Deeper Reflections about Edu-Retreats with Misty Paterson

We all have learning moments that are so powerful that they stay with us for quite some time.  Mine is an Edu-Retreat with Misty Paterson in Brussels, Belgium.  I wanted to revisit this moment and see what has stayed the same and evolved, since this magical expeirence. 

I've known for quite some time that Misty Paterson is rather brilliant.  Anyone who has read her book, Pop-Studio: Responsive Teaching for Today's Learners, will find plenty of examples of this in action.  But, there is a difference between reading Misty's book and attending one of her in-person workshops.  My respect for her creativity and intuition went up 1000% after attending her Edu-Retreat.  ​

Extending an Invitation

Learning intentions are everything.  Materials play a powerful part in setting those intentions.  

As I reflect on a recent workshop with Sean Walker and Anne van Dam, they talked alot about loose parts, intelligent materials, and intentional proposals. 

I see the ink engagement as an invitation to be playful.  Personally, I wish we had more of these moments throughout the day in upper pimary/elementary school.  Imagine how it might help learners to reduce their anxiety while increasing their enthusiasm for learning.  As a participant in the workshop, you might consider it a fun activity.  This is where a pedagogical artist like Misty sprinkles her magic.  She has an intention for our playful encounter and will use it wrap up and synthesize the experience.  

I know you want to skip to the end now, but her process is equally important to understand. 

Setting Learning Intentions

After I created my ink  masterpiece that would hang in the men's toilet at the Tate Modern, I started exploring the learning space.  I noticed a shelving unit behind full of materials.  There were a mixture of pictures, question prompts and loose parts.  As a naturally curious person, I wondered why these particular parts were on the shelf together.  What story was Misty try to get us to understand? 

After observing these materials, I went on a hunt around the room and noticed simple touches that made the setting more responsive.  There was shimmery ribbon covering an ugly pole in the middle of the room.  Plants were strewn everywhere to bring the outdoors inside.  There were ample and varied materials for us to use with different textures, sizes, and colors.  

As I sat back to observe the workshop in progress, I couldn't help but to see the CME model in action through our experience and the intentional use of materials.  Misty knew how to curate experiences that would allow for natural connections to be made. 

For those who are scratching their heads, the CME model is a balanced approach to using concepts, materials, and experiences to helps learners deeply understand ideas.  The concepts help learners to tell the story of how the materials are use to shape the experience.  I know this sounds abstract.  You can listen to my linked podcast for more information or better yet buy a copy of Misty's book.  She has so many examples from early years to high school.  She also offers alot of tools on her website. 

Making Connections

To be honest, when I was packing for the Edu-Retreat, I didn't know what to expect.  All I read was that it would be a more personalized workshop experience.  Misty definitely set the tone by asking us to bring the following materials.  What questions do you have as you read through this list?  

-a personal artifact that can help you speak to your teaching practice (e.g., a photo, a keepsake, an object);

-a roll of beautiful or interesting tape (to you) like duct tape, washi tape, painters’ tape, etc.

-your favourite pen to write/sketch with.

Being an inquirer, I naturally had my own set of questions that raced through my mind busily packing for a trans-continental trip to Europe. 

• How will the materials be used? 
• WIll they be combined together?
• Will I use my materials with others?
• Will we create new materials?

 
Funnily enough, we used all of the materials in different ways than I intended.  For instance, we used our personal artifact to connect with eachother as learners, teachers, and dreamers.  I rather enjoyed using a ball of string to literally connect to someone else's experiences.  Whenever I made a connection, I had to write it down on a small piece of paper and put it on the white line.  It taught me how to carefully listen to details about other people's stories and seek ways to connect.    

The power of this web is that we went beyond our individual connections by searching for patterns. When there was an aha moment or a generalization about a bigger idea, we would write it on colored post-it notes, like this one above.  This was a powerful tool that we kept coming back to again and again throughout the two days of learning.  Once it was finished, it was amazing to see how our learning and conceptual understanding evolved. 

What are you already doing to help your learners to come to those AHA moments with each other and on their own?  How do they know it is an AHA? 

Synthesizing our Learning

Learning transfer is one of the hardest things to master.  As a trainer, you want your participants to walk away with tools that they can use right away, but also build up to a deeper understanding of an idea.  

The beautiful masterpieces that we created in the beginning of the Edu-Retreat with the ink were cut into strips as shown here.  I won't lie, I gasped.  My masterpiece was cut up and handed out to other people to enjoy.  Once I got over my shock, I finally understood Misty's genius.  

If we want to create a beautiful work of art in our classrooms, we have to experiment.  We have to let go of the old picture in our mind of what "good teaching" looks like.  Instead, we need to take a chance and chop up ideas together, so it allows for more learner voice to be added to create something even more beautiful. 

To synthesize the learning experience, we took some time to read a part of Pop-Up Studio and write down lines that resonated with us.  Then, we wove the strips together to create a tapestry of ideas.  We highlighted the bits that literally stuck out to us and wrote a generalization or main idea statement. 

How often are we doing this with our learners?  Letting them decide what it might look like?  This is definitely something I plan to use next week with my learners.  

How might you adapt these ideas to help your learners to synthesize and come up with their own big ideas? ​

Coming Together

​Sean Walker

One of the best things about the Edu-Retreat was about making meaningful connections with others.  There was special something about meeting people in-person that you had admired from afar for so long.   

If you don't know this guy, you aren't online.  This is Sean Walker.  He is a dynamic early years teacher at the International School of Paris.  I have been following his content online, since the pandemic.  

To be honest, I've followed his content, so I was convinced that we would be friends in real-life.  But, the introvert in me could not find the words to introduce myself.  Yes, I was slightly fan-girling in my corner of the room and I'm not ashamed to admit it. 

On the second day, I plucked up the courage to introduce myself and he was like, "You are that Lu."  I think that was the moment I knew he was a keeper. ​

​Youri and Rafa

The hosts of the Edu-Retreat were Youri and Rafael.  They are co-directors of Bogaerts International School North Campus.  They are situated next to NATO on the outskirts of Brussels, Belgium.  Now, they are my co-directors. 

Little did I know at the time this photo was taken that I would work at Bogaerts with these leaders.  I love having Rafa so close to bounce around ideas and go into a concept-based rabbit hole together.  We can still talk for hours about pedagogy.  The best part, he gives the biggest hugs with his whole heart. 

Youri has introduced me to Kriek and lots of Belgian chocolate.  I'm kinda boushie now because of his influence, which is okay with me!

It's wonderful to be back in the classroom again and in place where I can create magic on my own, while being inspired to challenge my thinking and teaching.  I've grown so much in such a short period of time. 

As I reflect on this experience, I'm going back to ideas that I want to try out with my learners this year.  What is something that has caught your eye? 
​​

Misty Paterson

This fabulous woman has brought so much joy to my life through our rich discussions about pedagogy, walks around Vancouver, or catching up on Zoom sessions. 

I feel truly blessed to have been invited to this event.  It was a magical time of growth and discovery about myself as a learner. 

Misty has a gift of storytelling that is unique.  When I walked into this experience, I came as a friend.  When I left, I was a participant that felt full of ideas and enthusiasm to make change in my practice.  This is when you know you have just dont through a magical experience. 

If you want to have a similar experience, consider joining an Edu-Retreat.  Misty is beginning to host them all around the world.  She is always looking for schools who are willing to partner.  I know that I will join one next school year.  I just hope it is somewhere warm!

For more information, about Misty's Edu-Retreats and professional offerings, be sure to visit her website.