Have you ever driven down the road, looked in your side mirror with a quick shoulder check and proceeded to change lanes only to hear the blast of a horn beside you? The car was in your blind spot and you didn’t even see it. After that your heart races and you think, oops, next time I had better look closer.
Teaching is a lot the same way. We all have blind spots. I may get up to teach a seminar and I have no idea that I am repeating the phrase ‘Does that make sense?’ about 50 million times. The students may be painfully aware though as they stop paying attention to what I am saying and start counting how many times I say something. We’ve all heard teachers like this :)
This past week (and for the next two) we have learned about teaching: how to do it, how not to do it, we have had to do it, and we have been evaluated on how we do it. It has been an AMAZING week so far, and while it hurts the pride hearing about those blind spots, it is much better than swiping the car (or hindering students learning). I could write a lot about this past week, but one thing I have learned is to ‘not say too much or you will say nothing at all.’ So I want to share that anyone who is a teacher, or who would aspire to teach, should read the book ‘7 Laws of the Learner’ by Bruce Wilkinson. It has already revolutionized the way I will forever teach in the future and I am only half way through. This book is highly worth the investment of time and money! If I had only done Titus Project to be recommended this book it would have all been worth it! Whether you have never taught but want to or have been teaching for years, this book should be the next on your list of books to read!
Okay, I am now done advertising for this book- don’t worry I wasn’t paid a thing:) You can see it on the booklist on the side.
Have a great week everyone! For those in Winnipeg, try to stay warm, we notice that it has been FREEZING!!
Teaching Adventures 