The other day I finished a Masterclass seminar with a district, and on the last day of the school year – we debriefed what was perhaps collectively our most challenging year in the classroom.
I placed the following quote in a slide that I projected for everyone to reflect upon …
“The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places.”
Let’s face it, this year, teaching through a pandemic - broke the soul of many a teacher.
It was a confluence of factors – factors that were predominately out of our control. But we’ve reached the end. Some of us feel broken. But some of us are far better teachers as a result, ready and willing to face a return to normalcy in the fall.
I spent five days over Zoom with this group of English teachers. We explored how my templates can help students grow and mature as writers. We also delved into how my alternative grading methods can give teachers their lives back while also building writers from the ground up.
As we debriefed our experience and cast our eyes toward next year, I asked what would change for this group of teachers. Here’s what a few of them said.
- Competency and skill.
- Most students have fallen into a soft plateau with regards to their writing.
- There simply hasn’t been much growth within the context of teaching in our current constraints.
- Templates work. “Bob Ross[ing]” our instruction works.
- Building a foundation in the finer nuances of composition works. These teachers are ready to see what learning looks like in the classroom. True and meaningful learning.
- Restoration of their evenings and weekends.
- Pandemic teaching typically saw sixty-hour work weeks. No more of that next year.
- The alternative grading methods work. They are not only a ginormous time saver, but they place the onus of learning on the student – where it belongs. And further, templates do the same thing.
As you finish this academic year, I wish you all the best in growing strong in the places that have been broken. There is tired. There is downright tired. But few understand what it is like to be teacher-tired.
If you’re looking for a better way as we turn our eyes to a new chapter, consider my Masterclass that will begin June 13th, or my self-paced course, or even my alternative grading method course that includes the self-paced course and lifetime access to the Masterclass Library.
If you'd like to explore these courses, visit my webpage at: www.teachinghow2write.com
Today is the last day to lock into the current prices. Tomorrow, the day I officially open the enrollment doors, I will place my prices at their original price.
Today is the last day of the special offer.
Here’s to the healing of every teacher’s will to carry on!
Here’s to finding the strength to carry on with easier, softer ways!
Wishing you all the best for a restorative summer!
Kristian
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