The authors provide five statements that are attributed to being a better, more effective teacher. Reflect on these statements and explain how they apply to your daily interaction with your students.
As a rookie teacher, this chapter was the definitely the easiest chapter to relate to. I certainly agree with the author and teacher mentioned in the chapter that attitude ALWAYS affects your students! I have personally experienced the effects of having both a positive and negative attitude while teaching. When I displayed a less than positive attitude in the classroom, the attitude was contagious. Not only did my students not want to be in school, they did not want to be in my class specifically. Since then, I have always forced a positive attitude in the school. The more enthusiastic and positive I am about my content and my class, the more students are interested in my lesson. Because they are interested, they pay attention and participate in class.
I thought the section on the teacher's lounge was humorously true. I laughed out loud because just in my few months of teaching, I have experienced some of the negativity associated with the teacher's lounge. I agree that it is best to stay out of the negativity or talk about a positive event that happened in class that day. People feed off of energy around them, so why not make it positive to keep your own sanity?
One idea I really want to try is contacting parents more often for positivity with his or her child. I liked the idea of sending home a note once a day to one or two children's parents. I can imagine that as a parent this would mean the world. This would also open up a line of open communication between teacher and parent.
Kristina,
ReplyDeleteI think it is a great idea to send positive notes home. I have seen in my placement the benefits of having open communication with parents. My cooperating teacher texts his student's parents at least once a month to keep them updated. I see everyday how comfortable they are in seeking him out for guidance or information on how their child is doing. In the end, it truly benefits everyone involved when the teacher incorporates parent involvement.
Kristina,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on many things. I have seen how both a negative and positive attitude towards your students can really effect them. I also agree with you in that it is really important to send home as much positives as you can to a parent and that is also something that I hope to do and will be sure to make time for in my classroom.