As you pack your bags and journey off into the summer month(s), what can you look back on and learn from? I wanted to offer up two small tips for your craft before your departure.
Ask the “End-User”
Dr. Chris Emdin (Godfather of #HipHopEd) calls for educators to engage in co-generative dialogue with students throughout the year. But hey, I would say there is no better time than the present to start! As you wrap up the year with students ask them what they thought about the year? You? Classwork? Memorable moments? Connection to their peers? Adult relationships and support? Celebrations? Do-Overs? Challenges? Relevance and engagement? The list could go on and you could ask these important questions any number of ways:
- Focus groups with a wide representation of students.
- Anonymous google survey to students and/or parents.
- Final journaling or blogging exercise
- Formal Presentation of Learning (POL)
- Hand-written Q & A
Pick the method that serves you and your students best, but do make it meaningful data collection so you can use it!
Walk the Talk: Be a Reflective Practitioner
I’ve been re-reading a lot of Dweck’s work on mindset lately and I’m reminded how important we are as models for our students. So now is the time to do what we hope our students do when they receive feedback…have a growth mindset and apply it! Once you have collected student responses about their experiences take time to analyze what you received. 
- You may face some pain points and/or some celebrations, so have a colleague ready to share what you review and ask for an unbiased ear to process with you.
- Perhaps go back to the “end-user” and ask clarifying and probing questions of those students (so don’t wait to ask students these important questions and definitely don’t do it on the last day of school when they have already packed it up and packed it in!)
- Identify a growth area for next year-don’t take on too much here, start small with something measurable you can really commit to improving.
- If you haven’t yet, identify an acccountabilibuddy who will follow up on your goals for your craft.
- Once you have an identified area for development, find some good summer reading to snuggle up with in a relaxing place. Or maybe think outside the box and attend an event that will challenge you as a learner. Check out a local Maker Space, do a job shadow in a particular industry, build something, visit somewhere in your community you have been wanting to check out, take a non-academic class for fun. Do what will inspire you!
As one adventure closes and another begins I want to congratulate you. YOU are changing our future, and that is no easy task. Enjoy a well-deserved break and I wish you rejuvenation and inspiration in the coming month(s).
-Jenny