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| Remember Rule 6 Image downloaded from Microsoft ClipArt Gallery |
As a teacher we are always “leading from a chair”. I can’t make my students learn, I can’t make them succeed. My goal is to guide them, engage them, and help them create that inner desire to succeed on their own. I understand the idea of asking what is wrong with me if they are not succeeding, but I also think that this can take away some of the personal responsibility of the students. Students need to also participate for the relationship to work.
I love, love, LOVE Remember Rule #6. I totally live by this! I vow to never take myself too seriously and try to lighten up the mood with humor whenever possible. I have found that this helps to ease tense situations…also defusing a situation with humor often times allows both parties to leave with their dignity (save face). I am also not opposed to their Have the best ______ ever scenario ::wink, wink::
I also found the inner battle between the calculating self and central self very intriguing. After reading this, it was easy to ascertain which self tries to be dominant in certain situations. While I usually stay in the central self, there are time where I find my calculating self trying to rear it’s ugly head.
The way things are is such a difficult concept sometimes. There are times when you just want to vent, cry, scream and not accept the injustice of certain things. However, in the end, there usually isn’t much you can do to change the situation, only your reaction to that situation. I try to highlight this with students when we talk about childhoods and the situations in which we were raised. I was raised in a difficult situation, where I was always in that survival mode with a drug-addicted parent until I entered the 6th grade. I told my students that I could have held onto this difficult background and let it guide my adult life. Instead I chose to realize that this was the situation and that I could rise above it…I didn’t let my inability to change my past alter my future.
Heather, I absolutely agree with your post. In particular Rule #6 and "The way things are" concept. I truly admire your ability to not take yourself so seriously. There are times I can do this but for me it is something I have to work at. "The way things are" concept is one that also takes work. And unfortunately one that seems to elude many people. I commend you on knowing that you had the ability to rise above your childhood difficulties and chose to not let them "guide" your adult life. As you may know too many adults use their childhood experiences as justification for their poor choices or inability to take responsibility for their issues. ( Oops! I really do need to work on Rule #6). In any event, your post was great!
ReplyDeleteI love your graphic. I agree as teachers we lead and I also agree that you can't make students learn but could that student be the silent conductor and one day the gray sky will turn blue. You may not see it in your class but as the student develops into a young adult you may see where all your hard work went. I also agree on Rule #6. I am like you. I don't take it on. I know how to live it up or just let it go. I also agree with your last paragraph. Good for you. You chose to take another direction and that is what life is all about choices. We have to choose whether we are going to make good or bad choices. Well done Heather.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post, Heather!
ReplyDeleteRule 6 is great, and I have to admit that I am not always good at this one. Going through this program with you over the last 11 months, I have definitely noticed that you are very good at Rule 6 thinking. I can't imagine what it must have been like for you growing up in the situation that you did, but I also, with Christine and Dena, commend you for coming through it a stronger, better person. I would love to be a fly on the wall in one of your classes! I think I would learn a lot about teaching from seeing you in action.
Thank you so much Christine, Dena and John. I don't usually put my personal life out there, but I feel so close to everyone in this program that I didn't even hesitate in sharing! What a testament this is to Full Sail and their online learning programs.
ReplyDeleteHeather,
ReplyDeleteI too LOVE rule 6 too. I think that there are somethings that you just have to take a step back from and give it a good laugh. Other wise I think that we'd drive ourselves mad.
You must be a very strong person, it takes a lot to pull yourself up and overcome some obstacles. I think I have always believed that you have to take what life gives and go with it, and not use it as crutch. Good for you, for sharing your story with your students. You never know whose life you touched!
Thanks for sharing your journey with us and how powerful the sharing must be with your students.
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