The Power of Relationships

According to the National Council of State Legislatures, "research shows that successful high schools provide rigorous academic coursework, relevant learning opportunities, and meaningful relationships with instructors who are qualified to help students achieve high standards."

I am so lucky to work at a high school where all 3 components are highly visible :-) Yesterday during a training, I was reminded of the importance and power of relationships. Human connection is critical in a social organization like a school, and I believe that relationships must come before rigor and relevance are possible.

Today, someone shared this video of Rita Pierson (educator for 40+ years) reflecting on the importance of giving every student a champion. I had seen the video before, but today it helped me be more reflective. It was just what I needed to analyze and reflect on the way I am building relationships with students and staff.

If you have not watched this video - take a few minutes and reflect too :-)

Persistence

Persistence 

This is a big word that packs a lot of relevance in today's teaching/learning world.   Students are expected to persist in solving problems that integrate information across content areas.  Our teachers need persistence to meet the challenging and diverse needs of students.  Our leaders need persistence to move school systems towards a vision that challenges tradition.  I need persistence to keep writing!

I have created a blog in the past, but I did not persist in my writing.  Over the past year, the need to reflect and write has persistently nagged me.  As I sit in the Pittsburgh airport, I have high hopes of carving time out in my schedule to reflect, to wonder, to challenge, to persist...

When I google the word, the first definition is "firm or obstinate continuance in a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition."