Lessons from an Open Mind

...These [IB] programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.

— from The International Baccalaureate Mission Statement

We talk a lot about open-mindedness in the world of international education. Are you living it? If so, what have been your biggest takeaways? If not...why not?

Last night, I had the pleasure of chatting with Phil Strunk on his wonderful Podcast, Wins and Losses. Phil and I first connected on Twitter, but now know each other "in real life" as it turns out he teaches in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley where I grew up. When I went home to visit family and friends last summer, my husband and I were able to have dinner with Phil and his wife. The world is so big and yet so small, friends!

There are many things I love about the format of Phil's podcast. For one, he places a large focus on reflection. Reflection has a key role in the inquiry interplay, and yet, it is far too often overlooked or undervalued. When time is crunched, reflection tends to get crunched, too—both in the world of education and in our personal lives. Of course, when we value and prioritize reflection, beautiful things happen. I also enjoy Phil's "high fives" at the end of each podcast. He asks his guest five questions that have nothing to do with education—oh, and the questions are a surprise to the guest. It's a lot of fun, and you get to learn interesting tidbits about each other.

Join us in this podcast as we chat about all things literacy, agency, and open-mindedness. Plus: find out the unexpected names of some of my childhood pets, how I feel about coffee...and more!