If You Want to Be Spontaneous, You Should Make a Plan
This is too cool: The lively and interactive classroom, with a view of Mount Wachusett Community College in the distance, conveys a sense of inspiration, innovation, and the transformative impact of educators who champion creative and flexible teaching methods.
I have written about my friend Pati Gregson on many occasions. Anyone who has read this blog knows that I consider the loss of Pati a great one – as when she was at her best, she was the epitome of a mover and shaker in the K – 12 Massachusetts education universe. I was telling the story about how she went from Mount Wachusett Community College – where she was a Vice President, to the Massachusetts Department of Education, where she was an Associate Commissioner. I really don’t know if it is a feeling of nostalgia or pain when I think about those I’ve lost. But I can tell you that Disney’s Coco does this concept well.
This is not the napkin - and I wish I still had ours
We used to get together and talk about our ideas as they pertained to educational things. We had the experience of bringing the Gateway to College to the Commonwealth – and that experience made us want to do more. Pati and I were both working with leaders who allowed us to be creative. They wanted us to brainstorm and hear our ideas, and even let us roll with them. Aside from the President of the Community College, we also had the Secretary of Education (Paul Reville) and even Governor Deval Patrick interested in our work. It was this very work that got the attention of the Commissioner of Education who called Pati and asked her to go work at the State Department of Education.
So, one night we were out doing our thinking and yapping. We’d identified a new issue – in highly motivated students who did not want to be a part of the high school drama. These were self-directed learners who would take seven classes a semester if we allowed them to. Pati grabs a napkin from the bar, pulls a pen out of her purse, and starts drawing on a napkin. The next thing we know, we have a picture that depicts the Pathways Innovation School – a program that allows kids to earn their associate degrees and High School Diplomas at the exact same time. My district, the President of the Community College, the Secretary, and the Governor supported it. We opened the Commonwealth’s second Innovation School faster than I could have ever thought this was possible. This program is still running, to this day.
The only name I can give is our brainstorming, our supported creativity, and our energy is planned spontaneity. I know this reads like an oxymoron, but it isn’t. The more I have thought about this, the more I believe it is a concept we should lean into in school instruction. It is kind of like blending meticulous planning with the world of the unknown. When I think about this in a classroom, it feels like a dynamic learning experience for kids.
In the classroom, planned spontaneity leads to discussions and activities requiring students to think independently. This nurtures critical thinking skills as students learn to analyze and respond to new information quickly and creatively. Then, by experiencing a learning environment that is both structured and flexible, the kids can develop adaptability. I think everyone sees that managing uncertainties is a key to success in this world. I have worked with far too many people who see problems as reasons to make more problems. I wish I had known to get away from people like this sooner.
The planned spontaneity approach fosters curiosity and a love for learning. When education is not just about following a set curriculum but about exploring new ideas and perspectives, students are more likely to become lifelong learners. Teachers should be attentive to students' reactions and interests. This awareness allows them to steer lessons in a direction that resonates more with the class, enhancing learning outcomes. Have you ever gone to an improv comedy show – they are so interesting because they are always different, and we never know what’s next.
Please don’t hear what I am not saying here. Planned spontaneity in the classroom is not about leaving everything to chance; instead, it's about creating a structured yet flexible learning environment where spontaneous moments are not just allowed but encouraged. This approach can transform public education, making it more engaging, relevant, and effective for learners of all backgrounds and abilities. Educators who embrace this concept can expect to see a new era of enriched, dynamic, and responsive public education.