Sierra’s TIW Reflection

Everyone told me that a TIW wasn’t that big of a deal, that our anxieties about them would be washed away as soon as we started. They were right! I must admit I was very nervous as I began my TIW, but before long I found myself in the best classroom of the most willing students. Too willing in fact! During the turn and talk portions of my TIW my willing participants became so invested in their conversations that it took a few minutes to get everyone back on track. I feel that these turn and talk portions were important for working through the documents, however I wish I’d had more time to allow for a group discussion.

Knowing how offering professional development works now, I would want to allow for more of that discussion time as I feel that this is where the real learning comes in. Whether that means lessening the amount of material to talk about or cutting table conversations short in favor of a group one will depend on the content.

Ultimately my TIW ended before we could have any proper group discussion but also before I felt I could get proper feedback. I did have several teachers offer ideas and express interest, but I know there was more discussion to be had that we just did not have time for. I think the only part of this TIW process that I would genuinely change is my ability to see others’ TIW presentations. I feel that offering these presentations to our small family group would have been fun, but had we done it prior to the workshop it could have also been good practice. I enjoyed sitting in on Caitlyn’s TIW immensely and feel that I learned a lot getting to be on both sides of the workshop process.