STEM, STEAM, STREAM, STRAMM...What does this all mean?

In my tenure as a teacher I have seen many changes in education. I suppose that's what sets our profession apart from any other. Teachers are like ballerinas....we do our best work on our toes! Spin, twist, tumble, we do it all. This week I was fortunate enough to be introduced to the "new" but "old"  STEM philosophy. A few teachers and administrators gathered together for a 2 day workshop to learn all about STEM. Basically, STEM is a holistic philosophy of teaching and learning where Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math, are all wrapped up into neat little learning communities. This type of holistic experience offers students the opportunity to create, collaborate, think critically and communicate ideas. The 4 C's (creativity, collaboration, critical thinking and communication) represent the 21st Century Skills needed to thrive in today's world. STEM fluent learners will be sufficiently prepared and ready to soar ahead after school. It is always scary and overwhelming when there is something of value put in front of you, that you know makes sense, but at the same time will cause change. CHANGE, is the "elephant in the room." We know it's there, we know why, but we have to come to terms with it. CHANGE, to some teachers, is scary.  CHANGE to others, can be invigorating. There's something about us losing control of what we have done for so many years. Something that is comfy and safe and warm. Something that works. Why should we fix what is not broken? Well, STEM isn't a FIX and it's really not a complete change, it's an enhancement. Take your best outfit, your slim fitting skirt, your designer shoes, the silk blouse that accentuates your best features; Now add just the perfect necklace and earrings  to complete the look. That's STEM. It takes all of your favorite lessons and ties them together in a cohesive way and layers them with inquiry and 21st century skills. Nothing wrong with that, teachers!!!!

P.S. Action statements from a STEM fluent learner:

I Think.
I Question.
I Design.
I Create.
I Struggle.
I Collaborate.
I Try.
I Solve.
I Invent.
I Reflect.
I LEARN!

We are Family

I assume that in most workplaces, your co-workers become as close as family members. You are with them day in and day out; 8 hours; 5 days a week. If you're me, you've known and grown with many of these people for the last 18 years and 2 months. 18 years! That's almost as long as I've known my twin daughters, soon to be 20. That's longer than I am married to my wonderful husband. 18 years, awesome! And like family, you have your up's and you have your down's. You share blissful moments of sheer happiness, and you mourn awful losses together. You take your bad mood out on them, and they take advantage of your flexibility. However, no matter what, when push comes to shove, you are all in this together. Every now and again, SMACK, reality whacks us across the face. My close friend at work received some bad news a few weeks back. She is going to be fine and her prognosis is excellent. But, she received this news, nonetheless. As we waited together, in the hallway of our "home"/school, her cell phone rang. The call she had been waiting for finally came. My throat was pained with a lump I couldn't swallow. My heart sank so low into the depths of my body, I longed for its' beat. Time stood still. "It's cancer," she said. After all of the, "almosts," and all of the, "I'm sure it's nothing(s)," it was something. Somehow, I salvaged any of the strength that seemed to ooze out of my limp arms and legs, I stood tall, and I held her. "We are going to beat this," I said again and again, "WE are going to beat this." After weeks of first opinions, second opinions, discussions,  and weighing options, her decision was made. Let's do this as quickly as possible, was her goal and I'm proud to say she did just that. See, it truly takes a Village! Our little Village; our sweet, yet strong school joined together to overcome another one of life's adversities. I have NO doubt that in a year from now, this moment in time will be one that confirms the bond that our "family" shares. We ARE family!