iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Monte Syrie @montesyrie.bsky.social · 8h

Becoming a better teacher meant letting go of becoming a good teacher in (as) the end. There’s no end. We never get good. Only better. Do. Reflect. Do Better. #Project180

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Monte Syrie @montesyrie.bsky.social · 8h

When we seek to know better, we do better. When we do better, we get better. When we get better, we know better. Better begets better. Do. Reflect. Do Better. #Project180

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Monte Syrie @montesyrie.bsky.social · 8h

Can we teach without grades? Can they learn without grades? How do we know? Are we teaching with grades? Are they learning with grades? How do we know? What DO we know? And HOW do we know? Question everything. Especially what we think we know. We can always know better.

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Monte Syrie @montesyrie.bsky.social · 9h

“Making your way in the world today Takes everything you've got Taking a break from all your worries Sure would help a lot” Life’s a lyric.

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Monte Syrie @montesyrie.bsky.social · 9h

I can cling to comfort. Or. I can delve into discomfort. Life’s a choice.

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Monte Syrie @montesyrie.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

“I’ll be your friend. I’ll help you carry on.” Life’s a lyric.

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Monte Syrie @montesyrie.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

I can glorify. Or. I can vilify. Life’s a choice.

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Monte Syrie @montesyrie.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

We haven’t figured out grading. Those who say otherwise are seeking control or money. And those who agree? They understand the messy complexity of learning & teaching, which carries over into grading. At most (at best), we are figuring out grading. Our grand experiment.

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Monte Syrie @montesyrie.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

I can forgive. Or. I can suffer. Life’s a choice.

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Monte Syrie @montesyrie.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

“Now, this looks like a job for me So, everybody, just follow me 'Cause we need a little controversy” Life’s a lyric.

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Monte Syrie @montesyrie.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Pacing guide? You mean the kids. Right? Authentic learning takes the time it takes.

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Monte Syrie @montesyrie.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

“Take my hand, and we’ll make it I swear.” Life’s a lyric.

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Monte Syrie @montesyrie.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

I can help (us) unite. Or. I can help (us) divide. Life’s a choice.

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Monte Syrie @montesyrie.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

In truth, we probably all have drunk the kool-aid. Blue Berry. Red Berry. It’s just our favored flavor. Maybe it’s time to admit that the same old flavors aren’t quenching our thirst, for which we only need water. Our want is our undoing. We need better. For all.

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Monte Syrie @montesyrie.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Journey Journal cover contest for October. My co-teacher and I asked the kids. Who did it better? And though I tried to give her a handicap by doing mine with my left hand, I was not surprised that our kids know quality when they see it. Thinking I’ll let her win next month.😎

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Monte Syrie @montesyrie.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

“Sitting in a sandpit, life is a short trip / The music's for the sad man.” Life’s a lyric.

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Monte Syrie @montesyrie.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

I’ve never taught any content that really mattered. I’ve always taught every kid who only mattered. Their time. Their moment. Their growth. It’s all that really matters. Each we (must) teach.

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Monte Syrie @montesyrie.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

“Kiddo, we’re just building your brain.” My most recent relevancy rationale. Hope it works. This old teach is about outta tricks.

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Monte Syrie @montesyrie.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

“So why should it be, you and I should get along so awfully?” Life’s a lyric.

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Monte Syrie @montesyrie.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

I can love. Or. I can hate. Life’s a choice.

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Monte Syrie @montesyrie.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

In 31 years, the Coverage Gods have never rained down on me for not getting through what they wanted. The kids, though. The kids. They’ve always needed what THEY have needed. Kids first.

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Monte Syrie @montesyrie.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Teaching kids. An OG. Teaching content. A cover band.

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Monte Syrie @montesyrie.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Content. Simply our means. Kids. Truly our end. Being faithful to our end is what teaching means.

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Monte Syrie @montesyrie.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

"Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go" Sometimes, life’s a lyric.

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Monte Syrie @montesyrie.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

I can react. Or. I can respond. Life’s a choice.

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Monte Syrie @montesyrie.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

I can face it. Or. I can avoid it. Life’s a choice.

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Monte Syrie @montesyrie.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Even after 31 years. Imposter Syndrome. Go away, Doubt. Can’t you see I’m busy? Can’t you see the kids waiting, watching? Can’t you see I’m drowning? ___________ “Okay, kiddos, for today’s lesson…” The show must go on.

