Reclaiming Agency: Teaching North-East
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Reclaiming Agency: Teaching North-East
Professional Learning Session From Venting to Agency Based on Russell Bishop's Chapter 5
WALT: We Are Learning To
Understand the 'North-East' position of high expectations and high care Shift from deficit thinking to agency-focused discourse Use evidence to check our biases and find success Build collective responsibility for student outcomes
Success Criteria
I can identify deficit thinking in educational discourse I can reframe challenges using agency-focused language I can use student voice and observation data effectively I can contribute to collective responsibility discussions
The Staffroom Reality
"Venting is a human need; Deficit Thinking is a professional choice" - Russell Bishop
Reflection Question
How does it feel to leave a conversation that is 100% negative about a student?
The North-East Position
High Expectations + High Care NOT a personality trait It IS a professional discipline Can be learned and practiced
Deficit vs Agency Discourse
{"left":"Deficit-focused: 'They are dangerous'\nAgency-focused: 'The relationship is currently fractured'\nDeficit-focused: 'They won't come to class'","right":"Agency-focused: 'We need better engagement strategies'\nDeficit-focused: 'This cohort is too hard'\nAgency-focused: 'We need to adjust our approach'"}
The Consequence of Deficit Thinking
Leads to 'Survival' pedagogy We stop teaching and start managing Focus shifts from learning to control Students disengage further
The Pivot Activity
Write a deficit statement you've heard Partner with a colleague Challenge each other to pivot into strategy Example: 'This cohort is too hard' becomes 'When I use X strategy, Y happens'
Evidence as a Bias Check
Move from 'feelings' to 'data-driven' relationships Use student voice and observation data Monitor success objectively Disrupt subconscious biases
Finding Pockets of Success
Instead of labeling a class 'impossible' Find which interactions ARE working Analyze why they work Build on these successes
Data Reflection
What would the data say about your 'North-East' position today?