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MARSHA
RATZEL
Diary #9
Teachers
or Students -
It's All about Attitude
Attitude is
everything. Oh, how I have lived and learned that principle this week.
I am passionate
about what I do. When I talk I can feel the momentum building and the words
just fly out. Almost like they have a life of their own. And when things
are really cookin', the teacher with whom I speaking usually gets a glimpse
of that vision and together we create something better than either of us
could do alone.
And then attitude
comes into play. If the teacher's attitude is one of dutifully carrying
out their task --- dragging their feet every step of the way --- the results
are disastrous. What I don't get is how someone can be a really good teacher
in one area and so bad in another. The only explanation that I can come
up with is attitude. Just as you would expect.
Attitude "schooled"
me this week. .
I worked with
students who hated what they were doing. I was shocked because I had visited
other classrooms where the project was energizing to students and teachers
alike. But these students complained they didn't understand; that the project
was boring; that it was stupid. And when I stopped the lesson to really
listen to what they had to say and helped them dissect why they had those
feelings, it came down to teacher attitude.
The students
didn't know it but their complaints telegraphed to me inadequate preparation,
hurried instructions, and a failure to communicate enthusiasm for the topic.
The teachers were only willing to give it minimal effort; lip service if
you will. And the students failed to find meaning in the project. Just as
you would expect.
I find negativity
and apathy so demoralizing. Not that I should take it personally because
you see the same veins elsewhere. But I take it personally because I care
too much. I know better, but I can't help myself. I try to work harder and
make things simpler and simpler. On and on and on. But I can't change it
all by myself because people have to change themselves. Just as you would
expect.
A thought-provoking
discussion about CIPA
I also had the
opportunity to work with kids on CIPA and the First
Amendment. The students were engaged, asking wonderful questions about how
our district was going to comply with the filtering requirement. They were
anxious to know whatever I could tell them. Prepped by teachers who expected
a thought provoking discussion, students responded by asking questions that
penetrated to the heart of the issues. Student learning depended on their
teacher's attitude, not just my discussion questions. Just as you would
expect.
I'm not sure
how I'll guard myself against these attacks of negative attitude or apathy.
Maybe the best policy is to focus on those teachers who want to change.
Maybe I just need to stay focused on the success stories because there are
plenty of them which reflect the majority of teachers. But I can't walk
away and not care because it breaks my heart to leave students "behind"
because of teacher's attitude. Just what you would expect from someone who
is passionate and confused about what to do next.
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