Love is what makes the ride worthwhile.
—Franklin P. Jones
Straight from the Heart
In order to become extraordinary, it’s not just being extraordinary in ordinary conditions. You have to be extraordinary in extraordinarily difficult conditions.
I paused and started the podcast from the beginning just to hear those sentences again that opened the latest episode of the Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast with NBA psychologist Dr. Wayne Chappelle.
I paused it a second time and faced the truth that I am living in a season of extraordinarily difficult conditions. I know I am not alone. It is likely that you are either in the middle of a difficult season, walking out of a difficult season, or about to walk into a difficult season. This is part of being human.
Valentine’s Day is tomorrow. The heart balloons and boxes of chocolate remind me the world still turns, even in difficult seasons. As I’m standing in line with my mom for her weekly groceries, bombarded by red hearts and pink roses, I take a moment to think about love.
I am reminded to not make it more complicated than it needs to be. Love is putting on a mask to enter the cancer wing and waving at my dad from the doorway of his room. Love is watching my mom quilt a new block as her machine dances across the fabric. Love is Andy making soup for dinner. Love is a phone call, a card, or an email.
And love is what fills the virtual walls of Choice Literacy. In honor of Valentine’s Day, we decided to curate a special newsletter with Choice Literacy content that is straight from the hearts of our contributors. Additionally, this list will be free for all this week. Let’s not forget that love is what makes the ride worthwhile.
Shine on,
Ruth Ayres
Editor in Chief
In this beautiful personal essay, Melissa Quimby reminds us to nurture readers through passion conferences, classroom libraries, read-aloud, and independent reading time.
Heather Fisher addresses how it is hard for educators to hear students on the verge of giving up. Before saying the standard Keep going!, pause, look around, and ask yourself these four questions to respond with greater intentionality and to support their perseverance.
Gwen Blumberg is inspired by a challenging roller derby practice and sees parallels for teachers who are facing challenging situations with changes to literacy curriculums. If something is shifting in your life, this article is sure to offer you confidence in moving forward.
Mallory Messenger suggests instructional moves to provide time and space for students to show their brilliance. This is a must-read for anyone who wants to position students to learn.
Changing one’s mind in today’s educational world can feel risky. We fear looking incompetent or like we don’t know what we believe. Matt Renwick learned firsthand that when leaders share how their thinking and beliefs around literacy instruction has changed, it increases the level of respect from others.
Gretchen Schroeder makes a case for independent reading to administrators, families, and her high school students. Gretchen offers notebook entries, scholarly articles, and whole-class activities to help everyone know the benefits of consistent, daily independent reading.
Hannah Tills writes an authentic reflection of a difficult coaching conversation that did not go well. In this must-read for all leaders who have wished a conversation had gone differently, Hannah shares reminders of how to approach the tough conversations so they will be effective.
Quote It:
Be aware of what season you are in and give yourself the grace to be there.
—Kristen Dalton
That’s all for this week!
