Even in the age of the “connected educator” there are still far too many schools and teachers that remain in a state of isolation. Everyday there are tweet chats with questions about how to get other educators “on board” to embrace change. From my experience, the best answer to that question is for teachers to make an old fashioned visit to another school. Getting out of the daily routine to visit another school can do more to empower a teacher than any login to a Facebook or Twitter account. Although these social media tools have made wonderful strides to transform educators, there is nothing better than person-person collaboration to reform schools. As one of my faculty members stated, “Teachers listen to other teachers to see what works.” It’s no surprise that when teachers visit other teachers, they return to their own classrooms with a renewed sense of purpose and inspiration.
Just like a student entering a classroom, the learning on a school visit begins right at the new school doors. Taking the time to observe the architecture and design of the building can offer many insights into what the school community values and how it was influenced by the social forces at the time it was built. For instance, some schools have very open spaces that were popular in the 1950’s through 1970’s while others have a more Gothic feel that was popular with schools that were built in the 1930’s. Every school holds fascinating secrets within their design that show how education was impacted by the political and social events over the past one hundred years. As an example, Croton-Harmon High School, in Croton-on-Hudson, New York is home to beautiful murals in its auditorium that were painted by New Deal artists during The Great Depression. Some schools have murals on their walls or doors painted by students that give a valuable school history. Whether the school is modern, minimalist or filled with old plaques, the school design and the relics within it, give a visitor a lens into how other communities interpreted the best way to educate their students.
Beyond the exterior, each school has its own programs that can provide new ideas for visiting educators. For instance, some rural schools in northern New York, like Gilbertsville, have a very unique recycling program where the compost helps to feed the animals of local small farmers. Some schools have very distinctive schedules or renowned programs, like the International Baccalaureate Program, that are worth exploring. Whatever the focus may be, there is always a great deal to be gained by observing students, rituals and creative programs in another school that can be tweaked and applied to ones own school setting.
Most importantly, the best reason to go on a school visit is to meet new people and build new connections. There is nothing more invigorating than meeting with another teacher who teaches the same subject matter face-to-face. Social media has helped to bridge this gap for educators, but building relationships with school teachers outside of the building helps to provide the support necessary for a teacher to stay fresh and excited about teaching and learning. It’s another resource and another critical friend to share ideas with.
I can recall in 1993, when as a new teacher, we were asked to visit a school in Massachusetts that had Copernican scheduling; we returned from the visit enthusiastic and ready to move forward with our own scheduling initiative. My faculty, at Millbrook High School, has visited several other schools to bring back ideas for our Senior Internship Program, insights on scheduling, as well as the chance to explore the International Baccalaureate Program. Each time teachers have returned excited and ready for new possibilities. School visits provide motivation and inspiration while also shedding light on the positives in ones own school.
On the flip side, it takes time and energy to host another school and I am very grateful to the following schools and people who have opened their school doors to us: Croton-Harmon High School, Red Hook High School and Dobbs Ferry High School. MHS has gained invaluable insights into programs and school life that otherwise we would not have had. Special thanks to @RoyPaisley @Meghalberg @Careim2 @johnfalino1 for their hospitality.
Every administrator should have the goal to get some of their faculty out to a different school in 2015 for new learning. Use Twitter for more than a tweet chat and take advantage of those relationships to get out of the building and walk through new school doors! Just one visit can be the fuel to begin school improvement.
