See who is there with you and Celebrate!

In the text A prophecy from the Hopi Elders spoken at Oraibi, Arizona, June 8, 2000 the leaders called on their people to come together.

Working together to support learning is a passion for me and those of us who call The World of Learning and Open Campus home. It is so much fun to have such dedicated and passionate educators to work with.

We are all about Professional Learning at the WOL. We are learning all the time. This past week we began our 2018-19 PD and will continue throughout the school year! Our theme in the WOL is Growing the Mindset - as we continue to Welcome Learners' where They Are. 

Working with teachers and leaders is one of my favorite things to do. You all are some of the most passionate and hardworking people I know. So calling on the vision of the Hopi Elders seems fitting as we begin another school year.

The work we do in education is much like a fast flowing river! If we want to support our young people we cannot hang onto the shore. Learners need to be able to learn to learn. They need to be able to solve problems, be creative and navigate all the information that is available to them. You need support to learn, too. (Find more information HERE)

Our job, in this fast moving river is to support and guide you and learners. To provide you with skills that help learners navigate their own path, with their own motivation. Sometimes that is hard to do - to keep our own heads above water in the river of unending information, initiatives and mandates. Don't lose sight of what you know and the gifts you have to share. 

Don’t take it personally, all the chaos and confusion you perceive, as you get back into the classroom. It's about the children. You are not alone! All of us who are educators worry about our impact. Worry about how the kids are doing - all the time. Are they challenged? Are they safe? Are they able to find their passion? Are they able to keep their heads above water? And, do we have the resources and stamina to help them?

You are not alone - and, we need to gather ourselves together. Find a learning community to support yourself. Turn to us at Appalachia IU8 for Professional Learning and Support. Follow our blog and read Anita’s Tips for Virtual Learning. Use twitter or Instagram to follow other educators who know that they learn better with others, too. Follow us @mulroy54 and @AnitaYoung914. Share what you know, too!

As the Hopi Elders have said, ‘Gather yourselves. Banish the word struggle from your attitude and vocabulary. All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration. For we are the ones we have been waiting for.’  

This year – see who is in there with you and CELEBRATE!!

To my fellow swimmers:

Here is a river flowing now very fast.

It is so great and swift,

that there are those who will be afraid,

who will try to hold on to the shore.

They are being torn apart and will suffer greatly.

Know that the river has its destination.

The elders say we must let go of the shore,

push off into the middle of the river,

and keep our heads above water.

And I say, see who is there with you and celebrate.

At this time in history we are to take nothing personally,

least of all ourselves, for the moment we do,

our spiritual growth and journey come to a halt.

The time of the lone wolf is over.

Gather yourselves.

Banish the word struggle from your attitude and vocabulary.

All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration.

For we are the ones we have been waiting for.

—A prophecy from the Hopi Elders spoken at Oraibi, Arizona, June 8, 2000, as attributed in the book Perseverance, by Margaret Wheatley (Berrett-Koehler Publications, 2010)