I recently was introduced to a great post written by Terry Heick last year around this time, 26 Questions Every Student Should Be Able to Answer. The questions are terrific, and get to the essence of what the teacher/student relationship should be about. Moreover, they are the same exact questions to be used in an administrator/teacher relationship. Or any learning relationship. The questions are basic enough, but powerful enough, that they provide the fuel for excellent classrooms. Great teachers and students already implicitly search for/provide this information, but the list is extensive and thinking about them in an ongoing fashion is a very good idea.
I do not have too many “wall-hangars” (items which I feel are important enough to print out and tape to the wall above my desk). As soon as I read this one, I clicked print immediately.
These questions feel like they are stuff for future posts, focusing on my personal thoughts for specific questions. For now, here is the list. My top question as a supervisor going into a new school year? Number 26, for sure.
1. What do I need to know about you?
2. What do you need from me more than anything else?
3. What does success in the classroom mean to you?
4. What do you know about how people learn?
5. What’s the most creative thing you’ve ever done?
6. How can technology be used for learning?
7. What does it mean to understand something?
8. When was the last time you’ve solved a problem?
9. How do you respond to expectations?
10. What is your proudest moment?
11. What do you want to learn about?
12. Are you a picky reader? What are your strengths as a reader?
13. What is your personal philosophy?
14. When do you write best?
15. What’s worth understanding deeply?
16. What are your best habits as a thinker?
17. What’s most important to you in life?
18. What is the relationship between learning and #17?
19. Where does your inner drive come from?
20. Who are your heroes or role models?
21. Why study (insert your content area here)?
22. What are you good at that nobody knows?
23. What do teachers sometimes misunderstand about you as a learner?
24. What does it mean to study?
25. How do you respond to complex texts or digital media?
26. If I get out of your way this year, what will you be able to do?