To suggest that it has been a thought-provoking week is an understatement. The 2023 CORE Annual Conference was nothing short of amazing. Every topic and every presenter shared information that was both new and refreshing. Yet, in reality that is the way best practice always works. It is always laced with new information and fresh ideas that can strengthen the foundation of knowledge that we build upon.
A session conducted by Rafferty and Meyers, both forth grade teachers from Milton Hershey School, resonated with me in ways I never thought possible. The first name of each of the teachers is Danielle. Consequently, they address each other by their last name. Their workshop on "Community Connections for the Classroom and Beyond" left me with a hunger for more.
One of the teachers mentioned a student that wasn't delving deep enough into the issue of math. That concept hit me upside the head like a ton of bricks. Delving deep into the issue of math for me is like diving headfirst into a swimming pool without water. Bottom line: I don't do math, but maybe – just maybe – with a different approach perhaps I could have learned.
My twin brother was exceptionally skilled in math. Through his junior high and high school years, he carried a slide rule around with him. Since I seldom had a need to draw a straight line, I had absolutely no need for a slide rule. Of course, I may be short-selling my brother, but I'm not sure he could write a complete sentence.
Rafferty and Myers shared some videos of students interacting in the classroom and I found myself wanting to be a kid again. I want to "re-do" the fourth grade. Of course, I want to do it in their classroom.
During their presentation, I wrote down the name A.J. Jacobs. Jacobs wrote a book entitled "A Year Of Living Biblically." Jacobs describes himself as a Jew, but he says that is similar to saying "the Olive Garden is an Italian restaurant – not much." At any rate, he read the Bible and devoted a year to living it out. It changed his life."
Jacobs also read the Encyclopedia Britannica in its entirety and wrote a book entitled "The Know It All". I began work as a children's protective services worker 53 years ago. Since that time until now, the privilege of being peripherally associated with that line of work has offered a sense of purpose and fulfillment beyond anything I ever thought possible.
Just because I was in the "blue bird" reading group in elementary school doesn't mean I fall into the gifted and talented category. When it comes to working with children and families from hard places, I know more today than when I started. What we know today about brain development and the impact of chronic trauma in a child's life equips us with an understanding that for years, our approach fell short of the mark. Today we have better tools, but best practice is always a work in progress.
I suspect everyone that participated in the 2023 CORE National Conference left feeling better equipped to serve children and families from hard places. Two are better than one; they have a good return for their labor.
All My Best!
Don
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