When I started sharing my projects that come under the umbrella of Building Outside the Blocks (BOBs for short), I wondered how they would translate outside my classroom. Then, after several colleagues started using them and even coming up with some of their own, I wondered what it would be like if I offered these projects and this approach to other teachers. That was a hard step for me because it started feeling like I was “selling” BOBs. Then, I read Daniel Pink’s To Sell is Human: The Surprising Truth About Moving Others, and I figured out that I was! When writing a blog post on this, I also realized just how curious I am.
Having spent the last 8 years teaching in an IB school, I have learned a lot about inquiry. I understand the power of nurturing curiosity and letting student questions guide a unit. I even discovered that BOBs are a way to inquire about the self while building skill, autonomy and community. My self-inquiry led me to taking a bold step in two very different, but simultaneous, directions.
I have appreciated the time I have spent at my school. I have mentored new and preservice teachers, led professional development experiences for colleagues, and been an innovator in my classroom. I built the RS360 (Respectful School 360) a full circle, collaborative, proactive, student-led way to prevent bullying and build a culture of kindness. This student-leadership opportunity was celebrated every PINK Shirt Day for many years, which we renamed P.I.N.K. Shirt Day using the acronym Positive, Inclusive, Nurturing and Kind. This acronym has been adopted by the school community along with the roles of Fun Budz, Lunch Bunch and Respectful School Ambassadors. According to my head of school, “This helped further the vision of our school as a nurturing community by helping to build positive relationships at recess, lunch and through explicit classroom instruction led by students and supported by her [Noa's] mentorship." As the Student Council advisor, our leadership offering for students evolved into a way for every middle school student could see and be themselves outside of class, helping to enable a leadership culture. I have made some positive contributions, and I have learned a lot along the way.
On Wednesday night's graduation, I listened to and read the grade 8 graduates’ reflections on what really stuck with them in their years at our school. I was thrilled and amazed to hear how many of the projects I created for my students resonated so deeply to me among their most impactful experiences. While there were many push factors among the pull factors that led me to my next steps, the primary motivator was curiosity, a drive to learn more, and a desire to make an impact with more reach.
Over the past few years, I have had the privilege of interacting with several leaders and educators in the York Region District School Board. I was intrigued by the opportunities the board has to offer and now feel blessed to have been quickly added to the occasional teaching roster. There are so many things I know I can learn through affiliation with this innovative board.
While doing this, I continue to nurture my other passion: coaching educators, constructing professional learning experiences, creating personalizing projects, building capacity and cultivating school culture. All of this will now fall under the umbrella of Building Outside the Blocks.
Now, I have said goodbye to my students (that was the hardest part) and hello to a new direction where I get to keep building ways for students to see and be themselves in and outside of the classroom. Whether its for the students or the school, I build up!
And as my mind begins to spread it's wings There's no stopping curiosity- Upside Down, Jack Johnson