In 2012, I gave a presentation at a state conference in Missouri entitled “The Hard Truth About Professional Learning Communities”. Its thesis was that for all the (very important) focus on creating collaborative, data driven schools utilizing shared leadership to provide research based, systematic interventions for students, we as educators cannot forget that our primary focus should be genuine learning. Identifying what it is we want students to know, determining whether they know it and how we will respond when they do or when they don’t...that is the fundamental work of educators as outlined by Rick DuFour and Robert Eaker over 20 years ago.
As I wrestled with the essential elements of this, what needs to happen for a teacher to operate in this fashion, I settled on five essential “steps”, eventually adding a sixth (collaborate for learning). Looking to describe the teachers who already teach this way in an exaggerated, humorous way, I described their “no-excuses, goal-oriented, focus on learning” approach as “Teaching Like the Terminator” and the phrase “Edunator” was born.
For the last six years I’ve enjoyed tweeting, blogging and presenting on this concept and now I am happy to take it to the next level. By “Rebooting The Edunator”, I’m happy to share the launch of a new video series, new articles, and a new store with cost-effective resources designed to provide affordable solutions to obstacles of learning, with our “Edunator” flair. I’m also very excited for the launch of The Edunators Podcast, which will feature the same content you can find in print and video on Edunators.com, as well as interviews, special guests and phone calls to our Google Voicemail as we look to educate, celebrate, and advocate for teachers who are focused on overcoming obstacles and focusing on learning.
It will take time and your support, but I believe together we can create a destination full of practical, simple, solutions for positive educators looking to rise above the fray in our profession and make education what we all dreamt it could be for teachers and students. Please consider joining us as we look to ensure that in every classroom, “not learning is NOT an option” by using the hashtag #Edunators whenever you’re sharing awesome resources or celebrating the “legendary learning” you and your students have accomplished together.
Thank you for support thus far and in the future. Focus on learning and be great today!
-Mark
Facebook.com/Edunators
On Twitter: @Edunators and @MarkClementsEdu, or by using #Edunators
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