Comments on: Blog how to’s http://www.centerforleadership.org/blog brought to you by Ideas Unleashed! Thu, 20 Nov 2008 21:16:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Gail http://www.centerforleadership.org/blog/how-tos/#comment-4969 Gail Mon, 30 Jun 2008 18:23:17 +0000 http://www.centerforleadership.org/blog/how-tos/#comment-4969 I agree, Bridget, finding the "the courage to teach" means thinking about managing my fears and understanding the fears of others; setting my own fears aside and dealing with ways to make my classroom feel welcoming and safe. It has been made clear to me that we all have fears. I wake up in the middle of the night worrying about how to meet kids' needs, where to find resources, how to respond to parents' concerns, how to get them into the school, ways to teach more and test less. . . but, I think helping others deal with their fears may make mine seem less overwhelming. At the beginning of each year I read Kevin Henkes' book, "Wemberly Worried" to my class of first and second graders. All the kids are invited to talk and write about their own school worries. Two that always get mentioned are: "I worry that the teacher will be mean." and "I won't have any friends." Creating a friendly welcoming enviroment and making sure that I give hugs and smiles as much as I can seem to be very important. I invite parents in to the classroom to work with us whenever they can. My teaching partner and I host a family potluck the second week of school so we can introduce parents to each and answer questions about our work and their part in homework. We reach out -- but what to do about the parents who seem uncomfortable at school and never come in? I had a child this year (and last) whose father never came to a single conference or school event. What can I do for him? How do I support this child whose fear shuts him down and makes it difficult for him to engage in the work, who can't even get a permission slip signed for a field trip? He resists those smiles and pulls inside himself. His fear is visible. I agree, Bridget, finding the “the courage to teach” means thinking about managing my fears and understanding the fears of others; setting my own fears aside and dealing with ways to make my classroom feel welcoming and safe. It has been made clear to me that we all have fears. I wake up in the middle of the night worrying about how to meet kids’ needs, where to find resources, how to respond to parents’ concerns, how to get them into the school, ways to teach more and test less. . . but, I think helping others deal with their fears may make mine seem less overwhelming.

At the beginning of each year I read Kevin Henkes’ book, “Wemberly Worried” to my class of first and second graders. All the kids are invited to talk and write about their own school worries. Two that always get mentioned are: “I worry that the teacher will be mean.” and “I won’t have any friends.” Creating a friendly welcoming enviroment and making sure that I give hugs and smiles as much as I can seem to be very important. I invite parents in to the classroom to work with us whenever they can. My teaching partner and I host a family potluck the second week of school so we can introduce parents to each and answer questions about our work and their part in homework. We reach out — but what to do about the parents who seem uncomfortable at school and never come in? I had a child this year (and last) whose father never came to a single conference or school event. What can I do for him? How do I support this child whose fear shuts him down and makes it difficult for him to engage in the work, who can’t even get a permission slip signed for a field trip? He resists those smiles and pulls inside himself. His fear is visible.

]]> By: Bridget http://www.centerforleadership.org/blog/how-tos/#comment-4964 Bridget Mon, 30 Jun 2008 03:44:08 +0000 http://www.centerforleadership.org/blog/how-tos/#comment-4964 In response to KathyAGNu's idea's on fear, I agree how fear is both positive and negative. It is only normal that we have fear. Fear can or may control many aspects of a human's daily life. Palmer discusses deeply about paradox's in his book. Fear is a huge paradox. If someone has a fear, it may cause harm like KathyAGNu's examples. On the positive note, an example of fear being positive, is I end up working harder on tasks because I have a fear of letting people/myself down, so I overcompensate to make it better. This year in my classroom I am going to use KathyAGNu's advice and try to identify fear in my students and make them comfortable so they can open up and then begin to learn. In response to KathyAGNu’s idea’s on fear, I agree how fear is both positive and negative. It is only normal that we have fear. Fear can or may control many aspects of a human’s daily life. Palmer discusses deeply about paradox’s in his book. Fear is a huge paradox. If someone has a fear, it may cause harm like KathyAGNu’s examples. On the positive note, an example of fear being positive, is I end up working harder on tasks because I have a fear of letting people/myself down, so I overcompensate to make it better. This year in my classroom I am going to use KathyAGNu’s advice and try to identify fear in my students and make them comfortable so they can open up and then begin to learn.

