Greetings!
Today, I'm writing about one of my favorite subjects, the power of teachers. I've said it before, but I can never say it enough--teachers and leaders make a difference everyday, even when it doesn't feel like it. In fact, I think on those days we don't feel like we are accomplishing anything that we probably make the most difference.
Also, as you plan professional development for next year, please feel free to contact me at (609) 474-4677 or [email protected]. Or, if you know someone in another school or district, please share with them. If you've already been to one of my workshops, my new book, Rigor in Your Classroom: A Rigor Toolkit is a great book study for next year to use as a follow-up! You can use code RYC20 for a 20% off discount throug h May 31. |
What Teachers Make
by Taylor Mali
I was at a dinner party and another person says the problem with teachers is What's a kid going to learn
from someone who decided his best option in life
was to become a teacher? He reminds the other dinner guests that it's true what they say about teachers:
Those who can, do; those who can't, teach. I decide to bite my tongue instead of his and resist the temptation to remind the dinner guests that it's also true what they say about lawyers. Because we're eating, after all, and this is polite conversation. I mean, you're a teacher, Taylor. Be honest. What do you make?
You want to know what I make? I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could. I can make a C+ feel like a Congressional Medal of Honor and an A-�- feel like a slap in the face. How dare you waste my time
with anything less than your very best. I make kids sit through 40 minutes of study hall in absolute silence. No, you may not work in groups. No, you may not ask a question. Why won't I let you go to the bathroom? Because you're bored. And you don't really have to go to the bathroom, do you? I make parents tremble in fear when I call home: Hi. This is Mr. Mali. I hope I haven't called at a bad time, I just wanted to talk to you about something your son said today. To the biggest bully in the grade, he said, "Leave the kid alone. I still cry sometimes, don't you? It's no big deal." And that was noblest act of courage I have ever seen. I make parents see their children for who they are and what they can be. You want to know what I make? I make kids wonder,
I make them question. I make them criticize. I make them apologize and mean it. I make them write. I make them read, read, read. I make them spell definitely beautiful, definitely beautiful, definitely beautiful
over and over and over again until they will never misspell either one of those words again. I make them show all their work in math and hide it on their final drafts in English. I make them understand that if you've got this, then you follow this, and if someone ever tries to judge you by what you make, you give them this.
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Principal's Perspective
How important is motivating teachers to succeed? It's critical. As one principal told me, "One of my top jobs is to help my teachers feel like they are making a difference with their students and removing their barriers to success."
How can we do this? By noticing what teachers are doing and telling them how they are making a difference. You can do this privately with a comment, or publicly by sharing it in front of the faculty. Also, I've found a handwritten notes makes a world of difference for a teacher.
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