Dr. Jennie Snyder, deputy superintendent for instructional services in Sonoma County, shares her insights on facilitating educational change. She challenges the notion that workshops alone can transform teaching and underscores the need for experimentation and curiosity. The conversation dives into the importance of listening to children's voices, adapting practices to diverse student needs, and the lessons learned from virtual learning during the pandemic. Jennie also emphasizes community engagement to create a more inclusive educational experience that prepares students for future challenges.
Educational change requires recognizing the complex nature of human relationships in teaching, rather than relying solely on workshops and standardized solutions.
Fostering meaningful connections between students and educators enhances engagement and rejuvenates teaching passion, highlighting the importance of individualized experiences in learning.
Deep dives
Embracing Complexity in Educational Change
Educational change is often perceived as a straightforward process where solutions are easily applied; however, this oversimplification neglects the complexities involved in genuinely transforming educational systems. The pandemic highlighted both the ability to pivot rapidly in crisis situations and the tendency to revert to previous norms, creating a false narrative that educational change can happen with simple fixes such as workshops or standardized plans. This perspective fails to acknowledge the intricacies of human relationships within educational environments, where the connection between students and teachers is crucial to the learning experience. Therefore, recognizing the unique and complex nature of each individual's experience within the education system is essential for effective change.
Humanizing Education through Relationships
Creating meaningful relationships between students and educators is key to fostering a productive learning environment. Evidence suggests that when educators prioritize their connections with students, it not only enhances student engagement but also rejuvenates the educators' passion for teaching. Initiatives that focus on understanding student experiences and soliciting their feedback can lead to significant improvements in educational practices. Small changes like asking students about their feelings towards a lesson or providing choices in projects demonstrate that engagement can be nurtured through simple yet impactful actions.
Lessons from the Pandemic: Rethinking Educational Structures
The rapid transition to remote learning during the pandemic led to reflections on the rigidity of traditional educational structures, such as fixed bell schedules and standardized curricula. Educators recognized the importance of flexibility, allowing students to explore their interests and well-being in a more holistic manner. This time also sparked discussions around social-emotional health, emphasizing the need to treat students as well-rounded individuals rather than just learners. The challenge lies in maintaining the positive lessons learned during this disruptive period while moving forward, ensuring that educational practices evolve to better meet the needs of diverse learners.
“We tend to think if we send teachers off to a two day workshop magically they’ll come back to the classroom and be able to do something different that will impact the lives of children.” Dr. Jennie Snyder, deputy superintendent for instructional services for the Sonoma County Office of Education and longtime educator, talks to Wendy about enacting change in education and the difference made by approaching things with a spirit of experimentation and curiosity.
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