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
