Productive struggle

I went to a fantastic training session called the Productive Struggle last weekend, where we discussed how students should be the creators of their own education. They must struggle productively to reach each objective we, teachers, set for them. A teacher's job is to create an environment in which students can make their own discoveries in order to proceed in the learning process. After this session, I felt inspired to create such an atmosphere...but I need to overcome a few obstacles I have created for myself.


You see, I have mom syndrome - I'm afraid to let my babies go, let them walk, fall down a few times, & then fly away. My students are older & wiser presently than they were 212 days ago, and yet I am afraid to give them too much power in the classroom environment. I'm afraid to have my classroom student-led.

Except when I think about it, I am in the classroom for them. I already went to college. I know how to multiply, divide, read, write...They are the ones that need to learn.

My students are ready to lead my classroom, & I am confident that they will retain even more knowledge than before because they will be their own creators of knowledge. So, as my MTLD said, I must recite this mantra:

• I can release control & my classroom will not go crazy.
• Struggle is necessary for growth, & I am hurting my students by not allowing them to struggle.
• When I build on their intuition & prior knowledge, my students are capable of incredible things.

Other life happenings:

Hours upon hours were spent lesson planning at Avoca, my second home

I won a chin-up contest at recess...small victories

I had 40 students in my class one morning because a substitute didn't show up

The new DFW Teach For America office stole my heart - what a great
place for creativity and work

I officially became a teacher with a class photo