Somewhere between political agendas, mandated standards and rigid curriculums, we as teachers have lost our way. In the midst of ever-changing expectations and uncertain futures we have actually forgotten an integral piece of ourselves. Too often we have been told how and what to teach, and as a result now we look to others for permission. Despite knowing our own students best and what works for them, we second-guess ourselves or experience fear when following our instincts. There are countless explanations for why we feel constrained in our own classrooms, and while we can take the time to list and discuss them, at this point the time is better spent empowering ourselves. This is a call to reimagine our role as educators- as Designers of our curriculum, for a future rich in deeper learning experiences for our students.
With roots at High Tech High, where “teacher as designer” is one of the design principles, this concept was ingrained in my pedagogy early in my teaching career. As I moved on in my profession I never left behind the idea that teachers are capable of incredible things when they are given support and autonomy to adhere to a purposeful vision. As I left the High Tech system and supported teacher across the New Tech Network, I quickly saw the privilege that I experienced in the ideal teaching conditions of HTH. In my capacity as a School Development Coach I often sat across the table from teachers with tears of frustration in their eyes, and worst yet, complete hopelessness in their calling to teach. I always came back to wishing these talented and loving teachers felt empowered to be a “Designer” as I had been at High Tech High. The residue of these experiences and deeply-held philosophy of “Teacher as Designer” can be seen in the passion, ideology, blood, sweat and tears of my venture in CraftED.
When I launched CraftED I struggled with the word “curriculum”-in my mind it had a dirty connotation to it. When I removed all emotion associated with the word, it’s simplicity was actually refreshing: “lessons and academic content taught in a school or in a specific course or program“. When printed in bulk CraftED Curriculum is a fierce 200 pages of strategies, lessons and resources for teachers striving to implement deeper learning. As with most curriculums I am often asked “do schools purchase this in bulk for teacher implementation?” The answer is “no!” and that is with intention and respect for my colleagues in the classroom. CraftED Curriculum is unique in that it honors Teachers as Designers. Call me idealistic or too progressive, but I had a dream of the following:
A teacher would acknowledge a challenge in their classroom (say, student collaboration) —- reflect on their craft and realize that they needed more tools to better facilitate this concept—-Talk to colleagues in their PLN about their dilemma—-practice agency by searching for teaching resources—- come across the work of CraftED—-search CraftED’s teaching materials—-identify a related strategy—-Follow the teaching notes and copy the student handouts to implement the strategy in the classroom in the following days—> LEARN BY DOING
The outcome would be this teacher increasing their bandwidth to deliver quality and rigorous deeper learning practices, while also developing their craft. And the cycle wouldn’t end there. Because this teacher implemented a strategy (not a one-time worksheet or lesson plan), they would reuse this tool in the next unit or project. The ultimate outcome: this strategy becomes part of their teaching toolbox and students in their classroom continuously practice this routine, which becomes a habit, and eventually part of their demeanor as a deeper learner.
We can no longer wait for permission from above only to be handed yet another teaching series that we know will not lead to deeper learning. We must find ways to support one another in developing ourselves as professionals and practice agency to deliver more meaningful and rigorous experiences for our students. We must claim ourselves as Designers of our future-Teachers as Designers.
To learn more about Jenny and the story of CraftED you can view this video or read more here.