This is our site to engage in "weekly" scholarly dialogue with one another. Like Plato and Socrates, it is important that we too share our knowledge, experiences and expertise with the sole purpose of making the organization stronger.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
The Most Effective Thing
Greetings Scholars!!!Thanks for being here and thanks for being at “The Hills”!Most of us have been doing this a while and I would like for you to share the “one” thing that has made you most effective in the classroom and in the profession.
For me, it was relationships. Once I figured out the importance of and how to establish positive relationships with my students everything else fell into place. At first I spent time focusing on the profession(curriculum, procedures, etc) and I failed to realize that I was in the people business. I struggled, wrote referrals and seemed to be in a perpetual power struggle with a 135 8th graders. Then I focused on my most difficult students, Sharita and Ruby Jewel. Those students controlled both the students and the adults by their actions and their propensity to wreak havoc. Ironically, it was the smallest gesture that solidified our relationship. For Sharita, it was about seeing and acknowledging her intelligence in spite or her reputation. For Ruby, it was silently acknowledging her learning disability and always making sure that she was never embarrassed while making sure that she had the opportunity to participate.
I strongly believe if you take care of your students they will take care of you! Focus on building those positive relationships and watch your students soar! You will go home more often energized and have less stress. Those relationships with students like Sharita, Ruby, Brandon, Jesus and Trenton to name a few, have made me who I am today. They come from all walks of life but they fundamentally need the same thing, the need to be recognized and valued!!!
There are so many things that I could mention, but if I had to pick just one (besides relationships like stated earlier), it would be to focus on the positive. So, often I find myself focusing on negative things students are doing and those that are doing positive fail to get recognition. Sometimes they see the negativity and decided to create some bad habits to get attention. I found that if I focus on the positive, the students will too. They will also seek to be recognized for great things. This is something that I must remind myself of daily, well actually moment by moment everyday.
Growing up in Central Arkansas, a few miles from Little Rock and Hot Springs, and other times in California, I became sensitive to the plight of others who were just "fixtures" in the classroom. In the 1960's, we had not heard the term "gifted and talented." However, each grade level was divided into three groups.....A, B,and C. I remember being in 7A (7th grade). These were the so called smart kids, 7B were average, and 7C......well...not so smart. Clearly labels that enabled the teachers to justify not striving to meet the needs of the latter group of students. Most of these students fell through the "cracks of life". Incidentally, I did not choose education, it chose me. For what ever reason, I accepted with the vow to never intentionally lose any of my students.
Many years ago in Arkansas, I drove a school bus for seven years and taught school to supplement my income. Being a single parent, this was rewarding both financially and emotionally. I had an opportunity to interact with students and parents from all walks of life. I was assigned to a route that was extremely challenging. However, I prayed for the wisdom to manage my bus effectively, stay positive, treat everyone fair, and to always show excitement and humor. Little did I know, that by practicing this behavior daily, it would become intrinsic, and forever influence my life as a mother, grandmother, mother-in-law,teacher and most importantly...a person
A STRONG MENTOR...during my days with Dallas ISD @ BF Darrell Eelmentary, I had the most caring, professional, and helpful mentor a first year teacher could ask for. Through her, I learned how to manage my class, teach, and nurture all at the same time which is not easy to do. She could also make a positive out of any negative. We remained teammates for five years....and are still very close today. I LOVE YOU, LASONJA METCALF!!
Planning...If I am well prepared for every possible situation I do my lesson and deal with my students much better than if I feel ill prepared. If I have not had a chance to practice or if it is a new website or lesson that maybe I have not had much practice with it makes me uncomfortable and then I get fustrated with the children when it does not go right.
The ability to be flexable....The past few weeks have taught me about myself and it has opened up my eye as a educator. All of the tools that I have learned from other educators have made me a stronger teacher and leader. I have even been able to learn what NOT to do from educators who were struggling. Fexability is key as an educator because if your students are not getting the concepts taught, then you have to ask yourself, how can I bend and change my methods so that my students understand?
