Exploration is really the essence of the human spirit.
~ Frank Borman, Commander of the Apollo 8 Spacecraft
Friends and Colleagues,
It has been my good fortune and great joy to be able to explore learning with children and adults of all ages, in countries across the world for the last 2+ decades. I’ve met students, teachers, principals, curriculum directors, superintendents, bus drivers, custodians, nurses, counselors, social workers, educational consultants, cooks, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, mayors, and board members. People from all walks of life, really.
Along the way, I’ve had hundreds of conversations about nearly every school-related topic imaginable, and a few surprising ones. (The very first decision I was ever asked to make as a school principal and “instructional leader” was where the construction dumpster should go for the new ventilation work that would be happening in the building over the summer!) Each of these connections and conversations is a mini-exploration: capturing the essence of the human spirit and the collective soul of a school. What I have learned, above all else, is that educators chose their profession because of their steadfast belief in their ability to change lives and make a difference for a child. They keep “Learning at the Heart” of their work. Every day.
So many of you that I know well and that I have met along the way have expressed great interest in these explorations. You have contributed ideas and insights that have made me a better educator and leader. You know that I am committed to making sure that everyone in the school, including leaders and teachers, are learning. This site and the accompanying social media platforms are my
Always learning,
Shannon
(P.S. Bear with me as I continue to learn and figure out how to manage this website and social media. This is a new learning frontier for me!)