Feeling Productive

Over the past couple of weeks (minus a few days for horrible flooding here in South Carolina), I have been assisting teachers roll out their devices and meeting with them to discuss digital citizenship and standard operating procedures.  I have been so energized by the number of teachers who are enthusiastic and optimistic about how these devices will help them transform their teaching.  They are seeking advice and new ways to do old things.  They are eager to have students create with a purpose and are collaborating with teachers outside of their school.  

I have been seeking feedback, much like we get as teachers.  However, that feedback is not there.  I thought teaching was isolating, but this job can sometimes be isolating as well.  I was starting to wonder if my coaching was making a difference.  I have some teachers who are not as eager about using the devices or having my support.....I accept the challenge:)  As I began to beat myself up about this, I had a stream of teachers coming up with creative and innovative ways to use the tech with their students.  I realized that this was my feedback.  This was my high five.  Having a teacher share a fantastic idea that she came up with after a model lesson I did, seeing two of my teachers from different schools have their students collaborate via Kid Blog and working with a teacher who literally wants me in his room every week shows me that I am making an impact in these classrooms and these teachers are shifting their thinking about using tech as a tool to enhance learning.  

The shift may be slow, but it's coming.  I am encouraged by a quote I saw in the Mooc Ed I am participating in.  It said something along the lines of coaches don't need to have all the answers....if we did, we would be creating a sense of learned helplessness.  Instead we need to ask the right questions so that the teachers are the learners and we are the facilitators.  This is what we do with our students daily.  I'm encouraged and excited for what the coming weeks hold as teachers "dig in."