OPEN TEACHING
One of my favorite moments in literature comes from a Tennessee Williams’ play when a very ordinary character is briefly graced by a beautiful light and, for a moment, is extraordinary. Teachers strive every day to help others shine brightly, to believe in their extraordinary potential.
If you’ve found your way to this site, then you’ve found your way to a place that’s about progress, not perfection. So whether you want to be inspired by new ideas or be mindful about practice, these blogs will meet you in that space. And on the days you want to be bold by trying something new, this postcard-length blog will celebrate those everyday adventures.
Ask Sarah is a weekly advice column, where it’s teacher to teacher, learner to learner. Consider this a space where we value and tackle the messy questions, where we seek honest responses and try to cultivate some wisdom along the way.
SBW MORE ABOUT ME
“The more space we take up, the less space they have to grow.”
My teaching story didn’t begin with a decision; rather, it was a realization of something I must have always known. I didn’t choose to be a teacher. I was meant to be one. Since the days of building neighborhood schools as a child or the countless hours I spent my mother’s fourth grade classroom, I have always been most myself when I’m teaching. 18 years of students have taught me more than I could ever hope to teach them, but most importantly they have continued to instill in me the belief that our most important work is human work. It’s to see in each student what she can’t see in herself, to give him what he needs before he knows he needs it.
It is with great passion and humility that I enter this work. Already, I’m looking forward to learning with you in this ever-growing classroom: Open Teaching.
DO YOU NEED A SPEAKER?
My keynote presentations are authentic and grounded in classroom practice. Whether it’s to an audience of 10 or 10,000 I customize each talk with a dedication to inspiring and empowering every group I work with.
DO YOU WANT A TEACHING & LEARNING EXPERIENCE?
My workshops are interactive experiences where I remind teachers what it means to be learners. Whether it’s a half-day or multi-day experience, whether it’s for classroom teachers, administrators, university faculty or service providers, we will learn because we constructed understanding together.
ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A CONSULTANT?
For as often as I’m doing the very visible work of speaking and teaching, I’m also doing the more invisible work of envisioning, developing, and implementing programming. So, if you’re looking for a designer, a curator, a writer or a listener, I may be helpful to your work.
DO YOU HAVE AN IDEA I HAVEN'T THOUGHT OF YET?
If nothing else, I’m a risk-taker who is willing to be vulnerable for the cause of innovation and learning. If you have a percolating idea, don’t hesitate to reach out and see if a collaboration is in the cards.
SBW UPCOMING EVENTS
JULY
MON | 11
DMACC Summer Institute
Ankeny, Iowa
WED – THU | 20-21
AEA 267 Teaching Transparently
Cedar Falls, Iowa
AUGUST
FRI | 5
Tools for Teaching Conference
Fort Dodge, Iowa
MON | 22
Back to School
Dallas-Center Grimes, Iowa
SEPTEMBER
THU | 15
Springfield School District
Springfield, Illinois
TUE | 27
Iowa State University
Ames, Iowa
FRI | 30
Olathe School District
Olathe, Kansas
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