Path 9 in my new book Teaching in Magenta is about Venerating a Veteran. I’m going to read Path 9:
One negative aspect of aging is the feeling that you’re losing relevance. I’m fortunate in that younger teachers sometimes reach out to me for guidance. When they do, it makes me feel awesome. I try to give them solid advice, and many are grateful. What they don’t realize is how energizing it is for me when they ask. Today, seek out an older colleague and pay them a compliment or ask for advice. You’ll be doing them (and you) a great service, and they just may give you a wonderful suggestion.
Today’s episode is in the spirit of Path 9. Recent episodes that I’ve produced about specific paths in my book have been short. This one, is an exception. This is an extensive conversation with Pennsylvania teaching and coaching legend David Crowell. So–while I’m certainly venerating a veteran, we delve into the provocative topic of motivation. How can educators motivate students? Because this topic is so rich and important, we went on for a bit.
David Crowell dcrowell@rcn.com
I learned about Coach Crowell from my friend the innovative instructional coach Michael Brilla. Michael has been a guest on this podcast twice and like a lot of my guests, we’ve become friends. Michael predicted that Coach Crowell and I would hit it off. He was right! There was only one divergence, however. Coach is more nostalgic than me. But other than that, I found myself doing a lot of head-nodding as I listened to David stress the transformational potential of relationships.
Reach out to a veteran educator in your building. Present a problem and ask for help.
You may just get a great solution. Regardless of whether you utilize what your seasoned colleague suggests, the mere request itself will be a bonding experience that will benefit you both.
Well–ready or not, school will be starting soon, For some, it’s already has started. My first day of classes is next Wednesday. Many colleges, like mine, are in session for 3 months and then adjourn at Thanksgiving and then resume in January. It’ll be the longest winter break that I’ve ever experienced. That part sounds pretty awesome.
If you’re like me, the idea of jumping back in the saddle comes with mixed feelings. I’m glad I’m returning, but I haven’t been physically in front of students for months. I’m looking forward to it, but there’s a tinge of, Can I still do this? I imagine I’m not alone in this emotion. My prediction is that vast majority of us will feel thrilled to be back in our natural habitat.
On a TYPICAL 1st day of school, educators often incorporate some type of prompt which challenges students to reflect on their summer vacation. This year won’t be a typical 1st day of school.
If students reflect on the last few months, they may come up with some pretty negative stuff: My grandmother passed. My dad lost his job. I lost my track season last spring.
How about a prompt that challenges students to take inventory of growth? Perhaps, you could prime the pump by describing a way that you evolved during this dreadful pandemic: My wife and I became closer. I got in great shape. I tried an number of new recipes many of which I loved.
Certainly don’t force optimism in your students. If some have experienced nightmares, don’t stifle that expression. But also encourage optimism.
I love the image below of the boxwoods in front of my house. They were getting huge so a few weeks ago I pruned them–significantly. Guess what. That was traumatic for them. I thought I’d overdone it. But check them out now. They’re bouncing back with vigor and will soon create a more attractive lush boxwood hedge! Challenge your students to inventory their potential. How did they grow over this pandemic?
When I was writing Teaching in Magenta, I crafted Path 40 for readers experiencing challenges.
Path 40: Take Inventory
Most days, both positive and negative things happen to you. Acknowledging that simple phenomenon is an important step. Unfortunately, negative experiences seem to deliver more impact. It could be a confrontation, or a critical comment from a student, a parent, or your principal. Or, it could be something more nuanced, such as you having had high hopes for a lesson that didn’t end up engaging your kids. Regardless, I’ll wager that many subtle positives materialize during the day that you don’t fully acknowledge. Today, take stock of the colleague who asks about your family, the student who completes her assignment for the first time in weeks, and the kid who you thought didn’t like you that gave you a smile. If you do this regularly, you just might find yourself smiling more often as well.
I wrote Path 40 in 2019, long before I’d heard the word COVID. I had no idea then what 2020 would bring. But I knew then and I know now that challenging days are in my future. Just like my poor boxwoods that I almost left for dead, but are returning like champions.
