This was an interesting read. I’ve been teaching in Saskatoon for 27 years. I often try to convey the complexity of teaching to non-teachers. You’ve really captured some of the complexity in this post. Teachers know that students learn deeply when they care about the material and they see it as important and relevant to themselves. They feed off of the enthusiasm of the teacher. Complex kiddos, with trauma, are often difficult to reach and teachers can feel whether or not that student is connected to the teacher, the classroom, and the material. We know that we can’t help students make gains when they are shutdown. Your post has made me more aware of why, and that we need more trauma informed pd. We also need smaller class sizes so that we aren’t burning teachers out.
Vince, I love your writing skills. I am a retired educator who still highly values the importance of supporting learning, and look forward to reading more from you.
I believe that the old aphorism applies, "They don't care how much you know until they know how much you care".
I think the huge class sizes we’re seeing in Alberta make the kind of teaching you’re describing increasingly difficult. As a teacher I can be kind in a general way even to a class of 35 or so grade 5 students. But tailoring that kindness to individual needs and interests becomes increasingly difficult.
This was an interesting read. I’ve been teaching in Saskatoon for 27 years. I often try to convey the complexity of teaching to non-teachers. You’ve really captured some of the complexity in this post. Teachers know that students learn deeply when they care about the material and they see it as important and relevant to themselves. They feed off of the enthusiasm of the teacher. Complex kiddos, with trauma, are often difficult to reach and teachers can feel whether or not that student is connected to the teacher, the classroom, and the material. We know that we can’t help students make gains when they are shutdown. Your post has made me more aware of why, and that we need more trauma informed pd. We also need smaller class sizes so that we aren’t burning teachers out.
Thank you for that. Glad it shed some light on the situation in the classroom. Yes, smaller class sizes would help!
Vince, I love your writing skills. I am a retired educator who still highly values the importance of supporting learning, and look forward to reading more from you.
I believe that the old aphorism applies, "They don't care how much you know until they know how much you care".
I think the huge class sizes we’re seeing in Alberta make the kind of teaching you’re describing increasingly difficult. As a teacher I can be kind in a general way even to a class of 35 or so grade 5 students. But tailoring that kindness to individual needs and interests becomes increasingly difficult.
I don’t disagree.