Story of 2 Brothers

https://youtu.be/sN8vv5h97oA

DITCH IT!

Scenario from the Riley House:

Every day a 7th grader and a 5th grader come home from their adventurous school day. Feet stomp loudly outside the door as they pound the snow from their shoes and prepare to enter the homework zone. Yes, at our house homework is completed immediately after school before they are able to embark on other fun activities. Once the door closes the quick and typical conversation occurs. How was your day? What fun activities did you do? Whom did you help today? What did you do to make a difference? These are common questions in our house. We do not focus so much on the content of school as we do the relationships and engagement our kids had in school. Then there is a dash for snacks and the work begins. Our 5^th grader reads and works on other assignments. Complaining the whole time and stating how homework is no fun. Our 7^th grader embarks on what seems to be at least a 2 hour ritual of homework every night. She works hard and literally grinds nonstop. We let them work and check on them from time to time. Our kids are good about asking questions to us when they do not understand something. Mom handles the reading, grammar, and writing work while I help with the math and sciences. It is a good balance for our family. Yes, we have those times when the schedule is disrupted. Doctors’ appointments are scheduled. Little kids become sick. Sports practices shift the after school activities all around. Nevertheless, our kids always find time for schoolwork and we are always there to help if needed. End scenario.

Then, for some unknown reason this week, it hit me. As I sat at the kitchen island helping my daughter with conversion fractions I have the following questions pop into my head: What if I wasn’t here to help? What if my kids did not have the structure or the discipline to do their homework? What if I as the parent didn’t understand this stuff? Where does the help come from then?

The next morning I find myself lost in thought about student support at home. In addition, I find myself at a training session for foster parents. These tend to be all day events and (as an educator) grueling because typically they involve someone reading off a PowerPoint to you. My wife smacks me as I roll my eyes and sigh! I tend to fade off in thought or to my phone to write a blog or check in on Twitter. Then I find it. A chat occurring title #DitchHW. It’s there I see like-minded educators concerned about the negative impact homework is having on our students. If you are on Twitter and share the same concern, you need to check out the thread. If you think ditching homework sounds crazy.....keep reading. This all got me to thinking….

WHAT DO WE NEED TO DITCH IN SCHOOLS TODAY?

Homework- Let us start by removing the label that haunts all students and call it what it is. It should be called PRACTICE! Y’all we talking PRACTICE! 

Practice is not punishment. Practice is developmental. In sports, practice is where we develop our game and work on getting it right without fear of failing. Practice is where we explore new ideas. Practice is where we improve. Practice is where we learn to gel as a team. Why can’t it be the same in school? In some cases, homework becomes more important than what is going on in class. When we assign a grade to homework, we make it more than practice. Homework should be an extension of a class activity or something that kids do not fear. It should never make them HATE school. My son loves to log on to Math apps that turn math into games. He enjoys doing those. He enjoys writing a blog that a local college student gets to interact with him on. Homework should never be used to assign or assess compliance. Homework should not be a measure of obedience. Never assign something because you did not get to it in class. That is a classroom management problem. We should be helping students learn through the process. We should be helping student fall in love with learning. Not dreading it! Homework does not allow for instant feedback. That happens in the class. One of the things we have done in our classes at the ILC is to structure in break out time. This is when students have the ability to work on whatever they need. A task given in class. A project they need to complete. Whatever it is. They can be creative with their work. This becomes their time to ask questions. It becomes my time to circulate and check-in. Some, get stuff done. Others prioritize and get the help they need. If they decide to save some work for home then that is their own decision. It becomes independent practice. 

