I could talk for hours about passion and teaching. Basically it comes down to one thing, if you don't have passion for what you're teaching, don't teach it. Passion can engage the most unwilling students and a lack of passion can turn away the most interested students. As teachers, passion is the key ingredient to both your (the teacher's) and the students' success in that subject. Just because you can teach facts and students can spit them back up on exams does not mean that they learned anything. It's our job as teachers to get kids excited about subjects and learn information that will stick with them and contribute to how each individual shapes their world views.
I have had lots of positive and negative influences from teachers that show passion and those that do not. In elementary school, I don't think i had one teacher that was enthusiastic or passionate about social studies. In all of my social studies classes, we would spend most of the time on that subject taking turns reading. Then we would inevitably complete a worksheet for the next day, which people would always just copy answers from the book. This caused me to dislike social studies a lot and I didn't like it at all coming into middle school and high school.
When I reached high school I took History and my teacher was the most boring teacher I've ever had, even in elementary social studies. He was even worse because he had a monotone voice, he basically had us read out of the chapter every day and watch movies once and a while, and then he'd get crabby if we didn't participate in discussions he led. However, his discussions were basically question/answer discussions, which I don't even consider a true discussion.
But then I entered my first year of high school and I took American History and my view of history and social studies did a complete belly flop. My teacher brought in artifacts from different time periods and we had to make a newspaper that represented the 1920's and I hardly ever remember reading out of the book. He held some great class discussions and got us debating about how some events in history relate to the present. I thoroughly enjoyed this class and it changed my perspective about history completely.
Other subjects, such as English, were also directly influenced by my teachers. I hated English in elementary school because it was reading and writing and worksheets. We never got to do anything exciting with it. But then I had seventh grade english with a teacher who had us journal every day and I remember that she would sometimes raise her voice so much that no one could sleep in that class. However, her voice raising wasn't because she was upset, but because she was so excited about what she was talking about. For instance, we were doing a unit on The Hobbit and A Christmas Carol and she would always get so excited and passionate about each of these books that I don't think anyone in that class would have dared to go against her because she got people excited about what she was teaching.
My most memorable professor with enthusiasm and passion was here at Luther. Professor Skitolsky from the Philosophy Department. I have never been so aware of someone's passion as I was of hers. From the first day of class i was perplexed by her. At one point in the year, she got so excited talking about Socrates that she threw her pencil, it bounced off of the ground, and landed right in the waste basket! It was not only very entertaining, but she acted like it was nothing and just kept almost shouting about how wonderful Socrates was! It was the best class I've ever taken and I don't think any class could ever compare and I know that it's because of her passion. I had no idea about philosophy before I took that class, but by the end of it, Philosophy became the essence of me. I know it was passion that made this interest possible.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Authenticity
Authenticity is what makes or breaks every classroom. I believe that authenticity cannot be faked and children are the most capable human beings of telling if someone is faking it or not. If you're authentic and mean what you say whole-heartedly, your class will be a fun place. I think that the best teachers are those that are authentically enthusiastic. When you have a teacher that cares about what they're teaching and shows it, children respond the best. All of my favorite classes and teachers were ones where the teacher was real. If they were true to who they were and even if I didn't agree with who they were, if they were consistent and believable I enjoyed the class and learned a lot. I think kids are much more likely to participate and listen when their teacher is authentic.
Authenticity should be the easiest part of teaching. If people don't know how to be themselves in public, nothing will ever be real and passionate. If people choose to just play the part of a teacher, they will be a lot less successful than people who really want to be a teacher. To me, teaching is something that should never be faked. You should want to be a teacher and if you want to be a teacher, your authenticity will be there.
Then again, you may be inauthentic in some situations versus others. I think this can be a good thing. For instance, if a child is misbehaving and even though you think what they're doing is funny, you still need to follow through with guidelines and rules for them. I think that this kind of faking is acceptable. Classroom management can sometimes be inauthentic but only because there should be rules and regulations set down that you must follow through with. If you follow through with these rules and regulations despite the situation, you are in a sense, following through with your authenticity. I say this because when you put the rules into place you were doing so because you thought at the time they were important and necessary and you should have set those rules down with your most clear intentions of doing the best you could. Therefore, when you perhaps fake your personal opinion in order to follow through with a previously set authenticity, then it's okay.
Like everything, there is always a situation that prevents true authenticity from occurring. There is always a devil's advocate. However, with authenticity, if you are true to yourself in the broadest ways and are meaningful in your approach to teaching, that is the first step to becoming the best teacher you can be.
