I am very excited to finally get this Blog up an running. Please be sure to jump in and comment as much at possible.
One of the things that I say all the time is when you work with people it is Emotions first, Business second. My thought and experience has shown me that if you connect with people emotionally, the work and business you do goes so much smoother. That is why I love Reaissance so much. It conects with people not programs. Very similarly, within the book it focuses on how people impove a school, not programs. I like the statements..."No program inherently leads to school improvement. It is the people who implement sound programs and determine the success of the school. Programs are never the solution and they are never the problem."
Everything revolves around your attitude. Who we are as teachers and what we do as teachers is more important than what we know. What matters most is not what we as teachers do, but how appropriately and effectively we do it.
7 comments:
Hi all,
Just checking in the first time. Please remember that you can come to me with any issues or questions at any time. Just come on down!
Donna
I agree that emotions come first. As a teacher, you can have all of the knowledge in the world but if you cannot connect with the students they are unlikely to be interested in what you have to offer.
I like the message in the first few chapters of the book. One great opportunity I have had as a result of moving around so much is that I have been able to observe and learn from many master teachers. Throughout that time I have seen the “people not programs” message in action. Many of those teachers have seen different programs come and go and have been successful with all of them because they reflect on their teaching and find ways to make each program work for them and their students. The common thread with all of these teachers seems to involve an understanding of how to make instruction (new program or not) fit with the students and their needs and an ability to identify when something isn’t working and effectively alter it.
P.S. I like your screen name, boss man.
I agree with Lisa, a good teacher is someone who can take the “new” program and still be successful with it. Being a good teacher doesn’t necessarily mean you have all the answers. Good teachers have the confidence to admit they don’t have all the answers, but will work to find them.
I agree with Jim that it's about the people. At the end of the day we're still people and we may not know everything but I have found that if we are approachable then success is more likely to be seen with the students. Programs are great but if you are teaching it and can't connect to the students then it may be more difficult to get the material across.
I think it's also important to know as much about the material you're teaching so that you can get it across easier.
I'm so excited to be participating in a blog for the first time! (I guess I'm revealing my age!) Looks like this has gotten off to a good start. Hopefully, more people will participate once they're able to log on.
I'd like to comment on a couple things that some other people stated. Lisa wrote about her travels allowing her to see master teachers at work. What a wonderful, but rare, opportunity. My first year as an administrator, I was in awe of how many truly terrific teachers there are out there. Unfortunately, other teachers rarely get the opportunity to see them in action. We have many exceptional teachers at Hartford, and I know they would welcome anyone with open arms to come and visit. If you have a particular area in which you are struggling, or if you would just like to see a master teacher in action, feel free to contact any of your administrators, and we can help you set it up. At the same token, you colleagues can come visit you if you would like some suggestions about what you are doing or want to share something special that is happening in your classroom.
Jim made a statement that being a good teacher doesn't mean you have all the answers. I find it interesting that the people I consider to be "Master Teachers" wouldn't say the same about themselves. Even the best of the best are always looking for ways to improve and new things to do. We can never stop learning, and we can all learn from each other. We can't ever forget that.
Developing a positive relationship with the students from day one is (in my experience) the most important factor in determining how the school year will unfold for the students. Students need to know and FEEL that you genuinely care about them, that you want to be there and that you will be the best teacher that you can be. Once you establish that relationship, everything else will fall into place. It is important to nourish your relationship with the students throughout the year. In my case, I do this four times each year.
Teaching has been a learning experience for me. I feel like I learn something new almost every day. I recently was observed and Christine gave me a fabulous suggestion to use in my classes. It was something that I might not have thought of on my own. Educators should continuously reach out to each other to exchange ideas and provide feedback. It is wonderful way to forge new bonds and continue to improve in the classroom. The better we are, the better out students will be and the more successful they will be.
Steve and B44 group!
Congratulations on getting your blog off to such a great start! Not having read the book you are discussing, i can only add -from personal experience- it is my opinion as well the people connection is most important...I agree that a teacher does not have to have all the answers, but should have the confidence to admit when they don't...some of my best teaching experiences have come from situation when i did not have the answer and the students and i learned together!-again..only my 2 cents from many (!!!) years of teaching.
Enjoy the blog and please let me know how you like or dislike using it.thanks
Barbara
Post a Comment