I think the most valuable thing about this study group has been to allow me the time to think about my practice and that reflection has led to a number of insights. Firstly, I realized again that the attitude I enter class with has a huge impact on my teaching. Being aware of this will allow me to be aware of my attitude and make adjustments s that I can be most effective in m interactions with my students. I also think that sharing our reflections has allowed me some space to get out of my head a bit and step back to look at a variety of interactions that occur throughout the day. This reflection has allowed me to gain some perspective which is critical to being effective in my interactions with students. I think that the connections we have with other group members will be a good resource in the future when we have other struggles. Many thanks to the teacher center, this was a highlight to my week over the last month.
The Living Inquiry Study Group afforded time and place to deepen my awareness of the connections we have with each other. Noticing honored living 'inside' my life. When I'm connected to the deepest areas, I can share from this place. Today we are grieving from deep places
Our living inquiry group really allowed me time to step out of my own neurotic thought processes and calmly notice my tendencies with intention. This will affect my teaching profoundly. Discovering how my own moods, stress levels, and anxiety rubs off on students has really made me observe interactions in the classroom. I feel much more aware of how my students mirror my behaviors.... Even more meaningful to me is the connections I've drawn between my own teaching stresses and the stresses of my colleagues. It was very interesting to discover our interconnectedness... I would like to offer up the quotes during our sessions that had the most impact on me (I'll keep them anonymous): "Change is life." "We're all the walking wounded." "Just breathe." "Don't take things personally." "We see ourselves in other people's reactions to us." "Life is happening for us." "When the kids ask the questions, then they're learning." "Let it go."
Thank you all for a very rewarding experience together. :) -Goll
OK-- Last meeting for me, with Dianne. I'm noticing, in our idiom, the "Language" aspect; it is the reason we teach specialized, otherwise esoteric subjects. "Numbers" too, if that were distinct on the schema, but fundamentally-- if my students cannot withstand a long sentence, then they can't completely read or write a complex, vital idea. I'm aching, regarding the changes seen in 36 years of formally observing and writing about people's psyches and growth. I still have the passion for teaching, but I ache for what has happened to our culture. Dianne says "imagination" is the key... that we need to look for that in ourselves and in our students. She asked what I "heard" in a moment of our long conversation, and it was the kids in her classroom chatting and tinkering with their artwork. That's the joy, and why we are here. It's the language of the teaching relationship.
I had my students make handmade book and record their noticings for discussion for three days in a row.(Two studio art groups - 40 students, practiced living inquiry) From the witnessing and noticing each others' conversation, students then chose something to illustrate. The play between words and images was common core musings as well as an opportunity to experience creativity.
I was in a rut as a teacher after the winter break. The transition from being out sick for over two months and returning to school was a hard one for me. I found that my teacher started out on auto pilot and although I accomplished my goals for each day, the excitement wasn't there. This study group encouraged me to self-reflect upon the WAYS in which I went about planning lessons, and delivering them. In the end I saw HUGE progress within both my enthusiasm for each lesson taught, as well as a greater interest level from students. One of the techniques I included was to demonstrate and actively participate in certain lessons. In the past I believed this practice to be inspiring, yet discouraging for some students. Looking at a teacher model can be hard from some students and puts too much pressure on kids. Instead I found this addition to be rewarding on both ends.
I think the most valuable thing about this study group has been to allow me the time to think about my practice and that reflection has led to a number of insights. Firstly, I realized again that the attitude I enter class with has a huge impact on my teaching. Being aware of this will allow me to be aware of my attitude and make adjustments s that I can be most effective in m interactions with my students. I also think that sharing our reflections has allowed me some space to get out of my head a bit and step back to look at a variety of interactions that occur throughout the day. This reflection has allowed me to gain some perspective which is critical to being effective in my interactions with students. I think that the connections we have with other group members will be a good resource in the future when we have other struggles. Many thanks to the teacher center, this was a highlight to my week over the last month.
ReplyDeleteIt's a pleasure to work with you
DeleteThe Living Inquiry Study Group afforded time and place to deepen my awareness of the connections we have with each other. Noticing honored living 'inside' my life. When I'm connected to the deepest areas, I can share from this place. Today we are grieving from deep places
ReplyDeleteOur living inquiry group really allowed me time to step out of my own neurotic thought processes and calmly notice my tendencies with intention. This will affect my teaching profoundly. Discovering how my own moods, stress levels, and anxiety rubs off on students has really made me observe interactions in the classroom. I feel much more aware of how my students mirror my behaviors.... Even more meaningful to me is the connections I've drawn between my own teaching stresses and the stresses of my colleagues. It was very interesting to discover our interconnectedness... I would like to offer up the quotes during our sessions that had the most impact on me (I'll keep them anonymous):
ReplyDelete"Change is life."
"We're all the walking wounded."
"Just breathe."
"Don't take things personally."
"We see ourselves in other people's reactions to us."
"Life is happening for us."
"When the kids ask the questions, then they're learning."
"Let it go."
Thank you all for a very rewarding experience together. :)
-Goll
OK-- Last meeting for me, with Dianne. I'm noticing, in our idiom, the "Language" aspect; it is the reason we teach specialized, otherwise esoteric subjects. "Numbers" too, if that were distinct on the schema, but fundamentally-- if my students cannot withstand a long sentence, then they can't completely read or write a complex, vital idea. I'm aching, regarding the changes seen in 36 years of formally observing and writing about people's psyches and growth. I still have the passion for teaching, but I ache for what has happened to our culture. Dianne says "imagination" is the key... that we need to look for that in ourselves and in our students. She asked what I "heard" in a moment of our long conversation, and it was the kids in her classroom chatting and tinkering with their artwork. That's the joy, and why we are here. It's the language of the teaching relationship.
ReplyDeleteI had my students make handmade book and record their noticings for discussion for three days in a row.(Two studio art groups - 40 students, practiced living inquiry) From the witnessing and noticing each others' conversation, students then chose something to illustrate. The play between words and images was common core musings as well as an opportunity to experience creativity.
ReplyDeleteI was in a rut as a teacher after the winter break. The transition from being out sick for over two months and returning to school was a hard one for me. I found that my teacher started out on auto pilot and although I accomplished my goals for each day, the excitement wasn't there. This study group encouraged me to self-reflect upon the WAYS in which I went about planning lessons, and delivering them. In the end I saw HUGE progress within both my enthusiasm for each lesson taught, as well as a greater interest level from students. One of the techniques I included was to demonstrate and actively participate in certain lessons. In the past I believed this practice to be inspiring, yet discouraging for some students. Looking at a teacher model can be hard from some students and puts too much pressure on kids. Instead I found this addition to be rewarding on both ends.
ReplyDelete