Reflections from the NSTA Conference: Making It Just a Little Easier
Author: Anna Babarinde
Published: 12.19.14
I recently attended the three-day joint National Science Teacher’s Association (NSTA) and California Science Teacher’s Association (CSTA) conference in Long Beach with two colleagues from Maria Carrillo High School. I was SO excited to attend and get ideas and inspiration, which did happen. But there were a few bumps along the way that also reminded me of an important lesson for teachers and leaders in education.
A Rocky Start
The trip got off to a rocky start for us. Rain shut down the freeway, our flight was delayed (for two hours, at 20 minute increments), and the crowds at the airport and our flight delays forced us to skip dinner. When we got to Long Beach, there was line after line—to get a taxi (in the rain), buy a cup of coffee, register for the conference, and get into every session. For the first 24 hours, these issues made it hard to mentally enter into the conference. I wanted to learn how to dig deeper and embrace the changes happening in science education, but circumstances kept getting in the way.
This all changed in the evening of our first full day at the conference when we attended a CSTA-sponsored event at the aquarium. Everything was well organized. When we entered, we were quickly checked in and given all the information we needed for the evening. A lovely buffet dinner was set out and we were told that we could take our food anywhere in the aquarium, so I found myself eating among tanks of beautiful tropical fish. Everyone at the aquarium was gracious and keen to talk to us, answer questions, and make sure we experienced everything. Since we were all adults, you never had to worry about blocking a child’s view or keeping the staff from engaging children in a teachable moment, which was a very unique experience for teachers! As we left, my colleagues and I talked about how wonderful the event had been and how honored we felt—a stark contrast to many of the other experiences on the trip so far!
The conference wasn’t smooth sailing for the next two days. I still had to wait in long lines for coffee and stand at the back of sessions even when I arrived 25 minutes early. But my entire outlook had changed after the treat of the evening at the aquarium. I was ready to learn and engage in good, but tough, conversations about where we’re headed with the Next Generation Science Standards as a school, district, county, state, and country. I returned from the conference tired, but refreshed and ready to go deeper and try new things.
Making It Easier
My varying experiences at NSTA reminded me of the importance of making things just a little easier and more accessible for students and educators alike as we seek to make changes in education.
- Students, especially at the secondary level, are being thrown for a loop with Common Core and NGSS. They have come through school during the NCLB era of one right answer you can bubble in, and we’re asking them to think and perform in a way they’re not used to.
- Teachers, especially teachers who were trained in the last 15 years, face a similar challenge. They have to reevaluate their pedagogy and reinvent many things they have come to depend on. In many cases, they don’t have the materials they, because the resources haven’t been developed or purchased yet.
- Administrators are also placed in a tough position. They are being called on to make decisions about an educational system that is very different from the one they experienced in the classroom. They may feel stuck between what teachers tell them is needed and what their superiors say is available.
All of these realities can feel as troubling and disorienting as being in a warm, predictable classroom, then finding yourself navigating a soggy Southern California with crowds and no food a few hours later.
None of these challenges come with an easy fix. At every level there will be an adjustment period, rough patches that need to be navigated, and decisions that have to be made. But we don’t have to solve everything at once to make educational change seem do-able. We just need to make it a little easier.
What might it look like to make things a little easier? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but here are a few thoughts.
In the classroom, this might mean taking time to talk with students about the shift in education and the reasons for new expectations, then inviting them to discuss or reflect on this. Or it could include carefully scaffolding initial NGSS or CCSS lessons to make success more attainable. Or it might be as simple as intentionally calling out and celebrating student progress as it relates to the new standards. From personal experience, I can tell you that each of these makes a big difference in student outlook and what they’re willing to try.
At site and district levels, making it easier might mean seeking tangible ways to support and meet the needs of teachers during the transition. Perhaps more copies and paper could be offered where limits are imposed so that teachers are freed up to change plans and experiment with lessons. While budgets are certainly limited, making it easier might also include quickly addressing needs that can be accommodated, such as fixing leaky roofs or dealing with ant infestations. Time is also limited, but it goes a long way when administrators make it a priority to visit classrooms where CCSS and NGSS are being implemented and provide encouragement and feedback.
These actions all send the message that those being asked to take on the challenge of something new are noticed and valued. When even little needs are addressed and work and effort are acknowledged, all of us are in a better place to learn, tackle new challenges, and look ahead to ask, “What’s next?”
Whatever your position and situation, it is within your power to make it a little easier for someone as we approach educational change together. With the start of a new year, I challenge you to try this where you can. And please hold me to the same standard! If I can make your transition a little bit easier through information, training, or simply being a sounding board, I’m here. Please don’t hesitate to contact me.
May your New Year be full of adventures and new experiences, and may it be just a little easier than the last!
Blog: Exploring NGSS
