4. We are all familiar with the following quote:
“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.” Dr. Haim Ginott
What are your thoughts on the quote? Is Dr. Ginott right on target? Explain.
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I think we would all agree with Dr. Ginott. Wouldn't it be great to be equipped with a frustration meter? Something that would stop us when we are frustrated with a student and say to ourselves "What is my goal here? What do I want from the child at the end of this conversation/class/day/month/school year?" It would put a lot of daily frustrations in perspective. I think awesome veteran teachers have mastered this more but it an ongoing process.
ReplyDeleteI watch some of the great teachers in this building. You guys have it! Isn't it great that so many of our teachers enter their classrooms everyday so "on?"
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with this quote. I remember so clearly the times I was embarrassed in the classroom as well as the times I was treated great. I try to remember that my students have as good of a memory as me (probably better). What I do matters... everyday!
This statement is definitely true. The atmosphere a teacher maintains in the room can create a feeling of security and trust for the student so that they are then free to learn. They need to know that it is OK to make mistakes, but the may also have to pay the natural consequences. I try when I can to help them learn from those experiences. The students really appreciate teachers who are the same every day so that they know what to expect.
ReplyDeleteThis is a true statement, Dr. Ginott has hit the nail on the head. We can try to put things on our walls to create a pleasant environment but the true key to an inviting and safe environment is the teacher. We have to think before speaking using the "edit" but because we don't like being belittled or disciplined in front of our peers and neither do our students. Maintaining an even environment in the classroom and addressing a student issue with the student discretely. If the students know what is expected of them and that they will have a consequence for not meeting that expectation but will be treated with respect they will understand take responsibility for what has been done.
ReplyDeleteDr. Ginott is on target with his quote. My motto has always been to be positive and caring towards the students I teach. Be the listener they need at times and guide them in making right choices. I agree with Mrs. Auld that student issues need to be dealt discretely and respectfully. Treat students the way you yourself would like others to treat you. Yes, students need to know what is expected and that their are consequences for not meeting that expectation.
ReplyDeleteDr. Ginott is correct. It is the teacher that creates the atmosphere in the classroom. It is scary to me that we hold that much power as teachers. It is also scary we make so many pivotal decisions every day. The key to improving in the classroom is reflection. I try to reflect on how I have handled each hour of each day. Did I handle that correctly? If I were that child's parent would I be pleased with the teacher's response to an issue? It's difficult. However, it is our responsibility.
ReplyDeleteI think Dr. Ginott and this statement are so right on target. I still can remember the kind words of encouragement that my elementary teachers spoke to me and how that made me feel some ?? years later! I also remember the one teacher that belittled me and made fun of some of my friends and I knew that I would never be that kind of teacher. All days, these children are placed in our care to nurture and help them become productive citizens. The parents send us the best they have and its our job to help them the best we can.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with this quote and see it in action all the time. Teachers have such an impact upon students. If I am in a good mood, I can put one of my students in a good mood. I try every day to walk in the doors, and put behind me what may or may not affect how I feel so that any tension I might have does not affect my students. Students will do anything for teachers they believe care about them, and they can tell that by how you act towards them. They know if you like being here with them or not!
ReplyDeleteWithout a doubt I believe this is true. While reflecting on my teaching, decisions I have made, conversations with students, etc., I often wonder if a different attitude on my part would have changed the outcome of the situation. I don’t think that this quote is new to me, just something that I need to be reminded of on a regular basis!
ReplyDeleteDr. Ginott is so correct. The teacher has the responsibility of presenting their curriculum to everyone and creating a learning and safe environment. What a teachers says or how it is said can change the learning environment tremendously. Sometimes what the teacher says and how it is said is interpreted differently by each of the students. Therefore, a teacher needs to be on his or her toes at all times.
ReplyDeleteI have this quote posted in my office. It’s true; we are it. We are essentially the determining factor in our classroom. We can make it a great hour or an hour that last an eternity that is dreaded by all. We can’t control everything in life, but what we can control is how we present ourselves and how we make others feel.
ReplyDeleteGreat quote. Sometimes we just need to step back from a frustrating situation and evaluate the best way to respond. We need to remember that we are the professionals and should be in control of our classrooms and ourselves at all times.
ReplyDeleteI agree wholeheartedly with the quote. This is an area in which I believe I have grown tremendously over the past 20 years. In retrospect, I wish I could have a "re-do" during many of my early years of teaching. My patience was lacking (comparatively to the present) when it came to dealing with students and their individual situations. Many times I think I could have made the classroom experience so much better for students if I had a better handle on my own attitude. We have tremendous power when it comes to being able to "make" or "break" a day for students. In looking around our building, we have many, many teachers who do a great job of "making the day" of many of our students.
ReplyDeleteIt is an awesome responsibility that the teaching profession has entrusted us with-the ability to influence a child's life forever. Everyday our actions and words make hidden impressions on our students. With this in mind, I try to create a classroom atmosphere where every student is encouraged to learn. A place where the question "Why?"is valued, not dismissed. A place where it is all right to be different. All students should come to school, not because they have to, but because they don't want to miss one magical, marvelous moment...
ReplyDeleteI find that is probably true. We spend more waking time with children than sometimes their parents do. With more communication between parents and the school these days, it is helpful when we know a family or child are going through a difficult time. It is always important to find something likable in each student and make sure all our students do not feel like a number, but a valued member of the community.
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