Three Popular Reads: Key Takeaways for Teachers
As an educator, school holidays provide a precious opportunity to step back, recharge, and dive into some of the pleasures you don’t have time for during the term. For me, that’s reading.
The following three books are some of the most read books in the world of leadership and education. Here are my bite-sized summaries of these enlightening reads, each offering valuable insights for educators and leaders alike.
Creative Schools by Ken Robinson and Lou Aronica, The 5:00 AM Club by Robin Sharma, and The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
Well that year went fast
The pandemic has taught us the importance of being adaptable and flexible in our approach to teaching and we made many advances during the COVID years. However it has been disappointing that some teachers reverted to traditional approaches and styles of teaching once students returned to in-person learning.
In some ways this year was tougher than the previous two. I like many other educators were not ‘match fit’ and I have never seen staff more tired than I did during this year.
Public Speaking for Teachers
Public speaking, it is commonly said, is one of the most pervasive fears (in some surveys, second only to death). It is estimated that 75% of all people suffer from fear of public speaking. In teacher training, speaking skills are rarely taught in any formal sense, which may increase anxiety. Yet public speaking is one of the most important skills for teachers hence a skill which is commonly tested—from classes to formal presentations in staff meetings.
Teaching is the most versatile profession in the world. Change my mind!
Before I convince you that teachers require the widest range of skills of any profession, I want to clarify some things first.
I am not saying it’s the most difficult, dangerous, back breaking, or demanding job in the world (though at times it can feel like all those things). What I am proposing is a teaching day has so much variety, that the talents you need to succeed go well beyond what you would see in a position description.
What holiday teacher are you?
As teachers in Australia settle into the third week of their summer holidays, all of them will be treating the break differently. While some will have completely left the classroom behind, others will be reading this article while planning for 2021.
So, what type of ‘Holiday Teacher’ are you?
The students have gone quiet
Is it just me or do schools sound different since the return of students from remote learning? There seems to be a hush about the place. A volume that classroom walls are not a custom to hearing.
I thought maybe it was just my school, however after conversations with fellow Victorian colleague’s, and my wife who is also a teacher, it seems fairly common across schools
1 Second Everyday: A year in the life of a teacher
In 2018, when I was in my previous role as Head of Performing Arts, I took on the goal of filming myself at school for 1 second everyday.
This project served a few purposes. For me personally it was form of journaling and a great tool for reflection at the end of the year. For my school, it was a great way to promote what we do in the performing arts, and as teachers in general.
Article: School ‘refusers’ thriving in remote learning environment
Here in Melbourne we are entering week 20 of remote learning. While it has become second nature and I feel I am getting better at it, and as I wrote about in a previous blog, I still miss having myself students with me in a classroom. However there are some students who would be more than happy to stay at home.
Teaching and the virus ?
Like many teachers around the world, I have spent most of 2020 teaching remotely. Talking to my computer screen, day after day, has become my new normal. In fact, I am struggling to remember what it is like to teach in the classroom.
