Superhero Team Up

Avengers

Justice League

X-Men

Guardians of the Galaxy

In my last blog post I was reflecting on how we as educators need to work together as a team in order to become an expert.  This, along with the new superhero movie that is the beginnings of the justice league, got me thinking about superhero team ups could be a metaphor for teachers.  So hang on for a ride through my wacky brain.

Every superhero has their unique set of skills that are their strengths, aka powers.  But each hero also has their weakness, their kryptonite.  Therefore, the idea and creation of forming a superhero team.  The idea of having a team of uniquely skilled people working together, complementing each other, balancing each others strengths and weakness to form an unbreakable, unbeatable force that always conquer evil.

Most teachers are in education because they have a passion for working with the youth of the world in efforts to make a difference (#whyiteach).  Each individual teacher has their unique set of teaching powers that they used to reach students on a daily basis.  However, it is a long often unthankful task, which can cause even the strongest Superteacher to lose hope.  Each individual teacher also has some weakness in their teaching, whether it be working with the latest newest technology, creating differentiated lessons, attending professional development with a growth mindset, or sharing ideas with other colleagues.  

But what if, like the Avengers or the Justice League, teachers teamed up with each other.  Building off of each others strengths and weakness.  A teacher that struggles with using technology joins a team of new young teachers that grew up on tech.  A teacher that struggles with differentiating teams up with a special ed teacher who has to differentiate on a daily basis.  However, in order for the super team to happen, like the actual super team, each individual member must be willing to be vulnerable, open, honest, and trusting.  Because until they can do that, the is no team.  So while I am on the topic, here are some thoughts about teamwork.

1. It's all about teamwork.  Sometimes you are the superhero and sometimes you are the sidekick.
2. You have to work hard at being a great sidekick and teammate.  I tell this to my athletes that I coach all the time.  When we work hard to be a great team member we make everyone around us better.
3. It's not about who is the superstar.  It is about making sure that everyone on the team is valued and important.
4. Great teams have a great culture driven by great leadership.   Relationships are meaningful and teammates are connected.  The collective attitude is very positive and everyone on the team works hard to accomplish the mission.
5. One person can't make a team, but one person can break a team.  Make sure you don't let the "dark side" sabotage your team.  Stay positive.
6. Team beats talent when talent isn't a team.  The ideal behind creating a superhero team is that together they are stronger than any one individual superhero no matter how powerful they are.
7. Unity is the difference between a great team and an average team. 

You and your team will face challenges daily.  You can settle for average and choose the path of mediocrity and attempt it on your own or you can take on the evil as a team of superteachers and battle for a chance at greatness.  It's a choice you make, "With great power, comes great responsibility."  Which path will your superhero take?