Watch This Space
Whenever I’m working with teachers, I try and remind myself that the person I’m encountering resembles but is not identical to the educator they are in the classroom. The kindergarten teacher who rocks a feather boa and five distinct voices for the afternoon read-aloud will almost never volunteer to share what their group said during the faculty meeting in any voice whatsoever, for example. Different settings elicit different responses from different people, some of which run contrary to what might be expected.
One might expect an educational consultant who loves nothing more than to stand in front of 125 possibly disgruntled teachers who thought they were going to get the day to work in their classrooms, who uses personal anecdotes alongside tales of professional success and epic failure to win them over and inspire them to try new strategies or embrace new ideas, would find it absurdly easy to craft an introductory blog post about themselves. A couple of personal details here, a bit of the ol’ CV there, a photo or two - how hard can it be? And yet…
After an embarrassing amount of effort, revision, and shaking of limbs to restore circulation, I solicit your grace for the meandering ramblings that follow. I really do hate to write about myself.
The Original Very Sensible Plan
Twenty years ago (or maybe longer now, given how long the first draft of this post is taking), on the cusp of graduating from college with an absolutely useless degree, I hatched a brilliant plan to become an emergency-certified bilingual teacher for a year while studying for the LSAT. I’d improve my Spanish, and my law school applications, as a one-woman Teach for America program. It couldn’t take much more effort than planning summer activities for my little cousins, right? I’d get paid, have health insurance, and could study all weekend! This seemed like a Very Sensible Plan.
Fast forward a few years. I never made it to law school, but I did become an advocate for my students and colleagues and for systemic change. Through a series of fortunate events, I discovered a passion for leading professional development sessions and coaching teachers and designing curriculum. Building capacity among new and veteran teachers alike from within the same large district that hired me as the world’s most naive baby teacher, that’s how I would make a difference. Once again, I had a Very Sensible Plan.
Fast forward a few years. The path rose up to meet me with an unexpected opportunity, replete with challenges and a whole host of amazing people to offer guidance. Joining the team at Seidlitz Education changed my life, both personally and professionally, and the scope of my influence in profound ways that I never could have imagined.
The Updated Very Sensible Plan
Eight years, three books, and hundreds of trainings later, I find myself embarking on a familiar yet altogether new path - this time, one of my own making. I hope to use this page to store and share great things I see on campuses and while facilitating professional development sessions, to reflect on educational trends and developments, and to provide proof of life for my loved ones, for whom my lack of a social media presence has been a source of consternation for years.
For now, I’ll use it to document my gratitude for the multitude of women, and one man, whose guidance and mentorship throughout my career have made this next adventure possible. My path has in no way been straight, but each and every unexpected turn has brought with it greater opportunity and a few new friends.