Let’s start with a great quote from someone you might know…
” If the National Board promotes accomplished teaching, then Renaissance promotes accomplished learning.”
That will be you in 2006 while giving a presentation at the Jostens Renaissance National Conference in Minnesota.
Accomplished teaching is great and don’t get me wrong…you want to be able to do this. In your case, National Board gave you the tools you needed to reach your students in ways you couldn’t imagine but guess what? It’s only half of the picture in your classroom.
Half? You say? All of this work and dedication not to mention the countless hours you will spend on your initial certification AND your renewal? Half of the picture? What could possibly be so important that it stands shoulder to shoulder with something that is supposed to be the whole point of this blog?
Feel better? Got it out of your system? Now sit back and relax, rookie, pay attention here…
In a nutshell, Renaissance celebrates student success in a way that makes every student and adult want to be connected to your school. If you make your classroom a place where everyone wants to be, your students will learn because you’ve got the tools and techniques required to teach them.
I don’t care how many fancy certificates you have…if your students aren’t into it…you’re screwed.
In 2002, you will have a chance to sign up for some Renaissance committees. I should probably tell you based on the amount of stress and anxiety you have had over the years regarding this program to stay away. I should probably prepare you for the sleepless nights or 4 AM work sessions that you will embark on because you need to work out that last detail of a pep rally. I should probably warn you that you will end up on blood pressure medicine because of this program. I should tell you to run away but instead I want you to do this : When the clipboards come out, I want you to run as fast as you can toward them and knock anyone out of your way that tries to keep you from them. Sign up for the Blue and Gold Charity Basketball Game and be ready to change your whole perspective on life.
While you are at it, work on your jump shot too…another story for another time
Celebrate success in your classroom by handing out tickets or prizes to your students when they achieve the high goals you have set for them.
Celebrate success in your hallway by putting balloons or certificates on the doors of your co-workers. Words of encouragement are always accepted!
Celebrate success in your school by putting together academically themed pep rallies that are so good they make the student want to work to attend. Put together spirit weeks, trivia contests, door decorating, or a host of other team building activities you will learn through Renaissance.
Think about the moment when you are done with the rally or the event. Think about how tired and stressed out you will be. Think about how you have no idea how you can ever top that event or even do another one. Then…look over at the students, parents, and staffulty and see the joy on their faces. Look over and know that YOU made it happen. YOU made a difference and YOU are a better person for it.
You do not follow a set of standards for this program, nor do you follow a curriculum. You find ways to bring positive energy to your building.
There is no formula. There is no set of directions.
You are free to inspire as you please. You are free to get fired up. You are free to be a blazing source of positive energy and no one can take this away from you.
Bad attitudes and negative energy do not stand a chance. Light the fire in your belly and teach with the passion you know you have. Let it flow…let it out…feel alive because when it’s working and the students are right there with you…there is no other rush like it anywhere. You have this power…now go out and use it.
National Board gave you the techniques but Renaissance gives you the fire.
This is who you are…this is how you teach…This is Renaissance.
Now get out there and teach…
You can do this!