A Slice of Life: Re-energizing our Teaching Lives with A Mid-Summer Tune-Up

It's mid-summer! In the past, that phrase used to create a ripple effect in my body. It signaled that the summer was halfway over and I had a short time left to enjoy sunshine days with my school-age children. A little anxiety would set in as thoughts of preparing for back-to-school lessons became the focus. Then, came the administrative summers in which year round work was the norm. 

Speed dial to current times. While it is true that summer is halfway over and there is still much  planning to do for teacher training workshops, I do not feel anxious. The glass half full concept has replaced the glass half empty one. Is it because I am living with a growth mindset? Or is it because I know the value of re-energizing my teaching and learning life? Of course being recently retired from years of service as a reading specialist and districtwide administrator and not having to punch the clock on September 2nd helps with my frame of mind. Retirement does have its perks although the state of unretirement, working with teachers as an ELA consultant, keeps me in the loop and continuing in a field that I love. So for these reasons and an eagerness for a fresh approach to the school year, the mid-summer crunch experience is no longer filled with anxious thoughts. It has become a time period to recharge my teaching life.

Spinning the mid-summer crunch in a different way is something I learned from reading Carol Ann Tomlinson's article in ASCD Architects of Summer. Educators know quite well that summertime is the season to relax, explore passions, and recharge batteries in preparation for a new school year. Tomlinson spoke of this call to re-energize our teaching lives in her article. She described a four-part summer tune-up to summon new possibilities, to renew confidence, enthusiasm, and sense of purpose: 

From Carol Ann Tomlinson's ASCD article, Summer Architects

So, how does this four-part summer tune-up play out in my life?

First of all, I must admit that I have not taken full of advantage of summer yet so now is my time for a mid-summer tune-up. More reading for enjoyment will be part of my menu and of course, the perfect place to do so is at the beach. The amazing, south shore beaches of Long Island allow the rippling waves of the Atlantic Ocean to create the perfect backdrop for relaxation and the recharging of spirits.

Secondly, I challenged myself yesterday to learn something different, how to edit Word Press. Since I am a Blogger fan, switching platforms to add a page to the new #NYEDChat website was quite a learning curve. Frustration was an understatement but the feeling of accomplishment outweighed the angst of not knowing what I was doing. Thanks Carol Ann for helping me understand that a new learning experience can broaden my perspective.

Third, I feel that I am always pushing the boundaries of my practice so I am in agreement with Tomlinson's thought on that matter. Sometimes, though I wish that I did not feel compelled to continually push forward. There is beauty in lingering in the here and now for awhile. This is a goal that I will work on this year. 

Fourth, at the beginning of the summer Dave Burgess, author of Teach Like a Pirate, created a GPS challenge for educators: create five words that would steer your course for next year and provide direction for your practice. With these words guiding me, my compass will point me in the right direction. (You can read others' thoughts on Twitter at #summerLS.)

By cvarsalona July 2014 in response to Dave Burgess' 5 Word GPS Challenge

Last night, I popped into Meenoo Rami's #EdThrive chat on Twitter to hear her speak about her new book, Thrive. The driving question was "How can we better thrive as we are preparing one for a new school?" I thought this was quite appropriate for the mid-summer mark. The conversation provided a great starting part for educators. What Meenoo had to say resonated with me with regard to this time of year.

Summer is a great time to seek inspiration and imagine the possibilities...

I am using these precious days to connect with others for ideas, inspiration, etc.

Meenoo Rami

Yes these days are precious and there is still time for all of us to kick back and relax while reflecting on a new approach for the 2014-15 educator's journey. So in closing, I note that summer is my time and yours to reflect and broaden perspectives. May summer's restful and relaxing days, allow us to re-energize our lives for the months to come. 

