Submitted by Lori Jeschke, CAfLN Govt – Symposium Chair
A Reflection on CAfLN 2017 – What I discovered since you (Damian, Ken and Lorna) had been within the room.
Each time I get to be in a spot the place I can be taught from others’ apply, expertise, and experience, I’m aware of one thing that Sandra Herbst asks studying leaders to contemplate – “What would possibly somebody have discovered since you had been within the room immediately? …the query itself presumes a stance of constructive presupposition and a way of neighborhood. It means that we’re all accountable for the training within the room” (2016).
As I mirror on this previous yr’s CAfLN convention in Saskatoon, I wish to spotlight what I discovered about studying and servant management as a result of Damian Cooper, Ken O’Connor, and Lorna Earl had been within the room. For many us, the mere undeniable fact that we get to be in the identical room as leaders resembling these is each humbling and thrilling! What we see in a short time from every of them is that they stroll the stroll and speak the speak of evaluation for studying. These three leaders within the space of evaluation dwell out their stance of their interactions with others, in the way in which they current what they’re studying, and in how they lead.
After I image the beginning of the convention on that lovely day in Might, the room was crammed with scholar artwork work and abuzz with scholar music, convention individuals discovering their seats at tables, conversations crammed with anticipation, and registrants making new connections or rekindling outdated ones. I keep in mind trying across the room for the three founding members of CAfLN. They weren’t within the entrance of the room at a flowery desk, nor had been they in a aspect room ready to be formally launched. No – they had been, because the Latin phrase asside suggests, aspect by aspect with the registrants, transferring from desk to desk across the room, generally sitting beside somebody for a bit, generally sharing a chat over a cup of espresso, however all the time connecting, recognizing, and celebrating. They had been genuinely excited to see each individual within the room and wished to listen to about who they had been, what had introduced every of them there on that day, and what their hopes had been for going ahead. What I discovered was the significance of each learner within the room and the way noticing folks by means of dialog, a hey, sitting beside, and taking part as a learner sends a strong message.
I keep in mind the ‘hearth chat’ that began the day. Damian, Ken, and Lorna had been seated in chairs – not on the entrance of the room however on the aspect. Convention individuals had the chance to ask a query or pose a thought and every considered one of them had been eagerly awaiting the dialog. One of many first individuals was one of many scholar convention attendees. I keep in mind how the three of them leaned ahead intently as the coed talked. The message in how they listened and responded was considered one of affirmation for the coed’s voice and ideas. They addressed every of the participant queries with respect and delight. What I discovered was the significance of each voice, of offering alternatives for these voices to be heard, and the way we have fun the messiness of what studying is all about.
I keep in mind on the finish of the convention day, we heard from trainer candidates about their internship experiences and specifically, what they’d discovered about evaluation. There have been three college students sharing in three giant circles. These college students had been susceptible about their apply in entrance of educators from throughout Canada. I used to be watching the faces of Damian, Ken and Lorna because the tales had been shared – they had been leaning in, they had been sitting amongst everybody else within the circle, and so they had been beaming. I keep in mind one of many college students asking a query and Damian responded. I assumed to myself, does this scholar have any concept of what’s occurring right here? She is attending to ask Damian Cooper questions on her apply of educating and evaluation! Who will get to try this as a trainer candidate? As I watched her face throughout his response and questions, I knew that she was conscious of the present that she was being given and I smiled to myself pondering how very great that we get to have this scholar impacting studying of educators and college students. The opposite folks within the circles had been additionally attending to be taught from and with Damian, Ken and Lorna. What I discovered was the significance of sitting in circles, of sharing about our apply of educating and studying with fellow colleagues, of asking questions, and of studying from each other.
These are just some snapshots from the previous yr’s convention that remind me of the authenticity of Damian, Ken and Lorna’s stance as learners and leaders of studying. They every carry a real curiosity and pleasure for studying. They proceed to ask and interact as many educators as doable within the pursuit of what’s finest for all learners by means of evaluation for, as, and of studying. I’m reminded of a quote by Jason Silva (2016), “We now have a duty to awe!” The CAfLN neighborhood is so lucky to have alternatives to be taught with and from Damian, Ken and Lorna in our personal journey as educators! I’m actually in awe of their work and their management, and grateful for each alternative to be taught alongside every considered one of them!