Thought of the Day: Feb. 24th, 2014

Is success in our teaching a smooth and easy ride? 

When I observe great teachers in action, they make everything look so easy. Every aspect of their teaching and classroom management just seem to flow so smoothly for these educators; their body language and use of voice, their subtle questioning and feedback strategies, the way that they connect with their learners and so on. No matter how easy these teachers make teaching look, the reality is that there is a lot of turbulence happening right below the surface. 

I am currently reading a great book called Jolt which focuses on the need to always jolt ourselves into action regardless of our profession. My immediate takeaway from this book has had me reflecting on how good teachers are always creating these little jolts in their instructional practice. These teachers never settle for being good but are always in pursuit of mastery and the only way to measure this excellence is by looking at the learning that is happening with their students. These teachers continually jolt their own practice and are constantly reflecting on ways to improve. They are forever in search of new ideas to implement in their teaching. 

Turbulence is a life force. Let's love turbulence and use it for change. 

I love this quote from Jolt. When I read the quote, I immediately thought about how good teaching should seem chaotic and crazy at times and feel as though there is constant turbulence within our practice. Its this turbulence that causes that internal feeling of pressure that good teachers feel. That pressure that causes those continual little jolts in our instructional practice. Those jolts that deepen our love of teaching. So bring on the turbulence as the seemingly rough road will always lead us to a better place as educators. My thoughts for today. Thanks for reading.