P is for Passion
I love that Dave acknowledges that most teachers are not passionate about everything they teach... and that it's OK! I used to struggle with getting excited about teaching place value and long division, as well as writing conventions and food chains. It was a lightbulb moment for me when Dave described the three different types of passions (content, professional, and personal), and wrote,
"On all of those days when you don’t have passion for your content, you must consciously make the decision to focus on your professional passion.” (p.6)
Professional passion... what drives us as educators, what "ignites a fire." It's what we believe in. As I read Dave's words, I started thinking about how I was passionate about collaboration, inquiry, active learning, student-led problem solving and discussions, and instilling creativity and complex thinking in my students. How could I have included my personal and professional passions into the content I wasn't excited about to make sure I was still designing and implementing "life-changing" lessons?
This is my favorite quote from the reading this week:
“Resist any movement that attempts to clone teachers and lessons and instead rejoice in the fact that it is your individuality and uniqueness that will always lead you to become the most effective teacher that you can be.” (p.12)
YES, YES, YES! When teachers bring their light and passion into their classrooms, they can light up their students in the most exciting ways.
I is for Immersion
“Students can feel it when you are truly present.” p.14
“An instructor who is fully immersed in the moment has a special type of intensity that resonates with great power in the classroom, regardless of the activity.” p. 16
Immersion is more than being focused on your students, it's to be present in the moment and completely immersed in their learning. It's letting go of a lesson plan when there is a more meaningful and relevant moment in front of them. It's being with their students.
R is for Rapport
Dave's rapport section hit home. I believe that everything starts with connections and valuing each child as they are. I love how Dave took us through his first three days of the year and how he develops rapport with every student. I found myself wishing that I could experience his classroom, too!
This quote spoke to me:
“Spend less time trying to get students interested in what you are presenting and more time making connections between what you are presenting and what they are already interested in.” (p.20)
Week 2 Discussion Questions
Q2: (Professional Passion) Within your profession, but not specific to your subject matter, what are you passionate about? What is it about being an educator that drives you? What ignites a fire inside you?
Q3:(Personal Passion) Completely outside of your profession, what are you passionate about?
Q4: What is something you can do in your classroom to truly be immersed - or to switch from focus to immersion?
Q5: How can you create an environment in your class that develops rapport?