with potential to make horizontal breakthroughs in standoffs with hope of disrupting the vertical politics.
Having worked in professional development myself, I understand the distinction between advocacy for a method and advocacy for teachers, for scaffolding their thinking about methods for themselves. The teacher’s capacity to use the evidence in front of them day in and day out in the actions and emotions of our precious children. If teachers need evidence of learning, that’s where it exists. Experiments result in evidence of theory, not evidence of good practice.
I love that you are thinking about turning back on the paid feature. In addition to paying you for your time, you’re partially ensuring you can “presume good intentions.” Professionals doing development work spend their workdays making contributions to the future and earn their keep. We need you, Matt.
Thanks Terry, I appreciate your comment here and the supporting words.
Interesting point about the horizontal and vertical challenges. It does make it more difficult for leaders to navigate schoolwide improvement. The best approach I see is strong shared leadership - no one can do it alone. And that requires trust, clarity, and good communication.
I don’t envy your job, Matt. I’ve
seen polarization in education before in my over forty years in the field. But it’s always been place based, horizontal—never really a debate over “truth” but about “philosophy.” This round is horizontal and vertical, reaching to the inner sanctums of state legislatures. Politics has always been a debate about “truth,” not about facts. SoR isn’t about facts. It is about truth. One side claims it, the other denies the claim, and facts become negotiable.
I’ve not seen you in action. However, through your writing and our conversations, I have formed conclusions about your dispositions, knowledge, and coaching skills. I think you are a model of an active agent with potential to make horizontal breakthroughs in standoffs with hope of disrupting the vertical politics.
Having worked in professional development myself, I understand the distinction between advocacy for a method and advocacy for teachers, for scaffolding their thinking about methods for themselves. The teacher’s capacity to use the evidence in front of them day in and day out in the actions and emotions of our precious children. If teachers need evidence of learning, that’s where it exists. Experiments result in evidence of theory, not evidence of good practice.
I love that you are thinking about turning back on the paid feature. In addition to paying you for your time, you’re partially ensuring you can “presume good intentions.” Professionals doing development work spend their workdays making contributions to the future and earn their keep. We need you, Matt.
Thanks Terry, I appreciate your comment here and the supporting words.
Interesting point about the horizontal and vertical challenges. It does make it more difficult for leaders to navigate schoolwide improvement. The best approach I see is strong shared leadership - no one can do it alone. And that requires trust, clarity, and good communication.