Comments on: What makes a teacher effective? http://reflectiverenewal.com/2009/10/what-makes-a-teacher-effective/ finding meaning and inspiration in children's literature Mon, 26 Jul 2010 05:40:35 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.5 By: lauree http://reflectiverenewal.com/2009/10/what-makes-a-teacher-effective/comment-page-1/#comment-21 lauree Tue, 20 Oct 2009 21:18:32 +0000 http://reflectiverenewal.com/?p=114#comment-21 Thanks Nadine! I think I'll call Christine "Zen Master." Just kidding. She's right that we should take ego out of it and focus on the work we're doing. That's easier said than done, in my experience. What works for me is to consider where the comment is coming from before choosing whether to take it on. And importantly, to look at my reaction to what's been said, which has much more to tell me than the words themselves. Is it an emotional response from the student, what Nadine called a bad day? Is it useful information I can incorporate into my lessons? Am I hearing it this way because of where I am right now? Thanks Nadine!

I think I’ll call Christine “Zen Master.” Just kidding. She’s right that we should take ego out of it and focus on the work we’re doing.

That’s easier said than done, in my experience.

What works for me is to consider where the comment is coming from before choosing whether to take it on. And importantly, to look at my reaction to what’s been said, which has much more to tell me than the words themselves.

Is it an emotional response from the student, what Nadine called a bad day? Is it useful information I can incorporate into my lessons?
Am I hearing it this way because of where I am right now?

]]> By: christine http://reflectiverenewal.com/2009/10/what-makes-a-teacher-effective/comment-page-1/#comment-20 christine Tue, 20 Oct 2009 20:50:15 +0000 http://reflectiverenewal.com/?p=114#comment-20 You make an excellent point. I do think, however, that you might respond slightly differently if you get a chance to read the book, though. I don't think we should take anything personally that the students say-- that is, not in ways that affect the ego, whether it's positive or negative. There's always room for improvement, sure. But, it's another thing to allow compliments or criticisms to alter our self-concept. I think it's our job to remain strong and neutral-- balanced. Although it's very difficult, it's important to not allow our heads or our egos to be inflated or deflated by compliments and critiques. We just learn and move on... it has nothing to do with us personally. You make an excellent point. I do think, however, that you might respond slightly differently if you get a chance to read the book, though. I don’t think we should take anything personally that the students say– that is, not in ways that affect the ego, whether it’s positive or negative. There’s always room for improvement, sure. But, it’s another thing to allow compliments or criticisms to alter our self-concept. I think it’s our job to remain strong and neutral– balanced. Although it’s very difficult, it’s important to not allow our heads or our egos to be inflated or deflated by compliments and critiques. We just learn and move on… it has nothing to do with us personally.

]]> By: Nadine http://reflectiverenewal.com/2009/10/what-makes-a-teacher-effective/comment-page-1/#comment-19 Nadine Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:31:17 +0000 http://reflectiverenewal.com/?p=114#comment-19 This is not about the book but about a point made in the blog: We often say as teachers not to take anything personally, but in truth we only mean the bad stuff. For certainly when children or students of any age praise us we feel good about ourselves and like we've done something good or right. So isn't it justifiable then, when students criticize us that we get a little upset- enough to make us reflect and decide if it was a personal attack or a justifiable complaint? Then, if it is a personal attack because the student is having a bad day, fine- as long as we remember the next time they smile at us that they're just having a good day. This is not about the book but about a point made in the blog:
We often say as teachers not to take anything personally, but in truth we only mean the bad stuff. For certainly when children or students of any age praise us we feel good about ourselves and like we’ve done something good or right. So isn’t it justifiable then, when students criticize us that we get a little upset- enough to make us reflect and decide if it was a personal attack or a justifiable complaint?
Then, if it is a personal attack because the student is having a bad day, fine- as long as we remember the next time they smile at us that they’re just having a good day.

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