Yesterday, I had the pleasure of participating in a Professional Development Day with presenter Principal Kafale. It was an inspiration!
One of the first things he had us do was repeat the phrase (multiple times, and louder each time) "I am the number one determinant in the success or failure of my students." I am the number one reason my students either succeed or fail. Scary, right? This isn't to say I should go home and lament when students don't immediately succeed. Students are going to succeed and fail many times over the school year. It is part of the learning process, just as I as a teacher will succeed and fail. The important thing is for me to understand my role in their success and failure. If a student struggles and struggles all year, learn from it. Reflect on my role in those struggles. What could I have done differently? What will I do next time it happens? Principal Kafale stressed the importance of reflecting. The more you reflect, the more you learn.
Principal Kafale also asked us as teachers to think about the "why." Why am I teaching? Why do I wake up every morning, come into school, and teach students? My "why" is my purpose, my reason for being here. He explained that his "why" for teaching was to create men, not males. He wanted mature, independent men in the world and he became a teacher to ensure that could be possible. During discussion, some of my peers explained their "why" and how it helped them as teachers. I'll admit, I was a little nervous I couldn't immediately think of my "why." I have plenty of reasons I became a teacher. I want to share my knowledge and love of learning with students. I want to see them grow over the course of the school year, to see their eyes light up when they finally understand the material and can discuss it with their peers. I want to see my students happy, safe, and healthy every day in the classroom, and to know that I play a small role in helping them feel that way. I have a plethora of reasons I chose to become a teacher. Yet, I still couldn't immediately name my "why." It seemed so important. It was my whole purpose in being here. Which reason could I possibly give that would seem enough? I thought about it all through Principal Kafale's presentation, all through my drive home, making dinner, and even late into the night before bed. I woke up this morning with an idea in my head. Maybe, my "why," my purpose, is simply to create a warm and welcoming environment where my students can be themselves. This would allow them to grow as learners and as individuals. It would allow them the opportunities to succeed and be happy.
Once I understood my "why," it was important to also understand my importance in the classroom. He asked us to think, are my students at an advantage because I am the teacher? What kind of classroom do I have for my students? What is my mentality toward the classroom and students in it? Am I telling the students, through words and actions, that I believe in them? Am I telling them I know they can succeed? Principal Kafale described one of his methods for learning about schools and the teachers in them. The classrooms, empty, could immediately tell him if it was student centered or teacher centered. He explained how some classrooms wanted to welcome him with open arms and some made him want to turn away. The classroom spoke to him. He didn't need to see teachers in them or watch lessons being taught. He just needed to walk in the room and look around for a few minutes. I took this to heart. I immediately walked back to my classroom and questioned what my students saw when they walked in the room. Outside the door, I've started collecting positive statement coloring pages students have given me. Inside above the SmartBoard, I've hung up everyone's Growth Mindset Banner. Against the back wall, I have our group posters discussing goals for the year. I have inspirational posters all up throughout the room, a comfy book nook in one corner, and tables arranged in groups. I walked in feeling content and warm. I wholeheartedly believe my classroom shouts to students, "Come in! Relax! Be happy!" I wholeheartedly believe my students are at an advantage because I am their teacher. I believe through my actions and words my students understand that I believe in them. Thank you, Principal Kafale, for allowing me to believe this.
Throughout the rest of the school year, one of my goals will be to obtain and read at least two of Principal Kafale's books. I will also take part in his Sunday discussions through Facebook to ensure that my positivity shows through to my students every week. I will continue to push students toward reaching their own independent goals and sharing my "why" of having a warm and welcoming classroom. I don't hope, I know, this school year will be a huge success!
If you have any interest in being inspired, check out Principal Kafale immediately!
Have a great week!
With love,
💜 Ms. Haury
One of the first things he had us do was repeat the phrase (multiple times, and louder each time) "I am the number one determinant in the success or failure of my students." I am the number one reason my students either succeed or fail. Scary, right? This isn't to say I should go home and lament when students don't immediately succeed. Students are going to succeed and fail many times over the school year. It is part of the learning process, just as I as a teacher will succeed and fail. The important thing is for me to understand my role in their success and failure. If a student struggles and struggles all year, learn from it. Reflect on my role in those struggles. What could I have done differently? What will I do next time it happens? Principal Kafale stressed the importance of reflecting. The more you reflect, the more you learn.
Principal Kafale also asked us as teachers to think about the "why." Why am I teaching? Why do I wake up every morning, come into school, and teach students? My "why" is my purpose, my reason for being here. He explained that his "why" for teaching was to create men, not males. He wanted mature, independent men in the world and he became a teacher to ensure that could be possible. During discussion, some of my peers explained their "why" and how it helped them as teachers. I'll admit, I was a little nervous I couldn't immediately think of my "why." I have plenty of reasons I became a teacher. I want to share my knowledge and love of learning with students. I want to see them grow over the course of the school year, to see their eyes light up when they finally understand the material and can discuss it with their peers. I want to see my students happy, safe, and healthy every day in the classroom, and to know that I play a small role in helping them feel that way. I have a plethora of reasons I chose to become a teacher. Yet, I still couldn't immediately name my "why." It seemed so important. It was my whole purpose in being here. Which reason could I possibly give that would seem enough? I thought about it all through Principal Kafale's presentation, all through my drive home, making dinner, and even late into the night before bed. I woke up this morning with an idea in my head. Maybe, my "why," my purpose, is simply to create a warm and welcoming environment where my students can be themselves. This would allow them to grow as learners and as individuals. It would allow them the opportunities to succeed and be happy.
Once I understood my "why," it was important to also understand my importance in the classroom. He asked us to think, are my students at an advantage because I am the teacher? What kind of classroom do I have for my students? What is my mentality toward the classroom and students in it? Am I telling the students, through words and actions, that I believe in them? Am I telling them I know they can succeed? Principal Kafale described one of his methods for learning about schools and the teachers in them. The classrooms, empty, could immediately tell him if it was student centered or teacher centered. He explained how some classrooms wanted to welcome him with open arms and some made him want to turn away. The classroom spoke to him. He didn't need to see teachers in them or watch lessons being taught. He just needed to walk in the room and look around for a few minutes. I took this to heart. I immediately walked back to my classroom and questioned what my students saw when they walked in the room. Outside the door, I've started collecting positive statement coloring pages students have given me. Inside above the SmartBoard, I've hung up everyone's Growth Mindset Banner. Against the back wall, I have our group posters discussing goals for the year. I have inspirational posters all up throughout the room, a comfy book nook in one corner, and tables arranged in groups. I walked in feeling content and warm. I wholeheartedly believe my classroom shouts to students, "Come in! Relax! Be happy!" I wholeheartedly believe my students are at an advantage because I am their teacher. I believe through my actions and words my students understand that I believe in them. Thank you, Principal Kafale, for allowing me to believe this.Throughout the rest of the school year, one of my goals will be to obtain and read at least two of Principal Kafale's books. I will also take part in his Sunday discussions through Facebook to ensure that my positivity shows through to my students every week. I will continue to push students toward reaching their own independent goals and sharing my "why" of having a warm and welcoming classroom. I don't hope, I know, this school year will be a huge success!
If you have any interest in being inspired, check out Principal Kafale immediately!
Have a great week!
With love,
💜 Ms. Haury
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