I believe that if you really know your students, you will be effective. Every student learns in a different way. If you are able to tap into a child's learning style and incoroporate it into your daily lessons or in small group, you have a better chance in reaching that child.
One thing that I have learned is that constant need for communication between me and my students. I will say so far what was mentioned in the first 2 posts about a positive outlook and developing relationships have some of the most profound effects on the teach environment. I would also have to say that realizing that not every student you encounter will be that model student. So in spite of a students actions I find that I am always trying to acknowledge when that student is showing that they are focused and exhibiting positive behaviors.
What has made me the most effective has been a dual commitment to student learning and to personal learning. I have been able to increase my know-how as a teacher by continuing my education as well as from working closely with my colleagues. This is the “one” thing that has made me effective in the teaching profession.
The "one" thing that has made me the most effective in the classroom and in the profession is my passion for what I do.
Most times, I begin with the end in mind. Knowing what is expected and setting clear goals to obtain it help me when I encounter difficult situations. It makes me re-evaluate my current plan and find effective ways to make sure that I am able to meet my goal.
My passion for what I do ensures that I keep pushing myself harder to make better choices that will allow me to meet my goals.
When I am most effective is when I think of every child as my own. I ask myself: How would I teach this if this child was my child? How would I handle this if this child was my child? Would I give up if this was my child?
Being flexible, I had a tremendous eye opener to teaching when I encountered KIERSTEN CARHEE. I can remember like yesterday that this baby had a effect on my life. After seeing that she really could learn, just on her level was a positive moment for me at RHE. Also, taking on a student last year, that was struggling with her behavior every single day. Makayla was attached to my hip for the remainder of the school year. Makayla has grown alot since last year, and I'm happy that I was her next step instead of her being placed on the DAEP unit. She has really improved and I'm proud of her.
Being able to easily adust to change and being willing to step outside the box are the two factors that have helped me become an effective teacher. I never get complacent with a instructional method or style. Even when something is going well, I tweak it because all things can be better.
Besides "RELATIONSHIPS", learning to plan for the needs and interest of my students has made me a more effective teacher. Every child and every class is different. One lesson does not fit all.
A balance of love and discipline...when that is in place students know you care enough to truly want them to learn and they have the skills needed to focus on what is being taught so that behavior does not interfere...
Proverbs 13:24 "He who spares his rod (teach, disciple, educate, instruct) hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly."
Wow!! One thing. Well the “one” thing that has made me most effective in the classroom and in the profession besides building strong rapports with my students and colleagues has to be being self-reflective. Coming from the juvenile system prior to entering into the classroom my mentality was pretty much like "this is the way it's going to happen." Although, there are still some non-negotiable, I have learned in the profession that I do, it all begins and ends with me. That means taking myself out of my comfort zone as well as learning new thing and seeking new heights. After all, if I don't think it and believe it neither will anyone else.
Being focused on really knowing each of my students has been the characteristic that I believe has made me most effective this year. Effective instruction to me is about knowing how your students learn and making sure that your instruction is about meeting student needs. The students’ excitement about learning has been the most wonderful aspect of teaching first grade. I feed off of their energy and they make me want to be better.
I have been lucky in both of my careers to work with great teams. Working with peers, parents and students as a part of a team towards a common goal makes reaching that goal more likely. It also makes it more enjoyable. If I can't have fun while working, it becomes a chore. Being able to ask coworkers for help and getting it gladly, getting support from a parent, having student achieve their goals all make it possible for me to reach mine.
When I see a child, I see someone's baby, their precious darling. I guess I look at our students from a maternal point of view. That may be due to being a mom of four and grandmother of the same number. No matter what mistakes they make or what their deficiencies are, as a mom I look for the best in them. That's how I try to look at students - find their strengths and build on them, look at the areas of weakness and ask how we can help them find a way to succeed regardless of the obstacles. Some children have the biggest obstacle of all - people who don't believe they can succeed. I cannot belong to that way of thinking. And over the past twenty years in education, I have seen some amazing children overcome some pretty challenging obstacles.
