AP/Dean Corner

AP/Dean's Corner

From Rachel and Anel:

Over the break, I had the privilege of reading the first three chapters of a book entitled, Teaching with Love and Logic. This book had been recommended to me multiple times throughout my teaching career, but I had never actually sat down to read it. What a shame that I waited to read it. It’s full of information and techniques to ensure all of our students are successful and to bring joy back to us as teachers.

While the strategies in the first three chapters were incredible (wait until you try delaying the consequences), one concept really struck me—“Great educators are experimenters.” We experiment when we try a new ELD strategy, we experiment when we try a new behavior chart with a student, we experiment when we create a new lesson plan or teach a new book.

However, unlike scientists or inventors, when an experiment (or strategy) doesn’t work after implementing it with fidelity, as teachers, we don’t think, “Hmmm.. that technique didn’t work. Let’s experiment with a new one.” Instead, we often think of ourselves as failures. How many times have you heard a colleague say (or even said yourself), “I’m just not doing a good job?” To be successful educators, we need to shift our perspective. As the book says, “If the experiment is successful, it was a good experiment. If not, the technique was set aside. The self-worth of the teacher is never in question, only the value of the technique” (8).

I ordered a few copies of the book for our office. If you are interested in a book study (which I would highly recommend and would be excited to join), let me know and I’ll get additional copies. J

Welcome back Great Experimenters!!