https://padlet.com/jeniferbedford/dzwru5qx5o06 Jenifer Bedford en-us 2016-11-14 14:37:38 UTC 2016-11-29 23:44:58 UTC hello@padlet.com jeniferbedford https://padlet.com/jeniferbedford/dzwru5qx5o06/wish/137378931 The minute I saw this video, I knew I had to make it my inspiration. I watched it several times to really let this man's words sink in.

The metaphor of making a fish climb a tree is extremely relevant to today's students. I think we can all think of a student or two who don't quite fit into the mold of education set by today's standards, and if you're like me, it's easy to feel helpless against giving these students what they need to succeed. When we're trying to follow a model set by the state, teaching from a curriculum we know may not be the best for our particular class, just to prepare them for a test that assesses OUR ability as teachers....it can be disheartening.

This video really reminded me that we ARE doing the best we can as teachers. We are faced with so many challenges and have sometimes unrealistic expectations to live up to. We need to continue fighting for what WE know is best for our students...especially the fish in our class who we know aren't suited to climb trees. 

I know by discussion in class and through discussion boards that this is a class of forward thinking, amazing teachers who want to do anything they can to help the future of our world: our students.

Keep up the amazing work everybody. And Remember- YOU ARE WONDERFUL :)]]> 2016-11-14 14:39:05 UTC https://padlet.com/jeniferbedford/dzwru5qx5o06/wish/137378931 jeniferbedford https://padlet.com/jeniferbedford/dzwru5qx5o06/wish/137382499 2016-11-14 14:45:59 UTC https://padlet.com/jeniferbedford/dzwru5qx5o06/wish/137382499 alli5 https://padlet.com/jeniferbedford/dzwru5qx5o06/wish/137585106 Wow!!!! What a powerful and important message. I have no doubt that each and everyone of you are doing what he is preaching in your own classrooms by teaching children instead of to the curriculum. Over the years, with the increased pressure on common standards and testing, I have noticed such a decline in students' creativity, which breaks my heart. So many of his points ring true. I love this.]]> 2016-11-15 00:21:32 UTC https://padlet.com/jeniferbedford/dzwru5qx5o06/wish/137585106 kjcim24 https://padlet.com/jeniferbedford/dzwru5qx5o06/wish/137588125 I love this video! The points he makes are so accurate! The first time I watched it I couldn't get over his comparison of the changing of phones and cars to classrooms. I also love his example about if doctors prescribed the same medication to each patient.  This video really opened my eyes and has helped me move forward in my teaching and meet my students individualized needs.]]> 2016-11-15 00:47:19 UTC https://padlet.com/jeniferbedford/dzwru5qx5o06/wish/137588125 https://padlet.com/jeniferbedford/dzwru5qx5o06/wish/137597295 This video really struck home mostly because of my son, who just recently graduated. He was a fish and his school continuously tried to make him climb trees and it was frustrating to watch. I'll never forget him working for days on a speech in the eight grade -- writing it, perfecting it, practicing it -- only to lose 20 points because of a technicality missed in a rubric. I think that moment set the tone for his entire high school career. Thankfully, he is in an arts college now and doing great. 

Oh and higher pay for teachers? I'm all over that! Finland is starting to look pretty good! :-) ]]> 2016-11-15 02:01:02 UTC https://padlet.com/jeniferbedford/dzwru5qx5o06/wish/137597295 alyssalknoll https://padlet.com/jeniferbedford/dzwru5qx5o06/wish/137959335 The first time I saw this I listened and immediately felt like everything I was learning in my grad classes was brought together by this short video. Everything he says rings true to me. ]]> 2016-11-16 02:34:31 UTC https://padlet.com/jeniferbedford/dzwru5qx5o06/wish/137959335 voleary12 https://padlet.com/jeniferbedford/dzwru5qx5o06/wish/137971514 I love this video very much. This video hits home for me. I teach in an urban school where I have more fish in my classroom then climbers. I love how this video talked about bringing out the spirit in every child. That is so important. Especially for a child that does not have someone to help them see it. This video reminds me why I spend so much time teaching social and emotional skills, taking care of basic needs, and focusing on teaching my kids to be the best versions of themselves. I do not want my students to fit into a mold, but to express themselves in a manner that fits who they are. That is their dream. I also truly appreciated the quote that said it is not our fault. While there is places to change, I am comforted to know that people are beginning to realize that teachers need to be allowed to be the professionals that we are. Politicians should not be able to decide how schools are run and what is taught. Leave that up to the people with the experience and the dedication to the kids. ]]> 2016-11-16 05:04:25 UTC https://padlet.com/jeniferbedford/dzwru5qx5o06/wish/137971514 smontgomery10 https://padlet.com/jeniferbedford/dzwru5qx5o06/wish/138050894 This video was really cool. I had never seen it before, but glad you chose this. What stands out to me especially, other than how awesome Finland is of course, is the comparison with a doctor treating all patients the same way. Of course it's not an apples-to-apples comparison exactly, but it's close enough that it makes sense to individualize instruction as much as possible. I'm also very anti-testing unless an assessment will be used as a way to guide instruction. I find it amazing that even the creator of standardized tests said they should be thrown out. It would be amazing to see what could get done in education if people who are on the front lines are in charge.]]> 2016-11-16 13:22:14 UTC https://padlet.com/jeniferbedford/dzwru5qx5o06/wish/138050894 mkr9 https://padlet.com/jeniferbedford/dzwru5qx5o06/wish/138105663 I watched this video while two students were in the room. Their first reaction was "Oh he can spit raps!" I would love to show multiple classes this and have them write about what they feel could be done. 

