Why we should all be required to move now and then
Thursday, April 21, 2016 at 06:09AM 
This is a very moving year for me - in both senses of the word. I have sold my beloved house on the lake and moved to the suburbs of Minneapolis, minimizing out of necessity. (I just don't really need that lawn tractor or third recliner anymore.) It's been moving as well since a lot of good memories were left along with the dock. I cried at the closing.
My school office space is moving as well, from one building to another along with other district departments - the Superintendent, HR, Finance, etc. Our new space will be nice - on the ground floor, not basement, with real windows for everyone. Yes!
Along with we few district-level employees, it seems about half the teaching staff in the district is also moving. Grade re-alignments are moving 6th grade teachers to middle schools and 9th grade teachers to high schools. A "senior campus" is closing and those teachers will be moving to a new addition at the high school. In implementing a middle school model our 6-8 grade buildings will move grade levels into proximity rather than leaving classrooms grouped by curricular areas. Several elementary buildings are moving their offices to place them directly at the building entrances for security reasons.
You might want to invest in cardboard moving boxes and tape right now.
Perhaps all of us in education ought to be required to move on a regular basis. I know I have been using some quiet times in my office to sort through old file drawers, tossing manuals and contracts and plans that are 10 year old and older. I am down to a single file drawer from about six. Some materials are going to an archival vault, but most just hitting the recycling bin. Yes I might regret tossing that manual for Windows 95, but I'm willing to risk it.
My hope is that all employees, teachers especially, will undertake a similar process - looking at old materials asking...
- When was the last time I used this? Did it work then?
- Does this align to the current curriculum?
- Does this reflect the values of cultural proficiency?
- Can I do this activity or present this resource digitally?
We all of us grow comfortable in our habits, routines, and familiar lessons. But when we move, our perspective can change as well as our location. The window view should be different looking both into and out of our classrooms and offices.
Reader Comments (4)
Another timely article from you - I will be moving from an apartment into a town home next month AND moving into our new building at school in June / July. Actually looking forward to both. I'll be on the second floor in the middle of the building - so no outside windows but the way the building is designed I will have natural light at both ends of the hall.
Thanks, Doug,
There was a dock in my life that I am missing terribly. Time for a new dock.
I am currently reading "Future Wise" by David Perkins. I am thoroughly consumed with his concept of "lifeworthy learning". This concept parallels your questioning of what matters now and what matters tomorrow.
We are going through a school remodeling project that has displaced me from my comfortable office. That's a good thing because it makes me evaluate my role and the stuff most important to our vision and goals.
Good luck with the boxes. Maybe you won't need as many as you think.
Bob
HI Ken,
Good luck to you with both your moves. Natural light is a wonderful thing - especially for moods, I think.
Doug
Thanks, Bob. I will look for Perkin's book. Sounds interesting. Have fun with the remodeling.
Doug
HI Kenn,
Good luck to you with both your moves. Natural light is a wonderful thing - especially for moods, I think.
Doug
Thanks, Bob. I will look for Perkin's book. Sounds interesting. Have fun with the remodeling.
Doug