Sponsored by Two Writing Teachers

East Meets West: Transcontinental Chat Magic

Shiver me timbers! When could be more entertaining that a dress up party for the launch of the first transcontinental NYEDChat and TLAP online chat last night. It may not have been the Golden Globes or the Bammy Awards, but it was a celebratory event just the same.  The lead pirate, Dave Burgess, author of the well-know professional text, Teach Like A Pirate, brought together an amazing cast of pirates from coast to coast to sail his PIRATE ship. Along with Dave, three members of the moderating team, Vicki Day, Carol Varsalona, and Blanca Duarte, dressed in high seas' garb, brought a sense of revelry to the launching of the East meets West online connection. Co-host, Tony Sinanis of the Bammy Award for Elementary Principal fame, charted the course while the moderating team of Bill Brennan and Starr Sackstein cheered from their quarters on land. 

When East met West on January 27, 2014 there was no ceremonial golden spike as on May 10, 1869, the day that marked the completion of the first transcontinental railway. What occurred last night during the linking the #nyedchat and #TLAP professional learning communities was a celebration of educational Voice. Fun was in the house. Rapid fire conversations, cross-tweeting, and an amazing flow of thoughtful answers were the fare of the day. While the Twitter chat flowed online, the team in the photos above enjoyed "hanging out" on Google as Dave's first mates and firing replies to the parade of questions posted by the evening's moderator, Tony Sinanis. As the ship set sail, Shipwreck Tag was offered to lure tweeps on land to join the conversation. Pam Moran, among others, heard the call and jumped on board, while Tom Whitby could only send his regards. 

Throughout the chat, technology rocked the ship back and forth with Tweet Deck, Tweet Chat, and Twitter providing the platforms for the firing of Qs and the reporting of A 1s to A 6s. To navigate the sea of responses that were floating in the Twittersphere, multiple screens were used by the crew, a phenomenon unbeknown to the pirates of yesteryear. Thanks to the craftsmanship of the lead pirate, Dave Burgess, the ship that set sail at 9:00 pm EST disembarked one hour later, laden with a rich bounty.  Gold coins were not plundered during the trip. Instead, golden words for a week of charting new waters in education were captured from the take away booty. East and West Coasters left, voices linked in unison and map in hand to chart new waters to bring passion to the classroom.  

History.com notes that the linking of the east and the west upon completion of the first transcontinental railroad was the "realization of a dream." So too, the virtual connection of East and West Coasters was the realization of a linked world of passionate and committed educators who look beyond the dream to reality.  

Aye, I believe all would agree that our sail last night was worth the trip and that a pirate's life is grand. Signing off, until we meet again. 

The Power of the Professional Learning Community (PLN)

What is the power behind professional learning networks (PLNs) that are everywhere to be found on Twitter? The simple graphic organizer created using the tool, Text 2 Mind Map, forms the basis for a conversation, The Power of the PLN: Making NYEDChat the Voice of NYS, that will air on 1/18/14 at 8:30 pm EST. Tune into Twitter and search for the hashtag label, #nyedchat, to either join the conversation or listen to the exchanges. Kicking off the New Year with this topic is part of a campaign, to build a network of dedicated educators committed to impacting teaching and learning in New York State. The NYEDChat moderating team of Bill Brennan, Vicki Day, Blanca Duarte, Starr Sackstein, Tony Sinanis, and Carol Varsalona have been working on a variety of topics and inviting guest speakers to bring lively discussions to the NYEDChat learning community.

You may ask, "What is the value in joining NYEDChat on Twitter every other Monday?" For those seeking ongoing learning experiences or new to Twitter, this PLN will allow for online professional development opportunities that can affect teaching and learning on a daily basis. Below are additional benefits that #nyedchat will offer to educators.  It will provide:

• A connected network for NYS educators and those joining from other states
• Discussions on current topics that impact teaching and learning
• Avenues for immediate advice and support
• Information on educational technology, teaching, learning, educational leadership, and other topics of interest
• Inspiration 
• Links to other networks, chat groups, and educational leaders

Educators who involve themselves in online networking opportunities with PLNs find the experience worthwhile. The NYEDChat Moderating Team invites you to collaborate and learn with fellow educators every other Monday. We encourage you to tweet the information to others so that NYEDChat grows in numbers to represent New York State in the Twitter community of educators across the nation. 

The true power of the PLN is in its collaborative opportunities that shift mindsets and promote a collective consciousness.