I’m going to start off by warning you that this is a longer
post but it is one of the most CRITICAL parts of the book.  I know right, this is only chapter two and
we’re getting deep here!  Before reading on, take a second to jot down a few of your beliefs in education.  I’ll wait… 🙂

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In this chapter, Debbie discusses her beliefs in
education.  What I love about this chapter is that it required me to
first think about my own beliefs.  And, do you know what?  That’s really hard to put into words!!!  Hopefully you were able to scribble down a few things!  Although this is trick to put into words, it was incredibly helpful to the process
of developing my classroom.  It was
important because it required me to ensure that my classroom practices were
aligned to my beliefs.  Please, oh
please, don’t stop reading because I used the “a-word”.  I know we all hate the word aligned.  We use it all
day, every day….aligning to Common Core,
aligning to state standards, aligned to IEP goals, align, align, align!  I know, I hate it too. 
But seriously, by aligning your beliefs and practices, you
must begin to look at every single practice that you do during the school day.  Then, ask yourself if it aligns with the beliefs that YOU have in education.  Oh yeah, you read that right, YOU!  Not what your administrator says you have to
believe, not what politicians say is best practice, but YOU!!!! 
Are the practices you have in place supportive of your
educational beliefs?  It sounds like a
super simple thing, right?  Why would you
be doing things that aren’t supportive of your beliefs? But we really do.  There are things that we repeatedly do
just because it saves times or has always been completed that way, but is there
a better or different way that would better support your beliefs?
As you begin to go through your daily practices, Debbie
suggests that you ask yourself:
Where’s the evidence of the belief in the classroom?
What kinds of things should I be seeing, hearing, doing to
support this belief?
Where does this practice fit into what I say I value?
What studies support this practice?
Are ya ready for the tricky part?  What do you do if your beliefs and practices
don’t match?  Well, if they don’t match,
you have an extremely difficult decision to make.  Do you change your practice, which could
require time or money to create or develop a new practice? Or do you change
your belief due to some reflection, research, or data that supports something
other than your belief?  No one said it
would be easy, but is it worth it?  I think so!