The diva is getting her training wheels taken off her bike today. This act is more emotional than a Real Housewives reunion. She doesn't feel ready. In truth, if we waited until she felt ready she would ride her training wheels off to college. Finally, we told the diva we knew she could do it even if she didn't think so.
This made me think of those students in our classes who also do not feel confident in themselves. Be it from past experiences or worse words that told them they unable to do _______________. We, as educators, need to be our students biggest fans. Teachers need to believe that our kids can. I challenge you to look this year at what your kids can do and let them know that. Focus more on their strengths and not their weaknesses.
In my role as a coach, I will to encourage my teachers to remember they can do great things in their classrooms. To focus on their strengths and capitalize on those. Sometimes our biggest hurdle is between our ears and we need only be reminded of what we have to offer.
Until next week....
You use a wonderful analogy with using your own experiences. I celebrate the fact that you say we need to start with helping students believe that they "can"- the hardest part is for teachers to continue to offer that unconditional support.
ReplyDeleteWhat advice would you give a teacher in making this a priority in their classroom?
Dr. McDonald, thanks for your response. I agree that this is a tough challenge. My first suggestion, if you would want someone to treat your own child this way- you need to do it for someone else's child. Some days are easier than others and some children are easier than others. However, none of them are less worthy. Second, think of the benefits. If a person is your cheerleader you want to please them. Just think if the people in our charge believed you wanted the best for them and acted accordingly you couldn't stop successful in your classroom. What a wonderful thing that would be.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post! You are correct that teachers need to be their student's biggest fan! So many times, these kids just need that one person cheering for them to get them on track. Once they start having small successes, they begin to push forward.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kelli!!
ReplyDeleteI love this and think that every teacher should have this first and foremost on their minds. Also reminds us that as coaches, we also must capitalize on the strengths of our teachers and then help them "enhance" their practices.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written. I hope that in your new role as a coach, you will take the same approach with the teachers you work with (I bet you already had that mind set).
ReplyDeleteKids and adults, alike, learn best when the are pushed right into their Zone of Proximal Development. So, although we keep the end goal in mind, we have to think about where each individual teacher is and move them forward from that very point. Differentiation strikes again!