Tuesday 30 September 2014

Laugh in the face of FEAR

I Laugh in the Face of FEAR


Many teachers are afraid in their own classrooms. 
 
Handcuffed by policy, straight jacketed by leadership and parental opinions, held in restraints by resources and materials that MUST be used and marionetted by scores from standardized testing.



 I am very lucky to work in a building where teachers support each other daily. Our admin is open to try new and creative materials and ways to teach children. We try and look past our standardized test scores because we teach in an area, where we know the day to day can be a challenge just to get to school. We know that connecting with the students is number one. 

Am I afraid? 
NO. 
Only because I am very lucky to teach in a building that is so supportive. I have tried new teaching ideals, methodology and materials with open arms. I have the chance to try what I feel is best for the students, my classroom and my little community. 


3 comments:

  1. You are right! A positive environment of teaching and having students attend and enjoy attending school is more important than any standardized tests! The same applies for teachers, to be in a positive professional environment.

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  2. I had an interesting conversation with a colleague the other day about the pressures teachers face, and how some of them - like curriculum - can be "false pressures." It forced me to step back a little and reflect on what I perceive to be pressures in my classroom... should EQAO be driving what I do with my students? Do I want to conform to what a math teacher *should* do? Or should I step away from those false pressures and try new things, make new connections, and take risks? Your strength and enthusiasm is inspirational! Thanks for sharing :)

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  3. I too have been teaching in environments where teacher support has been a huge part of the atmosphere. It is very freeing to be able to take risks and know that the administration prizes it. I truly believe you get the best out of a person when they are aloud to step out and make mistakes. Here's to making that the same atmosphere for our students.

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