Reflections from a Rodent

On a warm, sunny spring afternoon, I gazed out the window, taking a break from my work on the screen before me. The bird feeders hanging in the Lilac tree were unusually quiet. Upon further examination, I saw a rather large chipmunk sitting in one of the feeders. The longer I watched him, the more I started to see how we can gain perspective on professional learning from this guy.


1. Be hungry. This chubby-cheeked little creature reminded me of our teachers who are hungry to learn. He was given a fantastic spread of food, which was available to anyone. Although the seed was intended for my feathered friends, he had chosen to take advantage of my generosity. Similarly, our best teachers are always on the lookout for new learning opportunities so that they can continually grow as professionals. We all need to be professionally "fed," and we all need to use the vast amount of resources available to us.

2.  Know when you're full. I was amazed by how much food the chipmunk had crammed into his mouth. His cheeks looked like they could explode at any moment! Would he really use everything he took with him? There were a variety of seeds in the feeder in addition to some cracked corn. Did each type of food serve a purpose, or was he just taking whatever he could get? As teachers, sometimes we visit workshops or conferences and gain exposure to a variety of strategies and tools; however, how often do we actually use the resources we take away? A concrete plan for implementing these things may make success more likely. If we overeat, that sickly feeling of having too much to do is magnified and complicated by a desire to try new things. The quality of our work tends to suffer when we have too much on our plate. By focusing on one "takeaway" at a time, we can implement our new ideas more effectively.

3. Don't be afraid to stand alone. Not many of the birds were around while the chipmunk sat and stuffed his face. Where were they? The chipmunk didn't appear to be aggressive; I think he probably would have shared his space. Sometimes I think we limit ourselves  due to fear of failure or even disdain from our peers. I have seen innovative teachers feel as if they are alone in their work. Too often they are labeled "Principal's Pet" for maintaining a positive attitude or choosing to be at the forefront of the latest initiative. Student learning should be at the front of our minds when we make any instructional decision, but especially when we are considering ways to improve their educational experience. If you are putting your professional learning to practice in the classroom, you are doing what's best for your kids, regardless of what your peers choose to think or do. It's pointless to starve yourself just because others choose not to eat.

There were a few birds sitting under the chipmunk's feeder, catching anything he happened to drop. This is not unlike the relationship between some teachers; occasionally a few colleagues will observe what the brave are doing and implement some of the ideas. If the leaders aren't paying attention to those around them, this approach may not be beneficial (although it does open the door for other staff members to see that there is no harm in trying out the strategies and tools being offered). With the right implementation, this can evolve into a great collaborative relationship where the leader is able to reflect with peers who are interested in trying new things but don't want to be the pioneers.

The chipmunk soon scurried off, cheeks ballooning with food. I smiled to myself, grateful for this unlikely teacher's lessons: although the quality of our diet is important, we also must consider how we will store and use this nutrition in order to maximize our growth.