I really enjoyed the reading this week. Chapter five was a great reminder for me that instructors need to be accountable. I always try to admit my mistakes, and give credit to any student who corrected me. I also apologize every once in a while to a student if I recognize that I overreacted in a situation or let my personal mental state effect my reaction to their behavior. I let them know that I’m a “real” person, capable of emotions, life emergencies, and mistakes. I loved the “Lehner” story, and the idea of shifting power in the classroom spontaneously; enabling students to feel value with the anticipation of potential role change. To know that your leader would trust to hand over the reigns at any given time is a special feeling. I also love Zander’s idea of the white sheets: what an inventive way to record and reflect on student input. How amazing to actually acknowledge a students’ input through eye contact and other non-verbal performance elements.
Chapter 6, and rule number 6, is extraordinary. That idea has been my motto this school year in order to survive. I have found myself so frustrated with certain students’ behaviors that I want to correct them every single time they say something inappropriate, instead of picking and choosing my battles. When I refrain, I feel resentful towards them. I realize from reading this chapter that I need to remind myself that I am a teacher, not a parent of 162 children. I am not physically or mentally able to project my personal value set in the discipline of my classes. I must remember that position and attention are central to my students, and they do not intentionally mean to offend me with most of their actions. They are surviving in a competitive environment. I must focus on finding my central self rather than the calculating, judgmental, angry, resentful self. I can’t judge rude children without considering the whole person=who knows what is going on in their life or how they were raised.
In chapter 7, the way things are, I loved the concept of being present to reaction and just letting life go without being overly negative. I have always been the person who did that at family and social gatherings. My role as pacifier and encourager comes naturally to me. I always try to find the bright side of things verbally and with body language. Although uplifting negativity continually can be emotionally draining, sometimes it is just necessary. I love the concept of just letting everything flow, with no good or bad judgments, just being. That’s easier said than done, but definitely an inspiring goal to strive for. It all boils down to the original focus of this book: separating concepts from physical actuality, reflections from observations, and constructs from genuine assessment.
Those ideas fuel the imperative avoidance of “downward spiral talk”. Relating back to my challenge students, I need to stop expecting a negative interchange as soon as they walk in the door. Maybe if I tried an “upward spiral”, the interchanges would be more positive from the jump.
Of course I want to unleash my passion! That is what this graduate program is all about for me. I am looking at the big picture, embracing challenge and living life to the fullest! Although I feel like I’m barely holding on to a racehorse with no saddle, I know the finish line, and more wonderful life experiences, are in store.
Original photo taken of my wonderful and inspiring mother, Elizabeth, playing frisbee golf
Sounds like wonderful insights to live by.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you. We don’t know what is going on with the students in our class. My 4th period was probably the worst class I ever had. I was getting frustrated and hated to see them come in. Then I followed rule 6. Now they may not know as much about photography as some of my other classes, but we do get along. I am also understanding more about them. I won’t go into their problems, but suffice it to say that I am now more sympathetic and they appreciate it. Next year, I am posting Rule 6 in my room. The sign will say, “Don’t Forget Rule #6”. I shall see who will ask what rule 6 is.
ReplyDelete"I am not their parent." I say that phrase over and over in my head when there are the moments that I must ignore. Inappropriate language is what gets me every time. How do students not know that there are times where they cannot talk about certain things (like bodily functions)? Well, they probably see their parents doing it at home and do not know where to draw the line...or they are boys and think it's really funny. Either way, you are right in saying that you cant be a parent to your students. So many times, parents think that teachers are the ones to instill moral character into their child's life. Is that our job? No. But we are called to teach 21st century skills which include being able to make it in this world.
ReplyDeleteTricia you bring up a great point about dealing with your students and not letting them get to you. I know exactly how you feel when you had written “when you refrain you feel resentful towards them”. I have had some students that really tried to push my buttons and see how I’ll react to their inappropriate behavior and some that are so used to what they are doing that they don’t even think twice. Like you I had to pick and choose my battles. It’s very true that we don’t always know what is going on with them or how they were raised. I know a great deal of my students don’t come from homes anything like what I was raised in. There were definitely some days this year, if I hadn’t been able to laugh at the situation, I definitely would have cried. I need to follow your example and try to create an upward spiral with those ones that I tend to get dragged down with.
ReplyDeleteTricia,
ReplyDeleteI want you to know that I too agree with you about the students that enters our doors daily. It is so nice to know that you keep that in mind when working with them. You're truly a blessing.
Tricia,
ReplyDeleteI want you to know that I too agree with you about the students that enters our doors daily. It is so nice to know that you keep that in mind when working with them. You're truly a blessing.
I will never forget the year I taught fifth grade. I missed spelled a word on the board and on of my student’s caught it. I had to think quickly on my feet. That day I realized one, as teachers, we will make mistakes and it’s okay. So instead of panicking I made it a teachable moment and I still live by it today. I said, wow you caught my mistake. Thanks; you can go to the treat box. I wanted to see if you were paying attention and every now and then I will make a mistake and if you catch it you’ll get rewarded. Now that was very early in my teaching career. Now with my first graders, in order for then to take risks and sometimes simply participate I have to make it a save environment. One of the first things we discuss is “it’s okay to make a mistake as long as we learn from it.” Teachers have to understand we are not perfect beings we just aspire to teach students that with their help, the world could be perfect.
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