July is nearly over. We’ve had our down-time and now we’re warming up again! But Twitter, Edutopia, Pinterest never took a break!  I love them, but there are so many ideas of perfect classroom design, ways to engage, technology to infuse, flipping, gamification . . . Your head is soon spinnin’. But you keep seeking (amid pinning 20 Delicious Recipes Using Crescent Rolls) because you don’t want to miss that one perfect idea that just fits your vision of the coming school year. There’s just so much and probably too much. 

And we haven’t even mentioned the books.  Oh my.  Solomon – the wisest man who ever lived – wrote in Ecclesiastes: There is no end to the crafting of many books, and too much study wearies the body.  I love that 1,000s of years ago that was as true as today.

Why do we spend our brief summer googling and pinteresting?  It’s all about creating a space that builds relationships with our students, using our content to prepare them for life, and allowing them to see their unique place in the future of their world.

What does Billy Bob have to do with this?

On Oprah’s “Master Class” he reminisced  about his life as six year old in an Arkansas home with no water or electricity. It was a difficult existence. One teacher in a high school theater class changed the direction of his life. He took the class just so he could meet girls and possibly make a rare passing grade, but he left it with a unique experience that led to a life’s ambition. As I was listening to him describe that one woman that changed his direction –  one who taught 45 years ago before all our swirling expectations and resources – I saw her simple, practical application of just plain good teaching that’s the destination of all  that’s inundating us.

I took a 2 minute video of this part of the show – sorry it’s not better quality. Notice what she so simply and naturally did.

• First – he is a totally dis-engaged student.  He was a trouble-maker and couldn’t care less about her class.
• She did not try to force him to bend to her will with discipline referrals or put-downs about his lack of responsibility. She didn’t expect him fit into her class – she got to know his interests and figured out a way to make her  class fit HIM!
• She gave him an authentic project that integrated his interest with her content.
• And then gave him the gift of hope and direction for his future.
• He recognizes that class as his life-shift 45 years later – above Academy Awards, Angelina, and all the accolades that are part of being Billy Bob.

Look at all those boards you’ve made, the books you’ve read – or planned to read – all the ideas you’ve shared on Facebook.They all fit that simple plan of getting to know your students and showing them who they are through what they learn and experience in your class. Challenge with heart. Responsibility with a goal.

No matter what we teach – that’s a good teacher right there – I don’t care who are. 🙂