There was an interesting article in the September 18 issue of the New York Times. It’s entitled GPS watch? No thanks. At first glance, you might wonder why an article about elite runners is being mentioned in a teacher blog. 

The article is about world-class runners who are ditching their GPS watches – satellite-linked devices that generate data on a host of details, including heart rate, distance, pace, stride length – for (in some cases) no watch at all. Despite all the valuable information, some runners were saying no simply because the focus on data was taking the joy out of running. 

Here are some quotes from the article that resonated with me:

“I like to focus on the feel of everything.”

“I wasn’t enjoying myself.”

“A smorgasbord of data is more hindrance than help.”

“When there are things that bring me a lot of joy, I’m going to invest in them.”

“There’s something nice about slowing down…that I find almost endearing.”

While reading the article, I found myself drawing a parallel between the runners’ sense of sacrificing joy and my own sentiments regarding the loss of the enchantment I once experienced all the time while teaching (but now feel only periodically).

For years I’ve felt that educators have been focused only on instructional strategies and behaviors that are measurable and data-driven. And while this seems to be a reasonable expectation, on the surface, this laser-like focus has pushed educators away from the immeasurable. 

That means we’ve devalued and eschewed behaviors such as:

Empathy

Compassion

Active Listening

Adaptability

Patience

Creativity

Communication

Respect

Motivation

Inspiration

Cultural Competence

Curiosity

Growth Mindset

Conflict Resolution

Building Relationships

Sense of Humor

Lifelong Learning

But hey, I can analyze the heck out of some standardized test results!

In closing, it’s clear that our educational landscape has become increasingly data-driven, with a focus on quantifiable outcomes and measurable results. However, as educators, we must not lose sight of the immeasurable aspects of teaching that truly define our profession—the relationships we build, the empathy we show, and the profound impact we have on our students’ lives. While data is a valuable tool, it should complement, not replace, the nuanced, holistic approach that values the immeasurable behaviors and strategies that make great teachers. 

As we strive for a balanced educational system, we have to remember that it’s not just about the numbers; it’s about the hearts and minds we touch along the way.

Ed X!