Friends,
I spent most of the day today facilitating learning walks among the faculty. During each class block today small groups of faculty toured four different classrooms with me. We observed for what was going well and how we might use this to influence our own teaching practice. We also talked about how what we observed affirmed who we are as a school. Last year, our department chairs and Board participated in this same experience with me.
Taking time to visit one another’s classroom is important work. It strengthens trust and collegiality, and it builds a culture of engagement and professional dialogue. In this way, we are better together. In this way, we continue to be learners. And in this way, we continue to refine what it means to be smart and good.
During today’s learning walks, we visited a total 12 different classes. All of us who participated noted the high level engagement, the frequent dialogue between teacher and students and among the students themselves, and the variety of personality our students and faculty possess. This commitment from the faculty at Crossroads to continue learning and to continue learning together is a strength of this community. We are a more vibrant learning community when our students, when our faculty and staff, when our community, and when our board engages in learning together.
I am often impressed by our students, faculty, and staff, and today was particularly meaningful as faculty began to recognize in one another’s professional practice what makes Crossroads the learning community that it is.
With great expectations,
Jason