When Scientists Enter Your Classroom | A Conversation with Patrice Bain

I wonder, I've got a friend who literally, he works in a school not too far from here and we chat a lot and we've been friends for many years and he says, oh gosh, I'd love to engage with that research community or those people kind of doing this thought leadership.

But you know, Shane, you're in that world and I'm not and I don't reach out.

What would you say if you were speaking to that leader right now?

Is the science of learning used in his school?

So he reads a lot, is an avid reader and knows all the names and kind of, yeah, loves the kind of work of Tom Sherrington's walkthroughs and these kind of things, loves this kind of stuff and would love to just start chatting to people.

But like, you know, it kind of feels like a bit of a fear.

I don't really reach out.

What would I say? Like, who am I?

somebody awesome who's interested in this.

I mean, truly just reach out, go to conferences, if at all possible, introduce yourself, just get in there.

It's such a welcoming community.

When people put blogs, say things about it, or ask some questions in social media and get some responses that way.

It's pretty common that schools here in the United States will do a book study of powerful teaching, which I think is always wonderful.

They'll do it in their own school professional development.

And then I love to just pop in on Zooms.

So while sometimes it's a surprise, sometimes it isn't, but you know, they'll be talking about a couple chapters and boom, here I am, you know, answering any questions.

I think that we're much more accessible than some people may think.

I'd love to key in on that social media aspect because a lot of people are putting stuff out there.

You know, LinkedIn more so nowadays, but there's a small community on X that's still there.

There's a small community on Blue Sky.

There's a few places.

But I think you're right.

People like authors, if they're releasing a book, they'll often do kind of live Q&As or kind of webinars, free things that you can just kind of get involved and you get access.

Right.

Which is really cool.