600. This is my 600th post to my blog. Never imagined that I’d still be at it when I set out nearly three years ago, but here I am still writing, still scheming, still dreaming that we might change education. Now, I cannot imagine that I will ever stop.

Not sure of my impact outside my room, but my room is transformed daily as I seek to get better with each do-reflect-do-better spin of the wheel. Some days I fail. Some days I succeed. Every day I reflect. And as I now reflect on my journey of 600 posts, I am pleased with how far I’ve come, especially in the realm of placing learning at the center of our experience and pushing grading to the far edges. It has completely transformed my room. It started with gifting every kid an A and it has evolved into forging a relationship, a partnership with each kid as we seek to capture their learning: together. Together.

For the first time in my career, I feel like I have arrived at a place where both the kids and I feel comfortable and confident with the journey. I work hard to push away any pretense. I work hard to make things real. I work hard to learn how to help them learn, even–maybe especially–if that means bucking convention. I don’t have the answers, but I do have the courage to do differently. And so far, that “different” has helped create a space where there is…well, joy. I’m gonna call it joy. I think the kids and I truly find joy in the experience we share. And though some of my critics think this joy is achieved by my warm-and-fuzzy, Kumbaya culture, where we only do Smiles and Frowns and Sappy Sy’s, they’re not wrong, but they’re not right, either.

Yes, how kids feel matters a great deal to me, for that’s where it all starts and ends, but whether kids are learning matters as much. Are kids learning in 206? I dare the doubters to spend a week with me. And though I am loathe to play this card, for I put little stock in such things–but my doubters may–I have the highest standardized test scores in the building. Year after year. And, I ignore the test, until we are forced to take it. I don’t care about the test. I care about kids. And that seems to matter most. So, dear doubters, come on in. Door’s always open. Always.

And for my faithful followers, thank you for your support over the past three years. I know some of you have read each of the 600, and it’s my sincere hope that you have found something of value in at least one of them. Thank you. Door’s open for you, too. Always.

Today’s Trail

Along today’s trail we will…

…begin with Smiles and Frowns.

…hear our Mindset Mantra.

…prepare for tomorrow’s theme performance.

…reflect in our Journey Journals.

…end with a Sappy Sy Rhyme.

Do. Reflect. Do Better. 

Happy Thursday, all.