]]> By: Bridget http://www.centerforleadership.org/blog/how-tos/#comment-4963 Bridget Mon, 30 Jun 2008 03:34:22 +0000 http://www.centerforleadership.org/blog/how-tos/#comment-4963 "Teaching, like any truly human activity, emerges from one's inwardness, for better or worse. As I teach, I project the condition of my soul onto my students, my subjects, and our way of being together." (p.2) When reflecting on this quote, a few items come to mind concerning the introduction and chapter one in our book. I also had some vivid memories of this year that relate to what Palmer is explaining. I teach middle school and this year was my first year. I realized quickly that when you are realistic with your students they respond positivley to you. There is no faking or pretending especially around middle-schoolers. When students see that you have your own identity and are projecting it into your teaching they are going to open up to you as a real person and not just a distant teacher. I believe a teacher's self-esteem is shown in their teaching. A strong, positive identity as a person , reflects toward a passion in their teaching. For example, I abide by the golden rule in my classroom. I tell my students that I follow this rule in my everyday life because it reflects on my morals and values. My students know that because the golden rule is a big part of me, we will abide by it in my classroom. I am passionate about my content and it reflects in the response of my students. They are excited to be in my class and will go above and beyond to share my passion. If you were to come into my classroom, the space, feeling, and atmosphere are a direct reflection of my personality. This is only possible because "I am me, so I teach as me." “Teaching, like any truly human activity, emerges from one’s inwardness, for better or worse. As I teach, I project the condition of my soul onto my students, my subjects, and our way of being together.” (p.2)

When reflecting on this quote, a few items come to mind concerning the introduction and chapter one in our book. I also had some vivid memories of this year that relate to what Palmer is explaining. I teach middle school and this year was my first year. I realized quickly that when you are realistic with your students they respond positivley to you. There is no faking or pretending especially around middle-schoolers. When students see that you have your own identity and are projecting it into your teaching they are going to open up to you as a real person and not just a distant teacher. I believe a teacher’s self-esteem is shown in their teaching. A strong, positive identity as a person , reflects toward a passion in their teaching. For example, I abide by the golden rule in my classroom. I tell my students that I follow this rule in my everyday life because it reflects on my morals and values. My students know that because the golden rule is a big part of me, we will abide by it in my classroom. I am passionate about my content and it reflects in the response of my students. They are excited to be in my class and will go above and beyond to share my passion. If you were to come into my classroom, the space, feeling, and atmosphere are a direct reflection of my personality. This is only possible because “I am me, so I teach as me.”

]]> By: JMWeigand http://www.centerforleadership.org/blog/how-tos/#comment-4937 JMWeigand Fri, 27 Jun 2008 18:44:44 +0000 http://www.centerforleadership.org/blog/how-tos/#comment-4937 True independance must be joined by a sense of "community" in teaching. As Hillary quoted... "it takes a village." We must share with each other for no matter how well we think we know ourselves and our students, we cannot do it alone. Teaching is a dynamic which we are an important but yet small part of. ("BONO ROCKS!") True independance must be joined by a sense of “community” in teaching. As Hillary quoted… “it takes a village.” We must share with each other for no matter how well we think we know ourselves and our students, we cannot do it alone. Teaching is a dynamic which we are an important but yet small part of. (”BONO ROCKS!”)

