Comments on: Slow Down! http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/slow-down/ Providing HOPE for educators since 2007 Wed, 13 Apr 2011 17:59:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Joelhttp://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/slow-down/#comment-1789 Joel Sat, 15 Mar 2008 20:59:45 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/slow-down/#comment-1789 I went to the other director's house for dinner this Thursday. He has now completed his third week back on half days and has been cleared for full days again beginning after spring break. He told me that he saw one of my students in Wal Mart this week. She never sees him in class, but she thanked him for coming back. She said I was frustrated with him being gone and was taking it out on the band. It's true. I am much more peaceful now than I was three weeks ago! Him being back helps a lot, and my decision to take things much more calmly. I went to the other director’s house for dinner this Thursday. He has now completed his third week back on half days and has been cleared for full days again beginning after spring break. He told me that he saw one of my students in Wal Mart this week.

She never sees him in class, but she thanked him for coming back. She said I was frustrated with him being gone and was taking it out on the band. It’s true. I am much more peaceful now than I was three weeks ago! Him being back helps a lot, and my decision to take things much more calmly.

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]]> By: Pathttp://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/slow-down/#comment-1773 Pat Thu, 13 Mar 2008 10:43:19 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/slow-down/#comment-1773 And it is important to enjoy the act of teaching! Great post! I hope the rest of the year goes more smoothly for you. And it is important to enjoy the act of teaching! Great post! I hope the rest of the year goes more smoothly for you.

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]]> By: Miss Profehttp://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/slow-down/#comment-1765 Miss Profe Sun, 09 Mar 2008 18:45:34 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/slow-down/#comment-1765 Joel, this post really resonates with me as a Spanish teacher. Additionally, I am a perfectionist, and so I talk a lot about what my students need to do, what they don't do, correcting, re-stating, re-explaining, as opposed to allowing them to simply do. Your post forced me to reflect on the impact of my style, especially with students who are anxious learners, with LD, etc. I also need to slow it down for my own health and well-being. Joel, this post really resonates with me as a Spanish teacher. Additionally, I am a perfectionist, and so I talk a lot about what my students need to do, what they don’t do, correcting, re-stating, re-explaining, as opposed to allowing them to simply do. Your post forced me to reflect on the impact of my style, especially with students who are anxious learners, with LD, etc. I also need to slow it down for my own health and well-being.

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]]> By: Joelhttp://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/slow-down/#comment-1756 Joel Fri, 07 Mar 2008 03:18:20 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/slow-down/#comment-1756 I had no idea we had so many coaches and those sorts of people reading the blog. That's awesome! I had no idea we had so many coaches and those sorts of people reading the blog. That’s awesome!

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]]> By: Newbyhttp://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/slow-down/#comment-1713 Newby Sun, 24 Feb 2008 16:48:52 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/slow-down/#comment-1713 As coaches and teachers it is so important to let our students/athletes know that they can do it. I know this seems so obvious, but as a former athlete who competed through most of my youth through college, I have been on the front lines of coaches and parents attitudes that have directly influenced the belief in myself. Students without a doubt feed off of the energy we put forth regardless of how we feel they perceive things. I was very hard on myself and I can say that though she was nervous at times, my college coach was extremely effective in instilling confidence in us that we could make things happen even if she and we all felt that things had not gone well the week before. It is those times that we all felt we accomplished something great even if the outcome was not a win. Clearly we do not know everything that is going on in our students/athletes minds. Some may act out or portray apathy in response to sheer and utter nervousness, you never know. The point I am trying to make is that consistency on our part is imperative for the success of our students especially during the more stressful times. Confidence breeds confidence and we take on challenges not necessarily for winning (though we try like crazy to do it) but for the sheer knowledge that we are capable of the work that would get us there. As coaches and teachers it is so important to let our students/athletes know that they can do it. I know this seems so obvious, but as a former athlete who competed through most of my youth through college, I have been on the front lines of coaches and parents attitudes that have directly influenced the belief in myself. Students without a doubt feed off of the energy we put forth regardless of how we feel they perceive things. I was very hard on myself and I can say that though she was nervous at times, my college coach was extremely effective in instilling confidence in us that we could make things happen even if she and we all felt that things had not gone well the week before. It is those times that we all felt we accomplished something great even if the outcome was not a win.

Clearly we do not know everything that is going on in our students/athletes minds. Some may act out or portray apathy in response to sheer and utter nervousness, you never know. The point I am trying to make is that consistency on our part is imperative for the success of our students especially during the more stressful times. Confidence breeds confidence and we take on challenges not necessarily for winning (though we try like crazy to do it) but for the sheer knowledge that we are capable of the work that would get us there.

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]]> By: Ms. Mizehttp://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/slow-down/#comment-1712 Ms. Mize Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:21:01 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/slow-down/#comment-1712 I agree. Slowing down is important. I can tell if I have been too busy. My housekeeping is lacking, which makes me uncomfortable at home. I also, tend to be more intense. I was recently reflecting on this after a cheerleading competition. I was very intense which has can negative effect on my athletes. It didn't help that one of my athletes was an hour and twenty minutes late. The team had prepared for the competition since last summer. I just needed to chill out and enjoy the day because my demeanor will determine the demeanor of my athletes and could have a negative effect on the performance. We got third that day which was great! I have to be aware of my demeanor and let my passion for excellence and success be an encouragement to my students or athletes. I have to keep in mind that we compete because it is fun and that my athletes have a desire to do their best! I agree. Slowing down is important. I can tell if I have been too busy. My housekeeping is lacking, which makes me uncomfortable at home. I also, tend to be more intense. I was recently reflecting on this after a cheerleading competition. I was very intense which has can negative effect on my athletes. It didn’t help that one of my athletes was an hour and twenty minutes late. The team had prepared for the competition since last summer. I just needed to chill out and enjoy the day because my demeanor will determine the demeanor of my athletes and could have a negative effect on the performance. We got third that day which was great! I have to be aware of my demeanor and let my passion for excellence and success be an encouragement to my students or athletes. I have to keep in mind that we compete because it is fun and that my athletes have a desire to do their best!

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