I can't limit myself to one thing that has helped me become an effective educator. There are many components that has helped me along the way. First, is my joy for working with kids and always seeking new ways to implement a strategy that will get the attention of my students. Discipline is a big thing with me. I am constandly enforcing discpline because as we all know you can't teach without it.
AS a nurse and life long educator and learner I feel that showing each individual respect is most important. Every student begins the learning process with a certain knowledge base that must be acknowledged for their learning to progress. Without recognizing that you understand and acknowledge their intelligence, students are much more resistant to learning, until they understand that you respect them and their intelligence. Once you learn where they are coming from, you can take them to next level by building on what they already know.
I believe that my desire to help others has definitely helped me as an educator. When I was in the classroom, I wanted to do anything and everything to assist my individual students. I would work with them during specials and hold them after school if possible. If a child had significant learning gaps, I would often talk to my coworkers that taught younger grades to see if they would be willing to help tutor my students on their grade level. I believe that this desire to help others is extremely beneficial in my current position. My goal is to find ways to make my coworkers life easier, that isn't always possible but it's definitely a goal.
A good Mentor is important to helping me succeed in the classroom. As I look back over things that have gotten me through teaching, I often see things that my mentor teacher has either showed me or done in her classroom. I agree with Ms. McCarter in this respect. The mentor really helps to bring new ideas to my teaching style.
The one thing that has made me successful in my classroom is my God-given creativity. This has allowed me to look at my students' needs and devise a creative plan to intellectually reach them. This approach has enabled me to incorporate having fun with learning. All my success within my profession is attributed to God!
I guess I could say having good relationships with my colleagues. Out of all the schools I've taught, I always worked well with my team. A great relationship with your colleagues spill over into your students. When they experience having a group of teachers that Care,Love,and Expect nothing but their best, then they will put forth the effort to meet those expectations. This in turn I feel makes me an effective educator!
One thing that has made me most effective is that I love coming to this place(RHE)and I love to show it. Sometimes the drive gets tidious. However I know that in everything I must give thanks. Having an atmosphere that is kind and loving is a God send. I love to have a classroom where my students can have fun learning. When parents know that I care, there is a common goal of wanting to add value to their child. Working in an atmosphere where you know your team has your back is great. This makes me an effective teacher.
The most effective quality I have kept with me since I began teaching is...treat students as though they already are what they can be, and you help them to be capable of becoming what they will be.
One thing that I feel made me effective in the classroom was that my students knew I genuinely cared about them. I took the time to build relationships with them and their parents and made my expectations known from the beginning. My students knew that when I was hard on them it came from a place of love, concern, and wanting the best for them. Also, our classroom was a place where everyone had a voice. Yes I was the teacher but everyone was encouraged and allowed to say what they thought or felt as long as it was positive. They took ownership because it was offered and required of them.
The one thing that has made me feel most effective in the classroom and in my profession is seeing my students grasp skills/objectives and being able to apply/show what they have learned (benchmark testing, TAKS testing, daily class work, homework etc. When they are successful I know learning is taking place. Another thing that helps me to feel effective is having a relationship with my parents from the beginning to the end, assuring them when your child is away from home they are in good hands.
For me it has been observing other great teachers and using their techniques and materials to build my own "toolbox" so that I have many different ways to get a technique or idea across to students. A good teacher can say the same thing 40 different ways!
What makes one effective in the classroom is being professional,able to work well with others, and caring about the students. As teachers we should try to meet our students needs.We should build positive relationships with the students,their parents,and our co-workers.
