Hoosier Road
October
Image...Beliefs...Actions
“There are hundreds of different images of the child. Each one of you has inside yourself an image of the child that directs you as you begin to relate to a child. This theory within you pushes you to behave in certain ways; it orients you as you talk to the child, listen to the child, observe the child. It is very difficult for you to act contrary to this internal image....The environment you construct around you and the children also reflects this image you have about the child. There’s a difference between the environment that you are able to build based on a preconceived image of the child and the environment that you can build that is based on the child you see in front of you — the relationship you build with the child, the games you play (Loris Malaguzzi).”
Teacher(s) Stepping Into the Roll of Faciliatator
Physical Space
Not Just Student Work, But Students Working
Friday's PLC time
Having a challenging philosophical conversation is not something that happens at a school full of mediocre teachers. Because you are doing so many things well and because we are made up of so many great individuals, this was a conversation we could have to take us to our growing edge. I thank you all for staying in conversation even when I was acting like the antagonistic younger brother (It’s innate, I am the youngest of three).
The question was posed a couple of times, “What do you want us to do?” or “Tell me what to do because I want to do the right thing.” The true purpose of our discussion was to promote reflection, actions aligning with beliefs. Perhaps I was just projecting my own personal struggle on you all. As I have been studying this idea of the Image of a Child lately, I have been able to quantify some of my own uneasy feelings that have been in place over the past ten years...times when my actions did not align with my beliefs.
I am always available to talk. Not just for the folks who want more, but just as importantly for the folks who have concerns and disagreements. Please share those with me!