Golden Circle

Today we are going to be talking about The Golden Circle. No, not the Golden Circle of a Iceland which is a popular road to travel to see the beautiful waterfalls and cites of that gorgeous Island. We are going to focus on the Golden circle as an educational leader. As we reflect as leaders and teachers in our classroom it is important to think about how we impact our class. How do we hook kids? How do we get them to understand the importance of what they need to learn?



When looking at the Golden Circle it is important to first know what it actually is. The diagram below helps you understand this concept a little clearer. Another way to learn more about the Golden Circle is to check out this Ted Talk by Simon Sinek who brings up great examples patterns of great leadership.

Ted Talk- The Golden Circle

As you look closely at this diagram you can see the how the graphic organizer connects to education. 

Why- Very Few Know about It

From there is the How- Some Know about it

What- Everyone Knows about it

As an educational leader you want everyone to know about it. In the Ted talk there is a discussion about Apple products and how they do an excellent job of reeling in the audience and getting them curious about the product. It is not just a pathos, legos, and ethos appeal used but a call to learn inspire someone to engage.

In an educational setting we come across many concepts! It reminds me of all the differentiation that I do in my own personal classroom.  The goal is to engage the class in the activity. You want them to learn the concepts and show that they know how to apply the skill. In our Book Club Unit students are given many options of books they can read. These book allow a lot of choice. I give out specific groupings based on interest and lexiles. Once I have setup the groups they get 4-6 choices of different books to engage their interest. I choose high interest and relevant books that we were able to procure from a grant. These books serve as a way to show students that they achieve these books but allow choice and buy in to their product. They read synopsis and are able to compete for other books if it fits them. Students actively take the front seat of their education and can steer in the direction they wish. It becomes a fun activity. It pulls in every student.

Quietly Rebelious

I give a lot of credit towards teachers. It isn't easy to be one. Our minds are computers with a thousand tabs opening making a million different decisions every second. We are thoughtful, we are creative, and we are constantly changing/adapting. I like to think of teachers as being very well rounded people. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING, shocks a teacher or really sets the back. We see it all and hear it all. We deal with being powerless when we want to help our students and we deal with sleepless nights where we wonder if our students are safe. We have probably been puked on and had moments of sheer delight and hilarity. We bare and carry with us all the good and bad. It is what makes us wise but also what can also makes us tired. The world has become a place that we know and have experienced. When I cam across this quote below I thought of many things. I thought of memory moments in teaching.

“It seems to me that the best teachers are the ones who are quietly rebellious.”  

It reminds me of the sheer tack that teachers have when it comes to conversation. It makes me think of the patience and the listening we all do. Quietly rebellious teachers are the ones who are always rooting for their students. They are the ones who stand up for what they believe is right. They are the ones that know how to strike in the right moment.

In moments when their needs to be a voice the quietly rebellious teacher is the one who gets their point across in the art of language. They are the teacher that pulls the logic and the reason out. I think many teachers strive to be the quietly rebellious teacher. It gives us something to reflect on.

As a teacher how do you make change? How do you rebel in way that shows respect and the right type of concern?