Empower #EmpowerBook
Suggested Reading: Chapter 4-6
John & AJ distinguish Fail-URE as permanent while Fail-ING as a process is temporary. Describe how you see these terms play out in your classroom.
My "classroom" is two elementary buildings (preK -4). I am a Tech Integration Specialist (TIS). I was a classroom teacher for 14 years and both fail-ure and fail-ing were a part of my teaching then AND now. Can't get around that. But I embrace BOTH as a means to be the person I am today.
Actually ... FailURE, to me is an end. FailING is part of the process. I've come to realize that fail-ING only means a temporary stumble.
It's how you pick yourself up and keep going!
There have been so many times I've wanted to quit. Lessons have gone wrong, students have been difficult, testing has been the focus, budgets have been tight, admins have been difficult, and so on.
It's how you pick yourself up and keep going!
Anything we do in life will have it's respective "box". What we do IN the box will be the measure of our level of innovation. Can we do this every day? Certainly not. But to take the first step? To take one step? Absolutely.
It's how you pick yourself up and keep going!
FailURE: the point at which you decide not to pursue the "road" you are on & move in a new direction
FailING: the act of realizing a change needs to occur in order for progress to take place
It's how you pick yourself up and keep going!
Actually ... FailURE, to me is an end. FailING is part of the process. I've come to realize that fail-ING only means a temporary stumble.
It's how you pick yourself up and keep going!
There have been so many times I've wanted to quit. Lessons have gone wrong, students have been difficult, testing has been the focus, budgets have been tight, admins have been difficult, and so on.
It's how you pick yourself up and keep going!
Anything we do in life will have it's respective "box". What we do IN the box will be the measure of our level of innovation. Can we do this every day? Certainly not. But to take the first step? To take one step? Absolutely.
It's how you pick yourself up and keep going!
FailURE: the point at which you decide not to pursue the "road" you are on & move in a new direction
FailING: the act of realizing a change needs to occur in order for progress to take place
It's how you pick yourself up and keep going!
EMPOWER is a celebration of the impact teachers can have on the lives of their students. How do we amplify that impact when we empower students?
We can't possibly know everything that goes on in our students' lives - even the ones who open up to us. We will always remain a little on the outside. But that's not a bad thing. It gives us the ability to guide our students in a direction they might not otherwise see. Empowering them can play out in ways we couldn't even imagine.
I had the privilege of teaching "Tyler" in one of my first years in 7th & 8th grade. I'd already had seven years of teaching under my belt, so I had some wisdom in me. Tyler was the ideal student. He took pride in doing his best ... he took his time ... he reviewed ... he reread ... he studied ... he took advantage of everything I could possibly offer ... he helped other students ... he was an AMAZING KID! He told me once that I had nothing to worry about if our pay was dependent on the student test scores because I was a great teacher. WOW! Such a compliment! (We could have conversations like this ... and I explained to him I'd love that - IF they were all like him!)
He went on to be valedictorian and to a prestigious college and is now a successful adult. I was thrilled to I receive an email from him (out of the blue) asking to reconnect. The day we caught up, he gave me insight to his growing up years that blew me away. I had NO idea. I was shocked. I asked him how he was able to put all that aside. He said he knew education was the way out for him.
Looking back, I realize Tyler already had empowered himself, but I believe I helped him along his journey and supported him. But not all students are like Tyler. If we can intentionally empower our students - even those who push back against empowerment, what will the results be? What will the future be?
SO ... if I INTENTIONALLY empower students - and in my role, teachers - I can only imagine the results!
I had the privilege of teaching "Tyler" in one of my first years in 7th & 8th grade. I'd already had seven years of teaching under my belt, so I had some wisdom in me. Tyler was the ideal student. He took pride in doing his best ... he took his time ... he reviewed ... he reread ... he studied ... he took advantage of everything I could possibly offer ... he helped other students ... he was an AMAZING KID! He told me once that I had nothing to worry about if our pay was dependent on the student test scores because I was a great teacher. WOW! Such a compliment! (We could have conversations like this ... and I explained to him I'd love that - IF they were all like him!)
He went on to be valedictorian and to a prestigious college and is now a successful adult. I was thrilled to I receive an email from him (out of the blue) asking to reconnect. The day we caught up, he gave me insight to his growing up years that blew me away. I had NO idea. I was shocked. I asked him how he was able to put all that aside. He said he knew education was the way out for him.
Looking back, I realize Tyler already had empowered himself, but I believe I helped him along his journey and supported him. But not all students are like Tyler. If we can intentionally empower our students - even those who push back against empowerment, what will the results be? What will the future be?
SO ... if I INTENTIONALLY empower students - and in my role, teachers - I can only imagine the results!
No comments:
Post a Comment