A recent blog post I read
("What Does a Relevant and Connected Educator Look Like, Part I) on the blog"Blogging About the Web 2.0 Connected Classroom" examined characteristics of a relevant, connected educator. Interest piqued, I
surveyed the list and found myself agreeing with what I read. The first characteristic
is that the educator practices lifelong learning. I thought of that in relation
to my colleagues and could separate those who do thirst for new information and
take classes or attend seminars whether they “need” the credits for license renewal
or not from those who participate in workshops only to gain needed credits. Taking in opportunities for learning is great,
but how do we as teachers “model” that to students? Do we talk to our students
and let them know about all the seminars, workshops, or classes we’ve attended
recently? It's something to consider and try to deliberately talk about to our students--our own quest for learning.
I do believe in lifelong
learning. How can I as a teacher stay up on the latest educational tool or teaching
method if I’m not willing to invest time in the learning process? Without
engaging in outside learning of some kind, even reading books on teaching, I believe my methods will grow stale and lead to a lack of student engagement.
The next characteristic
was a belief in sharing and collaboration. I see the benefit of this in my own
life. I learn and produce stronger, more creative ideas when working in a group than
I do solo. I’ve seen this happen in my class as well. Usually it involves a
crescendo of excitement in students as they begin to discuss the issue
or lesson and grow more animated and passionate about their ideas or position.
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Photo courtesy of my niece Maryn Feyereisen |
Another characteristic
put forth by these bloggers is that educators who are relevant and connected
are connected with other educators and explore, question, elaborate and advance
ideas with them. In other words, they meet with colleagues and bounce ideas
back and forth, discussing what works and doesn’t work and coming up with new
ideas of what to try in the classroom. Honestly, these are some of my favorite
times as a teacher. There are a select number of teachers I regularly turn to
for ideas or as sounding boards. These are colleagues whose opinion I trust and
whom I know will be honest with me. I encourage you to find coworkers who will
do the same for you. They are invaluable.
The last characteristic
listed is that engaged teachers view failure
as part of the learning process. If that’s the case, I really am an
engaged learner! Seriously, I never want to get to the point where I do things
just because I’ve always done things. I don’t want to become the neighbor in
Frost’s “Mending Wall” who repeats his father’s mantra “Good fences make good
neighbors.”
In other words, I don’t want to be married to tradition and do
something just because that’s the way I’ve always done it. How would I like a
classroom to look, feel, and be if I were the student? I ask myself that a lot.
There’s a lot to think
about in terms of being a relevant and connected educator. I know I have miles
to go before I sleep. How ‘bout you? Are you as connected and relevant as you
want to be? Think about the ideas given and see how you can work at becoming
connected to learning in your own life. I try and it has made all the
difference.
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