Think about my questions earlier. What if the structure and support is missing from home? How are those students gaining from homework? Keep this in mind the next time you start to get on a kid for not turning in homework or give them a ZERO as a grade. I know far too many HS students that are pretty much living on their own or raising their younger siblings. They did not choose that lifestyle but they make the best of it. Homework should not be a fear for them. It should not be a stressor in life. As a parent, I see the stress it causes my own kids. As a teacher, I know some students do not use time wisely in class and need to wrap up some unfinished business. Yes, there are different expectations for each grade level. I challenge you to simply view homework differently and implement a change to a policy that may just be your biggest headache and the one thing that could be causing students to HATE school. After all, the less homework you assign the less you have to grade. The more you get to focus on important stuff like building relationships with students and truly making engaging activities that inspire.

TESTS- Ok. We can’t get rid of mandated state tests. I wish we could. At least we can’t until we get educators involved at the state level and they help develop a new way to assess our public schools. However, you do control what you do in your classes. I for one do not give tests in my classes. My EDU students will have to take WebXam test to get college credit. Beyond that everything we do is project-based, experiential based, or implementational in nature. Does that mean we will not practice testing? Absolutely not. We will practice testing but it will not be a form of assessment that they will fear. For the most part once a student gets out of their Undergrad they may never test again. Think about that? I have not taken a test since my Praxis to get into teaching. Everything in my Masters and EDD courses has been researched base in nature. I have had to show what I know by creating not guessing on a multiple-choice test. Just saying! Ask your parents. When was the last time they took a test for their job? Ditch the TEST! Find alternative ways to assess.

Typical School Day- Can we all agree that the typical school day is dead. We must find a better way to serve our students than with 45-minute disruptions. How do we change our schedules in our schools today? How do we get rid of the bell systems that cause so much clock watching I feel like I am at a Flintstone cartoon factory waiting for the lunch whistle to blow!

Our class operates on a block schedule. It is magnificent! Even then, I feel like I do not have enough time for students to experience all they need. There is no bell to tell them when to get out of their seats. The world does not end. They love it! Maybe, schools designate 2 days a week to a traditional schedule, 2 days a week block schedule, and 1 day a week free flow (go where you need…as long as you need…to finish what you need). How cool would that be! Logistical nightmare at first but change takes time. Worth a try!

Lockers- Can we just go ahead and rip the lockers out of schools? I walk through the halls of schools and still see students carrying their entire life in their book bags. Many lockers sit empty. Imagine if we removed lockers from the halls and created small collaborative spaces. A hallway lined with a hightop bench where students could stand and do work. When you send students to the hall to make up work, they would now have a place to do just that. This would also make the hallways a bit wider and easier to navigate with those big book bags. Add cubbyholes in the classrooms where students can stash their bags. This will also increase safety in our schools. No need for drug-sniffing dogs to check lockers. No extra places to hide items that shouldn’t be at school. Check out the images for ideas.

Textbooks- Many schools are going one to one with devices. Some are not. With the heavy emphasis on digital tools, can’t we just integrate our texts to be compatible with our device of choice?  If you need a text just have a class set that students can use if necessary. No books. No problem. You the teacher will get to create some cool online material that your students can use. Link them to online resources in class. Now we are really eliminating the need for lockers and lightening up those crazy book bags. One of my EDD professors created some amazing online modules for us. His modules were full of all the info we needed and linked us to articles and readings that were free to use online. He delivered content via videos and online discussions. We truly did not need a textbook. Could you do without them in your class? Maybe, your school is not one to one, your student population does not have an internet connection at home.... please don’t make excuses for change. Just try to make it easier for your students. I am a firm believer that what is driving our standardized tests is the lobbyist for textbook companies. Sir Ken Robinson stated that it's estimated the US spends $16,000,000,000 on standardized tests. I could think of a better way to spend that money. These companies create books that they can advertise as meeting the needs for the state tests your students take. Remove that power from them. Become the creator of content in your class. Besides, you will never be able to use the phrase, “It’s in the book!”

