Effective Teaching Reflections

 Day 1

" Try to encourage school to acknowledge one common definition of learning "

 Many times in yesterday's course, this has been mentioned by Dr Cameron, and since then, I was thinking that it's a great thing that our school has a vision, a mission, but do we have a common definition of learning ? And how important is it to share this with the students and have a discussion about it?!

Today during break , I was on duty in the year 6 hallway, and I saw on the walls, papers that Y6 students have posted . It's about what they want to learn this year ! I loved the idea and I started reading them. The kids are ambitious, smart and realistic. I could see how they realize their weak points, and they are ready to talk about it and work on it, but what I haven't seen on any paper, is one "non academic" goal. 

I am sure some students want to improve their communication skills, others want to make new friends, some want to use their creativity to find new ideas for indoor breaks when it's hot, etc..... .  Do they know they have our support ? do they know school and learning isn't just about math, English, handwriting and History ? Do they know these goals can be more important than the academic ones ?

If they don't, then it's time to talk about it.  

 

Day 2

" Cultural settings "

I've always had discussions about this with my friends, my colleagues, my husband... . I didn't know we call that "cultural settings", but I always admired how people succeed in life after being given up on, or bullied just because they weren't academically "enough". 

I remember your story about your father in law, and I can give examples and examples about people in my life who were "differently successful ", led a successful family, social and financial life.

Why is this important for me in school ? Why was this particularly relevant and motivational for me as a PE teacher?Simply because parents and teachers don't consider athletic students talented or successful . 

Some students are not academically geniuses, they are " Athletes",which means they are proficient in one or more sports, they have a noticeable body strength that makes them so exceptional ! Christiano Ronaldo, Lebron James, Lionel Messi, Roger Federer..... and many many others, are athletes who are admired  by everyone, all ages, nationalities and backgrounds. They are " Rocking it" ! They are very successful, rich, admired and respected. 

SO, why do we see them like that, but we can't accept that our child is physically talented? why can't we believe in them , support them, and stop focusing on the academic part only?

I believe nowadays, people are more open to this than before, but not everywhere, not in all countries and cultures. We still need awareness about it, to teachers and parents. And I hope that, with Qatar becoming a sports oriented country, hosting all these big sports events, it will become easier for people here to accept , see and nurture the "best" in their children . 

Day 3

 

From our talking circle , one of my colleagues shared with us a moment that happened with "her" as a student. 

And this moved me, made me think of my old amazing teachers who really left a trace in my life, who pushed me towards this kind of work. I still remember them, talk about them and smile. 

And I started thinking, what would make me happier, than knowing that my students one day will think the same of me .

I can't describe the joy I feel when I hear nice feedback from the parents, when they tell me how much their kids love my lessons and how they talk about it and they teach it to their brothers and sisters. 

And the way kids run to me, smile at me and hug me means the world to me. Then I know that they feel how I love them and how I care about them. Their innocent words make my heart melt " Miss I love you, I love your hair, I love your nails, I love your skin color, I love your eyes....". They make you forget the hard long day you just had, they make you realize that yes, I am making a difference in these kids' lives, and that's what matters. 

Day 4

In this lesson, there were many quotes , ideas, and discussions that made me think and motivated me.

I remember when we reflected about the fact that every decision has a cost , and that unfortunately, they will all be unfair to someone. I saw that I really care about my students and I want what's best for them, but I can't reach everyone' s needs at the same time; it's all about priorities. We have to be aware of the cost of the decision and avoid marginalization. 

Moreover, when Dr Cameron  made an analogy, when he compared how we strive to reach the zone of proximal development ,to how we strive to reduce the sins because we can never be sinless. 

And last but not least, I will bring this quote that was presented in the lesson 

"Leadership requires courage, courage requires clarity "

In order to be good and successful leaders, we should have clarity in our beliefs, values, philosophy... .

The more clarity we have, the more confidence we can show. How to do this ? As leaders, we have to name things, acknowledge where we are failing, have institutional honesty and never convince ourselves with wrong truth. 

  

Day 6 

This week was enriching and interesting not just for my professional development, but also for my personal one.

If I want to mention all the reflections I made after the classes I'll need pages and pages. Like Friday for example, I left the course and I had in mind our conversation about religion , about how to help kids in adaptation and coexistence.  

I thought about the McDonald's burger and how overdoing things is not a good option.

Moreover, I reflected on an idea brought by Dr Cameron, when he said " the more needs you feed --> more trust-->more attachment " and he mentioned that this happens when we satisfy their needs before they lose control, before the trigger ! And I started thinking about how many contexts, and people in our lives this applies. In his example he meant the students, and it is true that when we know their trigger, we can avoid even getting there, anticipate and build this need for the satisfaction-trust-attachment magic thing.

The same can happen at home with my husband or my brother, at work with a colleague or superior, and with my kids one day.  

It's all about good intentions, good timing and good faith.