“Kind words do not cost much. Yet they accomplish much.” ~ Blaise Pascal
Last spring, at the Teacher’s College Reading and Writing Project Saturday Reunion, Lucy Calkins urged the thousands of teachers gathered at Riverside Church to be supportive of our colleagues and to treat one another with kindness through this tumultuous time in education.
The importance of maintaining this kind of positive attitude is being felt in schools across the country this fall. In Connecticut, where I teach, the state’s new teacher evaluation system is being rolled out this year. Teacher’s are now required to have five goals: two Student Learning Objectives (SLO’s), one Professional Growth Goal (linked to the Connecticut Common Core of Teaching Rubric), a whole-school goal linked to last year’s state assessment results, and a goal related to feedback from a parent survey. These have to be submitted by October 15. Needless to say, this is causing some stress.
And yet, as I meet with my colleagues each day to work on these goals, we feel a sense of accomplishment. As we read through writing samples, we learn more about our students and our writing goals become clear. We read and reread the standards, and our understanding deepens. Our unit plans begin to take shape, and we realize that we can do this. We are doing it. Together.
Thank you to Stacey at Two Writing Teachers for hosting Slice of Life Tuesdays!
Reading to the Core 
Such a positive post in this time of change. It’s why I love this PLC. I always come away encouraged and inspired.
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You make such an important collection of points in this short post, Catherine! I’m so glad I read it! The rate of change in education right now is unprecedented, for sure, and we need all of the kindness and support of one another that we can have. You are SO right! Thank you.
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Catherine, Your kindness reminder comes at the perfect time. Teachers in my district are feeling the stress of our teacher evaluation system too. Though we are in our third year many are on the steep climb of the learning curve. Thank you.
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I think that maintaining this sense of community-we are all in this together is just what you need to approach the oncoming challenges from the ed reformers.
Good Luck,
Bonnie
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Your key word here is ‘together’, Catherine. When we all feel heard and supported by our colleagues, we can do (& face) much. Thanks for sharing what you’re doing.
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I love that quote. Challenging times indeed and we need love, kindness, and acceptance.
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So true, you can accomplish so much just by being kind and helping each other out – as you are doing with your colleagues.
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Catherine,
Thanks for sharing this story of working together! I believe that leaning on each other for support is one of the only ways we are getting through some of the ridiculous hoop jumping going on! Caring for each other is key!
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Thank you for the sentiments. It is also interesting to read how teacher evaluation systems are rolling out across the country. 5 goals, mmmm. Kindness to you in Connecticut.
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