I will be updating this site momentarily with all of my old blog posts and hopefully a new one, if the technology wizards are on my side …
For Grandma Ruth
There are three pictures that I remember seeing as a child that capture the essence of my grandmother Ruth Williams who passed away earlier this week with 87 (almost 88) years under her belt. While we didn’t always see eye-to-eye on issues related to religion and politics, I’ve realized I have inherited more from her than my short stature, opinionated personality, and cheeky grin. The pictures are all older than I am, but they serve as important reminders for the wisdom I’ve gained from being her granddaughter.
Picture 1: Ray Sensenbrenner
My grandmother always spoke fondly of her father Ray (my great-grandfather). She reminisced of her days at the logging camps in northern Wisconsin and her father’s close relationship with nature. This picture is telling of the times and our intimate relationship with predator populations like the wolf, man’s competition in the deer hunt. When I first look at this picture as an environmental science teacher, I immediately think of population dynamics—ecological impacts of reducing one population on other populations. While I have a plethora of education and textbook knowledge, what I’m lacking is experience to see the bigger picture, to understand the history–something Ray and his daughter had in spades.
Nothing beats experience.
Picture 2: The Nurse
If you asked my grandmother what her passion was, she might tell you she enjoyed drawing and art, but her true passion was most likely nursing. This picture is striking not only because she is beautiful, with moviestar like glamour, it represents a person who found contentment in a calling. She devoted her entire life to educating and training nurses. It wasn’t enough for her to develop the skills to be successful and effective in the career, she wanted to share that with younger generations. When most people would be enjoying retirement, my grandmother was traveling the state as a teacher. There are too many people today that are unfulfilled in their professional lives, who work for the paycheck. Ruth was not one of them.
Do what you love.
Picture 3: The Happy Couple and Cake
For 63 years my grandmother has been telling my grandfather not to eat so much sugar, and for more than 63 years my grandfather has continued to satisfy his sweet tooth. This picture represents more than a marriage, it represents the support everyone deserves, but very few are lucky to enjoy for as long as Ruth and Louie. Life is only so long and dying is unavoidable, so we must be present. We must focus on those we love, whether it’s a partner, sibling, child, parent, or friend. What I wouldn’t give to go back in time and meet my grandparents as their younger selves. It’s okay to eat cake and celebrate. Grandma would say, “just a small slice please”, leaving more for grandpa.
Savor the sweetness and share it when possible.
You will be with me always.
Love,
Leah
Why We All Need Routines
All teachers look forward to summer break as a time to reflect, recharge, and hopefully have a little fun. However, during this time I feel a bit like my nephew Wyatt when he gets off schedule and misses nap time–irritable and lost. I end the school year with anticipation that the summer months will be full of eventful moments and small personal accomplishments, a time where I get on track with goals that I’ve become a bit lax about. While I have high hopes, like a small child I struggle without the routine that I’ve become accustomed to during the school year. It takes me awhile to adjust to a new routine, and sometimes I get stuck. Time keeps going and I’ve forgotten about my intention to start jogging regularly, the list of books that I wanted to read, and the trips I’ve thought about taking.
The importance of routines is glaringly apparent to any parent of a very small child and probably every elementary teacher, but it is most likely just as vital to students in middle, high school, post-secondary, and adulthood. Routines can be very powerful tools at any age, because they provide the support and guidance when we’re lacking motivation and clarity of purpose. They also offer a base level of comfort, a space where we know what to expect and can therefore be more open to new ideas and personal growth.
However, like two sides of a coin, some routines are wonderful supports and others are unnecessary inflexible crutches to our progress. Take for instance our routines that surround food, we can develop routines of healthy eating, that include avocado toast, salads, and smoothies, or we can lean on routines of convenience resorting to fast food and processed grab and go items. We can often use food in the form of eating out as a way to fulfill social needs, a time to connect with a old friend over a new cuisine. Food routines can definitely drive our lives one way or the other.
We are creatures of habit, and it is important that we continue to see how routines drive our culture and learning at all levels. What routines are important in education? What routines promote learning? What routines inhibit learning? Summer can be a great time to examine our routines that have proven successful. Here are a few questions about routines that I think are worth considering.
- Do your routines actually promote a culture of engagement/empowerment or are they just resulting in compliance?
- Do your students value and understand the routines in the classroom?
- Do your routines strengthen relationships?
Classroom management is essential if any learning is going to occur and this often involves developing successful classroom routines. However, it is very easy to create routines that only promote student compliance and do not lead to the flexibility needed for the diverse learners of today. Additionally, if your routines are only promoting compliance, this is often inhibitory to any relationship building which requires knowing individual students with unique personalities and interests.
Routines that go beyond compliance might be uncomfortable for some at first, because they can look messy. If you are going to give students independent learning time, it will take purposeful effort on the teacher’s part so that students can take ownership of this routine, see value in the time, and make beneficial choices. Unfortunately, many students have been conditioned today to expect the teacher to specify every detail and action of the class period. They may need modeling of the possible choices that they have during independent learning time. It’s important though to continue with the routine, even if it is chaotic at first–initial chaos is better than the perpetual compliance only model.
