"Movement creates more movement. Movement creates energy. Movement creates life!" - Michael D'Aulerio
Great educators are creators of movement in their classrooms. The ability to get students to move or progress each day is a skill that has to be refined, worked on and reflected upon to find success. As an educator I have dedicated my time in the classroom to instill movement in my students. Over time I have learned that not all students move at the same speed, progress as much or more as their peers, or even know what direction to even start moving towards. Realizing this I came to develop my philosophy of education that helps dictate my own movement in various situations. And that is to the find "The Next Step".
What is "The Next Step?" It is a belief system that I follow to guide my education. In every situtation I look for the next step to move forward. For my teaching, what is the next step? Is it professional development, do I need to observe other teachers to learn from them or have other teachers give me feedback? What is my next step to help my students improve academically or as a person? Do I need to show them how to study, how to think critically or how to foster positive relationships with their peers or teachers? What ever the sitution, looking for the next step is all about finding a way to move forward and progress. It may not always be about finding solutions. It may lead to character development or understanding yourself better. So why do I do this? I want to improve myself or look to improve my students or peers by working with them to move forward toward mine and their goals.
This belief is a living idea, that changes and adapts depending on my changing views or philosophy. At it's core though, it is to make people better. To give people a mindset to improve themselves for the better. To give myself a chance to improve, and that's why I believe in this philosophy so much. There will always be a next step when it comes to education. Our job is never done, at any level. And if we accept that there is nowhere else to go or we refuse to take the next step and become complacent, then others (students) may suffer. So I ask you, what is your next step?