Somewhat out of the blue, I was invited to present at this year’s Washington State Teacher Advisory Council (WATAC) Spring Conference. I will be co-presenting with 2012 Regional Teacher of the Year Lynne Olmos. She and I will share how we have used social media to elevate our voices in education. I am honored to have an opportunity to share how I have used my blog, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to share my vision and voice, hopefully compelling other educational leaders in our state to do the same.
To help prepare my presentation, I have a request for my readers. If you are so inclined, would you please consider providing a testimonial on the impact my blog has had on you? I am not fishing for compliments or seeking strokes for my ego–even though it feels like that. That is not my intent. Truly. Rather, I want to be able to show other educational leaders who are reluctant to share their vision and voice that they can make a difference, which I guess presumes that I am making a difference (sorry, this is a bit awkward). Anyway, any reader, regardless your station: teacher, friend, former student, parent, mom, etc. please consider this. It would be greatly appreciated. Please leave a comment on this post or email me at msyrie@cheneysd.org. Thank you for your consideration. Thank you.
Today’s Trail
Along today’s trail we will…
…begin with Smiles and Frowns.
…wrap up introductions.
…submit self-selected grades.
…end with a Sappy Sy Rhyme.
Happy Tuesday, all.
Do. Reflect. Do Better.
Monte, your blog is the one blog that I consistently read every day. You provide such amazing transparency into the workings of your classroom and the inner dialogue of a passionate and creative teacher.
I appreciate so many things about your writing and who you are for your students, your school and all of us who get to learn by the example you set.
First, I love that you demonstrate that it is possible in today’s educational climate of testing and accountability to take a stand for putting the focus first and foremost on the learning. This stand comes through loud and clear in nearly every post. I love that you write about specific ways that you do this so that other teachers in other places can begin to experiment with some of the same methods for putting the focus back on the learning instead of the grade.
Second, I love that you demonstrate that it is also possible–indeed critical and necessary–to build relationships and a culture of trust in the classroom. I love that you write about how you do this. I have learned much from the specifics you have shared like smiles and frowns to experimenting with mantras and sappy rhymes. I love that you write about the fear that you feel as you deviate from the norm in making sure that you take time to do this in an educational climate where there already always feels like there isn’t enough time.
Third, I love that you share the specifics of the tools you use to teach. I have learned things about writing and grammar from you that I did not learn in my previous studies of writing and language. (By the way–it would be awesome if you could find a place to post those tools as they are hard to find on your blog if you don’t remember which post they were attached to.)
Finally, I love that you demonstrate that it is possible to maintain a writing habit in the face of all the other obligations of being a teacher. Thank you for taking the time to share your thinking, your practice, and your authentic self!
Wow. Honored and humbled by your too-kind words. Lots a wind for my wings. Thank you. I will work on the “tools” thing. Promise. Thank you, again, Melissa.
I think that your Project 180 and your daily blog inspires many people and has a positive outcome for most who follow your journey. I know that this “journey ” started for you when you first started teaching.
For me, I have learned that change in how our kids are taught can be changed. I am from the old school and thought that kids could be taught only one way.That someone other than a teacher had control over how kids were taught, for years and years things were the same, never changing. But times are changing , and you recognized this need for change. We need to meet kids needs differently now,for they have so much to gain from what you offer and encourage others to bring to their classroom.
Through reading your Blog, I have learned that change is hard and that change is also possible. I love it most when your Blog includes things that your students have presented. I have been touched by many of their insights of life, Life is a journey.
Shucks. Thanks, Ma.
Monte Syrie and his Project 180 has had a huge impact on our class even though we are on the other side of the planet. We are a year 6/7 class in Adelaide, South Australia. Monte inspired us to begin our daily routine with Smiles and Frowns, which we love because it has helped us get to know each other better, have a laugh at times, and has allowed us to build a stronger connection with each other. We use Journey Journals to reflect on our learning and find ways to improve. We have Monte’s stimulus stems in the front of our books to help us. Last year our class connected with Monte via FlipGrid because we were interested in why he chose to give his students all A’s and how he has built student voice into his classroom. He inspired our class to use a select and defend model of self-reporting which gave us more choice, less stress, allowed us to be more creative and gave us greater awareness of our learning and control over it. Finally, Monte gave us an awesome book recommendation, “Freak the Mighty” which we have thoroughly enjoyed as a “read-aloud” story. Even though we have never met Monte in real life, he has helped change our classroom and learning in many positive ways. Thanks, Monte.
From Lynton, Paige, and Amber.
Wow, Lynton, Paige, and Amber. I am humbled and honored by your kind words. So glad that we have been able to connect, even if we are half a world away. So impressed by all that you and Mr. Moore are doing. Hope you three continue to advocate for yourselves and others as you continue your education and beyond. I am proud of you all. Thank you for taking the time to write this testimonial. Keep chasing better!
Hi, Syrie. I would love to leave a comment. Your blog is continually packed with the rawness, honesty, and messiness that comes with being a visionary 21st-century teacher. It’s easy for these changes and concepts to be discussed in a shiny surface-level manner, but because you are in the trenches and continue to share your voice day in and day out, you are able to convey absolutely invaluable insight into what the work really looks like. You inspire me to have the courage it takes to shift the paradigm from teacher control to student ownership, agency, and voice. Thank you for your dedication!
Thank you, Mary. Your consistent encouragement and support have helped me more than you could ever know. It’s a lonely, messy, and at-times deeply doubtful journey, and your “presence” helps a great deal. Please accept my sincere gratitude for your always being there. Means the world. Thank you. Truly.
Hey Syrie! All I can say is that your blog makes me as a student think about the reasons my teachers have for doing different things, like grades, differently. And it has helped me to understand the reasons as well.
Hopefully this was what you were looking for!
This works fine, kiddo. Thank you.