I Can
| February 9, 2012 | Posted by Brian Bennett under All, Teaching, Thoughts |
In the spirit of full disclosure, this has been a discouraging week for me. Students are antsy and in need of a break. I am fighting some old battles with kids refusing to think or show interest in anything at all. I am also working with issues professionally I did not expect to have. Education news coming in each day shows glimmers of hope, but is tough to stomach in the current system.
But, despite the bad news and the “I can’t” thoughts earlier this week, I can choose to think differently.
I can…
- work hard every day to make sure I give my students multiple opportunities to learn.
- persevere and do what is right for my students when culture pushes back.
- demonstrate positive redirection when I fail.
- collaborate with students and other teachers to find solutions to problems.
- teach students to think critically about the world and about their beliefs.
- choose to keep my head high and continue to improve rather than wallow in self-pity.
We can choose to work with what we have an do our absolute best for our kids. Or, we can kick the stone on the path with our heads down and give in.
I choose the former.
Hang in there! I talk about you all the time as to what a great teacher you must be with your students. Don’t be discouraged!
I think you are reflecting a bit of what your students feel as well. Your positive attitude will help you and your students. Keep up the good work.
Sounds like you are having a ‘normal’ week in education. Love your positive response in the end. One of our goals at NBCS/SCIL is to constantly shape and grow a learning culture that becomes dominant over every other culture the student brings with them. That is a great challenge – but really worthwhile. While they are at the school (or in your class), that learning culture has to be stronger than their street culture, their apathetic culture, their social culture , their family culture … It can be achieved. That’s where the flipclass environment is so great – it is a strong builder of a learning culture. Keep up the great work Brian!
Keep on persevering! You are an inspiration to many — even when you feel underappreciated as we all do sometimes. We can’t always see the impact we make.