This week, we have been exploring our professional goals within the master's program and how the university is equipped to support them. As I wrote them, I thought about some of my colleagues' comments about their families and it occurred to me that my passion for education began with my family. My parents were college-educated, my father in education and my mother in psychology. My sister attended college as well, so education was a high priority for me. However, the love of young children is genetic. My father was notorious for being the "baby whisperer" whenever extended family would come to visit. He would ooh and ahh over the youngest of the cousins and I remember watching him intently. I also remember how he, and my mom, would read to us all the time. My favorite story that he would read is called
Drummer Hoff, by Barbara and Ed Emberley. Ed Emberley was awarded the 1968 Cladecott Award for the illustrations. As you explore it, you will also notice the military influence in my family! What I love about the book, and about the way my dad would read it is the opportunity for sequencing, rhyming and enthusiasm. To this day, I have a copy and I read it every once in a while.
The photo that is posted in my previous blog is one of me from my trip to South Africa. It was 12 years ago and I do not look that young anymore!
One of my favorite quotes about education comes from Dr. Haim Ganott and it is as follows:
“I've come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element in the classroom. It's my daily mood that makes the weather. As a teacher, I possess a tremendous power to make a child's life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration. I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis will be escalated or de-escalated and a child humanized or de-humanized.”
It is all in the delivery! I could be the most prepared educator, but if I am having a bad day, and I project that on to my class, those children will remember that instead of any amazing lesson I spent days planning.
Katherine I appreciated the quote that you described. I have to concur with Dr. Ganott that it is frightening the power of the classroom teacher. I feel we must be incredibly mindful each day of the power of our actions. We must consider our words very carefully. Decisions we make today can truly alter the psyche of an individual. I have played witness to parents who are scared to come into a school building or enter into a discussion to advocate for their child because of a negative school experience, usually at the hand of an unprofessional educator.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that you still have a copy of one of your favorite childhood books your parents read to you when you were young. That speaks of lasting impact. I have not yet read this book and look forward to the opportunity to read it!
ReplyDeleteI also appreciate the quote you posted as I have read it before. You are right that in working with young children and adults for that matter, it's all in the delivery. We can be very effective or ineffective in the way we communicate with those around us. This quote encourages me to choose wisely and keep my focus right. Thanks for posting!