This week has been consumed (for me) by the search for our new Superintendent. It’s been intense. TGIF feels like a really real statement after working four 13 to 14 hour days in a row. The educational leader of our community can have a big impact. I am really glad I got to be on this hiring committee and give my input, even though half way through the week it was a bit brutal. There are a few things that I learned while listening to people talk about their educational philosophy, leadership style, how they work with the school board, relationships with teachers and students, equity, and budgets. It’s a big job. Here’s how it relates to what we do in the Pilot. There is a big difference between theory and practice. I started to learn this when I started teaching 12 years ago. Improvisation was a skill that I needed to develop as a new teacher. Everyday I came in prepared with my lessons and then 18 people would join me, bringing their whole life experience with them, and I had to make adjustments. I had to be prepared (I wasn’t a few times and that felt so bad that I now make every effort to be ready) and I also had to be able to attune to how people were showing up in the moment. I am still practicing this but my skills in the area of teacher improv have improved immensely. This happens with our project work. When you've chosen to study something you are passionate about, there is always more to know. My advice: keep practicing. Say what you’re going to do and then do it. There were some people that we interviewed that talked a lot of jargon. Of course, it is easier to say, “all students can learn” and "I look at everything through an equity lens" than it is to create a school community where that is actually happening and reflected in daily actions. The more visionary candidates made claims about what makes good education and then for the rest of the interview they demonstrated that they really know and practice those very things. Be efficient by demonstrating efficiency. Be compassionate by showing compassion. Make a goal and then show you tried. My advice: have a vision ands how up to it over and over again. we summited!
A snippet from Seminar:
I am looking forward to what happens with the deepening and expanding of the Pilot projects that will happen in the coming weeks. We've been meeting with Meg Allison our research librarian and specialist in information gathering. Thanks to Meg for dedicating so much of her week to helping us out!
Last but not least! Keep your eye out for future Piloteers! We're starting to put our feelers out for those that would be a good fit for Pilot next year. My goal is 25 applications! Please help me identify students that could benefit from learning outside the conventional classroom. But isn't that everyone? Be well, amyK
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We have reached the end of the Semester! After twelve hours of exhibition time, I am noticing a theme: there is always more to learn. Whether it is content, a communication skill, a getting-it-done attitude, or a way to ask a better question, we are continuing to look for ways to improve. The best exhibitions have a good balance between teaching us about the content of the project work and explaining what the road looked like getting there. Often it was bumpy. But bumpy rides make good stories and good learning. Making sure you have a robust support team along for the ride is also important. Bumpy roads can be scary when you're alone. Thanks to all the parents that came to see their student’s work this exhibition season. I hope you got to see all the work and the efforts they made in a new light. We ask students to do these presentations for many reasons, but one major one is giving them the opportunity to share what they have gained with the people that have helped them gain it. Independent is not alone. It never fails: the people that have leaned into their support systems, maybe even found new ones, and have been honest about asking for help when they needed it found the most success. Below you’ll see a snapshot of the successes we’ve had this semester. These quotes are either pulled from the student’s narrative or something that they said during their exhibition. Enjoy! Cole became less afraid of failure and realized the value in making a mistake, and yes, then learning from it and trying again: “The only way I could learn my limits was if I was set loose to fail.” Nathaniel found a way to look for ways to improve rather than harshly criticize his progress: "At the beginning I had a “man my art stinks’’ attitude, but that attitude has all but vanished, replaced with a “my art can improve, and so it shall’’ attitude. I think that has gotten me very far."
Si reached new levels of inquiry and accountability: “You are the only reason things do or do not happen.” And, “It’s really about curiosity”. Ashlynn found more self reliance: “If I do it, it gets done”. This of course has many applications! Bruce might be the most quoted person in Pilot this year. This one might need more explanation, I encourage you to talk to him about what was happening when he said: “I am really a reverse McCarthy, if you will.” Vivi is looking for and ways to focus in on certain elements of her project: “How do I want to grow?” Ana increased her fluency in French a lot on her own, but then talked with a new mentor and: “... realized how much more productive I could be with someone who could critique me.” After all, we are all works in progress. Madison conducted many interviews and found that: “Often these conversations result in more questions.” More questions, she will ask! Calen is looking forward to a systems improvement: “This next semester is something that I am very excited for, especially because I feel that I did not show my full potential last semester while I was trying to learn how to have a productive system. I think that you are going to see a lot of improvement from me in the second half of this year, and see me change as a person as well while I try to bring a fun attitude to a serious work environment.” Jake found it helpful to look more closely that the individuals that contributed to great movements in art history: “Specifically I have learned that focusing on individuals in history helps put events in a human context. For example, I have learned that while considered a great artist in his own time, Michelangelo was commonly thought of as a mean person. I have also learned about the influence of the monk Girolamo Savonarola in Florence in the 1490s. Savonarola convinced a large group of people to burn their possessions of secular art and leisure.” Iona continues to persevere and make great use of her mentor, who she has been working with now for a year and a half: “Writing has always been a passion of mine but this is the first time I’ve continued to pursue a story even when faced with obstacles. In the past my ego has always gotten in the way and I’ve given up as soon as something begins to feel difficult so as not to “fail.” Realizing that that in itself is a form of failure has taken a lot of practice. With the help of Sayward I’m learning how to work through obstacles instead of just overcoming them, and for that I am truly grateful” Next up! The Personalized Learning Summit! On Tuesday, the 28th, we will head to UVM to participate in a student-led conference with about 165 other students that are doing Pilot-like work across the state. About half of our Pilot crew will have some sort of leadership role at this event. From making the program, to being the MC, to working the registration table, to hosting a workshop, we’ve got it going on!
Thanks to Izzy, Si, Ana, Madison, and Iona for stepping up! It’s going to be a great event -- with the aim of connecting students that are working on similar things with each other. Also, the Learning Summit offers a great opportunity for students to share their work. Sam Pite, a new Piloteer starting with us in the second semester will be joining us for this event and scoping out what is possible! Welcome Sam! We look forward to seeing more of your amazing artwork evolve in the next few months. To all: let's continue to ride out the bumps together. There are moments of smooth sailing ahead in 2020! Be well, amyK |
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