I have recently been able to watch different members of different groups and how they interact when presented with a joint project. There are those who take charge, or who want to take charge, those who do as asked, and those who do not want to do anything.
In my group, we have just the former two, fortunately. Most amusing to me is the fact that I was placed in charge of the group when I would prefer to be a follower. I know it is something I need to work on.
But what I have learned the most from this is that, when I have to, I can take charge. It has helped me that my team looks to me for leadership, even though most of them are (in my mind), better than I for the position. But having them ask me and look to me has helped me try to do better. It has given me a goal to work towards.
On another note, I also was able to listen to some student teachers talk about their experiences. Obvious, to me, the one thing all four of them said was the most important to learn and do well was classroom management. However, I am grateful for the explanations they gave of what worked for them in managing their classrooms. The most common response was to learn and call the students by name. Some might think it a small thing, but I have learned already that it is very effective. The director of a two-hundred plus voice choir created a huge chart matching the seating assignments in the practice hall with a cut-out picture of each choir member with their name below it. I was always amazed how she knew everyone's name. It made each of us feel important.
Another one was to follow through on your threats. That I learned as a parent. If you do not follow through, the kids learn that your threats do not mean anything and they ignore you. The same is true for students, and can be very detrimental to your ability to teach.
The final one that stuck out to me was a method for handling unruly students; you talk to them away from the others (or at least their own peers) and you use subjects such as respect and community to guide them on proper behavior. It reminded me of how it is rarely a good idea to embarrass a student in front of their friends. On occasion, it might work, but often it is better to take care of such things in a more suitable environment. People can really resent being humiliated in public.
Over all, a good week for learning.
But what I have learned the most from this is that, when I have to, I can take charge. It has helped me that my team looks to me for leadership, even though most of them are (in my mind), better than I for the position. But having them ask me and look to me has helped me try to do better. It has given me a goal to work towards.
On another note, I also was able to listen to some student teachers talk about their experiences. Obvious, to me, the one thing all four of them said was the most important to learn and do well was classroom management. However, I am grateful for the explanations they gave of what worked for them in managing their classrooms. The most common response was to learn and call the students by name. Some might think it a small thing, but I have learned already that it is very effective. The director of a two-hundred plus voice choir created a huge chart matching the seating assignments in the practice hall with a cut-out picture of each choir member with their name below it. I was always amazed how she knew everyone's name. It made each of us feel important.
Another one was to follow through on your threats. That I learned as a parent. If you do not follow through, the kids learn that your threats do not mean anything and they ignore you. The same is true for students, and can be very detrimental to your ability to teach.
The final one that stuck out to me was a method for handling unruly students; you talk to them away from the others (or at least their own peers) and you use subjects such as respect and community to guide them on proper behavior. It reminded me of how it is rarely a good idea to embarrass a student in front of their friends. On occasion, it might work, but often it is better to take care of such things in a more suitable environment. People can really resent being humiliated in public.
Over all, a good week for learning.
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