Last year, the entire Franklin staff participated in the Dam Day. It was inspired by a presentation the district administrative team went to that featured Nowell Academy. The purpose was threefold:
Give teachers and paraprofessionals a time to reflect and build relationships
Get teachers to talk about teaching and learning in a different way
Get teachers outside and show them how Franklin Falls Dam could be used as a place for learning
We wanted teachers to experience the freedom and choice that they often, for various reasons, don’t afford their students. A choice in where they worked. A choice in who they worked with and a choice in what they talked about. Of course, we provided some scaffolding with A Dam Doodle Book that offered them provocations, a space to write their thoughts and to guide their discussions.
The whole day was carefully connected to the six committments in the Portrait of a Franklin Graduate. Maintenance and Food Service staff demonstrated a commitment to community by going above and beyond to make the day special for those who directly work with with students. At breakfast on the football field, we celebtrated the committment to learning demonstrated by students from the theater department who performed two songs for the staff. We demonstrated resourcefulness by using the community as a campus. We showed commitment to responsibility by taking care of the environment while we worked in it, including bringing out our own trash and brining in our own toilet paper. We demonstrated a commitment to wellness by walking the trails and breathing the fresh air, and finally we demonstrated a committment to humanity by having honest conversations about the school system that just isn’t supporting all kids.
While The Dam Doodle Book was created specifically for the Franklin team, it’s an excellent example of how to frame a group reflection that also pushes folks to consider why they do the things they do and to imagine what could be. Before we boarded the buses back to school, teachers had to submit their exit ticket. Here are just a few reflections…
“I desparately needed time with my coworkers to debrief, bond and support.”
“I enjoy being with my peers. We don’t spend enough time together.”
“I’m optimistic about next school year.”
“I can laugh and be reflective at the same time.”
“We all have a role to play. Big or small. It all comes together to make educating all of our students easier.”
“Take folks outside and it’ll blow their minds.”
“Today reinforced my mission to connect more of my school day/curriculum/relationships with natural cycles. We need learning time, processing time, quiet time and play as regular parts of the day.”
“All PD should be free-form and outside.”
As we plan for this year’s end of year professional development, it’ll be important to remember what folks experienced last year, being outside in community, building relationships and having the space to imagine what could school could be.