I love the metaphors that were used. The comparison with doctors is quite the realization! I also love that he talks about lack of competition, but hey if that's your motivator, take a look at Finland! I'm all about moving to Finland's way of life. Shorter school days would be phenomenal. Same with less homework. However, I wonder how that would work with reinforcing learning.

Thank you for sharing! ]]> 2016-11-16 15:22:31 UTC https://padlet.com/jeniferbedford/dzwru5qx5o06/wish/138105663 https://padlet.com/jeniferbedford/dzwru5qx5o06/wish/138215439 I really enjoyed this video! I love the metaphor of having a fish climb a tree. There is a book called Fish in a Tree, by Lynda Mullaly Hunt. Great book that I do ]]> 2016-11-16 18:59:07 UTC https://padlet.com/jeniferbedford/dzwru5qx5o06/wish/138215439 achoate1342 https://padlet.com/jeniferbedford/dzwru5qx5o06/wish/138281725 This definitely put things in perspective and brought me back to why I teach-to meet the needs of students, to love them, and help them achieve their own personal success, even if the world does not deem them successful. This can be done by not getting lost in the pressures and standards of teaching and focusing in on the growth and wellbeing of each child.]]> 2016-11-17 00:04:48 UTC https://padlet.com/jeniferbedford/dzwru5qx5o06/wish/138281725 skye_hisiro https://padlet.com/jeniferbedford/dzwru5qx5o06/wish/138296202 I find videos like this are equally inspirational and frustrating. I resonate with his message, which makes it all the more upsetting that radical change is still missing from our educational system. I feel like his ideas should be common sense to others, but it's not. Or at least it appears that way when almost everything required of teachers fails to recognize students' differing strengths, abilities, and ultimately, their futures.
Thanks for sharing!]]> 2016-11-17 02:42:01 UTC https://padlet.com/jeniferbedford/dzwru5qx5o06/wish/138296202 keh2 https://padlet.com/jeniferbedford/dzwru5qx5o06/wish/138839677 This video is amazing! There are so many truths that he speaks in this video. He talks about how curriculum and policies are made by people to don't understand children and teaching. It's so important to do our best as teachers for now to make due with what we have been given. We should continue to strive for giving students the best. We also need to remember that as teachers, we do have a voice. We tend to think that no one is listening to us. I think we need to as ourselves if we are speaking loud enough. If we want things to change, we need to fight for it to change.]]> 2016-11-18 21:22:48 UTC https://padlet.com/jeniferbedford/dzwru5qx5o06/wish/138839677 https://padlet.com/jeniferbedford/dzwru5qx5o06/wish/138848782 Great video! I love the part where he says "if we can customize healthcare, phone and facebook pages, then it is our duty to do the same for education". This is so true! As teacher's, we need to fight for the change!]]> 2016-11-18 23:21:25 UTC https://padlet.com/jeniferbedford/dzwru5qx5o06/wish/138848782 hgrace23 https://padlet.com/jeniferbedford/dzwru5qx5o06/wish/138877730 I am surprised that I haven't seen this video before. Great find! The metaphors were very powerful and oh so very true. We must find for changes for our students!

]]> 2016-11-19 14:48:05 UTC https://padlet.com/jeniferbedford/dzwru5qx5o06/wish/138877730 sondra1187 https://padlet.com/jeniferbedford/dzwru5qx5o06/wish/138901894 This video truly made me cry! What a wonderful message. It is videos like this that people from all walks of life will truly watch and walk away feeling something. They will remember what they saw and it will get a reaction. The message was beautiful and beautifully given. We need more people to see education this way. We are in such dire need of change and help. Every little bit counts. Thank you so much for sharing!]]> 2016-11-19 23:24:10 UTC https://padlet.com/jeniferbedford/dzwru5qx5o06/wish/138901894 https://padlet.com/jeniferbedford/dzwru5qx5o06/wish/138928103 I love this video!!!!! I'm going to share it on my facebook page! I want to be that teacher that "thinks outside of the box!" I PLAN to be that teacher that "thinks outside of the box!" I am an individual that is a little QUIRKY...I've had a lot of people that have taken an issue with my personality in the Education Dept at Penn State! I've had one such individual that has told me that I don't speak like an educator! Instead of her words hindering me...I'm taking those hurtful words & I PLAN to make her regret it with my GREAT work ethics and AWESOME teaching skills! We don't all think alike...but as teachers we can reach the masses by thinking outside the box & showing compassion to our students to strive for GREATNESS!

]]> 2016-11-20 13:06:27 UTC https://padlet.com/jeniferbedford/dzwru5qx5o06/wish/138928103 sabrina_d_hensel https://padlet.com/jeniferbedford/dzwru5qx5o06/wish/139977405 I've never seen this video. I love it! I'll have to share it with my coworkers. This speaks to so many things that I find true as an educator right now. What this tells me is the following - you have to be an advocate for your students!]]> 2016-11-26 17:09:35 UTC https://padlet.com/jeniferbedford/dzwru5qx5o06/wish/139977405 agriffie2458 https://padlet.com/jeniferbedford/dzwru5qx5o06/wish/140689348 I saw this video a few weeks ago and was hooked! I think it addresses so many of the challenges we face as educators, but it also inspires me to continue to be the best teacher that I can be for my students! Our job is to help be the change that we want to see in the world and in our education system, and this video is an excellent reminder of that! ]]> 2016-11-29 23:43:55 UTC https://padlet.com/jeniferbedford/dzwru5qx5o06/wish/140689348