In looking at the elements of the SITE model, I think they apply similarly to myself as well as my learners. We share similar values around wanting to make a difference not just in improving the lives of students but using education as a means to affect change in our world. We want to feel that what we are doing is working but also have a voice in making decisions based on our own research and observations. I think the motivation comes from wanting to feel that we’re successful based on external measures while continuing to question what success is and how we define it. We always want to get more efficient in what we do because time is always at a premium.
I’m thinking about what tools or techniques we can use to help us meet these lofty goals. I would like to find a way to develop agency in our students and help them to see themselves as capable of taking action based on their knowledge and skills. The challenge for teachers right now is how to work on improving practices without adding another burden in a year where everything is feeling burdensome. I think we can take advantage of all the new technology tools and learning by both teachers and students to build voice and choice for students.
I think the best way to approach the task is to focus on good models so that we can learn from each other and develop agreements together. We’ve had so much new learning in the last few months and think we need to take the opportunity to synthesize all that we’ve discovered with what we already know about best practices.