My growth mindset is perpetually developing to the point that it becomes a relentless voice in my head. I find myself rereading books and blogs, buying more books, listening intently to keynotes and conversations, and connecting with others outside my experience. Still, I sit wondering about the unknown. The unknown that creates an excitement of learning something new!
The excitement is what intrigues me about
others,
teaching,
students,
LIFE!
A growth mindset requires thinking beyond isolation. Collaborating is essential… if done correctly. It is not a matter of grouping a handful of people together and assuming there is balance. It takes action. Action on the part of those facilitating and those collaborating. Empowering the collaborators to bring their game… contribute, listen, question, and create.
col·lab·o·ra·tion
[kəˌlabəˈrāSH(ə)n]NOUN
the action of working with someone to produce or create something:
So when others agree with me, I cringe. Not so much if it is a give and take conversation, but more so when I throw an idea out and it is jumped on without hesitation. Taken and run with as if there is no room to grow.
It is simply a thought… an idea… a lightbulb moment! It is one raindrop in a very big puddle. One small fish and in a very big sea. One crayon in the Ultimate 152 Pack! So why are we just going with it? Let’s create a rainbow of colors. Let’s create a collage of ideas!
This is where my frustration gets the best of me. Where I shut down and don’t want to give. Not because I am the educational hoarder that must sign my name to every idea so that others give me credit, or worse yet don’t get to use at all (Not that I have ever been around that type… sigh). Oh no, I am the giver of ideas. I want to make things happen together. I want others to toss their idea into the ring, grab my hand, and take me along for the ride! I want to create life changing experiences together!
As Dave Burgess, author of Teach Like A Pirate, would say,
“I want to bring it!”
I am an idea generator. My mind accumulates ideas faster than I can write them down. I am not the best refiner by nature. Execution of plans becomes a hot mess of moments that fall apart if I don’t stay on top of my game. I NEED OTHERS! I need balance and I NEED GROWTH!
Bottom line is…
Our classrooms are no different. We need to remember that we have all types of learners and they all need to grow. There are the idea generators, the makers and creators, the refiners, and the executors. Collaborating is at the forefront because it creates a better overall learner. Collaboration isn’t about one type of learner tossing an idea into the ring and the group takes off without feedback, discussion, and questioning. Students would have little success being wrapped up in an isolated idea that simply needs more!
I am a student.
We are all students.
We need one another to grow!
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