None of this is new. Educators are already doing these and they are seeing huge success. I simply thought it was a good time to bring some up and start a conversation. Will it work for your school or your classroom? You will not know until you try! If anything my hope is that after you read this, you reflect on the following:

1. Do I truly understand what home support looks like for each my students?
2. Am I being fair with my practices or am I causing some unneeded stress for myself and for my students?
3. What can I DITCH to make my classroom/ school a better place for learning?
4. What can I do to challenge others and myself to step-up?
5. If I DITCH IT, what can I ADD to make the experience better for my students?

Thanks for reading!  Stay #BENT!

John

#BENT

“Success isn't given, it is earned!” NIKE

A great quote that we often hear when the word success is being defined and thrown around. What does success mean to you both personally and professionally? In the Fall one of our seniors invited Javier Sanchez to speak at the ILC. Javier asked the students who they thought was successful?  They listed the typical moguls Bill Gates, Oprah, Jordan, Warren Buffett, LeBron James, Beyonce, and so on. Javier then pushed back and asked why they didn't mention their parents or teachers?  Why did they only list the old rich,  professional athletes, and pop stars?

Well, that got me to thinking because I've fallen into the same trap.  Thinking that success was more of a social status and label. As Javier stated it's not about being more but about being known for! What will you be known for?

As we begin 2018 I want to ask....were you successful in 2017? What were you known for? For some reason, I felt off and disconnected. It happens. I think we all get into funks sometimes and suffer setbacks. Some of us experience huge setbacks from personal struggles of our own doing or from things that happen to us. The loss of a loved one...the loss of a job...illness...or a new addition to the family. Reflection is good. It's a major tool used by many to separate themselves from the pack.   As we ramp up 2018 my hope is that just maybe we can all learn something together.  If you read this and think...me too...let me know in the comments or share your reflection as well.

Personal Level

One goal I had was to complete my EDD. It did not happen. Instead, we opened up our home to a beautiful and thriving baby boy. He was born under adverse conditions and we continue to shower him with love and support. He is well on his way! Now with four kids in our home, it seems someone is always sick. I’m pretty sure we had an ear infection every other week! That's more ear wax and runny noses that I can recall.  My EDD goal has now been pushed to 2018. It was a great year in terms of physical health as I continue to push myself way outside my comfort zone. Competing in my first Powerlifting meet at Old School Gym and surrounding myself with a group of like-minded individuals with the #4amcrew We don't just lift weights. We discuss goals and side hustle that ultimately make us and the world a better place. We support each other and hold one another accountable.  I’m still learning the ins and outs of how my body works under the pressure of the iron. It’s a journey! I teamed up with the tribe of #Fitleaders started by Dr. Ryan B Jackson out Mt. Pleasant, Tn. This is a group of devoted leaders in education and all walks life that understands physical health is important to becoming your best. We see gym time as means to destress, embrace failure, growth, and challenges. As Dr. Jackson penned in his Underdog’s blog:

Our penchant for betterment, based on the timeless assumption that change itself is perpetual, culminates in an almost ironic peace of mind that allows for uninterrupted forward-thinking supported by a healthier, more durable physiological state – one capable of withstanding the harsh effects of gravity coupled with time. That’s heavy, I know. But as an educator it rings so true: We’re in a constant battle against time; The weight of our students’ challenges and our limited resources can feel crushing.

Accountability! This is one area I have fallen short in. Holding myself accountable for my progress and my actions. I must get better at this. Better at finding balance in my family life.  Better at being more accountable in my faith and in leading my family in their faith.  This year I watched my daughter be baptized and my son accept Christ into his heart. It was backward this year. They led me!  My wife continues to amaze me. Keeping the calendar going that is #TeamRiley and for the most part running the house. I pretty much just show up when I am told and look pretty. It's a hard gig! I need to be more intentional with my actions and more involved with the family details. That is where true SUCCESS will lie for me in 2018. When those who know me best respect me most. It starts at home!

