Sunday, December 7, 2008

Am I Paying It Forward?

As holiday break rapidly approaches, I find myself in a state of reflection. Perhaps, it is because we are at the half way point, and there is so much more I want to accomplish before this school year fades into the next. This morning, as I was listening to my pastor's sermon, I found myself making many connections to my school life. His message was about hanging out with the right crowd, surrounding yourself with people that challenge you to get better and think deeper, to assist you in raising the bar. Immediately, I connected with his message because at Chets I am surrounded by these individuals. They are continually reading professional literature, having collegial dialogue, trying cutting edge ideas, observing each other in action, thinking beyond what others may find possible, and producing remarkable results. Every time I think I know where the bar has been set, they have a new idea or share a new student product, and raise the bar yet again. To me, working among these passionate committed professionals is priceless.

That is not to say at times it is not difficult. This type of crowd is not the Yes Crowd. They are the crowd that challenges you, questions you, and has difficult conversations in order to make you think deeper and try new things. They will not allow you to stand idle. They will not tolerate the status quo. And, for that I am thankful. I have these people in my professional life--in fact, I have dozens of them.

I was also left wondering... Am I paying this forward to those teachers that I coach? Do I challenge them to read, reflect, and refine their work? Am I willing to have the difficult conversations so they think more deeply, even when it is not guaranteed to change their thinking? Am I taking steps to ensure that they are self-directed learners able to reflect on their practice? At the end of the year, will those I coach look back and say, "Suzanne helped me change my practice?"

I'm going to spend the next couple of weeks reflecting on these questions. I'm going to take a list of those I coach and go one by one through each of their names and ask myself what else I can do for them this year. In turn, I hope that my own mentors will do the same for me.

5 comments:

Maria Mallon & Cheryl Dillard said...

Suzanne,
At this point in the school year it is a great time to reflect. We still have enough time to change things that aren't working, challenge ourselves to go deeper, and to charge ahead to make every day better than the previous one...our students deserve our best! MM

dayle timmons said...

This is why you are so effective as a Standards Coach. You are always willing to face the brutal facts - whatever they are - in order to improve. I have found very few people are REALLY able to do that...and it's a necesary step if we REALLY want to make changes. You are one in a million and I am so thankful to be able to learn from you!

Mrs. Terri Lehane said...

Suzanne,
I feel this is also a time we all are reflecting. I found myself looking at my raw diagnostic scores that I scanned on Friday. Asking myself, Who made gains? Who didn't and why? What have I done and what do I need to do? We are at the half way mark and our reflection will guide us in the direction we need to go.
Terri

Suzanne said...

Terri and Maria,
You two are master teachers and your passion toward doing the right thing for students and reflecting on your practice is exactly why you shine. I am honored to work with you both.
Suzanne

Suzanne said...

dayle,
You are too kind. You always see the best in others. And, without you as a mentor, I wouldn't have moved nearly as far on this coaching journey. You are one of a kind. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and experiences with me. I appreciate every moment with you and absorb your wisdom like a sponge. :)