Chapter+12

The Committed Sardine

What does it mean to you to be a Committed Sardine?

A Committed Sardine means to me- become familiar with and learn about new digital tools that can be used in and out the classroom, be open to new ideas and try to see the world through the students' perspective, having students work collaborately and discuss ideas/issues, incorporating digital citizenship into lessons, make it relevant to the students and letting students take responsibility for learning as we, the teacher, guide. I also enjoyed looking at the Committed Sardine website and plan to use it as a resource. (Ruth)

A committed sardine is reflective about his/her teaching practices and is willing to step "outside of the box" to redefine educational practices. We are passionate about the future of our studetns and our society. We might be called the "cheerleaders" or the "visionaries" as we are at the forefront of embedding innovative technologies into our instructional day so that students are engaged in access and production of their new learning. As Crokket, Jukes, and Churches stated " a group of people will to make the change despite the obstacles and resistance". ( Margaret)

A Committed Sardine is like a mover and a shaker. They are willing to take risks that others may not be willing to take. They will explore the techology first, they will try new things, they will share what they are doing and encourage you along the way. I think that the committed sardines are often, but not always, the leaders of the building: administrators, media specialists, technology teachers, staff development teachers and so on. I do not think it is limited to this group listed, but they are some of the first people that I think of when I think of this type of person. I like how Ruth and Margaret both described the Committed Sardines; they are different descriptions, but accurate. (Kyra)

I am not sure I have anything different to say than the lovely ladies who listed their ideas above! Lead by example, take risks, sit and plan with teachers how technology can support higher order thinking, support the team as we all try to demonstrate what it means to be that "guide on the side, not the sage on the stage." (Lisa Norris)

Agreed with all above. A "committed sardine" is a leader above all. It takes energy and commitment to swim against the flow, and it takes enthusiasm, vision and a clearly articulated plan to bring others alongside. Some sardines are bigger than others in the sense that they have a position that allows them to influence the thinking of others by its nature - administrators, curriculum writers, staff developers, etc. But every committed sardine is capable of sharing the vision with colleagues even if it is one teacher at a time. (Susie Treat)

Ditto for me as well. One thing that I've talked about doing this year with my small group of sardines here at SKES, is to actually have a PLC where we just sit and chat and share apps and sites, and tools, that will help our students. We do this on the fly in the hallway all the time. When teachers see other teachers using their cell phones or ipads in the classroom, they want to know how/why/purpose, etc? The more we are doing that, the more the message will get out. As a collective group, we have great ideas and ways that we are using new tools with our students in new ways. I think it would be fun to bounce ideas off each other in a techy, geeky group that is commited to pushing themselves as learners in a culture that is changing from teacher in charge to teacher as guide. (Carrie)