In 2014, we began this blog to support our HSD work with educators. Soon after, HSD rolled out a comprehensive website–a deep and wide repertoire of tools and articles to support anyone working and playing in complex adaptive systems–families, schools, organizations, and communities all over the world. That website remains a rich resource for new and experienced HSD practitioners. We soon began referring colleagues to that website rather than this one.
More recently, as we have worked with educators in the U.S. and Brazil. we began wondering how this website might be useful to all educators trying to navigate challenges in these crazy times.
In our work over twenty years with hundreds of educators, we have seen that narratives can deepen our understandings of complexity and can contribute to resilience and Adaptive Capacity. Stories help us see (and feel) those persistent patterns. Sometimes they are patterns we want to celebrate and amplify. Sometimes they are patterns we want to change. We began looking for ways to share these powerful stories with others.
So we have decided to re-activate this website and to post stories to support educators who want to apply and adapt HSD concepts in their personal and professional lives. We invite you, first of all, to enjoy these stories. See which ones resonate with your experiences and which ones surprise you. Then, take some time to explore these stories for lessons about resilient teaching and learning in complex systems.
Those of you who practice HSD won’t be surprised that we invite readers to use the Adaptive Action cycle to explore these stories.
What? So What? Now What?
As you read a story (or compose your own), try using these three questions as a structure for your thinking.
WHAT. . . is happening in this story?
SO WHAT . . . does this stories mean for resilient teaching and learning?
NOW WHAT . . . is one action I might take to apply the lesson of this story?
As always, we ask you to adopt the HSD copyright practice. First, use anything you find here that seems true and useful. Second, tell people where you found it. Third, as you learn more about what works and what doesn’t, share your insights with others (especially with us!)
Here’s to new beginnings!
What? So What? Now What? for Educators 