Author Archive
Exhausted? How do I nourish the teacher in me during the summer?
There is so much to master as a teacher these days, but we also must nourish ourselves during the summer months so we have renewed energy to return in the fall. I have found massage to have exceptional benefits for me, but that isn’t for everyone and you can only do one of those every so often. It’s important to have time for reflection during the summer if we are to be great teachers. I’ve often thought that teacher evaluation has a negative effect on teacher learning. What I have preferred as an educational leader is to ask teachers what they would like to work on during the coming school year. Teachers know their own weaknesses and strengths. I think if they were not trying to please their evaluators, they would buy in to their own learning in a more comprehensive way and make much more progress.
School’s Out: Should students who struggle academically continue their learning?
Summer provides a good time for students to play and relax, however, it also provides an opportunity for additional support with all students who struggle in school. Keeping up can be stressful during the school year. Summer tutoring and organized learning time can give students relaxed time to brush up on skills. Reading during the summer months is essential. Perhaps you want to read with your child to model fluency and how you tackle difficult words. Books that are at the child’s independent reading level—lots of books—can do wonders for improving your child’s fluency as he/she sets aside special reading time during the summer.
What is the role of the school relative to social progress?
According to Noddings (2007), critical theorists believe that, “…philosophy must be engaged with the great struggles and social movements of its time.” Schools and learning must be relevant to fully engage its students in learning and dialogue that is meaningful. School is a microcosm of the larger world of which we are all a part. Social progress can inform our work as we plan lessons for students.
I love what Martin Buber says of education. He puts relationship at the very heart of schools. He spoke about the need for each child to know that someone cares and will listen. He said, “Trust, trust in the world, because this human being exists—that is the most inward achievement of the relation in education.” He goes on to explain the need for adults (teachers) who can present the world effectively.
