TEACHING MY HEART OUT!

For the last few weeks I have been teaching my heart out. In planning and delivering my lessons I gave my best. All the knowledge, techniques, skills, and yes the "bag of tricks" amassed over the years were brought into play. I thought I had it all covered but alas was I wrong! I was confident that I could step in and make changes immediately. This was far from the truth!

How many times have you underestimated the situations that you are experiencing? What was your initial reaction? How did you move forward? Why was it important for you to find a resolution? Did this experience impact your future actions?

This year I have been given a unique population and was asked to help them achieve their academic goals. Initially I had declined but later decided to accept the task. After teaching this group for the past few weeks I gave them an assessment. I was floored when I saw the results. They did horribly! 

Where did I go wrong? 

I was tempted to take this personally. I am of course a perfectionist! This however was the wrong approach. In today's world we are being expected to own failure.....If the students don't learn, the teachers didn't teach".....how often have you heard this? I can say after teaching my heart out, I knew they got it based on their feedback on exits, classwork, conversations, and discussions. There is an excellent classroom climate, teacher and student share a commendable rapport, students have been provided with the necessary tools for working.......so exactly what went wrong????....

After carefully and thoroughly reflecting, I came to the conclusion that these students have gotten accustomed to failure and in fact look forward to failing. They have been so beaten by prior experiences that they are living other's belief for them. Nothing is more powerful and damaging than when students believe their teachers "don't expect them to pass" and it's business as usual! 

Currently, my agenda is to change this paradigm. I am so happy that I am experiencing this "challenge". I am in absolute agreement with Rita Pierson: Every Kid Needs a Champion!

Have a Fantastic Week.

Petreno

ARE WE PREPARED TO TEACH DIFFERENT GROUPS OF LEARNERS?

Are you prepared to deal with diverse learners in the classroom? How do you determine your state of readiness? Can you ascertain the different learning groups present in your classroom? What are some of the strategies you currently use? How do you ensure that the educational process is fair and offers a variety of multiple entry points?

Recently, I was in a meeting where the academic performance of different sub groups were being discussed. As I surveyed the room I couldn't help thinking of both the students and teachers. If we are to succeed in helping these students to attain academic success it will require us to do things differently. The needs of these various learners must be addressed. Here lies our greatest challenge!

How do we proceed to ensure that the needs of these students are met? What are some of the programs or strategies that need to be in place to support our teachers, parents, and  students? Alternately, is it fair to assume that there are some teachers who are unable to do this successfully whether or not they are appropriately equipped? 

Over the years, I have observed that resistance to change comes in many forms. This includes placing the blame on students, equipment, programs, administrative support, as well as parents.

I am also reminded of the following quote from Bo Bennett:

"An excuse becomes an obstacle in your journey to success when it is made in place of your best effort or when it is used as the object of the blame."

So what will it be? Are you prepared to deal with diverse learners in your classroom? 

Have a Great Week!

Petreno