The Most Underrated Professional Development Tool
If you're like a typical 21st century teacher, you've probably seen a few memes like this floating around social media. If you've ever said anything like this before walking into a PD session or faculty meeting, you were actually using the best PD tool out there. Just like The Force, it can be used for both good and evil. And this guy is setting himself up for a disastrous professional development session because he has set an intention of being bored.
Last year, I had beginning teachers share a piece of advice with the next cohort and one teacher's words really struck me. She said, "Go to every induction seminar with an open mind. You will get out of it what you put in, so have a good attitude and be thankful for the opportunity you have to become a better teacher!”
That statement stuck with me. Honestly, I reread it multiple times and was so excited to share that with future induction teachers. Of course, I hadn't realized that teacher was speaking as much to me as she was her fellow newbies. She understood intention better than I did.
You Get Out of It What You Put In
This bit of wisdom resurfaced a few months later as I sat in a professional development training on coaching with Elena Aguilar in which she began every day with an intention-setting activity. I had never started a meeting with a formalized written intention, but in doing so, I realized how powerful that small moment was. I jotted it at the top of my daily agenda and found myself referring back to it all day.One day, my intention was to be present in the training. Seems silly, right? How could I not be present if my rear end is in the chair? But I think we all have had the experience of drifting to our to-do list, thinking about what else I need to work on, or even mindlessly scroll through social media or email on your phone. It's that last one--checking email--that sent up a red flag.
I avoid lengthy phone usage out of respect to the presenter, but I often do a quick email check to see if the world is falling apart without my attention. (Dear Self, An ego check is needed ASAP!) So when I grabbed my phone to check in as usual, my written intention was looking back at me in my own purple cursive writing. I set my intention about being focused and, in that moment, it occurred to me that that email check was bigger than being a disengaged participant. I was actually going against my own intention of being present. The phone went back in my bag and I've been a believer in intention ever since.
Beginning with Intention
I am certainly no expert, and I still have to make a conscious decision to set positive intentions. Sometimes I forget, but I've learned I can set an intention at anytime, even if it's halfway through a meeting.
For me, it's a work in progress. One statement I am leaning heavily on during those must-do activities is "I intend to learn something new or expand my understanding." Mostly it's a mental intention, but reflecting on my experience with Elena, I think more written intentions will be helpful to me as well. I've even tried to incorporate some intention setting for participants at the beginning of PD sessions that I am leading.
Want some resources? Here is a great beginning step to setting intentions. Just three things to consider as you create and set your intentions. Tip #1 is the antidote for the grumpy meme above. :)
For me, it's a work in progress. One statement I am leaning heavily on during those must-do activities is "I intend to learn something new or expand my understanding." Mostly it's a mental intention, but reflecting on my experience with Elena, I think more written intentions will be helpful to me as well. I've even tried to incorporate some intention setting for participants at the beginning of PD sessions that I am leading.
What about you? What could be the intention mantra for you? Share in the comments below.
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