For me, it was relationships. Once I figured out the importance of and how to establish positive relationships with my students everything else fell into place. At first I spent time focusing on the profession(curriculum, procedures, etc) and I failed to realize that I was in the people business. I struggled, wrote referrals and seemed to be in a perpetual power struggle with a 135 8th graders. Then I focused on my most difficult students, Sharita and Ruby Jewel. Those students controlled both the students and the adults by their actions and their propensity to wreak havoc. Ironically, it was the smallest gesture that solidified our relationship. For Sharita, it was about seeing and acknowledging her intelligence in spite or her reputation. For Ruby, it was silently acknowledging her learning disability and always making sure that she was never embarrassed while making sure that she had the opportunity to participate.
ReplyDeleteI strongly believe if you take care of your students they will take care of you! Focus on building those positive relationships and watch your students soar! You will go home more often energized and have less stress. Those relationships with students like Sharita, Ruby, Brandon, Jesus and Trenton to name a few, have made me who I am today. They come from all walks of life but they fundamentally need the same thing, the need to be recognized and valued!!!
There are so many things that I could mention, but if I had to pick just one (besides relationships like stated earlier), it would be to focus on the positive. So, often I find myself focusing on negative things students are doing and those that are doing positive fail to get recognition. Sometimes they see the negativity and decided to create some bad habits to get attention. I found that if I focus on the positive, the students will too. They will also seek to be recognized for great things. This is something that I must remind myself of daily, well actually moment by moment everyday.
ReplyDeleteGrowing up in Central Arkansas, a few miles from Little Rock and Hot Springs, and other times in California, I became sensitive to the plight of others who were just "fixtures" in the classroom. In the 1960's, we had not heard the term "gifted and talented." However, each grade level was divided into three groups.....A, B,and C. I remember being in 7A (7th grade). These were the so called smart kids, 7B were average, and 7C......well...not so smart. Clearly labels that enabled the teachers to justify not striving to meet the needs of the latter group of students. Most of these students fell through the "cracks of life". Incidentally, I did not choose education, it chose me. For what ever reason, I accepted with the vow to never intentionally lose any of my students.
ReplyDeleteMany years ago in Arkansas, I drove a school bus for seven years and taught school to supplement my income. Being a single parent, this was rewarding both financially and emotionally. I had an opportunity to interact with students and parents from all walks of life. I was assigned to a route that was extremely challenging. However, I prayed for the wisdom to manage my bus effectively, stay positive, treat everyone fair, and to always show excitement and humor. Little did I know, that by practicing this behavior daily, it would become intrinsic, and forever influence my life as a mother, grandmother, mother-in-law,teacher and most importantly...a person
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteA STRONG MENTOR...during my days with Dallas ISD @ BF Darrell Eelmentary, I had the most caring, professional, and helpful mentor a first year teacher could ask for. Through her, I learned how to manage my class, teach, and nurture all at the same time which is not easy to do. She could also make a positive out of any negative. We remained teammates for five years....and are still very close today. I LOVE YOU, LASONJA METCALF!!
ReplyDeletePlanning...If I am well prepared for every possible situation I do my lesson and deal with my students much better than if I feel ill prepared. If I have not had a chance to practice or if it is a new website or lesson that maybe I have not had much practice with it makes me uncomfortable and then I get fustrated with the children when it does not go right.
ReplyDeleteThe ability to be flexable....The past few weeks have taught me about myself and it has opened up my eye as a educator. All of the tools that I have learned from other educators have made me a stronger teacher and leader. I have even been able to learn what NOT to do from educators who were struggling. Fexability is key as an educator because if your students are not getting the concepts taught, then you have to ask yourself, how can I bend and change my methods so that my students understand?
ReplyDeleteI believe that if you really know your students, you will be effective. Every student learns in a different way. If you are able to tap into a child's learning style and incoroporate it into your daily lessons or in small group, you have a better chance in reaching that child.
