Teachers are creative and passionate. Last week, I had the pleasure of spending a day with our 6th Grade Team and coaches (Billie Donegan, Jenny Banta and Tom Lewis). The day focused on one question: As a 6th grade team, what climate and community-building experiences do we want to develop or revise that will permit us to create more student ownership in the demands and design of an IB classroom? As we explored highly effective schools and their practice, our team designed learning experiences that focus on building relationships. I was reminded that we have to go slow to go fast. I want to give you permission to go slow to go fast. Spend time getting to know your students: their past, present and future. After all, “kids don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.”
