Standard Musings

Technology.
The 21st century.
Collaboration.
When I think of all of these, one word pops into my head and heart...

Innovation.

Webster defines it as "the introduction of something new."

New. Out of the ordinary. Refreshing. Original. Unique. Creative.

Don't all those sound sooooooo unstandard?

Yep, I'm going there.

I'm finding myself put more and more into a box in regards to the definition of good teaching. I use to think I was a good teacher, because I was innovative; I did take risks. And in a great sweeping movement of karma, so did my students--even the repeater kids, the high flyers. Now, "Standardize your teaching." "Remember the science, not the art," are hollow voices that haunt me in my restless, sterile, pedagogical halls.

I'm also finding that in a good-hearted attempt not to leave any child behind, we've stuffed them into a neat, carryall box. It's crowded in there. Almost suffocating. Our ADD kids, who might just be standard boys, but non-standard students; our SPED students, who might have within them to be the next Einsteins; our ELL kiddos, who could be the next international advocates; our artful and/or athletic students, who are gifted and will some day add to our aesthetic and entertainment pleasure..."he" and "she" are blending into a blurred, collective herd of they. A they is easier to teach; a they is easier to lead.

But are they? In an attempt to standardize my classroom, I worry I am not providing my students with the real-world skills they need--the real stuff, that which will help them have meaningful relationships, fulfilling jobs, aha moments, celebrations of success, reflections and modifications regarding failures, risks that pay off, happy memories of high school. After all, where are those in the GLET's?

And speaking of the GLET's, where are the 21st century skills? Where is the online access, the collaboration, the risk-taking, the work ethic, the joy from discovery, the contribution of their voices into the digital conversation, the utilization and evaluation of something cool and hip in this advanced world? Where is the creativity? I can't even find it in my own practice anymore...

I get it. Those things are hard to measure.

But let my words be known as well: their absence is far more drastically measured.