Authenticity should be the easiest part of teaching. If people don't know how to be themselves in public, nothing will ever be real and passionate. If people choose to just play the part of a teacher, they will be a lot less successful than people who really want to be a teacher. To me, teaching is something that should never be faked. You should want to be a teacher and if you want to be a teacher, your authenticity will be there.
Then again, you may be inauthentic in some situations versus others. I think this can be a good thing. For instance, if a child is misbehaving and even though you think what they're doing is funny, you still need to follow through with guidelines and rules for them. I think that this kind of faking is acceptable. Classroom management can sometimes be inauthentic but only because there should be rules and regulations set down that you must follow through with. If you follow through with these rules and regulations despite the situation, you are in a sense, following through with your authenticity. I say this because when you put the rules into place you were doing so because you thought at the time they were important and necessary and you should have set those rules down with your most clear intentions of doing the best you could. Therefore, when you perhaps fake your personal opinion in order to follow through with a previously set authenticity, then it's okay.
Like everything, there is always a situation that prevents true authenticity from occurring. There is always a devil's advocate. However, with authenticity, if you are true to yourself in the broadest ways and are meaningful in your approach to teaching, that is the first step to becoming the best teacher you can be.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Compassion
Compassion. I've never really been affected by a teacher's compassion for me or my classmates. I don't necessarily think it's an essential quality of teachers, but sometimes I think it's worthwhile. I think it's important for teachers, especially at an elementary level, to be compassionate. Younger children soak up attention and sympathy from elders. Like everything though, it should be done in moderation. For instance, teachers that are overly sympathetic will never get anything done because they always feel bad for children. However, if there is no compassion what-so-ever in a teacher, children will cringe at the thought of going to class. It's important for teachers to find a happy medium. If a teacher can be sensitive to a child's feelings without letting things go overboard, students and teacher will benefit from the situation. This way both are being listened to but not doted upon.
In my life, I have only once been very affected by a teacher's compassion. However, it could be arguably not compassion, but just kindness. When I was in first grade, I spilled milk all over my shirt. It was towards the end of the day and I was in such a fluster that I missed my bus. My teacher felt bad for me, I think, so she gave me a new shirt and gave me a ride home. Whether it was an act of compassion or kindness, or both, I'll always remember that day.
On another note, i do not recall having any teacher that was obviously compassionate. I find the word is hard to be distributed to a teacher because teachers are just doing their job. Although teachers undoubtedly become attached to their students, I find compassion is more a term for parents and children, or significant others. I'm slightly confused with the word actually because every time I think of it I think of the word passion, and then i get thrown off guard. The dictionary describes compassion as a feeling of sympathy towards, or mercy. I feel that compassion should be an asset of teachers, but not at an extreme level. Compassion could make the difference for some students. If someone finally seems to care and sympathize with them, they will eat it all up and hopefully will gain some self-esteem with it. However over doing it could result in attachment in an unhealthy way. If I child is too clingy I think that they are insecure and that's not the best quality for anyone at any age to have. Confidence should be gained from compassion and overdoing compassion could result in insecurity.
In my life, I have only once been very affected by a teacher's compassion. However, it could be arguably not compassion, but just kindness. When I was in first grade, I spilled milk all over my shirt. It was towards the end of the day and I was in such a fluster that I missed my bus. My teacher felt bad for me, I think, so she gave me a new shirt and gave me a ride home. Whether it was an act of compassion or kindness, or both, I'll always remember that day.
On another note, i do not recall having any teacher that was obviously compassionate. I find the word is hard to be distributed to a teacher because teachers are just doing their job. Although teachers undoubtedly become attached to their students, I find compassion is more a term for parents and children, or significant others. I'm slightly confused with the word actually because every time I think of it I think of the word passion, and then i get thrown off guard. The dictionary describes compassion as a feeling of sympathy towards, or mercy. I feel that compassion should be an asset of teachers, but not at an extreme level. Compassion could make the difference for some students. If someone finally seems to care and sympathize with them, they will eat it all up and hopefully will gain some self-esteem with it. However over doing it could result in attachment in an unhealthy way. If I child is too clingy I think that they are insecure and that's not the best quality for anyone at any age to have. Confidence should be gained from compassion and overdoing compassion could result in insecurity.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Respect
Respect. If I were to define respect, I would define it as the understanding and cooperation between one or more people. It's hard to define because it's not really definable, there are so many ways to show and gain respect that there is not one way to define it. However, in the sense of teaching, if children are cooperating and understanding of the teacher, I think it's because they respect their teacher. Yet they might not because teachers can have a cooperative and understanding class by being extremely strict and harsh. In this case, the students aren't respecting the teacher, but are afraid of the teacher. Yet, if the teacher is understanding and cooperative as well as the students, that may be a closer depiction of a classroom of respect.
