Take the attitude of a student, never be too big to ask questions, never know too much to learn something new. Og Mandino (1923 - 1996)
I am always learning new things and am grateful to the precious little ones who are my little teachers. A few things I learned these last few weeks:
-Everyone deserves a second chance when they are really striving to learn or grow. I don’t always deliver every lesson the way I planned or remember everything I ‘should have’ done. When I am assessing students to know where they are with a concept, it is more important to be able to know where they are and work on building skills and confidence. Eventually they will have to demonstrate their knowledge but if we didn’t make mistakes how would we ever learn what we do not know? A mistake is an opportunity to grow and I need to celebrate that fact; that I am open to learn and grow and model that for my students so they become more comfortable with this process.
A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing. George Bernard Shaw
-Take time to appreciate the arts. In math and in life art is all around us. We should never be too busy to forget that art is alive! Find examples of concepts in art and allow for opportunities for students to express themselves through various mediums. Drawing angles is wonderful; creating a piece of art with angles inspiring! The funny thing is I had to hold myself back from making my own picture because I was teaching others while they worked. Next time I will make it right along with them! Carl Jung summed it nicely: The creative mind plays with the objects it loves.
-A hug to say hello or goodbye brightens a day; whether it is from me or from one of my sweeties as they walk out the door. I should never be too busy to share that one moment of greeting/farewell because I know I sure did appreciate some this week when they were unexpected! Give what you have. To someone, it may be better than you dare to think. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
-At the end of the day we all want to be appreciated, acknowledged and happy. But what brings that about many times is stepping out of myself and giving that to someone else. Final quote of the week: You must give some time to your fellow men. Even if it's a little thing, do something for others - something for which you get no pay but the privilege of doing it. Albert Schweitzer
It has been a whirlwind of activity and learning but always in my heart, I have such wonderful students; those in my class, those in the halls, and those in my memories!