Remember Folks -- There is a Pandemic Happening

 

I came across this tweet from @meghan_lawson that really got me thinking about our work as educators. All too often administrators pile huge burdens of work upon teachers because in the end they know our love of the students will prevail. We will take the extra duty, another class, coach another team, etc, because we don't want kids to miss out on opportunities. Which is why as administrators, we need to do the ethical thing and not put more work on the plate without taking something off. It is OK to end an initiative or push it until later; especially now with this pandemic happening.  It isn't a mark of failure or something to be ashamed of. It is humane. We also need to model it for teachers; we need to show them that we say no to things as well. That we take care of ourselves and encourage them to take care of themselves.

Cell Phones in the Classroom

The year started off with a great personal success for me -- I was quoted in the January issue of Empowered Learner. Of course, I support the use of devices in the classroom when it is appropriate. My feeling is that we should be teaching our students how and when to use technology. If we only ban the device, we only make it more alluring and fail to teach appropriate use and self-regulation. The devices aren't going away; they will have them in college and in the work place. If the student was doodling on a notebook with a pen, would you ban the notebook and the pen? No! Why not help them learn to use it effectively and efficiently? Isn't it our job to help them learn?

Happy New Year! Let's make 2020 a great success for all learners.