All Work and No Play...

This week I have had the amazing experience of truly collaborating with some of the best English Language Arts Teachers in my district (and the world in my opinion). Although, we are getting a stipend for our time "while we have all summer off", I have gained so much more than that. Sharing! Your recall that term from your first school experiences, right? Kindergarten or first grade was tough for some of us who did not like to share, had never had to share, or just plain HATED sharing. But here is the thing... this week people have shared stories, strategies, activities, and laughter. It has resounded through the otherwise quiet and studentless halls. There is a selfless element to this sharing that truly embodies the notion of WIN-WIN! So many folks get bogged down in the myth that sharing ideas, materials, etc. will somehow make someone else's kids do better than their own. WHAT IN THE WORLD are we thinking? If our ultimate goal is to educate young people to be prepared for the "real world" and become CHANGERS of that real world, do we not owe it to each and everyone to give them the best of the best? If that means sharing... then get to it!!