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where's your desk?

7/19/2014

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After reading a blog post from a favorite blogger, Katherine Sokolowski over at Read, Write, Reflect, I was inspired to post as well.  You see, I visited my classroom this week - not to do any heavy work, but just to place the furniture and to envision my learning space for the year.  A fellow teacher stopped by, looked around, and asked, "Where's your desk?"

Last year, I made the shift to go deskless, and haven't looked back.  In trying to create a room that is for all of us, both students and teacher, I don't want areas that are "off limits" to children.  When asked where I teach, I simply replied, "I teach from everywhere," which is true.  I can often be found at a student desk conferring with a student, or sitting alongside students creating a blog entry of their own.  I have come to realize, as so many teacher role models before me, that it really is about the kids.  This one small change has made a HUGE difference in the classroom dynamics.  We are all learning together.

Not having a desk does require you to be organized, and this I hope to improve, but without rigidity.  I know the value of being flexible - being able to change course if something is not working.   And, I know my students will let me know when change is needed.  Excitement fills me as I dream of the year to o

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the magic

8/4/2013

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Last night, my daughter's travel volleyball team held their end-of-season celebration at our house.  At the culmination of the evening, their coach gave each player an award and said something special about each one.  It was truly touching as many of the players have been together for a few years, and we have had the same coach for two of those years.  Our team has won several tournaments, have qualified for national and Olympic tournaments, and even won an international tourney this summer, catching the attention of quite a few college coaches.

But they did not start out as a winning team.  Our coach knew he had his work cut out for him two years ago, but did things that seemed so odd to some.  In addition to a grueling practice schedule, they room together at tournaments, at a hotel or at someone's house.  They always wear the exact same combination of uniform in public.  They have unique warmup routines, and sometimes unconventional drills.  They laugh often and have a bond that is hard to describe.  And it shows in everything that they do. 

I couldn't help but think of this in the classroom.  This team has the magic.  And I want this for each class that I teach.  I am so fortunate to have been  inspired by some pretty amazing students that didn't always think of themselves that way.  But we will all be able to do amazing things if we just commit to each other and never let each other down. 

So, on the eve of my official first day of work, I commit to doing my part to create the magic.  Will you join me?

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    Sometimes I just have thoughts that must be revealed...

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