Klingenstein “Pearls”

(travel.nationalgeographic.com)

Most of you guys know that in june I attended the Klingenstein Summer Institute for new teachers.  Here are a few “Pearls” of wisdom:

• Don’t think of it as “change” – it is really just continuous improvement.
• “When everything is graded, when can [students] fail?” – Kelley Nicholson Flynn, science leader teacher
• Does it require “the power of the group?” – Josh Pretzer, science leader teacher – when referring to whether or not to assign collaborative work.
• Growth mindset: try, fail, learn.
• 1% change: Don’t try to change everything at once – Gary Giberson, founder of Sustainable Fare, Lawrenceville’s dining services.
• All my best assignments meet Stipek’s 5 dimensions of motivation:

1. need for sense of competency
2. need for sense of self-determination
3. need for interpersonal connection
4. need for sense of purpose, meaning, or relevance
5. interest

• “Every idea I’ve had has been improved by others” – Pearl Rock Kane, co-founder and school leadership visionary