Let's talk about a shutdown, since it seems to be the word of the week! But this is a really good shutdown for teachers and students, not for the government.
Teacher: I haven’t been able to break through the apathy my students feel toward learning. from Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life by Martin P. Seligman
At this time of year, teachers both new and veteran, may hit the wall of frustration at the apathy their students seem to have toward learning. Despite lots of other possibilities as to the reason for the apathy, many teachers blame themselves for not being creative or charismatic enough to reach their students.
If you are in this group, perhaps you need to take a step back and consider the big picture. Are the majority of your students apathetic, or are they engaged and involved? Though you probably have some who are not interested, does that mean you are not a good teacher? Or does it simply mean that some of your students just don’t want to be involved?
Most likely, you have planned interesting, creative lessons that have motivated most of your students to work and learn. Is it realistic to expect that every one of them will be engaged in every lesson? WARNING—THIS ANSWER MAY SHOCK ADMINISTRATORS WHO READ THE ABRIDGED CHARLOTTE DANIELSON. It is the ideal. It is not realistic. Does it mean you should stop trying to motivate the apathetic students? No. Does it mean you should stop blaming yourself? Yes.
In the coming weeks, this blog will offer some suggestions to motivate students.
For now, consider this quote:
Your smile is a messenger of your good will. Your smile brightens the lives of all who see it. To someone who has seen a dozen people frown, scowl or turn their faces away, your smile is like the sun breaking through the clouds. Especially when that someone is under pressure from his bosses, his customers, his teachers, parents or children, a smile can help him realize that all is not hopeless … that there is joy in the world.
from How To Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
Offer all your students that smile, your good will. You don’t know how many frowns and scowls they have seen before seeing you. Put the joy back in teaching…and in learning!
