Teach Me To Think

What does it really mean to teach a child??? Does it mean to simply give a child a set of facts and quiz him on whether or not he remembers each fact? Does it mean to expect that child to make a 100% on every test, because you have taught him the skills necessary to pass a certain test? Does it even mean to help that child make it to graduation? What does it really mean to TEACH? The answer is very simple, yet the task is so complex. 

My philosophy is that every child should be taught how to think.  School is about more than just coming to get a 100 on the next test.  It is about overcoming obstacles, connecting concepts, using strategies, and learning to think through situations without being given a study guide.  Every child deserves the type of lessons that will go with them throughout life.  Is it enough to send a child into the real world without survival techniques, an understanding of economics, a lack of social skills, and no real mastery of mathematical or basic reading concepts??? Absolutely NOT!  It is unfair to the child who did not have a teacher or parents who would push him to the next point of understanding what life is all about.  Sometimes we get so hung up on what we are expected to teach our children that we forget about the real tools we need to teach our children.  The number one tool that we can give our children to help them survive is a sense of learning how to think on their own.  If we continue to give them all the answers and not require anything more than an answer to a test, then we have essentially failed our children.  We need to understand the importance of teaching our children to THINK.  It is only then that they can fully understand the importance of learning.

 

"As a teacher I feel I have a moral obligation to help the children in my classroom grow toward becoming full human beings and to feel successful.  Teaching cognitive skills is not enough..."  - Jean Medick

 

We must teach our kids to learn how to learn...Most importantly, we must teach them how to think.  

 

Tips To A Great School Year

Here are my tips for not only starting the school year off right, but also getting through the school year well! Know that you are at your best when you are less stressed. Don't worry, I will be reminding you of this very often.

1.       Go in with a positive, open mind.  Sure, you know a lot. You may even be a veteran.  But, it is always good to be able to sit back and listen to other people’s ideas. First year teachers tend to always have some really creative ideas.  Rather than doing all the talking, open your mind and listen to someone else’s ideas every once in a while regardless of how long you have been teaching.

2.       Set a schedule.  The inevitable is sure to occur.  Just don’t let it get you in a tizzy. Face it, things happen.  I have noticed that children behave so much better if they know what should happen in a normal day of work. Just beware; they will try to correct you if you veer away from the normal happenings.  Reassure them that things change and they are still expected to complete all activities regardless of the schedule shift.

3.       Set clear expectations…not just for students, but for everyone around you.  If you allow craziness, craziness will surely find you.  Let it be known in your expression, your appearance, choice of words, and actions that you are not going to put up with the foolishness.  Drama will try to come your way every once in a while to test your tolerance level, but keep a level head and remain positive throughout any situations that arise with colleagues, students, parents, guests, and even your boss.   You don’t have to be mean to keep the drama away.  Just don’t join it. Trust me, it is sure to come.

4.       Remain positive. No matter how hectic things may get and how unsure you might become about your job because something outrageous occurred on your watch, always keep a positive outlook.  Complaining and negativity will only make you feel worse about the situation and about yourself.  Don’t bring negativity into your space unless your goal is to feel bad. I doubt that any of us strive to feel bad…right? o_O

5.       Maximize your time.  My number one plea for teachers is to never make a habit of taking your work home.  If you do, your home life becomes your work life and you will lose a personal life.  Even if you do not have a family to take care of when you get home, you still have to take care of yourself. That’s even more important.  Rather than sitting around mingling and talking during your free time before school hours, after school hours, planning time, and lunch time I suggest that you get ahead of the tasks you know are required of you.  If you have to shut your lights off and hide in a corner to complete paperwork so no one can come to your room to bother you then so be it.  I’m not saying you should be a loner, but you need to take care of business before you play.  That is where so many teachers go wrong and end up paying for it later. Maximizing your time helps to keep you stress free!

Here are just 5 tips to help you get through the school year.  I hope they work for you! Just always remember to be consistent while implementing them.  Let me know how it goes.

Why I Teach

I decided to complete my own task...There were so many reasons why I am a part of the education field! Here are 11 reasons why I teach.  I hope you were able to complete your task as easily as I was able to complete mine!

1.       I am a lifelong learner, so what better place to be?  The classroom of course!

2.       I want to instill a love for learning in others.

3.       The younger generations will someday have to take care of me, so I would like to be a part of the process that helps to give the knowledge needed to successfully take care of the older generation.

4.       I had someone who took the time out for me…Why not do the same for someone else?

5.       I enjoy a challenge.  Teaching gives me that each day.

6.       There are always surprises.

7.       I want to be able to touch the children’s hearts that needed someone the most at what may seem like the worst time in their lives.

8.       Teaching helps me to understand others better.

9.       Teaching allows me to practice genuine empathy for others.  This is a skill which so many people lack.

10.   Teaching keeps me going each day.  Even if I don’t feel like getting up out of the bed, no matter how tired I am I will get up because I know there are lots of younger people waiting to see me and hear what I have to say each day. 

11.   Besides, I love what I do!

Why Teach?

Why Are You Here???

As educators, we have A LOT on our hands. We deal with so much on a daily basis. Repetitive paperwork, constant changes, different values and beliefs, inconsistent morals... These are just some of the things we have to deal with and acknowledge on a day-to-day basis with all of the different people we encounter each school year. Nothing stays the same! However, we get so bogged down in the negative that sometimes we can tend to forget the reasons WHY we started teaching in the first place. So, here is a task that we can all take a part in to help remind us of our reason for being in the education field.  It should help to bring us in to the new school year with some positivity and forget about what may have happened in the previous years.

Your task is to:

Write a list of AT LEAST 10 reasons why you wanted to become a teacher or be involved in the education field.  I'm sure that is an easy task! 

Whenever you begin to get discouraged about an event that did not go as intended, pull out that list and remind yourself of why you entered the field of education. I'm pretty sure you have some really good reasons...Because if you didn't, you would have never been in the education field to begin with.  As people always remind me, "It takes a special person to be an educator!" And, I truly do believe that!

School Is On The Way

Oh my! Where did the time go? It must have flown by with vacations, out of town trips, weekend getaways, sleepovers, sleep-ins, visits to family and friends, and just good ol' days of relaxation! Well, now it is time to start gearing up to get our minds ready to go BACK TO SHOOL!!! Some of us miss school days while others of us wish we could get just two more days. August will be dedicated to the teachers since we always have to go back before the students. As we prepare for the first days of school, let us keep in mind our purpose for teaching.