Life Signature Stories
The story of a baby being given his/her own song which goes with him/her throughout life provided an extremely powerful image for me. It may have been so very powerful because I have worked with so many children and families who are concentrating so much of their effort to gain the basic needs of life that they forget they are more than just food, water and clothing. In other words, they have been too tired to recognize that they even have a song. They have forgotten about singing each other’s praises. They have forgotten their worth.
Each person has talents and potential which need to be identified then nurtured and developed. Their “song,” which is truly our song to each person, is the beginning of his/her identity. It is important that we continually assist each person in hearing about his/her basic talents. It is difficult for us as teachers, coordinators and administrators to keep each student’s song in the foreground when they are bringing problems – troubles at home, learning disabilities, chemical imbalances, defiant behaviors, etc. - to the classroom. But, we must continue to work on a school climate and classroom management systems which keeps him/her focused on his/her song and manifests the very best of his/her being.
I have observed teachers who seem effortlessly keep each student in tune with his/her song. They move them forward toward their potential. This requires a wider variety of classroom management and instructional strategies. It required compassion and taking time to really know each student.
Our CSS team has worked hard this year with a number of teachers on classroom management. They have modeled and coached instructional strategies which addressed a variety of learning styles. It has all been great, but I wonder if the key is even more basic than a wealth of “classroom management” or “instructional strategies.”
Are the teachers who struggle with classroom management singing the songs of the students? Can the success of a teacher come down to just two questions - “Do you know the name of each of your students? Do you greet each student at the door each day by calling her by name and acknowledging something special about her?” If we are truly going to reduce negative behaviors and increase student engagement, do we need to learn each student’s song?
Each person has talents and potential which need to be identified then nurtured and developed. Their “song,” which is truly our song to each person, is the beginning of his/her identity. It is important that we continually assist each person in hearing about his/her basic talents. It is difficult for us as teachers, coordinators and administrators to keep each student’s song in the foreground when they are bringing problems – troubles at home, learning disabilities, chemical imbalances, defiant behaviors, etc. - to the classroom. But, we must continue to work on a school climate and classroom management systems which keeps him/her focused on his/her song and manifests the very best of his/her being.
I have observed teachers who seem effortlessly keep each student in tune with his/her song. They move them forward toward their potential. This requires a wider variety of classroom management and instructional strategies. It required compassion and taking time to really know each student.
Our CSS team has worked hard this year with a number of teachers on classroom management. They have modeled and coached instructional strategies which addressed a variety of learning styles. It has all been great, but I wonder if the key is even more basic than a wealth of “classroom management” or “instructional strategies.”
Are the teachers who struggle with classroom management singing the songs of the students? Can the success of a teacher come down to just two questions - “Do you know the name of each of your students? Do you greet each student at the door each day by calling her by name and acknowledging something special about her?” If we are truly going to reduce negative behaviors and increase student engagement, do we need to learn each student’s song?
posted by Gari at
12:55 PM
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