This week let’s talk a different kind of topic, asking for what you want in education.

When I was five, my mom took me to a raspberry farm. I leaped out of the car, basket in hand, ready to harvest heaps of my favorite berry. Only to see a closed sign. I headed back to the car, distraught. 

“Well,” said my mom. “Let’s just ask if we can pick. It can’t hurt.” I watched with very little hope as she knocked at the farmhouse and made her request. Soon we were piling up berries in the sunshine. 

I’ve always remembered that day. The power of asking for what you want. It stuck with me in my teaching career.

I’ve asked for...

...classroom art supplies

...a season off from coaching when I was pushed past my max.

...admin guests to judge my poetry slams. 

...books from the library for my choice reading program.

...budget for a visiting theater professional to give workshops for a week.

...to run a PD day for my entire school and gotten it. Help from my tech team to run a podcast project.

...to present at CATE and write for ECIS and spend a week learning Harkness and go to graduate school… 

The answer to all these requests was yes.

Do I always get everything I want? No. But just think if I had never asked

So today, I’m highly recommending that YOU ask for what you want. 

Ask your local librarian if they can help with your classroom reading program. Ask your department chair if there’s budget for 10 new graphic novels. Ask your local paper to come and cover your 11th grade poetry jam. Ask parents to come and speak during Career week. Ask if you can paint a wall of your classroom with chalkboard paint. Ask your colleagues if they want to go speak to the school board about something important to you. Ask if you can present on hexagonal thinking at a PD day. Ask the ice cream shop to donate prizes for your debate contest. 

Don’t be afraid to ask for whatever it is that you need.

 For budget, for PR, for time, for support.

Isn’t it worth a try?

 I know it is, because I can still remember those big perfect raspberries.

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