0. The only true wisdom is in knowing that you know nothing. ~Socrates
1. That is probably my favorite quote of all time. It resonates with me so deeply because I’ve realized that every thing I read, write, watch, speak, do, and listen to is but a mere spec on the number line of infinity.
2. Despite confidence in myself and in my abilities in whatever the task at hand is, whether it be teaching complex numbers or overhauling a bottom bracket, inside I always understand that I can be better. There’s always someone or something with knowledge that I don’t have.
3. I have finally begun using exit tickets as they should be used. In other words, I understand their assessment value.
4. I once heard someone say that true innovators and learners engage with people and things that go beyond their area of expertise.
5. Real learners can take a seemingly meaningless or unrelated moment and relate it directly to something that is meaningful to them.
6. Quality over quantity. Always.
7. Being open and willing to accept criticism has taught me that I can be always be better.
8. I’m very excited to begin my (voluntary) intervisitations. I sense an immense amount of growth on the way.
9. Math teachers are always asked to incorporate more reading and writing into their classes. Why aren’t ELA teachers asked to include more mathematics in theirs?
10. If I pray for rain, I better be prepared to deal with the mud too.
11. I need to walk around with small slips of paper (or Post-its) and provide random instant feedback to my students.
12. Video in my classroom. Transparency. Vulnerability. Growth.
13. My standards-based grading has opened up areas of assessment that were simply not available to me before.
14. You have a dream, a goal. Each day, lay down a single brick. Work towards that goal. One at a time, work on perfecting how you lay them. Get better. Eventually you’ll have a great wall. Your goal will be achieved.
15. The wind howls, but the mountain remains still. Stop talking so much. Observe. Listen.
16. Don’t eat the marshmallow.
bp