Novelty, Hawthorne, and Synergy

I was fortunate to visit numerous classrooms over the past week. The abundance of  great people and experiences at Valley is overwhelming. I've taught at two other high schools before coming to Valley, and I can resolutely say that this is a special place. I've seen classes within numerous departments, and what I've experienced is just good energy. I must admit that much of my pleasure comes from getting to learn-- to be a student-- all over again. It's invigorating! Whether pace, activity, content, or personality, I personally feel compelled and inspired.

By this point, the invitations to visit classes have more acute purposes, such as management observations and ideas. It's humoring to see a bit of a pattern emerge: when I, the extra adult body, am present in the room, the concerning behavior diminishes. This living example of the Hawthorne Effect raises some good thoughts and questions: would all classes benefit from Instructional Coaches coming and going in a more free-flowing format, akin to a "lab school"? Will this diminish over time, more of a Novelty Effect? On a more rhetorical level, do those two confounding variables actually drive much of what is pitched to the public as educational reform? Heh... I digress.

The generalized great things observed: the meticulous constructs of angelic singing, solving the mysteries of writing purpose and craft as well as the riddles of mathematical functions, creating and observing chemical and physical changes, constructing sentences in a new language, expanding the detail in self-editing, the genesis of Google classrooms, technology-driven back-channel discussions, high expectations, positive personalities, and focused students. At this point in the year, Valley has an excellent feel about the building; great energy, hopefully a synergy that is no novelty. I am proud, fortunate, and humbled by it all.

CANNONBALL

Author's Note: this "artistic" attempt will not be the norm for these posts. Although reflective of-- and stemming from-- my first-day experiences, this entry focuses more on my personal impression rather than the observational and informational format that will consume most of the blog space. I hope you enjoy it!  ~Jim Martin

I toed the water, noting that it met my expectations of being cold and uncomfortable. 
I've been here before... what's the big deal? 
What's the difference? 
My familiar dock only a glance away-- same length, same height, same composition, even...
I've swum to this territory before. 
I know blue gill and striped bass frequent my holdings; not so sure about this one. 
It's new. 
Perhaps I should cast a few lines, see if anything bites; get a feel for it all. 

A crisp wind attempts harmony with the innocuous lake lapping, 
attempting to tip the balance of indecision. 

"Puh-huh," I say, heeling a turn. 

Without a trace more thought, 

                                                                    I jump in.

First day, instructional coach: a collage of helping sophomores find the right classrooms, brief introductions, and passing conversations; not distinctly different from my twenty-one years as a classroom teacher. The coaching group had experienced educational seminars and meetings regarding Professional Learning Communities, roles of coaches, and the obligatory data-driven decisions process, but here was the requisite First Day and little of it was fitting into the prescribed coaching boxes. That being obvious, I reminisced a Fitzgerald passage and bore back ceaselessly into the past.

Finding some open doors of both classroom and personality (familiar places, familiar faces), I was routinely invited in. It was there that I saw the constructs of Maslow's Hierarchy at hand. Food was offered (watermelon and various other snacks), familiarity of environment was established (scavenger hunts, meet-and-greets, establishment of classroom norms, subject overviews, and e-class connections); physical and emotional safety needs. Familiar territory. Standard. All for the good.

I stuck with this formula through the day-- comfortable territory-- until entering a classroom where another known entity was expected. I had missed my mark here. The classroom was empty. No familiar face to pass the time.

I contemplated calling it a day; there was meeting scheduled to end it, and there was always email to check. The thought was hollow and a bit chilling, though, so I passed my cubicle and rounded the corner to a closed-door room. Sighing, I gently rapped on the door and was immediately welcomed by the teacher and students.

The class had viewed a brief video regarding the embracing of personal limitations and rising above them-- even using them-- to advance ourselves. The student task:  listing a few limitations and how they can at least be turned into positives. When the blank papers made full circle to me, I headed them back to the teacher, but, for no conscious reason, I decided to partake of the inventory myself. With a boundless array of personal limitations at hand, I quickly identified three and set to work on flipping the perspective.

The students shared and discussed a few before the day's abridged schedule sent them out, their insights affirming my own. I was left with the bittersweet actualization that I've got a lot of work to do... and I look forward to it.

Chest and Nose corroborate Toe's assertion: cold, uncomfortable.
I gasp, slightly, glancing back at the old dock.
It's not so different. It just looks that way.
Settling, I clamber upon a Styrofoam noodle, shoulders back, chest up.
Sun upon face, breeze through hair...
Time to soak it in from here.

Become a Champion!!

The start of a new school year is a very exciting and stressful time for teachers!  We welcome new students to our building/classrooms and begin to build relationships that will last a lifetime.  Something you do or say today, while seeming completely nonchalant to you, will mean the world to a student and become a story they will tell for years to come!  To celebrate the first day, we share the following Ted talk.  Be the inspiration, be their champion, and make a difference in their life today!