Recently, I came across this blog, Taking the Lid Off the Sun and was truly inspired by Alexis Ahren's post called Loves Place in the Classroom.
"When I say I love my students, I mean that I am seeing them for who they truly are, appreciating and accepting them right there in that space. My love for them isn’t dependent on their cooperation or compliance. It’s not affected by their academic performance. Some take longer to get to know than others, and so it follows that some take longer to love than others, but love comes … always. "Seriously, click on the link above and read more because it's truly inspiring. Last week I spent time in a special education class and having a lot of discussions with other teachers about students with all types of disabilities including learning disabilities, ADHD, Autism and social, emotional or behavior disorders. I've always connected to these types of students and I think its because of what Alexis mentions. I see them for who they truly are and love them no matter what. From the athlete to the rocker, from the skateboarder to the hippie, to the kid that sat in the back of the room with his hoodie over his head, I try my best to get to know them all. And you know what, I think my students know it because I'll get that email once in a blue moon from an alumni or a hug after a semester is over - there is nothing better.
Now let's fast forward a week after reading Alexis' blog and I'm sitting in my grad class. I come across information about social emotional learning during my class research. I've always felt like life skills should be taught in schools and just came across how this is a growing movement. I teach in Illinois and didn't even realize that my own state has adopted learning standards for this area. Check out Casel, Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning website that gives more information on this topic. Also during my research I came across information about Daniel Goleman who has brought this topic to the forefront from his book Emotional Intelligence. I'm hoping to read this and his book Primal Leadership with hopes its something I can integrate into the Management & Leadership class I teach.
Also on my summer book list is a recommendation Alexis mentioned - Unconditional Parenting by Alfie Kohn. This book is about what kids need and how we can meet those needs vs. how we can we get kids to do what they are told. He feels that praise and rewards do more harm than good. About 70 pages into it I can already see some parallels betten Kohn's book and Daniel Pink's Drive where Pink talks about how the carrot and stick doesn't work (rewards) for long term motivation.
Have you read these any of these books? I'm looking forward to having conversations on these books. (
(Be on the look out for more posts relating to these topics and books)