How have you grown during this pandemic? If you’re willing to share how you’ve grown, or perhaps how you’ll coax students to share, hop over to the Magenta Teacher Community and lets us know what you’re up to!
A few Christmases ago, my daughter-in-law Niki bought me a book. It was a small volume by the Vietnamese Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh entitled How to Walk. I thought the gift was cool, but it didn’t make a huge impression. It wasn’t like I immediately isolated myself and dove into its pages. Instead, it sat by my desk unopened until spring break. Then, one mellow morning when I wasn’t required to bolt out the door and make it to school before my bus duty, it caught my eye, and I casually opened it.
I was instantly intrigued because each page taught a lesson about walking mindfully. Each lesson was short—a couple of paragraphs. Each short narrative encouraged the reader to walk mindfully through one of life’s various challenges. I read a page and applied the directives that day. It was a joy! The next day, I read another page and applied it. That’s all it took. I was hooked. I was impressed with how little time it took to consume each page, but the directives were powerful and profoundly impacted me. I also loved the rough sketches that accompanied many of the narratives. I thought to myself, Wouldn’t it be cool to write a book like this?
For the next five weeks, I’m going to try an experiment. My new book Teaching in Magenta was inspired by Niki’s gift. My book is divided into 5 sections based on qualities of magenta:
Compassion
Optimism
Balance
Adaptability
Contentment
I’m going to read 1 path from a different section each week. Today, I’ll focus on Path 57, which can be found in the section on Balance.
It’s important to emphasize that this book is short. It’s only 16,000 words. Each of the 100 paths is roughly 100 to 150 words. It’s meant to be consumed slowly. Just as I read How to Walk and then applied a lesson each day, you should allow this book to stretch out over a period of time, like a 9 weeks, or a semester.
Pardon the self-promotion, but I love this brief Amazon review posted by an elementary principal:
As an Elementary Principal, I am constantly trying to find new and unique ways to engage with my staff, parents, and students. Teaching in Magenta provides an abundance of ideas to help build relationships and focus on the most important aspects of being in education! I don’t have a lot of time to read so books that are straight to the point, thought provoking, and practical are my go to! This book is exactly that! I would recommend this book to not only educators but anyone who looking for strategies to build strong relationships with others!
So without further delay, here’s Path 57:
During a busy school day, do you ever feel like you’re swimming in people? Your classes are big, the halls are packed, the lunch room is a sea of humanity, and the parking lot is a bottleneck. And to top it off, you desperately have to use the facilities between periods, so you hustle down to the bathroom in the faculty lounge only to find it occupied, the door locked. You need a break! Teachers are givers, but how about today, for just one period, being a taker? Check to see if any student needs you during your planning period. If none do, close the door, turn out the lights, and meditate, or look at the internet, or watch stupid videos, or buy something on Amazon, and allow the world outside your door to evaporate.
I was always struck by the safety instructions on flights prior to takeoff. Passengers were instructed on what to do if the oxygen masks dropped from the ceiling. You were directed to put your mask on first before you helped your children. Wow! This goes against every parent’s nature, but you can’t save your kids if you suffocate.
Teachers need to apply this analogy to their day. Think about it. You can’t help students if you’re a wreck. You simply must find balance and take care of yourself. A great way to do that is to schedule some personal enrichment time every day. I used to take a short nap during my planning period. That short snooze was pure bliss. I’m, in no way shape or form consider, a slacker. I give a lot to my school and my students. I’m entitled to a little Me Time. I always woke up energized ready to embrace my next class. My nap made me a better teacher.
What do you do to maintain your sanity? Please don’t be embarrassed about this. Self care is essential.
I’d be interested to know how you grab some sanity during the day. To that end, a new collaboration community has been set up as a virtual agora. The Magenta Teacher Community is a place where you can share ideas and collaborate with fellow educators. Sure–you can respond to my prompts, but how about issuing some of your own, or better yet, create some brand new paths to Teaching in Magenta!
Teaching this year is going to be so much more challenging. Make certain to occasionally close that door and take care of yourself.
