I spent the last four days in Denver, CO working with a small group of amazing educators who do amazing work for NCCE and their schools. We all came together from all over the US and Mexico to develop training materials, projects, workshops, and activities all based on Minecraft Education.
When I was asked to be part of this group I could not pass this opportunity up. I have been very conscious about travel and leaving my wife and kids these last few months. When this opportunity opened up and when we looked at this chance for me to create around something I love I could not let it go.
And I am so glad I did.
Something that stood out to me through these three days of work to create was the power of a safe space for learning. I know this gets mentioned all the time, but when I think back to my work as a middle school teacher and now in my role serving 21 school districts almost all of them have some sort of PLC system. What is often missing is the safe space feel of being able to come together, share ideas, push back on thoughts, and not take it personal or someone getting upset. Often times these meetings feel more managerial and being babysat rather than coming together to create powerful work.
Time and time again I found myself thinking about this environment I experienced. We did not spend time on all the “steps” we are often forced to do in our own PLC work. We did not create norms. We did not reflect on norms. Not that these steps are not important, but I sometimes feel like the things we do in education to create a space to collaborate are more of a checklist rather than actually creating the conditions.
We came into this work knowing the task we needed to accomplish. We knew we had the same mission with the work. We came together, figured out a system that worked for us, and got to work. What I loved the most was that it was safe to ask questions on things we did not know. It was safe to push back on ideas to reach a better understanding of what would work. It was safe to respect and understand we all have our own styles and that should be celebrated! It was safe work in the system that best suited us. It was so powerful to learn how much knowledge, resources, and things are already created that we would not have known without asking.
As I prepare to fly home today(I cannot wait to see my family), I feel so fortunate to be able to create work around things I love and am passionate about. I realize that once again the work I do is not to bring a new piece of tech or project to the classroom, but learning how to create learning conditions that allow anyone to have success.
My challenge to myself is to figure out how to create these conditions in my own work and to stop jumping through hoops which drains my energy and excitement for things I am passionate about.
I am curious, what are things your team or school do to create safe spaces to push your own thinking and learning around education and helping students learn?
As many of us are preparing for a new school year or have just started are you having these conversations with your team? Are you addressing what really works for YOU! – the educator – to feel good about your work while also learning new ideas from others?
This is important for your well being.
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