My year in Scotland was really hard with incredible lows, but was a experience I learned and grew from. I was given the opportunity to take on a Primary 1 (Kindergarten/Grade1ish) class where I was challenged and pushed as a teacher in new ways after eight years in upper primary.
The summer was a time for healing, reflecting, and learning so I was ready to take on a new class, a new perspective, and go back to Scotland for a year of adventure, travel, and teaching.
I went back to Canada for the summer. I spent 2 weeks at the University of Lethbridge with 20 educators working on their Masters of Education in Instructional Technology, I spent three weeks with family, and then I went to Unplugd.
Unplugd was the single most powerful experience I’ve had as a learner.
I was brought together with 36 exemplary educators from across Canada. These weren’t just any educators, they were people I interacted with on Twitter, read their blogs, team taught with across the country, people I learned with, people I talked to, people I respected and admired.
We got together in a place where we were free of technology and outside influence and we shared, we wrote, we listened, and we learned.
No one presented, there weren’t workshops or sessions, just groups of people writing and sharing personal stories around themes and idea.
I was lucky to work in a group with Dean, Kelly, Alana, Jeannine, and Stephen where we talked about Wonder. We wrote about wondering about our own practise, wondering if we can trust other educators and the process, wondering why the arts matter and wondering if risks and fear are essential to learning. We write about finding wonder through joy and enjoying school, and bringing that wonder into the classroom with tools, such as video games (can you see my Scottish influence there!)
What did we create? A word cloud of the 37 pieces of writing…stay tuned to the Unplugd site as each section is released one week at a time.
One of my highlights was meeting my tech mentor, my teaching partner, my collaborator, and my friend Zoe Branigan-Pipe – @zbpipe. We’ve worked together on all sorts of projects and was my original Skype partner. I went early to spend an extra day and took Zoe and her boys geocaching – they officially have the bug! I was thrilled to finally meet – face to face – someone I already knew so well!
It was commented that I was quiet, but I was listening. I was listening to the stories of all of these other fantastic educators. I was learning, I was healing, and I was regaining the spirit, energy, and passion that was being sapped away. I was thinking about my own practice and priorities. What are my reasons for sharing, blogging, and twittering. Why do I choose to push boundaries in my teaching practice and incorporate cutting edge tools and practices? I do it because I care – in the words of Rob Fisher – I care about education so much it hurts. I got a chance to share a story of inspiration with Dean Shareski. I went through a time this year when I was going to shut down my blog because my work was being taken and presented on. It made me not want to share and just turn in and focus on my classroom, instead of being open. It was Dean’s K-12 presentation – Sharing the Moral Imperative – which convinced me that I needed to continue to share and reflect on my practice. I was really excited to be able to share the impact one person had on me face to face to let them know the impact they have. I’m hoping that others find value in what I share.
Unplugd – more like Plugd back in!
It was great to meet and talk to you this past weekend, Jen. So glad you were there. Thanks for what you contributed to my learning.
Love the word cloud. It’s so interesting to see the dominant themes.
I, too, have had the experience that you mentioned in which someone takes my work and uses it. I like my sister’s attitude about this. She says, “imitation is the most sincere form of flattery.”
Hope you have a great year teaching the age group you love!
What a great idea – a word cloud of the writing. I’m so glad that Learning and Students are the main focus
Great to meet you in person Jen!
As you’re about to get back into the classroom, I hope you realize how lucky we feel that you ended your summer vacation with us at the Edge. As you begin working with students, I hope it’s affirming to know that many colleagues back in Canada are thinking of you, and wishing you well as you teach students what matters most.
So glad you unplugged with us this summer! I know I am not alone in valuing the opportunity to get to know you, to share our stories and reimagine what could be.
Continue sharing, being open. The quality of your work will allow others to recognize your considerable talents.
It was good to meet you Jen. Thanks for sharing your reflections here and reminding us about the importance of community. Good thing you didn’t stop blogging; it’s vital that other educators hear your voice.
Hi Jen
From this side of the pond, I’m just really pleased you are remaining on Scottish soil despite last year!!! I read the information a few weeks about about Unplugged and sent it to a few people saying “this is worth looking at” so good luck with any such event over here and if you need a partner in crime to do it just let me know
Best wishes
Juliet