ReplyDeleteOne thing that I have learned is that constant need for communication between me and my students. I will say so far what was mentioned in the first 2 posts about a positive outlook and developing relationships have some of the most profound effects on the teach environment. I would also have to say that realizing that not every student you encounter will be that model student. So in spite of a students actions I find that I am always trying to acknowledge when that student is showing that they are focused and exhibiting positive behaviors.
ReplyDeleteWhat has made me the most effective has been a dual commitment to student learning and to personal learning. I have been able to increase my know-how as a teacher by continuing my education as well as from working closely with my colleagues. This is the “one” thing that has made me effective in the teaching profession.
ReplyDeleteThe "one" thing that has made me the most effective in the classroom and in the profession is my passion for what I do.
ReplyDeleteMost times, I begin with the end in mind. Knowing what is expected and setting clear goals to obtain it help me when I encounter difficult situations. It makes me re-evaluate my current plan and find effective ways to make sure that I am able to meet my goal.
My passion for what I do ensures that I keep pushing myself harder to make better choices that will allow me to meet my goals.
When I am most effective is when I think of every child as my own. I ask myself: How would I teach this if this child was my child? How would I handle this if this child was my child? Would I give up if this was my child?
ReplyDeleteBeing flexible, I had a tremendous eye opener to teaching when I encountered KIERSTEN CARHEE. I can remember like yesterday that this baby had a effect on my life. After seeing that she really could learn, just on her level was a positive moment for me at RHE. Also, taking on a student last year, that was struggling with her behavior every single day. Makayla was attached to my hip for the remainder of the school year. Makayla has grown alot since last year, and I'm happy that I was her next step instead of her being placed on the DAEP unit. She has really improved and I'm proud of her.
ReplyDeleteBeing able to easily adust to change and being willing to step outside the box are the two factors that have helped me become an effective teacher. I never get complacent with a instructional method or style. Even when something is going well, I tweak it because all things can be better.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteBesides "RELATIONSHIPS", learning to plan for the needs and interest of my students has made me a more effective teacher. Every child and every class is different. One lesson does not fit all.
ReplyDeleteA balance of love and discipline...when that is in place students know you care enough to truly want them to learn and they have the skills needed to focus on what is being taught so that behavior does not interfere...
ReplyDeleteProverbs 13:24 "He who spares his rod (teach, disciple, educate, instruct) hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly."
Wow!! One thing. Well the “one” thing that has made me most effective in the classroom and in the profession besides building strong rapports with my students and colleagues has to be being self-reflective. Coming from the juvenile system prior to entering into the classroom my mentality was pretty much like "this is the way it's going to happen." Although, there are still some non-negotiable, I have learned in the profession that I do, it all begins and ends with me. That means taking myself out of my comfort zone as well as learning new thing and seeking new heights.
ReplyDeleteAfter all, if I don't think it and believe it neither will anyone else.
Being focused on really knowing each of my students has been the characteristic that I believe has made me most effective this year. Effective instruction to me is about knowing how your students learn and making sure that your instruction is about meeting student needs. The students’ excitement about learning has been the most wonderful aspect of teaching first grade. I feed off of their energy and they make me want to be better.
ReplyDeleteI have been lucky in both of my careers to work with great teams. Working with peers, parents and students as a part of a team towards a common goal makes reaching that goal more likely. It also makes it more enjoyable. If I can't have fun while working, it becomes a chore. Being able to ask coworkers for help and getting it gladly, getting support from a parent, having student achieve their goals all make it possible for me to reach mine.
ReplyDeleteWhen I see a child, I see someone's baby, their precious darling. I guess I look at our students from a maternal point of view. That may be due to being a mom of four and grandmother of the same number. No matter what mistakes they make or what their deficiencies are, as a mom I look for the best in them. That's how I try to look at students - find their strengths and build on them, look at the areas of weakness and ask how we can help them find a way to succeed regardless of the obstacles. Some children have the biggest obstacle of all - people who don't believe they can succeed. I cannot belong to that way of thinking. And over the past twenty years in education, I have seen some amazing children overcome some pretty challenging obstacles.
