From No Time to Learn to Learning All the Time

The last  comments on this blog caused me to have another "Ah ha!" moment re: change, the time between ("Kairos"), and how time gets used. "More time" doesn't necessarily lead to better quality results.  If a teacher is both artist (heart-engaging) and scientist (mindful of results) then,"more time" does lead to better results, witness the school-wide science teacher in Indiana. 

President Obama recently gave a speech where he spoke about our antiquated agrarian 9 months on, 3 months off school schedule.  Both he and Mr. Duncan are promoting the need for students to have more time for learning.  Let's start talking about this same need for teachers. More "seat time" for kids isn't going to make the difference. Building in time for teachers to engage in focused collaborative learning--with structured processes for using that time-- will. But right now, our crazy-making 9 month sprint to the finish school "year" schedule leaves no room for reflection for anyone, teachers or kids. How valuable might year-round school be in this context?  Are we ready to finally push for this fundamental shift in the culture of our schools?