If I were to look at a classroom in which a teacher and the students were respectful of each other, I would probably describe it as a comfortable environment where everyone is answering questions, the students are not acting up or horse-playing, even if the teacher isn't looking. I would also probably see the teacher being uncritical and not getting frustrated with the students. The teacher would also probably be very hands on and focused on each individual kid. The teacher would not get upset or angry with the students. And finally, if i were to walk into a respectful classroom, I would not feel any tension or uneasiness.
I think respect can make or break a whole year for a teacher and the students. If the students respect the teacher and the teacher respects the students, a lot,lot more can be accomplished than if neither respect each other. Although it is possible to teach a class without the respect of the students and the teacher, it is much more fun and enjoyable if respect is present. I find that the younger children are, the more respect is found in the classroom, and the older children get, respect becomes rare. This makes sense because younger children enjoy learning because teachers make it fun. The expectations are not as demanding and so there is nothing for students to get upset about. Usually children do not have tons of obligations outside of school and they do not get swamped with homework. At an older age, however, there are so many things kids have to do outside of school and students start either loving or hating classes. If teachers don't try to cater to high-schooler's needs and wants, there will naturally be less respect shown towards teachers. Most high school teachers have a set plan and they stick to it, despite the many extracurriculars students are involved with. Also, often times high school teachers do not try to understand high school students because it is difficult. They are going through a lot at this age. This doesn't mean they shouldn't try because I believe the end result would be better for students and teachers.
I think respect is established through giving respect. At the essence of respect is trust. Students must be able to trust that their teacher is not going to assign a huge, awful assignment, or that they are a horribly tough grader. Also, the students need to be able to trust the teacher in areas outside of academics. I believe that respect lies outside of the classroom setting. The feeling goes deeper than homework assignments. The teacher must express a cordial care for his/her students. If the students know the teacher doesn't care about them in any way, shape or form, most likely, the students won't care at all for the teacher, either. Teachers always bring a part of themselves into teaching and if teachers try to expand that part of their teaching, I feel respect will be better accomplished. At the elementary level, respect is a little easier. Basically, being kind and understanding are the two most important qualities a teacher should possess in order to gain respect. Also, to trust in the kids that they won't do something naughty and if they do, not to freak out about it, but talk about it and explain that everyone makes mistakes. When teachers do something that kids cannot predict, outside of the academic level, respect is gained.
If I were to look at a classroom in which a teacher and the students were respectful of each other, I would probably describe it as a comfortable environment where everyone is answering questions, the students are not acting up or horse-playing, even if the teacher isn't looking. I would also probably see the teacher being uncritical and not getting frustrated with the students. The teacher would also probably be very hands on and focused on each individual kid. The teacher would not get upset or angry with the students. And finally, if i were to walk into a respectful classroom, I would not feel any tension or uneasiness.
I think respect can make or break a whole year for a teacher and the students. If the students respect the teacher and the teacher respects the students, a lot,lot more can be accomplished than if neither respect each other. Although it is possible to teach a class without the respect of the students and the teacher, it is much more fun and enjoyable if respect is present. I find that the younger children are, the more respect is found in the classroom, and the older children get, respect becomes rare. This makes sense because younger children enjoy learning because teachers make it fun. The expectations are not as demanding and so there is nothing for students to get upset about. Usually children do not have tons of obligations outside of school and they do not get swamped with homework. At an older age, however, there are so many things kids have to do outside of school and students start either loving or hating classes. If teachers don't try to cater to high-schooler's needs and wants, there will naturally be less respect shown towards teachers. Most high school teachers have a set plan and they stick to it, despite the many extracurriculars students are involved with. Also, often times high school teachers do not try to understand high school students because it is difficult. They are going through a lot at this age. This doesn't mean they shouldn't try because I believe the end result would be better for students and teachers.
I think respect is established through giving respect. At the essence of respect is trust. Students must be able to trust that their teacher is not going to assign a huge, awful assignment, or that they are a horribly tough grader. Also, the students need to be able to trust the teacher in areas outside of academics. I believe that respect lies outside of the classroom setting. The feeling goes deeper than homework assignments. The teacher must express a cordial care for his/her students. If the students know the teacher doesn't care about them in any way, shape or form, most likely, the students won't care at all for the teacher, either. Teachers always bring a part of themselves into teaching and if teachers try to expand that part of their teaching, I feel respect will be better accomplished. At the elementary level, respect is a little easier. Basically, being kind and understanding are the two most important qualities a teacher should possess in order to gain respect. Also, to trust in the kids that they won't do something naughty and if they do, not to freak out about it, but talk about it and explain that everyone makes mistakes. When teachers do something that kids cannot predict, outside of the academic level, respect is gained.
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