AdvanceBlog

I hate categories.

So as you read, I ask – do not view growers and slowers as categories.  Instead, view them as opposing ends of a spectrum.

In every school, the staff is comprised of growers and slowers.

Growers tend to take more risk and seek opportunities to enhance their craft.

Slowers tend to spread more blame.

Growers act on the notion of “how can I make it better”.

Slowers wonder why others can’t just do things as they do.

A Grower will place calls and invite parents to teacher conferences.

A Slower will decry an alleged lack of parental dedication especially by parents who did not come to teacher conferences.

A Grower will approach professional development as an opportunity to add something to their instructional tool-kit.

A Slower will bemoan professional development and express a wish to get things done in their classroom.

This blog is not an indictment of Slowers because in a given circumstance, each of us slows something. However, it is my intent to issue a challenge. A challenge initially issued to me by Roz Delaney and Jovita Davis when I was a first year teacher.  The challenge was: before every school year choose one area in which you will improve and then do it.

After that first year, I choose to be more active in getting to know the students and their families.  Periodic home visits became the adopted strategy and the result was a marked decline in disciplinary referrals.  In the following years, I sought to improve my science instruction and helping all my kindergarteners become readers.  Each personal challenge was met with success beyond what I initially hoped and expediently pushed my professional growth.

During this time when overbearing burden of standardized testing attempts to drain the joy of teaching, it’s easy to become a Slower, to begin teaching to the test, and to resign emotionally to the erroneous thought that these kids do not want to learn. Yet today, with this blog as a testament, I challenge you to tap into your inner-Grower. Accept this challenge to actively pursue one course for improvement … and then do it!

School of the Week

A lot has been said about the shortcomings of Detroit Public Schools. But did you know that Davis Aerospace Technical High School is one of three high schools in the country where students fly planes as part of their learning? Not only that, the atmosphere of respect and an eagerness of students to learn permeates throughout the building. After meeting Mr. Hull, Mr. Miller, Mr. Baskin and Principal Hicks, it was easy to tell just why Davis is one of Detroit’s hidden gems – their dedication to their students is not only obvious, its contagious. With a staff of growers, it’s no surprise that the student achievement at Davis Aerospace is so outstanding!