“A beginning is only the start of a journey to another beginning.” Anon: So where to since then?

I often question teachers and myself, What does your class environment tell the wider community about you as a teacher?
Does it reflect a space of teachers and children's values, visible connections of identity? Over the last few months we have been involved in bringing our vision to life through our classroom environment. What was a blank canvas, now speaks wonder, delight, excitement, color, provocation and hard work.
As teachers you make decisions and it is up to you whether you persist to follow through with your intentions, or do nothing about it. I recently presented at teachmeetnz via Sonya, who has begun this great network sharing via Google Hangouts with teachers throughout NZ. I was an observer at the very first one this year, then had to bite the bullet and present at the next one.

Before the preparation of teachmeetnz, I did my best to get out of it (haha). To no success, I was left to work on a presentation of 12 slides, 20 seconds (per slide) and a 3 minute window to talk. For anything new, there is always natural apprehension at the start. So I reminded myself, How else am I suppose to grow as a teacher without trying and taking risks to work through those obstacles and learn from them? I knew all this, I was just obviously reacting, yet biting my own words at the best of times, I know!
Only completing my presentation days before going live I had a practice run with Sonya as I wasn't able to make the run through with the other teachers. As this is recorded, I watched it back and wow what an impact! Being able to re-visit this process, yet be able to listen and see me speaking was such a great help in preparing me for the actual day. How brilliant is technology right? Yes, that is a rhetorical question!

So in this presentation I shared the process of our classroom design, how it all started and what it looks like today. Although these presentations are a short insight, I think it is a great way of fostering those connections on a global front and sharing your story within the wider community.

I have been strongly influenced by the likes of Margie Carter and Deb Curtis, who I have had the pleasure in meeting on their visits to NZ and my visit to Seattle and San Francisco in 2012 Making your environment "The Third Teacher"
Margie and Deb have several publications which share some fine exemplars of schools and early childhood centers in NZ, Australia and the US. I have been inspired by being at Tots Corner ELC and immersed in an environment which reflects respect and beauty for children, teachers and families. I can definitely say that it has made a lifetime sentence on my teaching practice.

The Studio

I look at this change of my current class environment as a testament to what I have learnt over the years despite changing schools and countries. I was determined to continue striving for what I believe is quality learning for young children. This experience has shown me that it doesn't matter where you go in the world, as you take with you the beliefs and values that shape who you are as a person.

It was such a privilege to be part of Sonya's ULearn13 workshop virtually all the way from Korea! who would have thought, I could still be part of the greatness of ULearn whilst abroad. I would like to thank Sonya for the time and patience in creating this network to come together as one for what looks like is going to be the eptiome of professional learning for teachers in NZ and the wider world. Do check out the other great educators and their imbuing stories they have contributed to teachmeetnz

You will find my presentation and slides here