One Step at a Time

I think that somewhere along the lines of a new year and an adjustment period I sort of forgot the roots of why I began blogging in the first place. I wanted to talk about process. I wanted to talk about the moments of greatness that happen in between the beginning and end of a school year. I wanted to linger in the widespread chasm of learning to see what experiences it could provide. But with experiencing such an unexpected system shock I lost sight of the beauty in those small moments and began to focus on the monstrosity of things that I have no direct control over. I looked down at the chasm, gulped, and started to take a step away from the edge. 

I started to blame the chasm for being what it is, knowing good and well that it can only be what it has been formed to be. Just as a river takes countless years to form a deep canyon, so it can take countless years to build back up what has been worn down. I can't control the depth or breadth of the chasm I face.

Just like I can't control that test scores and uniformity are of high value where I work.

I can't control that my students have been conditioned to value their grade almost more than their learning.

I can't control that complacency has taken a deep root in the professional lives of so many of my co-workers.

But amidst the long list of things I cannot control, there are unlimited ways in which I can make a difference.

I can control my exchanges with students and create a positive, collaborative work environment.

I can expose my students to the concepts of critique, revision, and real world problem solving even if I can't take them through design challenges.

I can sharpen their teeth on complicated truths that push them to see themselves as a powerful force for change in their world.

I can foster meaningful relationships that provide students with a safe place to try new things and even fail for the sake of authentic improvement.

I may not have my 3D printer, my Chromebooks, my prototyping materials, or even the ability to construct my own assessments, but I still have the power to make a life-long, empowering, and purposeful change in my students' lives by how I approach my task each day.

So from now on I'm done looking down at the chasm with fear and complaints. It's time to pull on my boot straps and get to work.