The purpose of this blog is to encourage you to create a lollipop moment for someone else. Thank you to Drew Dudley — Twitter @DayOneDrew for the inspiration! Check out his Ted Talk Everyday Leadership
In this Ted Talk, Drew discusses lollipop moments that he defines as moments when someone says or does something that makes our lives better. His claim is that these sometimes seemingly everyday moments are examples of leadership redefined. This got me thinking and reflecting on the moments that have made a difference in my life, and for the purpose of this blog, the moments that have made my professional life better. Here are two game-changers in my professional life:
- In 2013, a friend of mine encouraged me to start blogging and share what was happening in my classroom. She also mentored me through my first few blogs. That process of reflecting on my practice and sharing with others has made a world of difference in my classroom and in my professional life (and has open a million doors to new learning and new opportunities, both for my students and for myself). You can read more about that here.
- The “bravery” I embraced that resulted in sharing our class story led to many opportunities for us, one of which was an opportunity to have a video shot in the Shelton classroom for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The sharing of the Shelton story through this and other videos to follow opened up a new set of doors and opportunities for learning and growth for us.
There is a pattern in these two examples- my choice to share with others (the wins, the challenges, and the path) resulted in new learning and new opportunities for both me and my students. One of the big impacts that I did not realize until many years later was that sharing our class story, sharing our road to attempt to translate the NGSS and the Framework into classroom instruction, supported others in their journey. It also inspired them to do the same, to share their story and contribute to the conversation around contemporary research in science education. This is an amazing era in science education. Researchers, policy makers, scientists, and teachers all have a shared goal exemplified in A Framework for K-12 Science Education and three-dimensional standards, like the Next Generation Science Standards. Teachers throughout the nation are working to support each other on the path to realize a new vision for students when it comes to STEM. This is everyday leadership.
This Ted Talk took me back to those early days when I was attempting to translate the new vision for science education into my classroom- when I was unsure and maybe even scared. I leaned on communities like #NGSSchat for support, and I sought out every opportunity for professional learning that I could find. Once I designed my first instructional sequence and experienced the energy, excitement, student thinking and deep understanding of science that resulted, I knew I shouldn’t quit. Also, I knew I had to share this journey with others.
You are catalysts for lollipop moments. What you are trying out in your classroom is an important contribution to the science community conversation? Please consider sharing.
You will be amazed at how much it will help you learn and grow; your sharing will support and inspire others..
Ideas to get started…
- Share your Summer Learning book to read to the #NGSSchat and #SciRead As you read and learn, share your aha moments and Ideas for changing your practice to the hashtags (both please!) along with a link to your book.
- Comment on this blog with a tool, strategy, or resource that helped you translate 3D standards and/or contemporary research into your classroom.
- Share a tool or strategy that helped you translate 3D standards and/or contemporary research into your classroom on the #NGSSchat hashtag in a paragraph or even through a blog post shared to #NGSSchat and #Sci4allSs.
“Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other”
John F. Kennedy Jr
Partnerships In Learning 