Lifelong Learners

A recent post on the ASCD Inservice Blog, "We Have to Find a Way: Five Strategies to Help Educators Learn for Life", highlights some "simple ways to keep your own professional development and learning seamlessly integrated into your daily life." At Puxi High School, there are a variety of opportunities that align with the author's suggestions.

Resources available in the mail room!

1. Get connected: There are lots of SAS teachers on Twitter, sharing resources and learning from each other and other educators around the world. Follow the hashtag #saschina, check out this list of SAS staff on Twitter, and start building your PLN (personal learning network) today! Not sure how to get started? Your instructional coach can help. :-) 
2. Read, read, read: This school year, there were two book study groups that met monthly, starting in October and wrapping up in April. If you feel like you don't have the time to tackle a whole book, a study group is a great strategy for breaking it into chunks and keeping you accountable for reading. If you have a suggestion for a topic or title for a group to read next year, let me know! Also, keep an eye out for more information about a possible summer book club. For shorter reads and quick strategy ideas, check out the articles that are posted on the new bulletin board in the mail room.
3. Get involved & Make it a priority: The third round of learning walks kicks off next week: these include schoolwide walks, Chinese department walks and counselor walks. While I know that giving up your prep time is a sacrifice, participating teachers say that the opportunity to take time out to reflect is worth it and can even help to re-energize and inspire you. Opportunities to spend just part of a release period observing a lesson or activity can also be arranged. Do you have a strategy or activity that you've had success with? Consider hosting a "Lesson Study" this Spring. All you have to do is let me know what it is and when it's happening (if possible a couple of days in advance), and then I will arrange a visit with any available and interested teachers. No extra prep - you just do your thing and let the learning happen!
4. Associate with like-minded individuals: With the start of construction this spring and more sharing of spaces, there are additional opportunities to engage in spontaneous conversations, to collaborate with others, and to see colleagues in action. If you see me at work in the teacher's lounge, I am there to make myself available to you. I have time if you want to talk through an idea, share a success, get another set of eyes on something, or need a resource. The "Coach's Corner" is always open for business!

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