Finally, at the foundation of all learning and routines are relationships. Routines if implemented carefully through reflection should support a community where students can build relationships with teachers but also fellow classmates. It is important that your routines recognize the talents of both your extroverted and introverted students–where student voice doesn’t correlate to vocal volume and assertive behavior. It’s vital that relationships flourish with all students, even the quiet, contemplative ones. These students have beautiful ideas that they are willing to share in the right environment.
So in the wide-open expanse of summer, don’t forget about the importance of routines. Find some time to reflect on how your routines support your personal and professional goals. Find support from friends and colleagues when you’re trying to develop and fine-tune new routines or replace harmful habits. Make a routine of evaluating your routines!
Finding Comfort with the Uncomfortable
This month Alex Honnold completed what once seemed like an impossible feat. He free-soloed Yosemite’s infamous El Capitan, a 3,000 foot peak. This is clearly a unique accomplishment that took several years of preparation and training, and given the challenge of the task he probably didn’t assume it was a sure thing. In fact, he used a technique called “smearing” to climb sections that are comparable to a countertop in texture, moving fast enough to avoid the impacts of gravity. As quoted in the article, Alex discusses the importance of stepping outside his comfort zone:
“There were so many little sections where I thought ‘Ughh — cringe,’ ” Honnold said. “But in the years since, I’ve pushed my comfort zone and made it bigger and bigger until these objectives that seemed totally crazy eventually fell within the realm of the possible.”
Over these past few weeks several students have graduated high school and are eager to move on to the next adventure. Some are feeling a sense of accomplishment, just as Alex did after completing his climb. To some, the high school experience might have felt insurmountable and constantly uncomfortable, and therefore actually receiving that diploma is a major accomplishment. Other students though while seeing graduation as an important milestone are probably not in a state of awe, and are instead moving through the motions that are required during this specific life stage.
I had the privilege the previous week of chaperoning the senior trip in which the majority of the graduating students spent the day at Devil’s Lake, a state park in Wisconsin intertwined with the Ice Age Trail with great hiking where students could venture out on paddle boats and canoes or go for a hike along the many trails. This location is not new to me, in fact, I’ve visited it many times with friends and family. However, I was reminded of my own experience as a graduating senior in 2002. While many students are excited about moving on after high school, I remember being in a state of disappointment and dissatisfaction. I had worked so hard, I expected some great sense of closure or at least a clear future plan to float upon me. It never did.
Throughout the four years of school, I had completed the required tasks, but hadn’t taken many risks or tried to expand my comfort zone, until senior skip day at Devil’s Lake. While as a teacher and parent we caution students to stay on the trail and off the rocks, I did not stay off the rocks that day, instead I climbed them. For a person with very little athleticism or balance, this was a large leap outside my comfort zone. This experience became the topic of my own brief graduation speech, one that is still helping me today. (Note: My mother had to search the house to find this file on a 3.5 inch floppy disk!)
Each day of our lives, we are faced with the expectations of others and the expectations we have for ourselves. I am only one out of the thousands of valedictorians in the country today, and like them, I am expected to share some words of knowledge, guidance, and inspiration with my graduating class. Some of you are probably wanting me to say how we are all sad about leaving high school and yet excited about moving on to bigger and better things. You are probably expecting many things out of life.
Throughout my four years of high school, I have worked hard believing this honor would bring great fulfillment and meaning to my high school career. I have done what was expected of me, and in return, it has not given me that great fulfillment I was looking for. I do not regret working hard, and I am not saying that what I have accomplished is nothing. What I am saying, is life extends farther than high school, classes, tests, and a grade point average, and it has taken me awhile to realize that.
While at Devils Lake, a few weeks ago, I was forced by Tom Stadler (a classmate) to climb the rocks. I am not a risk taker and never do anything unless I expect myself to succeed. The second I looked up at the rocks, I told myself, “You can’t do this.” I was expecting to fail, but for some odd reason I took that first step. Of course everyone else wouldn’t consider climbing rocks a big accomplishment, but when I finally got to the top, the feeling of fulfillment was much greater than any academic award I have ever received. I know there is so much more I am capable of doing, much more than I ever expected.
I do not have enough knowledge or life experience to know exactly what to say that would make a difference in your lives, I can only tell you what I have realized in the past few weeks. You should not live your life according to the expectations others have for you, and you should not expect things in the future. Too often, in our lives we do not take that first step, and are disappointed because what we expected to happen did not. There are many rocks left to climb, but take it one step at a time. Always remember, you have to live for yourself today, because yesterday is gone and tomorrow may never come. Thank you.
This was a very brief speech, but it still provides me with guidance today. I still struggle to step outside my comfort zone. I often need a push from a more daring friend. As a teacher, I wonder if we are creating opportunities for our students to step outside their comfort zones, while also creating spaces for the students who see school as one big zone of discomfort. Students have to experience both comfort and discomfort if they are going to succeed and continue to grow as independent individuals. It’s natural for us to want to provide a cushion, but maybe what they really need is a gentle shove. While I will don’t aspire to free solo El Capitan like Alex Honnold, his accomplishment can sometimes be the reminder we need to at least try. Let’s find comfort with the uncomfortable.