An Introduction - Jumping with my Gremlin

Blogging is scary.  Honestly, not in any different way than I’m used to, so I suppose I should just jump in.  However, I feel that hesitation that comes with the gremlin of perfection. We know that overly friendly urge to want everything just right before we allow it to be viewed and judged by everyone.

​Teaching is so much like this.  Every moment we are being viewed and judged.  The need for perfection is so real because we are working for our kids.  Sometimes, administrators even come in and literally judge us with evaluations and walk-throughs.  This achy anxious feeling is all too familiar, but we can’t let it stop us from doing what is not only right for our kids, but right for us.

I’m jumping out on a limb and bringing my gremlin with me.  I’ll be writing as often as I can about education, specifically from the framework of the Habits of Mind.  I will do my best to write clearly and precisely. Please don't be surprised if you find a misspelled word, quirky phrase, or incorrect idea along the way.  This is an exercise in learning and growing, as all great leaps should be.

We ask our students to jump with us all the time.  We say, “I don't care about spelling, just write.” We encourage, “You won’t know unless you try.”  We pry, “I love that idea, now can you tell me more.” Please treat me as a student in learning. I will be exploring ideas and trying new things to figure out what is best for all of us.  It won't be perfect, and that is exactly why I have to try.

Each post will express or showcase an idea in education and be related back to the Habits of Mind.  As we go I’ll explain what the Habits mean to our students, ourselves and our lives.