Friday morning, we got the “official” word of the impending shutdown of our school. Teachers were scrambling to get copies made while trying to maintain a “normal” school atmosphere. Students were (over)loading their backpacks with books, supplies and other personal items. All throughout the day, my mind wandered back and forth between “normal” and the upcoming “new normal.” Throughout the day the #Physed Twitterverse quickly shifted its focus. The hashtag #HPEatHome was born and Teachers were either coming up with adaptations of current content or creating new content. It was quite the sight! So much sharing so quickly made me extremely proud of my colleagues and humbled to be part of such a wonderful community of teachers.
Suddenly my mind saw the play dough differently. It wasn’t a lump of clay. It was Education. I’ve been teaching Physical Education for over 25 years. It’s varied over that time to be sure, but it has mostly looked the same. I've been teaching kids in an open space with equipment I get from my storage. Then the Corona Virus situation comes and changes literally everything. Suddenly, teaching doesn’t look the same. I get to take my lump of play dough and make something new out of it. The dough is the same, but what I make doesn’t have to be! This excited and SCARED me at the same time. Don’t get me wrong. I’ve been on a transformative journey as a teacher for several years now. My mind has been open to change for a while. But THIS? We all have been shoved into change. It is no longer a matter of WILL we change and grow. It is a matter of HOW will we change (growing is optional…so is stagnation!).
What will YOU make with your play dough?
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AuthorI'm Cliff, an elementary Physical Educator to a ton of awesome students! Here is where you will see my thoughts and ides regarding #physed. Archives
April 2020
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