School Supplies: Resources for the Reflective Educator

Choice reading and beautiful spaces made reading an easy  choice for my two year old.  I had the privilege today of playing hooky from work and spend the entire day with my toddler. Every Friday he spends the morning at an ECE program at a neighborhood elementary and as excited as I was to spend time watching him play and learn I was equally excited to observe how kids his age experiment, play and learn. I spend nearly three hours with him this morning in one classroom and as we walked out I reflected on five lessons that I as a high school educator leaned from this remarkably fun experience with my son. 1. School was Joyful Everyone was happy to be at school this morning from the teacher the parents and especially the kids. It was as if everyone in the room could not wait to see one another and as a community of relative strangers we were all excited to be part of our child's shared experiences. The tone of the entire three hours was positive, energetic and consisten...

What is our purpose? Why can't I describe it?  I am fortunate to be part of a fellowship that meets monthly to discuss how schools can be redesigned to better serve all students. The fellowship urges divergent and critical thinking and pushes on every paradigm we as educators hold sacred or essential. Nothing about how schools are and what schools do is off limits to this group of educators but recently the our conversation has switched to a simple topic that has left me silent. In a room full of educators ready to and willing to change the educational landscape the fellowship director asked us one very simple question: "What is the purpose of public education?" This seemingly simple questions is one in which I should be able to answer with fluidity and conviction but when I sat down to write the purpose, our purpose, I was at a loss for words.  I know that I have a purpose for doing what I do but I could not distill it down to its component pieces and when asked...