March 15 Home Communicator – “That was then, this is now!” Most of us have heard this phrase at some point in our lives. It ranks right up there with “I had to walk to and from school every day, uphill both ways…”
Even though it is fun to hear how people and schools used to operate in days past, it is also neat to see what’s happening today. Here at Hudsonville Christian, we have been making progress in the area of sharing our gifts. A new type of professional development for teachers hit the school scene recently. Classroom Learning Labs are planned visits to fellow teachers’ classrooms, surrounded by pre-lab and post-lab discussions focusing on specific teaching strategies, routines, or lessons. Teachers have rich discussions about the craft of teaching. Guest teachers are blessed with new ideas, host teachers are affirmed, and students see their teachers learning from each other. Nearly 40 teachers participated in Classroom Learning Labs in both November and March, mostly focusing on reading and writing instruction.
What does “That was then, this is now” have to do with Classroom Learning Labs? Most classrooms in the past were pretty isolated, with little or no sharing between colleagues. At Hudsonville Christian, we understand that we are blessed. God has gifted our staff with amazing talents. These are gifts to be shared, making us all better teachers for the students under our care. Classroom Learning Labs… this is now!
Serving Christ Together,
Sue Spotts, Director of Curriculum
