Teaching

November 3, 2021

I’ve been thinking…

…about teaching.

I have been “retired” from the classroom since 2015 but have “re-tried” teaching in new ways.  

Teachers have an intrinsic need to reach out, to share — to help.  My children’s books are a way to reach out and share ideas, with the intent to help children negotiate challenges in their young lives. 

This website — with the blogs and activities — is intended to reach out and share ideas.  And perhaps to help by stimulating thoughts and —certainly with the activities — to provide fun for families and friends to enjoy.

In that spirit, this week I’m calling attention to the Resource tab on this website, particularly the videos that are featured there.  These timeless musings reflect my penchant for the “can do” spirit that I encouraged in my students and my own children.  Grit!  Mindset! Saying goodbye to perfectionism and hello to the creative sprit!  

For many students, November marks the end of the first quarter of the school year.   They receive report cards.  Parents and teachers meet for conferences.  For so many — students, parents, and teachers — the whole review process is fraught with emotions.  Oh if only children could see their future competent, successful, happy selves as they contemplate report cards that capture only a snapshot of who they are at this point in time.

Here’s a thought from a teacher and a mom:  Do what we must do with the report cards and conferences.  Good, bad, or indifferent.

But then, regain perspective and get inspired with some of the videos I offer.  Children and their adult learning partners (parents and teachers!) can view these together and have interesting conversations. 

“Famous Failures” offers a look at some of the greatest successful people we so admire — with what they had to overcome to reach the pinnacles of success.

Then follow up with the TED talk by Angela Duckworth — THE great mind behind the understanding of GRIT!  She puts into perspective HOW people achieve success. 

(Want to know more?  Dr. Duckworth expands on her research into her theories in GRIT: The Power of Passion and Perseverance.  See “Considering Success” in Resources Worth Reading. 

Simply some ideas from this old teacher who just wants to reach out, share, and help!