As teachers we are definitely responsible for lighting the spark in our students but we sometimes wonder how. Most of our students are not amazed by anything we do or say. It's just teenage natural to see parents and teachers as uncool.
So it is our job to outwit them by letting them find of light their own spark. Or let them think they are lighting their own spark. This can be done by simply becoming more a facilitator of learning whether than a teacher of learning. Allow room for error in yourself as well as in your students. You will that you both may be finding a spark.
Tonneche,
ReplyDeleteYour thoughts about "the spark" are very welcome as I prepare to go back to school. I do wonder how to be the instructor, inspire my students and foster independence everyday at school. As teachers we compete with so much, so we end up being not cool! Realistically, who can compete with Lil' Wayne and Beyonce'? Maybe I should stop trying to compete and find a way to bring their interests into the classroom! (A novel idea!) I will take your advice and allow more wiggle room and generate many sparks!
Tracye Salters
Tonneche,
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with your statement that we should become more of a facilitator of learning rather than a teacher of learning. It’s amazing when you empower students with their own learning and you can watch them discover and take off from the direction we, as teachers, give them. When they know that as teachers, we make mistakes and errors, the students feel safe to also make errors ~ only then will we all begin to grow.