Focus and Passion
We all have to deal with red tape and distractions with the places we work. We cannot let that distract us and let us get off course and loose our passion for the students succes. What do you guys think about this?
I can understand the emphasis in passion when it comes to teaching because the rubber really hits the road in the classroom. However, I cannot let that put me in a position of being bias over how the faculty and school perform as a whole. I value the interaction with management, faculty, and even the security guard as much as teaching when in the appropriate context. Essentially every part of the system needs to function optimally for there to be a good experience as a whole.
Sherry,
By keeping your attitude up the material becomes more engaging for the students even if you have taught the subject many times before. I am currently teaching six sections of the same course and I have to find new approaches with each class so I keep my interest level high which results increased focused by my students. I tell myself that this is the first and only time my students will take this course so I need to make it the very best I can.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I try very hard to keep myself upbeat and positive about what I am teaching, even though sometimes it gets "old" if students don't seem to be catching on, but I just keep forging ahead and trying new types of teaching methods
Carrette,
What a great vision you have. You see the influence you are having on your students and how you are impacting their lives and their futures. Knowing this greatly increases the motivation factor for you as you mention each time you meet a class.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Yes teaching is a heart thing. When we can get the belief from our minds into our hearts that we are agents of change in the lives of our student then, and only then will we garner the energy not to quit. It is the future of my students that get me out of bed in the mornings and keep me energized throughout each mod. In my heart I know that they depend on me for encouragement, for transmission of valuable knowledge, for creating opportunities to develop their skills and make them into effective and competent employees. It is definitely a heart thing!
Megan,
Like the way you express this thought about focus and passion for one's field. It is for sure if we are not excited about our field and enthused about teaching our content our students are not going to be either.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I feel that refocusing is going to be the key to success. We are the (most likely) the first impression of some one in their career of choice for the students so we have to set the best example we can. If we can't stay focused they will wonder why are they working so hard.
Joyce,
There are a couple of ways to handle this. One is to have a timed discussion on unrelated topics such as their lives outside of school, community events, etc.. I use a timer with a big face and we take five minutes to talk about these things. When the buzzer goes off then my students know we are going to move to course content. The reason for the big faced timer is that the clock shows the students the time and I don't have to beg them for their attention. Time is set, discussion and time is up. With this approach you can bring them back on topic if they get off because you simply say "We are off topic and we need to get back to the content. We can talk about that topic at our next open discussion time in class." Another approach is to have students write down applications in their lives of the course content. By having them write down the applications they get a chance to think a little about what those applications are. I give each student a 3X5 card upon which to write the applications. By writing down their responses they have something to respond with when I call on them. This lets me call on even the shy students because they don't have to think off the top of their heads since they have something written down. I get really good input and we stay on topic.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Inesa,
Having passion for one's field and teaching with enthusiasm are two great ways to get students engaged and focused on course success.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Focus and refocusong is often a problem for me. Students tend to get off the subject and though I want them to relate what they are learning to their personal lives, it is hard to draw the line between a learning topic and an unrelated topic. Any ideas?
Stanley,
Good comments about keeping distractions outside of the classroom. The will creep in if we let them and then learning starts to decline and when that happens no one benefits.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I think you are right. We have to show the passion for our students and keep doing our best. We have to learn how to control our actions the distractions wouldn't affect our primary job.
