These are the real-life stories from my home and school.  I write in service of parents and teachers working with children.  I want to see children thriving and continue to move forward.  It is about a learning journey.

This week I read several great pieces of writing with important information:

• Jason Russell published a piece in the Washington Examiner about Gallup’s new figure of 1 in 5 parents are engaged in their child’s education.
• “Don’t Forget the Families” Summary of Key Findings by the Search Institute.
• “If Only We Would Listen” by Alicia Von Stamwitz an interview with Parker J. Palmer on what we could learn about politics, faith, and each other.

It all reinforces my deep belief in the Table of Learning as part of what Learn Forward offers.  The student, parent, and educator are all sitting at the table as ready and willing learners in this process we call “education.”  It is about a posture, a willing heart, and a growth mindset.

In the Learn Forward book, I delve more deeply into the description of our new metaphor: the Table of Learning.  And at Willowstone Academy we are embracing this practice of coming together.  It does take practice because sometimes we feel unsure, threatened, or awkward.

We want to engage parents and students in more meaningful ways.  We want to support parents and teachers in their sacred work with children.  We want to empower and listen to students.  It is a place of collaboration for the purpose of learning.

So we must listen.

When we practice the Table of Learning, we create opportunities for listening.  It happened in many ways this week in our context and I’m sure in yours too:  class meetings, parent meetings, and IEP meetings.  Here’s how we do it.

• We prepare the menu.  We plan the meeting.  We are focused on what matters most, seeing children thriving.  We are framing good questions.  We know we must model that thriving.  We accept the longevity of the process.  

• We set the table.  It’s in a circle.  We don’t leave anyone out.  We understand we will all arrive from different vantage points and at different times.  We want to create a spirit of ‘welcome.’

• We contemplate our purpose and ensure our collaboration has focus and intention.  This week I used a Henri Nouwen quote on “Listening” to invite our hearts to dine.  We slow things down.  We sometimes even allow for silence.

• We invite experts and community leaders to our Table.  This week we had specialists at our IEP meetings, we engaged with corporations in our city, and we included our consulting psychologist to provide a workshop on the development of ‘Tweens for our Grade 5/6 parents.

• The children’s voices are present in all we do.  We listen to their behaviours, their opinions, and their experiences.  We listen from different vantage points. We are hopeful for their growth and believe in their extraordinary potential.

• We listen.  We all work at being learners.  We ask powerful questions. We don’t have all of the answers and solutions.  Our inquiry is open-hearted.

• We reflect on our learnings.  It doesn’t end there.  We are taking action.  We are building things, with blessings.  We know we need to move forward!

Creating Table of Learning experiences in our school community sets the tone of partnership, collaboration, and growth.  We know we want to move things forward. We need each other to do it!

What are the major challenges to this approach?  How can we cultivate a spirit of hopefulness in our journey together?

If you want to explore the Table of Learning or Learn Forward, subscribe now.

For the sake of the children,

Karine