Category: The Transformed Teacher

Let’s go fly a kite.
This is a short post. Know why? It’s the end of the semester and I’m doing the unthinkable. The unspeakable. It’s practically taboo in academia. What is this complete insanity? Continue reading “THE TRANSFORMED TEACHER – Avoiding workplace burnout: the essential tool”

Spring Fever
Spring has sprung. My spring fever for spring cleaning is in full swing. I have a strong urge to spruce up my class. Revisions – yes! Bring it on! I’ve learned oodles in Gateways-ND, and I’m itching to apply my new knowledge to help students, improve course outcomes, and inspire young people to become lifelong learners so they can expand their minds, achieve world peace, save the planet, and live long and prosper (triumphant fist pump)! I rub my hands together and stare at my files. Hmmm….I have LOTS of files…and documents…and assignments…and assessments…and……………………. Continue reading “THE TRANSFORMED TEACHER – How to Make a Mountain into a Molehill”

Inspirational and aspirational models.
You’ve all seen them. You all know one. Uber-teachers. The ultimate guides-on-the-sides. The ones who’ve been gifted with the ability to effortlessly engage, enrapture, and educate their students. Without sweating (or swearing). Without the slightest twinge of unease. They know all about group work, and have group discussions down to an art. Their enthusiasm knows no bounds. They are a delight to behold and everybody loves them.

Is this the teaching ideal I should strive for?
Continue reading “THE TRANSFORMED TEACHER – Self-growth in academia: support sandwich evolution!”

Flashback.
I wrote a post in mid-October called, ‘Group work part 1 – Let’s get real.’ It focused on how students feel about group work, and using part 1 in the title implied there was going to be a part 2. I’m delivering on that promise. Continue reading “THE TRANSFORMED TEACHER – Group work (pt. 2). What’s in a name?”

Out with the old, in with the new.
Last year is gone, and this year is here. The new year brings promise, hope, and grumbles as we struggle to remember the correct date. It also brings the spring semester! Soon we’ll step into Continue reading “THE TRANSFORMED TEACHER – Top 10 List for Day 1”

Change? Yikes!
Even for the most progressive educators, changing how we do things can be challenging. For some of us, even the mere mention of change can provoke panic. If you like to stay in your comfort zone, Continue reading “THE TRANSFORMED TEACHER – 5 Steps to Changing Behavior”

Down in the doldrums.
Ugh. Here we are. The middle of the semester. SIGH. The crazed enthusiasm of a new beginning has worn away. The end of the semester is an eternity away. Getting enthused about learning, participating in discussions, even getting to class seems like a colossal effort. And that’s just us teachers!

It doesn’t help that Continue reading “THE TRANSFORMED TEACHER – Stuck in the middle (of the semester) with me”

Rah-rah, go team!
Glass half-full time! Working in groups (a.k.a. teamwork) is a good thing. It can build basic life skills that are needed in virtually every workplace (and for successfully co-existing on planet Earth). I found these stories about why teamwork is important positively magical. And peer learning is a key component of student-focused teaching strategies. Go teamwork, hooray!

But wait, what about the glass half-empty?
Continue reading “THE TRANSFORMED TEACHER – Group work (pt. 1). Let’s get real.”

The silent inquisition.
My 2-year-old is an inquisitive tyke. Why can’t I pick my nose? Why can’t I pick my sister’s nose? Why are you yelling at me for picking the dog’s nose? WHY, WHY, WHY? All. Day. Long.

At least he asks me for explanations. Apparently muteness, possibly with an aura of sullenness or the occasional withering glare, develops in the teen years.

Students in my class represent a strange hybrid of inquisitive toddlers and taciturn teens. When I introduce assignments or activities, Continue reading “THE TRANSFORMED TEACHER – Justifying just makes life easier”