I look forward to my walk on Sunday afternoons and listening to the podcast of the week from “Innovator’s Mindset” with George Couros. Last Sunday he shared “10 Easy Ways to Create an Amazing Classroom Culture” in his podcast. He challenged his listeners to apply just one of the 10 suggestions. I wanted to meet this challenge in some way.
That was going to be difficult, however, I am no longer in a brick and mortar setting. The classrooms I support as Director of Curriculum and Instruction of our state Virtual School is over 250 high schools across Arkansas. I am not making excuses. I am sharing the beautiful constraint I was presented in meeting George’s challenge.
The “little things” that you do in your classrooms to make a significant impact. Those little things added up over time can change everything.
10 Easy Ways To Create an Amazing #ClassroomCulture #Podcast https://t.co/KowmPziVnD #InnovateInsidetheBox #InnovatorsMindset pic.twitter.com/tAISSCPaOd
— George Couros (@gcouros) March 8, 2020
I mulled over this challenge for the remainder of my Sunday. Like most things, I didn’t have a strategy until I was in the shower Monday morning.
I sent an email to all my teachers including the blog post that linked to the podcast.
Here is the email I sent to my teachers:
“This weekend I listened to the most recent “Innovator’s Mindset” podcast by George Couros. At the end of the podcast he sometimes shares a challenge to his listeners. This one was to take the 10 things mentioned in the podcast and also listed in his blog post forwarded to you for reference and do at least one of them.
This week if you would help me in this, determine one student who has really worked hard for you, maybe struggles, but works hard. Maybe they are starting to lose their resolve and/or motivation and could use a word of encouragement. Send me their name, email, school affiliation, course they are taking with you, and something positive you notice or like about them. My intent is to personally reach out to that student you share with me and let them know that we are rooting for them. I want to share the love.
If you do not have the time, I completely understand, however, if you have a moment and can share, I would truly appreciate it. I want to love on your kids and do it with intention.”
The teachers that took me up on this were so excited to share the opportunity to encourage and love on their students. I took the time to craft a personal and unique email to each student was shared with me by their teacher. I cannot tell you to what extent it impacted the students I wrote, although, some wrote back and thanked me for reaching out and encouraging them. However, I can tell you, it changed me.
So if you are looking for a way to re-invigorate your work as an educator, I encourage you to read/listen to George’s blog/podcast and come to your own way to make one of his 10 suggestions happen. I found a way and I am so glad I did.
Please share in the comments if you tried any of George’s suggestions and how it impacted you and/or your students.
The Bulldog Educator 