Good schools are not about taking another’s model and applying it without serious consideration to your own local environment, or about lamenting that you are not someone else. That’s irresponsible, and doesn’t honor a fine example.

So as you’re enjoying the school culture of SLA, a place that I would like to be visiting and learning from/with/in this weekend (and I kind of will be), I hope you’ll

move past the “Wow,” and towards the critical eyes of “Huh.  Why does this work?  How might I make something work in my own context(s)?”

Because, we all know, imitation, and not worship, is the highest form of flattery. 

Imitation without serious thought as to how to make and sustain change in one’s own situation is not useful.  And doesn’t actually honor the fine model that SLA might be for you.

I've had the good fortune (and incredible support of @wssmith) to attend EduCon and visit with the staff and students who made this school what it is. Bud's words should be strongly considered. I have thought about what I will do tomorrow (Friday) at SLA. I'll be looking for signs of playful learning, which is what I will be leading a conversation about during a session on Sunday.

My hunch is that many of the learning experiences which students at SLA (among other schools) contain the elements or aspects of play. That is, the experiences are inherently fun and students involved often "lose" themselves in exploration, design, creation, conversation or debate.

I'll be beginning my inquiry regarding more playful learning while I observe and participate in the halls and classrooms of SLA tomorrow. I also will continue that inquiry in the conversation on Sunday. I hope you'll join us in some way, shape or form.