The Kindness Project

The Kindness Project

Nam Ngo Thanh
Contributing Author, Projects & Initiatives

When I think about Earth Day, I think about actions like picking up trash around my community, helping animals, or making decisions to reduce my consumption footprint on the world. In essence, it’s about conservation. But how do we get to a place where everyone understands the importance of conserving the planet’s resources? According to our guest author this week, Nam Ngo Thanh, it all begins with kindness. So on this Earth Day, JRNEY is happy to feature a story about the origins of the  Kindness Project and how you can get involved.

#EdPins: Highlighting the Beautiful, Unique Work in Every School

#EdPins: Highlighting the Beautiful, Unique Work in Every School

Dale Plotzki
Projects & Initiatives, Contributing Author

There are many ways to share a story. Educators from around the world contribute to JRNEY every week. While I'm partial to the written word, often in long form, I'm always excited when I come across innovative ways to share stories using technology. I found that in Dale Plotzki's #EdPins. We live and die by reviews these days, so why not focus on the wonderful, fun, powerful, meaningful, and authentic, projects and learning going on at our schools throughout the world. You don't always have to have a video conference to bring the world into your classroom. Sometimes you do it like this. Here's Dale's story...

Engineering Brightness

Engineering Brightness

Tracey Winey
Contributing Author, Projects & Initiatives

This month, the JRNEY blog focuses on the importance of partnerships, and the first story is a great one. I had the opportunity to talk to Tracey Winey a few weeks ago, and I was so impressed with her commitment to equity for everyone involved in Engineering Brightness. She believes strongly that everyone deserves a voice at the table and that problems are solved when we all work together. So here's the story of how Engineering Brightness began and the impact its participants are having all over the world.

An Invitation to Lead

An Invitation to Lead

Erin Dowd
Curator, Events

Sometimes all it takes is an invitation. In my case, it was an invitation to lead and the support to do it in my own way. Here's my story of how I went from being a leader in my school to a leader beyond. 

No (Wo)man is an Island: Asking a Fish to Climb a Tree

No (Wo)man is an Island: Asking a Fish to Climb a Tree

Marialice Curran
Contributing Author, Educator Jrneys

Jrney is honored to be able to feature the third and final post in my #SWU series from Marialice Curran, reminding us all that identity is always evolving. It is the experiences we go through that make us into who we are. But in that process, sometimes our identity becomes stripped down to a label. Labels are harmful, yet we use them to make sense of the world. What if the only label we had was human? 

The Blank Middle: Cycle of Independence and Collaboration

The Blank Middle: Cycle of Independence and Collaboration

F. Margret Atkinson
Contributing Author, Educator Jrneys

The first time I talked to Margret Atkinson I knew we would be friends. She's just that type of person with an exuberance for life that you don't often find. Her energy is infectious, and I'm constantly inspired by her ability and genuine interest in connecting people to each other. I'm so honored to continue this week sharing journeys that I know we can all relate to. Here's her story...

Life as a Lone Soldier

Life as a Lone Soldier

Bronwyn Joyce
Contributing Author, Educator Jrneys

So often we try to take on the challenges of life alone. We tell ourselves that it will make us stronger, that we should be able to do it. But the truth is, we are so much stronger together, and Bronwyn Joyce's story this week reminds us that this is true. I'm feeling inspired to take on whatever comes my way this week, and I hope you are too!  

Metacognitive Reflection Before Lunch

Metacognitive Reflection Before Lunch

Erin Dowd
Curator, Pedagogy

I decided to switch gears this week at the last moment. I was going to write about travel and how it has made me a stronger teacher, but I think that is a story for another day. I’ve been thinking a lot about student voice this month particularly this week as I’ve watched Florida high school students and teachers all over the country speaking out and taking action to make schools a safer place. I remembered a lesson from the same group of students I have been writing about this month, and it seemed fitting to round out the month with a story about student-directed reflection. Sometimes the best thing you can do is take a step back and watch what unfolds. 

When Student- Driven Action Becomes the Curriculum

When Student- Driven Action Becomes the Curriculum

Erin Dowd
Pedagogy, Curator

In a previous post called Rethinking Classroom Design to Build a Culture of Problem Solving, I wrote about how a colleague and I changed how we thought about the beginning of the school year. In this post, I write about the same group of students several months into the year and what can happen when foundations of independent thinking, solving problems, and taking action are established as integral parts of a classroom culture. 

Rethinking Classroom Design to Build a Culture of Problem Solving

Rethinking Classroom Design to Build a Culture of Problem Solving

Erin Dowd
Pedagogy, Curator

On the first day of school, the students knew what they were in for. Some of them took to the challenge of setting up the room beautifully, and some leadership emerged. Others clearly had difficulty working in an environment that was not controlled. This did not, however, sway me from my vision. Like me, they would just have to learn a new way of doing things. They would have to learn to trust their own thinking and trust each other.

Origins of a Jrney

Origins of a Jrney

Erin Dowd
Curator, Educator Jrneys

In the spirit of sharing, and for you to get to know me a bit better, during the month of February, I’m going to share parts of my Jrney with you. I’ve lived a bit of an unconventional adult life, but I am a firm believer that each step along the way has brought me to exactly where I need to be right now.

So I’ll begin with a story about taking risks and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, share how travel has shaped me into the teacher and person I am, and how powerful student action can be. I’ll also challenge the role of the teacher and share with you one of my most challenging and transformative moments. I encourage you to follow along this month and add your own thoughts and reflections because the only way forward is together.

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