Smekens: Light Snack or the Real Meal Deal

Smekens!  This name evokes an array of emotions in educators.  Words like "gimmicky," "lacking meat," and "quick fix" are tossed about.  I personally have a different perspective.  Kristina Smekens is part of my journey as a literacy educator.  She introduced me to the six traits and craft in writing, how to organize and manage a writing workshop, as well as how to begin.  When I left that first workshop, "Introducing the Six Traits," I returned to my classroom armed with lesson plans, courage, and confidence.  Confidence...the X factor that spurs us on to reach new heights!

This newfound confidence led me to the Indiana Writing Project.  In Summer Institute I learned that the 6 traits is an assessment, not a process.  I learned to stand on the shoulders of the great ones in the field of literacy, and I learned that I was, indeed, a writer.  No doubt, this experience was a life-changing part of my literacy journey.  I was empowered by being a student in a writing workshop, sharing the power of teachers teaching teachers, and believing that I too am a writer.  The confusion, the questioning, the research and reflection my mind muddled with definitely strengthened my understanding and ability to implement writing workshop in my own classroom.  But my journey did not end there.

This July, I attended a two-day literacy conference led by one of Kristina Smekens's mentees, Kristi McCullough.  Was it gimmicky?  Only if having a visual for each reading strategy is a "trick." Was it lacking meat?  Only from the standpoint that the two-day workshop covered research, organization, management, and implementation in 12 hours!  Was it a quick fix?  If feeling like I have a starting point for taking the information back to my own classroom and implementing it from day one, then maybe.  To be regenerated with courage and confidence to face the new year...priceless!

Each of us is on a journey to become a better educator.  Trends come and go, but a teacher's search for the best ways to instruct is constant.  Our journeys are different.  Some include people like Smekens and even Shurley!  Growth meets each of us where we are at any given moment.  The growth is the important thing about the journey.  We must respect each other's journey.

Submitted by Kathy Flatter, TC ‘07