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Monte Syrie @montesyrie.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

When learning is the focus in the classroom, fairness is about giving each kid what they need. When grading is the focus, fairness is about keeping each kid where they belong. Are we supporting or sorting? Seems a fair question. We can do better. #Project180

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Monte Syrie @montesyrie.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

“I don’t want you to give me your respect. I want to earn your respect. And if I don’t, that’s my bad.” Kids wanting to know my thoughts on yesterday’s daily discussion question: What has life taught you about respect? I will earn it, or I won’t. Either way, it’ll be real.

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Monte Syrie @montesyrie.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

If learning is truly our focus in education, then no kid would EVER feel stupid. Growing, not grading. We can do better. #Project180

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Monte Syrie @montesyrie.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

“I’m actually smart.” I knew. But I’d rather she knew. Rather she say it. Rather she believe it. A few days earlier. “I’m stupid.” The difference? Time. Support. Patience. The grade on the page isn’t the measure. It’s the action after. Feedback. Response. Learning.

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Monte Syrie @montesyrie.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Probably a better way to say it, especially as an English teacher, but I taught my ass off today. Still can after 31 years, but the cost is a little greater. ‘Cause, damn, I’m tired. Thankfully, it’s still a good tired. Love my job. 🙂

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Monte Syrie @montesyrie.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

When you finally finish your Safe Schools training. 😶

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Monte Syrie @montesyrie.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

I see what I seek. If I am looking for it, I can (too easily) find the ugliness in others, myself, the world. But if I take another look, give another effort, I can find the beauty. Today, I will give others, myself, the world another effort. Today, I will seek beauty.

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Monte Syrie @montesyrie.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

“Maybe I gave poor directions.” One of many reasons why a kiddo could have performed poorly on an assessment. Part of my pitch today, as we look at scores and access interventions. It’s all part of the learning process. A bad score is only bad if we don’t learn from it.

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Monte Syrie @montesyrie.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

“I might be wrong.” The “realest” reason I allow (encourage) redos and retakes. Assessments, rubrics, etc. (no matter how carefully crafted) are not infallible. And sometimes their “failure” is really our failure. So, then, we HAVE to give them another shot. Don’t we?

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Reposted by Monte Syrie

Nicholas A. Emmanuele, PhD (he/him/his) @naemmanuele.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

I have adopted @montesyrie.bsky.social’s Smiles & Frowns for all my classes. It takes 5-10 minutes and really helps with check-ins and life updates (and allows every student to talk each day, even if just during that moment).

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Monte Syrie @montesyrie.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Today, try a different “flex.” Empathy. Compassion. Grace. A better way to actually “own” the other side. Wannabe (an) influencer? Make a difference, not a divide. Character. Still counts. If you want real followers, lead. Let that click.

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Monte Syrie @montesyrie.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

“One lonely beastie I be.” Sometimes, life is a lyric.

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Monte Syrie @montesyrie.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Not often I have a bad day with kids, but when I do, it almost always ends with, “I’m sorry.” Oh, teaching.

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Monte Syrie @montesyrie.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

“Sy, you mad at me?” “No. I wasn’t happy with your choice. I might get mad. But I don’t stay mad. We’re good.” From a kid who I was sure didn’t give a hoot about my feelings towards him. We never really know. Tales from teaching.

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Monte Syrie @montesyrie.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

“Do you feel like you belong?” If I could only ask one question by which to judge my impact as a teacher. Connections matter most.

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Monte Syrie @montesyrie.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

“Would you give the same deal to everyone else?” “Of course. If that’s what they needed. You’re not getting special treatment. You’re getting what you need.” Kiddo concerned I was giving him too much grace. Nope. Too much to everyone. Can’t shake my bad habit. #pushover

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Monte Syrie @montesyrie.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Heard all the commotion about data centers and thought, “Finally, people are coming to their senses about education.” Turns out, they were talking about different data centers.

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Monte Syrie @montesyrie.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Grades are guesses. So, I make my best. And I am open to making it better if by chance I was off. Grades should never be ends but means to continue the (learning) conversation. Talk to your kids about the subjective nature of grading for more authentic learning & teaching.

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Monte Syrie @montesyrie.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

I don’t think that grade means what you think it means.

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Monte Syrie @montesyrie.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

“Data.” Let your reaction to the word reveal its worth to your work.

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Monte Syrie @montesyrie.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

“Ya pissed at me?” I asked him as I collected his folder. He cracked an unexpected smile from my unexpected question. “It’s okay if you are. Just try not to let it last too long—for both of us.” We’d had a moment the day before. I’d like to think we’d just had another one.

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Monte Syrie @montesyrie.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

The problem with being learner-centered in your approach is that you’re never not. So many learners learning differently. Exhilarating. Exhausting. Existential. Teaching.

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