Chapter 1-Know Where Your Studentsd Are (Pages 27-40)
How many of us know Keisha? The one who totally is turned off in my class, but is performing for someone else. Why is that? We have the same students, but we see her in a completely different light. I like the idea of capital and currency. Getting students to understand the currencies in our classes allows them the opportunity to gain capital. I like this statement " Most classroom problems have at their root a disconnection between the teacher's preferred form of currency and the students' ".
How do we view our teaching - as gardening, coaching, shaping or leading on a journey? I think Dr. Sedlacek's 8 characteristics are very good points on page 35-36. The exercise on page 37 is very interesting with students bringing in unlabeled shopping bags about themselves and their interests.
The "study group"on page 38 is interesting. Students helping others with all types of problems, in and out of the classroom. I know how many times you are asked what the homework assignment was from Johnny who has missed the last 3 days. What if Johnny went to his supprt group for that info?
Last thought for the day because this really hit home. As an English teacher, I harped on things like subject-verb agreement and proper uses of nouns and pronouns. I then went out on the football field and usually broke every rule I had emphasized that day. Only did I let students see me in a "real" light, did I have success with this. Their is a proper way to use the king's english, but by golly, you do not have to carry on in an unrealistic way to get the message across.
Through for the day. Will pick up later this week to finish up Chapter 1. Many thanks to all of you who have gotten involved. Keep up the good work

Introduction and Assessment

Some thoughts about the intro.
1. Anyone can become a master teacher with the right kind of practice
2. Master teachers spend more time thinking about why the problem is occurring than they do trying to find solutions
3. Meaningful reflection is critical to honing and refining your teaching craft
4. The 7 mastery principles on page 4 relate more to a common teaching sense

Mastery Self Assessment - I scored 163. I realize that the "old school' mindset crept back into my thinking. I am more reactive than proactive in identifying problems and addressing students' needs

Greetings, everyone. As someone who is new to the blogging world, and even to a great part of the technology world, I am having a blast as I learn how to spread the word. I have created this blog as we begin our journey into the book study of "Never Work Harder Than Your Students" by Robyn Jackson.
I would like for you to read the preface and introduction and respond back to me after taking the Mastery Self Assessment on pages 7-21 . See where you are on the scoring sheet and give yourself an overall score.
Also, what is "the gift"? Who do you know that has it? How did they get it? Were they born with it or was it learned?