What a show!!! Words of Wisdom

This past show whew, what a show. Ok, so it has been a while since the Talking Teacher has posted any thoughts, for that, my apologies. In following the tradition of using the month of May as "Heritage Month", we decided to make this one a "Take me back Tuesday". This show was entitled- Words from the Wise", and oh boy did our guests have some words for us. Those words made us laugh, made us smile and surely made the time go by quickly, but most of all those words made us do two things. They made the Talking Teacher THINK, as well and feel the PASSION!!

These two guests were not just teachers, they were/are MASTER TEACHERS!!!! It was an honour to sit in their presence and hear their wonderful words of wisdom- speak them over again to me! Wonderful words, beautiful words- words that spoke energy into the listeners. They spoke of dress, attitude, penmanship, conduct inside and outside of the classroom. Teachers, we have an awesome responsibility before us. As they both said- "Teaching is not just a profession, it is the BEST profession...".

I sat and listened, but I was mixed with my reaction to these words that were being received by my cranial membrane. Here we had only two of the best of our educators, these two made so much sense and showed that the key to improving this craft, this product is in our own hands. We are going about trying to reinvent education. We have spent, and will continue to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars trying to "fix" education. We have flown in "experts" we have listened to others from the outside (with the only classroom experience they bring is the one that they received whilst a student), we have tried all other methods and means, but have we sought the advice of our MASTER TEACHERS???? These two teachers made the Talking Teacher leave the studio thinking of how his socks could be pulled up more, pulled up more in diction, dress, preparation.....the Talking Teacher was in thought.

So what is the Talking Teacher saying? We have, right here living and breathing in our own little island, MASTER TEACHERS, people, educators from times past that hold a piece to the puzzle. WE NEED TO USE THEM!!!!!!

Mrs. James, one of the MASTER TEACHERS, left us with a few written thoughts, these gems will be typed and posted for all to see. For now, the Talking Teacher needs to reflect, needs to do some introspection, I encourage each and everyone one of us to think at how we can improve our craft, this thing that we love called TEACHING. Here are a few points to chew on:

Teachers-
-can we prepare a bit better for our lessons?
-how we speak in class, are we modeling great diction and grammar?
-our dress? Is it professional, after all, you are in the greatest profession!
-do you make contact with your parents? For the things to celebrate as well as for the bad times?
-lesson planning, yes your principal may not be looking at them, but they are for you, not them, even if in another form, use them.
-do you realize that you are in the GREATEST PROFESSION?

Principals-
-do we support our teachers?
-do we make frequent classroom visits, not to "book", but to encourage, to uplift?
-are we prepared to demonstrate a teaching method for the teacher in the classroom?
-do we encourage proper attire for our staff?
-do we realize that we are responsible for assisting each and every child on their journey to success?

Ministry-
-do we consult those in the trenches before we make a pivotal decision?
-do we encourage success?
-do we focus on the 1/4 of the so called "poor"teachers as pointed out in the Hopkins Report, or do we celebrate the 3/4 who are doing a great job?
-are we in it for self, or for our young educators?

People, we can do this, we can improve this, it is not rocket science, the wonderful words of wisdom on this Tuesday, oh how refreshing, oh how sobering, how how inspiring. BE ENCOURAGED!!!!!!