We are nearing the end of the second official week of National History Day research and this is what it looks like. My advanced researchers are running ahead of the pack. A few are confident enough to not even look back.
My proficient researchers are leading the pack. They are asking questions and clarifying things. They aren't confident because this is new territory. They don't know the lay of the land in a research project that offers so much freedom. 
I showed a picture like this to my students.  In fact, it was a video and it looked like no one was moving. At the start of the marathon it's hard to see that people are running a race!  But they all MUST finish in the NHD marathon and as the teacher I have to make sure everyone gets just what they need to cross the finish line. 
The task is daunting. I'm a one woman cooling station, hydration station, first aid tent, etc.  This year I've chosen to make a flip video of each day's focus topics. (No more than 2 and and a final thought.) The videos can be reviewed if I go to fast. YouTube even offers closed captioning (not the best but a start!)

So often we lament that education hasn't changed in 100 years. It's still the same forward-oriented seats and desks. A board in the front of the room. Textbooks. But STOP. Wait.
I mean look at this one room school from Winslow Homer's 1871 painting. I see small groups collaborating. I see some groups writing together while others are self directed. Some students are working independently and others are following instruction. Nothing is written on the chalkboard. There's even flexible seating. This school teachers isn't seated at her desk - she'll get her steps today.  I'd love her high ceilings and wood floors. Imagine natural light pouring in without a complaint that it's glare is distracting.
The one constant in education? The one thing we really must change to reshape education for the 21st century is that teacher - standing tall, doing it ALL. She doesn't need more scripted curriculum She doesn't need computer programs to take care of curriculum. NO.
In 1871 the students this woman served didn't share the anxieties and complexities of America's youth at the dawn of 2020. Their social emotional needs might not be fully met at home but in 1871 these little people were less "children" and more field hands, future workers, future farmers, future teachers and future wives. Their wage-earning potential was more important than their potential to grow up to be collaborators, innovators and change agents. 

Today educators are focused on student potential to be all these things and more but we must STOP expecting that they can ignite the inner spark of the next generation on their own. We cannot do it all. We need a team. That team needs to be funded. Schools need more counselors and social workers. We need behavior interventionists and more education support professionals.  

Every other industry in the 21st century is specializing. Just look at television news - everyone is an expert on some niche topic it seems. We can hire people to organize, to be a career coach or a health coach, and to be our personal shopper. 

Why are we expecting teachers - some of the most important human beings in our children's formative years to do so many specialized tasks on their own, hoping some apps and more chromebooks and ipads will make them able to multitask better, personalize learning and build a better future?

Education does need change and that change can no longer be at the expense of the educator. No more one room schoolhouse. Bring on the team!