Starting the School Year with a Student-Centered Perspective

Poster found here.

Ann and I start the school year now from a completely different perspective:  We are facilitators in a student-centered classroom.  

Sure we can choose our color scheme (blue, black, and silver!), our concept of focus (SYSTEMS), our theme (Robots), and even a slogan ("Gearing up to learn...Sparks will fly!").  But those are just things we choose in the hopes that we will inspire our students from the moment they walk into their learning space.  Preparing anything beyond that is nearly impossible.  

Something wasn't feeling right as we approached the first day this school year, and we finally we realized what is was:  our kids were missing!

Then I was reading some of my favorite blogs the day before school started and came across a post by Pernille Ripp.  She too was feeling the same way me and Ann were.  In a student-centered classroom, you can only prepare so much for the first day of school; and the second day, and the third, and the fourth... for that matter.  The students drive our decision making on a daily basis.  In order to know the direction we will go, to make our lesson plans definite, to decide on specific materials and strategies, our kids must be present.  We must have countless opportunities to get to know their personalities, their strengths, their challenges, their interests and their ambitions.  

And as if it was meant to be, I came across the poster above created by Krissy Venosdale.  It put everything I have expressed and felt into very simple terms.  As educators with a student-centered mindset, we focus on one day at a time.  And everything we do is built on the premise of truly making dreams come true.

Here's to all the classrooms that whisper "you complete me" to students as they enter each day.

~Celina

  

My One Little Word for 2013

A New Year always begins with a gusto of goals, promises, endeavors, challenges, resolutions, etc. When Ann introduced me to Ali Edwards' One Little Word (OLW) last January I was struck by the simplicity of choosing one word to encompass, or rather summarize, the achievement one hoped for in the new year. After participating with OLW during 2012, I realized the deep impact one word could have and was impressed with how a word could positively change your personal character. INSPIRE brought me opportunities, conversations, knowledge, ideas, and a plethora of possibilities. From all the inspiration that I encountered and shared during 2012, I was able to change my mindset as a learner and approach my professional journey with eyes wide open.

Dear INSPIRE,

Dear INSPIRE,
Who knew one-little-word could be so extremely powerful. Around every corner you lurked, popping out when I least expected it and dazzling me with your brilliance. You brightened my year, as I worked to achieve personal and professional goals.

I needed you through good times and bad. When amazing things happened and I wanted to shout from the rooftops, you were there. When tough times arose and I wanted to curl up and retreat, you were there. When I was at a standstill and unsure of the path to take, you were there.

INSPIRE, you allowed me to find my way on my learning journey but guided me gracefully in a purposeful direction. You also took the time to help me recognize & celebrate my growth. Sometimes you glistened through the words, ideas, and comfort of close friends. Sometimes you spoke gently through the close embrace of family members. Often you boldly showed your face in blogs, articles, quotes, art and books. And as 2012 gained momentum, I found you speaking through me, and I humbly accepted the honor. The year became more about sharing you with others than seeking you out for myself.

Thank you for being by my side during 2012. This is not good-bye, but rather I would like to think of you as a true friend in which I will keep in close contact with through the years to come You have taught me so much, especially how to BELIEVE in myself and the journey in which I continue to travel.

I appreciate you, friend.
~Celina

Discovering Inspiration

Sometimes you hit a rough patch; a moment in time when everything seems off and out of place.  Sometimes you know why, other times you don’t.  Either way it can throw you…far.  Far away from your routine, your sensible state of mind, your happiness, and your future goals.  When this moment in time occurs it is hard to find your way back to the place you were once before when all was right in your world, on your path to your destiny.

Yoda Day!!

So excited to wear our tee shirts today! A fabulous, fantastic, fun find by Ann to inspire our inner Jedi!

....at peace we will be.... inspire we will... excited I am...