“Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Proverb
“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” This familiar chant may have helped us to keep our dignity after a fight on the playground, but its words couldn’t be further from the truth. As a communication teacher, one message I drill into my students is the need to be a responsible communicator. A responsible communicator is one who uses their words to build others up. As teachers, we have been given such great power as we communicate our subjects to our students. Our words have the power to build our students up or tear them down. In fact, many of us remember a teacher who encouraged or inspired us with his words of wisdom. Sadly, we all may remember a teacher whose discouraging words still hurt us today. Let’s commit to use our words to build our students up! They are surrounded with enough negativity through media and sometimes even at home. Our classrooms should be a place where they are encouraged to chart the life of their dreams. And we have that kind of power and influence- with our words.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Love In the Classroom
"It's not about what you do, but it's about how much love you put into what you do that counts." Mother Theresa
If a stranger entered your classroom or campus unexpectedly and observed your interaction with students would he or she see love? Love can be a relative term and it's a word we seldom hear in education. But, I believe we need it- especially at school. Here is a picture of what love in the classroom looks like to me. Love is patient. It's willing to reteach a concept, skill, or lesson 3 times to make sure they get it. Love is kind and it is always willing to help students. It is considerate of each student's unique, individual needs and circumstances. Love keeps no record of wrongs. We know they are not perfect (neither are we) so there is no benefit in holding grudges- let it go! Love is hopeful because it sets high expectations and trusts that students will rise to meet those expectations. Love perseveres in spite of administration changes, new strategies, multiple preps, new initiatives, uninvolved parents, unmotivated students, large class sizes, and data, data, data. Love never fails. Let's go show our students, parents, colleagues, and administrators some love.
If a stranger entered your classroom or campus unexpectedly and observed your interaction with students would he or she see love? Love can be a relative term and it's a word we seldom hear in education. But, I believe we need it- especially at school. Here is a picture of what love in the classroom looks like to me. Love is patient. It's willing to reteach a concept, skill, or lesson 3 times to make sure they get it. Love is kind and it is always willing to help students. It is considerate of each student's unique, individual needs and circumstances. Love keeps no record of wrongs. We know they are not perfect (neither are we) so there is no benefit in holding grudges- let it go! Love is hopeful because it sets high expectations and trusts that students will rise to meet those expectations. Love perseveres in spite of administration changes, new strategies, multiple preps, new initiatives, uninvolved parents, unmotivated students, large class sizes, and data, data, data. Love never fails. Let's go show our students, parents, colleagues, and administrators some love.
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