New year, new me. How often have we heard that phrase? How often have we lived up to that phrase? This year will be different (another oft repeated phrase.) This year I plan on making three teacher new year resolutions. I will make one for me, one for my kids, and one for the school.
For Me: There are a ton of resolutions that you could implement in the classroom for yourself. You can strive to:
For the Kids: Your students may also get in on the action. You can ask them to pick one thing that they may do to better students in 2019 but that could also be a sketchy proposition. Here are a few things that kids could do and that you may help them complete:
For the School: A school environment can be a toxic place. As the old saying goes; you are either part of the solution or part of the problem. If you have been an old Grinch, what can you do to turn it around and let your heart grow? If you have been a Who, what can you do to spread positivity or even increase your own? Here are a few suggestions:
There you go! A real simple plan to improve the world. We can all always improve.
3 Comments
I am not a mom. Or a dad. But does that matter to be a good teacher? Are having your own kids a prerequisite for teaching someone else's?
I would argue not. I have always treated my students like they were my kids. All the decisions I make circle back to what would I do if I was this kid's parent? From there, I was able to make my best decision. Was I always right? No, but I made the best decision I could at the time. I do not think being a parent allows someone to do this better. Being a parent may offer more experience so you have more of a basis to go with as you make decisions but this is no guarantee that you are making the right decision. All we can ever do as humans is our best; being perfect is an impossibility. What do you think? Do you need to be a parent to be a good teacher? “Age is no guarantee of efficiency and youth is no guarantee of innovation.” - James Bond
This quote really resounds with me as I look at my teaching and my fellow teachers. I see so many grumpy, older teachers that are very resistant to change. Hearing a lot of "I've been doing this for x years" or "I have always done it this way" makes me hurt. One of the key qualities of effective teachers is being flexible and willing to change. No one person knows it all. We, as people and especially as educators, need to be willing to try. In what other profession do you still hold on to 100+ year old techniques? We are designed to evolve. Chalkboards are now a novelty and less a prime educational tool. I fully appreciate using methods that are effective but we do not need to rely solely on what we know. There could be better alternatives out there. And they may not be better but we have to try. More experienced teachers need to find refreshment in the new teachers and be willing to try new methods and the newer teachers need to take some wisdom from the older teachers. They have been there and done that. It takes both groups to push each other to greatness. So as most of us head on our breaks, please take the time to evaluate your techniques and see if there something fresh you can use in the new year. May make a good teacher new year's resolution... I have reached that awkward phase. I am in my middle school years of teaching. I'm not the young teacher any more. But I am not yet old enough to be that older, fatherly (or even grandfatherly) figure.
I'm not sure when this happened. I felt like the cool, young teacher last year but this year not so much. I know some of the music my kids talk about but more and more it sounds like garbage. That could also just be that Soundcloud rappers are not good. I cannot relate really to the fashion any more. Where did my youth go? I remember teaching middle school and watching my kids flounder at social interactions as they try and adjust and I feel more everyday that I must look the same to someone watching from outside. To me, my interactions with my kids feels like they went for a fist bump and I went for a handshake. I am hoping I grow out of this soon. I am fine with being more of the dad type; I have plenty of sweet jokes, but I just do not feel like I am there yet. I know a lot of this is about how I feel my kids perceive me but I want to be sure that the image I put forth is one of confidence and self assuredness. I never had long legs to grow in to but I feel that way now. How have you dealt with transitions in your career? No one wants to be Mr. Scrooge and no wants to be the Grinch but maybe we are too quick to judge. Both have a change of heart during their stories. The Grinch in particular can offer us some lessons; both before his transformation and after.
Why You Should be a Grinch: 1. You should be a Grinch about your classroom rules. Just because the holiday season is upon us does not mean there are no rules. Hold fast to your rules. Your heart needs to be three sizes too small in this case. If you lose the rules now, it will be difficult if not impossible to get them back in the new year. 2. You should be a Grinch about your work. You should be assigning work that has value and not just busy work to muddle through the pre-holiday stretch. Make sure you are still invested and then your kids will stay invested. It may be extra difficult to hold your students' attention but you need to try and rise to the challenge and step outside the norm. Shake it up! 3. You should be a Grinch about your plan. Now until your break start is still many days for learning to take place. Do not let them slip away. The Grinch had a great plan and worked very hard to make it happen. So plan these days carefully and do your Grinchiest. Why You Should Not be a Grinch: 1. Do not be a Grinch about the holiday activities your school does. Yes the winter concert takes time away from class but students have been working on hard on learning those pieces and it adds to the overall spirit of the school and community. Also do not be a Grinch if your kids are out for service projects. Yes they are missing class and they miss important things but life lessons and helping others is never a waste. Isn't that what you do? 2. Do not be a Grinch about the kids' excitement. The kids are excited about the holidays and the time off. We all need a break. For some kids this is also one of the few times they may get to see family. Let the kids be kids. Allow them time to share their plans and wishes. It is supposed to be the happiest time of the year (after summer obviously). 3. Do not be a Grinch and give work over break. They need a break; you need a break. Do you really want to do work over break? Neither do they. Most kids will rush to finish it or just will not complete. You are setting yourself up for a headache. Enjoy your time off and let them do the same. You will both come back more refreshed. Don't get your tinsel in a tangle! |
AuthorKyle is a 34 year old teacher that loves James Bond, history, donuts, and sneakers. Archives
February 2021
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