]]> By: agault http://www.centerforleadership.org/blog/how-tos/#comment-4936 agault Fri, 27 Jun 2008 16:30:11 +0000 http://www.centerforleadership.org/blog/how-tos/#comment-4936 Fear , like the author stated, must be balanced. This can refer to the positive excitement which comes from fear as well and the obvious negative feelings. But life, like fear, is a balance. With out it you don't appreciate all that it has to offer. Fear is good in moderation and is also great motivation. I love the fear (and excitement) I continue to experience every year for the first day of school, the fear and anxiousness from teaching a new book, etc. I think that fear is what keeps this educational train moving down the right track. :) Fear , like the author stated, must be balanced. This can refer to the positive excitement which comes from fear as well and the obvious negative feelings. But life, like fear, is a balance. With out it you don’t appreciate all that it has to offer. Fear is good in moderation and is also great motivation. I love the fear (and excitement) I continue to experience every year for the first day of school, the fear and anxiousness from teaching a new book, etc. I think that fear is what keeps this educational train moving down the right track. :)

]]> By: agault http://www.centerforleadership.org/blog/how-tos/#comment-4934 agault Fri, 27 Jun 2008 16:21:17 +0000 http://www.centerforleadership.org/blog/how-tos/#comment-4934 “Teaching, like any truly human activity, emerges from one’s inwardness, for better or worse. As I teach, I project the condition of my soul onto my students, my subjects, and our way of being together.” (p. 2) I totally agree with this quote. This quote has so much meaning to mean and is the foundation for my educational philosophy. My students do know me and know me well. I also know them as much as I can. It is important to be aware of the little things that make them tick. This makes me a better teacher and allows me to be aware of my audience. “Teaching, like any truly human activity, emerges from one’s inwardness, for better or worse. As I teach, I project the condition of my soul onto my students, my subjects, and our way of being together.” (p. 2) I totally agree with this quote. This quote has so much meaning to mean and is the foundation for my educational philosophy. My students do know me and know me well. I also know them as much as I can. It is important to be aware of the little things that make them tick. This makes me a better teacher and allows me to be aware of my audience.

]]> By: KathyAGNu http://www.centerforleadership.org/blog/how-tos/#comment-4922 KathyAGNu Fri, 27 Jun 2008 01:46:26 +0000 http://www.centerforleadership.org/blog/how-tos/#comment-4922 Fear is an unusual creature. Fear at the most basic level is a chemical reaction. In animals it created the release of adrenalin that allows the creature to fight the thing creating the fear or to run away from that thing. With humans fear also causes a heightened level of these chemicals. Humans react to fear in different ways. It can gnaw at the person causing permanent damage. The fear can turn into stress which can tax the immune system allowing the bodies defenses to not work properly. There have been studies that indicate a correlation between stress and the development of cancers. Fear can consume a persons thinking twenty-four hours a day. It can prevent a person from being able to complete basic tasks. It can cause diseases like depression. Fear can also be a positive thing. Humans hate to fail. The fear of failure can be used to succeed. As animals, humans can use this adrenalin and harness this energy to complete tasks and projects. Some may refer to this as internal motivation but it can also be viewed at a fear of failure. As educators we are usually intrinsically motivated. We fear failure and thus compensate for this. Teacher need to reflect and come to an understanding of fear. Once this understanding is made a teacher can them reflect on the fears of their students. Then, a teacher MUST create an environment that allows students to expose themselves and risk failure. Once this has been done learning can take place. Fear is an unusual creature. Fear at the most basic level is a chemical reaction. In animals it created the release of adrenalin that allows the creature to fight the thing creating the fear or to run away from that thing. With humans fear also causes a heightened level of these chemicals. Humans react to fear in different ways. It can gnaw at the person causing permanent damage. The fear can turn into stress which can tax the immune system allowing the bodies defenses to not work properly. There have been studies that indicate a correlation between stress and the development of cancers. Fear can consume a persons thinking twenty-four hours a day. It can prevent a person from being able to complete basic tasks. It can cause diseases like depression.
Fear can also be a positive thing. Humans hate to fail. The fear of failure can be used to succeed. As animals, humans can use this adrenalin and harness this energy to complete tasks and projects. Some may refer to this as internal motivation but it can also be viewed at a fear of failure.
As educators we are usually intrinsically motivated. We fear failure and thus compensate for this. Teacher need to reflect and come to an understanding of fear. Once this understanding is made a teacher can them reflect on the fears of their students. Then, a teacher MUST create an environment that allows students to expose themselves and risk failure. Once this has been done learning can take place.

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