Professional Success

I continue to love what I do. I love education. I love teaching.  I don't have a job. I have a driven purpose. Mr.Rodney Turner shared this image on Instagram last week:

I’m in the profession of TEACHERING! As an EDU Teaching Professions instructor, I get to invest in the lives of high school students that want to be future teachers.  I also get to partner with amazing educators.  Others that are willing to open up their classrooms to give our students the absolute best experience of what being a teacher is all about. The ILC is ramping up to continue to pave the way for changing education. We are expanding and inviting others to dream about how they can impact the students entrusted in our care. I am fortunate to be part of a team that doesn't just talk about it but leaps into action. We hold each other accountable. We push each other. Our WE is greater than our ME!

Personally, I have found myself questioning what's next. Now, that doesn't mean I going quit what I'm doing. Calm down. That means I'm dreaming about where my next phase of impact will be. I can change and grow in my current position. Maybe I move into building level leadership. Maybe I start doing some speaking and PD to help others grow and expand the sphere. All I know is I have an itch and that's a good thing. I believe we should never settle or grow stagnant.  Far too many ideas and dreams are stuck in classrooms with teachers that don't take chances.

Let's do a simple activity to wrap this all together. This is one I learned from my good buddy Brent Wise. He was an influential part of me becoming #UNCOMFORTABLE with education. Let’s begin. Draw a number line on a piece paper from 0 to 79. What does that represent?  Got it? That's your life timeline.  Starting at 0 (Born) mark off your school life. When you finished your education. Mine is still going...LOL! While in school I consider this to be your IMPRESSION years. The time that the world is shaping you the most. Now tear that off. Estimate where you are on the line at this time. For me....41. For the most part, we can just tear that off. We can't go back and change what has happened to us or change the decisions we have made. It's our past. However, we must recognize that up to this point it has shaped who we are. Learn from it. Grow from it. Implement action and pass it on.  Now, with that part of the line gone mark where you think you will retire. Within that space is POTENTIAL INFLUENCE. It's the amount of time you have left to make a difference in the world of education (or your current profession) and the lives of children that will be in your care. You can make a choice about what you want to be known for! It's not too late. Every day counts. Every day is a choice. Sure, I'm connecting this to education but you can use this visual for every career or stay at home life. Now, what happens after retirement. This is our INVEST phase of life. Maybe one of the most important. This is where we truly pass it on. Where we invest in LOVE, FAMILY, FAITH, and EACH OTHER! I think for the most part this is a good reflection of our lives. But why wait? Let’s combine our years of INFLUENCE and INVESTMENT. Let’s start today to truly impact the world around us. How? Start with daily discipline. Discipline is choosing what one wants most over what one wants now. We must stop thinking in the present and begin picturing what we want to be known for.

Establish a personal routine. My one word for 2018 is #BENT. After reading Chase the Lion by Mark Batterson I decided to make an experience list. These are not goals but merely experiences I would like to pursue. It may not happen in one year but the list is flexible. I will be #BENT on the following:

• Leave room for GOD!
• Accumulate EXPERIENCES not possessions
• Family….Family….Family
• Invest in friends
• Finish my EDD
• Realize it’s about QUALITY not quantity
• Who before DO
• Why before What
• Prayer/Devotion daily
• Carry 300# for 600yds on Easter
• Serve more…Love more...Care more
• Blog monthly
• Never settle for STATUS QUO
• Become a better steward of money
• Go on a missions trip
• Continue to improve Academy EDU
• Impact….always impact
• Renew vows with my amazing Wifey
• Help my wife start her blog
• Family vacation abroad
• Pour into others
• Listen to at least 3 audiobooks a month
• Continue learning in the gym
• Present at professional conferences
• Run an obstacle course race with my kids
• Conduct a year of growth with my kids
• Launch a podcast/vlog
• Speak at a TedX
• Leave a legacy
• The list will continuously grow……

So….what will you be known for? What does success look like to you? After all, we are all just one decision away from a crazy different life!

Stay #BENT,

John