Optimizing Learning for the Long Run
People say that life is like a marathon, not a sprint. I believe a students' pre-kindergarten through 12th grade education is similar—it's a marathon, not a sprint. As students evolve during their educational careers, they are taught to leverage strengths, use specific strategies that often lead to success, and internalize their learning. One thing I've learned about marathons is that, while ever
A couple of years ago my daughter tried out for the cheerleading team. As part of the process, the girls were required to wear their hair in a long ponytail with spiral curls plus a bow. Although there is nothing surprising about these expectations, it caused me to pause. My daughter is African American with very thick hair (thinkThe Lion King). In order to style her hair in a ponytail, there is a lot involved. There is hair washing, drying, and straightening. In addition, there is holding gel, curling tools—and this is just the beginning! Although with time, sweat, and effort, we could accomplish this ponytail ideal, I began to think about the other African American students that did not have the natural hair length needed in order to create a long ponytail with spiral curls. Wow. I could not believe that something as simple as a hairstyle could serve to separate students from one another. More importantly, it seemed that something as simple as a hairstyle could separate the opportunities afforded to particular students.
I do not believe that the coach intended for the cheering requirements to be exclusive, but I do feel that if we as school leaders are not purposeful, sensitive, and responsible in our actions, we will fail to reach all of our students.
After reading work by Peggy McIntosh on how our own background, culture, or "hidden knapsacks" may impede our ability to interact with one another, I was inspired to reflect on my experiences with diversity in the classroom. I thought of all of the missed opportunities and the "disconnections" suggested by McIntosh. I
1-15-14 THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG - You Learn. You Teach. Now Lead. — Whole Child Education
You Learn. You Teach. Now Lead. — Whole Child Education: You Learn. You Teach. Now Lead.ASCD Emerging Leaders are accomplished educators with 5–15 years of experience who are highly involved in ASCD and the education community as a whole?. The two-year program is designed to prepare younger, diverse educators for potential influence and ASCD leadership. ASCD now enrolls more educators in each clas