One element we focus on in teaching is keeping students engaged.
Engagement is huge.
For #EllChat_BkClub on Twitter, we are currently reading the book EL Excellence Every Day by Tonya Ward Singer, which includes an entire section called "Engage" that offers valuable information on keeping learners, particularly English learners, engaged.
Tonya breaks engagement down like this:
- Interest-Wow. This is fascinating. I love this! Cool.
- Sense of purpose-I want to learn this because I understand why it is important.
- Relevance-This is relevant to me. I see myself in this goal.
- Connection-This reminds me of...This is similar to...
- Choice-I choose this book because...I want to write about...I want to create...
- Curiosity-I wonder....? What will happen if...?
- Self-efficacy-I know I can do this. To move closer to that goal, I'll try...
I want to take a moment to flip the context.
Let's talk about professional development.
I would argue that engagement is just as significant when it comes to teachers in the role of learners.
But, how often do experience interest, a sense of purpose, relevance, connection, choice, curiosity, and/or self-efficacy when it comes to our PD? Surely, it's different for everyone across different contexts, districts, states, even countries. The extent of our engagement may shift depending on the time of the year, the topic at hand, what is happening in our personal lives, our group of students and many other factors.
But ultimately, are we more engaged or disengaged when it comes to PD that is provided to us within our contexts?
Are we recharged and motivated by our colleagues or drained by negativity and the "one more thing" mentality that overtakes the authentic desire to learn?
Are we subjected to one-size-fits-all when it comes to the latest initiative we learn about or are we flying our own plane when it comes to our personal and professional development?
I recently read the book Future Driven by David Geurin and some of my favorite quotes were:
"Don't expect your school to own your personal growth."
and
"Ultimately, it is your responsibility to be a learner."
I love these sentiments because they really embody what I think about professional development.
I want to be fully engaged in my own learning and that necessitates the same things Tonya focuses on with regards to student learning.
Interest
Sense of purpose
Relevance
Connection
Choice
Curiosity
Self-efficacy
I am not at all intending for this to be a shameless plug for #EllChat_BkClub, but I truly think our little book chat has gained popularity because it represents these elements of engagement.
We have a sense of purpose because we are focusing on professional knowledge and skills that will best contribute to the success of our students.
Not any students, but OUR students.
The ones who we share our classroom with daily.
The ones we pour ourselves into
The ones who are on our minds constantly
who sometimes keep us up at night
bring us tears of sadness, joy, pride
who are the reasons we do what we do
who are our WHY
There's relevance for you!
We feel engaged because we are choosing to be part of this phenomenal PLN.
We are interested because we are choosing what we learn about and what books we read.
We feel connected because we are surrounded with greatness, enthusiasm, and a thirst for knowledge that is often found within one another.
We are curious to learn about the experiences of other teachers, leaders, and coaches in settings that are different than our own.
Sometimes when I speak highly of Twitter as a resource for professional development, I get questioning looks.
Really?
Twitter?
Sure...
But, it's just the truth.
Truth: Most of the people in my PLN are people I have never met.
Truth: Many of the people in my PLN are people I never will meet.
Yet,
Truth: They are my Tribe.
I have called them on the phone for advice.
I have texted with them.
I have asked for their feedback on my writing.
I have presented with them at conferences.
I have shared ideas and stories with them.
I have collaborated with them.
I have done virtual hangouts with them.
Most importantly, I have learned a great deal from them.
The connection is there and that contributes so much to my sense of purpose and self-efficacy in my role as an ELD teacher.
This little book chat has truly rocked my world in terms of my personal and professional growth.
"Ultimately, it is your responsibility to be a learner."
We are taking that responsibility very seriously.
For the sake of our students, our schools, our colleagues, and each other...
We are changing the face of PD and it's incredible.
Let's do this.
#BetterTogether
