One Little Word, (OLW) 2020

Something keeps showing up again and again in my life across the past several months. It’s out of place with my status quo.

Why?

1. It takes place outside even in the heat and in the cold.
2. It’s active, but it’s not exercising.
3. It Isn’t education-related.

I have been surprised by how much it has challenged me, moved me to laughter, to tears, to gratitude.  It all started on a John Deere in Iowa and continued on a Kabota in Stallion Springs, California. I know I’m not done learning from these fantastic machines. TRACTORS.

This year’s One Little Word chosen to tuck into my heart and fold over in my mind and journey alongside me this new year:

t r A c t i o n

So far this OLW, trAction has been filled with fun, family and personal growth.

I’m looking forward to learning more about traction’s “Motive power provided for movement”  and “Grip on a road”, particularly the road of student learning. How can we hit a metaphorical patch of ice – behaviors, home life, cultural misses, learning challenges, lengthy winter & summer breaks and not lose traction?  See that little word inside the word?  Action…

Synonyms for traction include:

adhesion

purchase

resistance

pull

haulage

propulsion

drag

All of these whisper to me of the heavy lifting we do at school sites each day across weeks and months and 180 day school year working to make sure our lessons gain traction, that students are empowered by internal motivation and engaged, gaining purchase that will carry them far along their own journeys. 

Finally, I am looking to support staff as we gain traction toward collective efficacy.  Because I know we can strengthen our work by truly functioning as a team to change children’s trajectories by better meeting their needs, raising their understanding and their agency every step of the way.

 

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