ReplyDeleteI can't limit myself to one thing that has helped me become an effective educator. There are many components that has helped me along the way. First, is my joy for working with kids and always seeking new ways to implement a strategy that will get the attention of my students. Discipline is a big thing with me. I am constandly enforcing discpline because as we all know you can't teach without it.
ReplyDeleteAS a nurse and life long educator and learner I feel that showing each individual respect is most important. Every student begins the learning process with a certain knowledge base that must be acknowledged for their learning to progress. Without recognizing that you understand and acknowledge their intelligence, students are much more resistant to learning, until they understand that you respect them and their intelligence. Once you learn where they are coming from, you can take them to next level by building on what they already know.
ReplyDeleteI believe that my desire to help others has definitely helped me as an educator. When I was in the classroom, I wanted to do anything and everything to assist my individual students. I would work with them during specials and hold them after school if possible. If a child had significant learning gaps, I would often talk to my coworkers that taught younger grades to see if they would be willing to help tutor my students on their grade level. I believe that this desire to help others is extremely beneficial in my current position. My goal is to find ways to make my coworkers life easier, that isn't always possible but it's definitely a goal.
ReplyDeleteA good Mentor is important to helping me succeed in the classroom. As I look back over things that have gotten me through teaching, I often see things that my mentor teacher has either showed me or done in her classroom. I agree with Ms. McCarter in this respect. The mentor really helps to bring new ideas to my teaching style.
ReplyDeleteThe one thing that has made me successful in my classroom is my God-given creativity. This has allowed me to look at my students' needs and devise a creative plan to intellectually reach them. This approach has enabled me to incorporate having fun with learning. All my success within my profession is attributed to God!
ReplyDeleteI guess I could say having good relationships with my colleagues. Out of all the schools I've taught, I always worked well with my team. A great relationship with your colleagues spill over into your students. When they experience having a group of teachers that Care,Love,and Expect nothing but their best, then they will put forth the effort to meet those expectations. This in turn I feel makes me an effective educator!
ReplyDeleteOne thing that has made me most effective is that I love coming to this place(RHE)and I love to show it. Sometimes the drive gets tidious. However I know that in everything I must give thanks. Having an atmosphere that is kind and loving is a God send. I love to have a classroom where my students can have fun learning. When parents know that I care, there is a common goal of wanting to add value to their child. Working in an atmosphere where you know your team has your back is great. This makes me an effective teacher.
ReplyDeleteThe most effective quality I have kept with me since I began teaching is...treat students as though they already are what they can be, and you help them to be capable of becoming what they will be.
ReplyDeleteOne thing that I feel made me effective in the classroom was that my students knew I genuinely cared about them. I took the time to build relationships with them and their parents and made my expectations known from the beginning. My students knew that when I was hard on them it came from a place of love, concern, and wanting the best for them.
ReplyDeleteAlso, our classroom was a place where everyone had a voice. Yes I was the teacher but everyone was encouraged and allowed to say what they thought or felt as long as it was positive. They took ownership because it was offered and required of them.
The one thing that has made me feel most effective in the classroom and in my profession is seeing my students grasp skills/objectives and being able to apply/show what they have learned (benchmark testing, TAKS testing, daily class work, homework etc. When they are successful I know learning is taking place. Another thing that helps me to feel effective is having a relationship with my parents from the beginning to the end, assuring them when your child is away from home they are in good hands.
ReplyDeleteFor me it has been observing other great teachers and using their techniques and materials to build my own "toolbox" so that I have many different ways to get a technique or idea across to students. A good teacher can say the same thing 40 different ways!
ReplyDeleteWhat makes one effective in the classroom is being professional,able to work well with others, and caring about the students. As teachers we should try to meet our students needs.We should build positive relationships with the students,their parents,and our co-workers.
ReplyDelete