WHAT WILL SUSTAIN ME
Loving children will sustain me if: I appreciate their individuality and their strengths. If I get to know them ("walk around in their skin") and if I carefully listen to them and recognize them.
Loving children won't sustain me if: I need to be loved back. WAY too many people get into teaching because they "love kids" but it's also because they need love back. High school students especially want to be valued, rather than loved--and they sense "needy" teachers who need to be loved back. Teacher hearts are often broken.
Wanting to help students will sustain me if: I trust them and teach them where they are; if I respect their backgrounds and personalities.
Wanting to help students won't sustain me if: I'm focused on myself and my needs. If I don't ask questions. If I try to "shape" them.
My other reason I want to teach will sustain me if: I value their strengths equally with mine. If I admit mistakes. If I keep my sense of humor and stay flexible.
It won't sustain me if: I'm too demanding--of the students, of myself, of the system, of the situation. If I'm patronizing.
reflection 1.3
Based on your definition of love, I think that your love for students will be able to sustain you. You mentioned trusting students, which is a key concept for teachers. In order to be trusted, we must also trust. What will you trust in your students? Kudos to you for recognizing that your reason for teaching will sustain you if you can make mistakes. This is so hard for many people to admit about themselves, especially if they are in a leadership role.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree that Wanting to help students won't sustain me if I'm focused on myself and my needs. You really have to be focused on both the needs of your student and your own needs. I guess its really about finding that balance. If you aren't being satisfied you wont be as effective of a teacher as if your needs were being met.
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