“We’re Already Doing This”

Good evening to all of you from a basement out here in the middle of Minnesota. Hope this finds you and yours doing well and feeling hearty and hale.

What a difference a day can make in temperatures. Instead of the humid, low 90s of yesterday, we saw an overcast, breezy mid 60s. And while fall is my favorite season, and the cooler temperatures are certainly, I’m not quite ready to say so long to the last part of summer. Forecast looks promising with plenty of days in the low 70s. Poifect!

Today was the first day with all students in both both buildings…significantly more hustle and than yesterday. Unfortunately, our learning management system we use was on the fritz for first half of the day which made it challenging to help students make sure they were going to right classes. Apparently we weren’t alone in our struggles as the whole state was impacted by this company’s technical blunders.

I’ve been thinking a good deal about mindset, especially in transitioning from workshop week into the first week of school proper. There’s a common refrain I hear frequently and have used myself in the past:

“We’re already doing that.”

This sentence is often used as a means to help smooth implementation of a district/school initiative, strategy, or practice. For example, two year ago our district placed an emphasis on improving student literacy in every grade across content area. We began by focusing on structuring opportunities for academic conversations and response (low stake) writing every day in every classroom. When rolling out these practices, I used that well-worn phrase.

“You’re already doing this (having students write and talk in class). We’re just going to focus a little more on how we’re doing this.”

I realize now what I should have said was, “Think about how you’re currently creating opportunities for students to write about and speak to each other about what they’re learning in your class. How can we take this to the next level? How can we ensure we’re doing this every day for every student.”

I’d like to shift this phrase this year. Instead of “We’re already doing this,” I’d like instead to shift to one of the following:

1. “Here’s what we’re doing, this is how we know, and here’s what we need to do to get to the next level.”

2. “We’re not currently doing this, but should be. Here’s how we know, and here’s what we need to do to make sure that happens.”

3. “We’re not currently doing this, we’re not ready for it yet, here’s how we know, and so we’re going to put it on hold for now.”

Whereas “We’re already doing this” keeps folks mired in a fixed mindset, the replacements above can hopefully encourage growth and eventually innovative mindsets.

Alright, that’s all I have for tonight. I’ll close for now. Getting ready to take Rosie for a walk around the block before settling into the final part of the evening routine.

Be well. Take care of yourselves and each other.

Huzzah!

-Purdy