Teaching Teachers

How do you teach someone whose job it is to teach others? How do you instruct the instructor in a way that promotes growth and incites excitement among educators? How do you evoke urgency in professional development?

A colleague of mine had always done an activity in his class called "Teach the Teacher." He would allow each student in his class (junior/intermediate) an opportunity to choose a skill or talent they had and teach it to him. He would try to learn the skill and then demonstrate it in front of the class. The students loved the chance to be the teacher and control the focus of the activity. Plus, he lowered his 'guard' to show a person who is willing to learn and take risks. These are the kinds of things that we need in our classroom practice.

Teachers are inherently critical when being taught (as experts in the field). They are appalled by workshops delivered in a single-sense focus (i.e. auditory => listening to a speaker), since they are constantly be asked to incorporate differentiated techniques with multi-sensory approaches in their daily lessons. I've attended differentiated instruction workshops that were more of a sit and listen - instead of actually using DI to show the potential of a lesson format. To avoid these hypocritical types of situations, it is vital that presenters of workshops are using the latest and most effective techniques themselves to 'hook' teachers - just as we are attempting to hook students.

At the end of the day, teachers are academics who have chosen to teach as a career - and vocation. They are self-directed learners who crave knowledge in many different ways and are willing to invest a great amount of time and energy to hone their repertoire in the classroom. Give them respect in your workshops by providing a forum for their opinions. In my experience, most professional development comes from collegial discussions and experimenting in your practice - not initiatives delivered 'top-down.' We all want to do an effective job and then receive the recognition in some way of our prowess and victory. Whether this credit comes as an administrative 'thank you' card, a kind note from a parent, or a smile from a struggling student - it allows you to keep things in perspective in these times of change.

Create the "Cool"

Last week something happened to me at home that reinforced things that teachers need to do. It all started when my son (who wasn't feeling well) wanted to wear his "NASCAR pyjamas." Great idea - but they have short sleeves in a sometimes drafty house. "You could wear your housecoat," Mom said. "No. I don't want to wear it," he protested. After some time sulking on the floor and finishing his fit, I got involved. Remembering that I have a housecoat (which I never wear), I put it on and starting 'selling' it. "Wow. This is SO warm and comfy! We're so lucky to get to wear housecoats at night-time. Hey, we both can wear housecoats and watch a show together before bed. That would be so cool!" I hope you sense the three-year-old tone in these comments. Being a parent causes you to build up a vast wealth of comments and tactics that work in times of crisis. After my sales pitch finished, he put on the housecoat and we went downstairs together. Fit forgotten, on with the show. It reminded me of that scene from "Billy Madison" when Sandler wets himself to protect the kid who had done it and then sells it to all the other kids as the thing they should do to be 'cool.' Luckily, I did not have to wet myself. But I did solve the problem and used a new method to do it.

We create the cool in our classrooms. Even intermediates want to fit in and belong when they sit in your chairs and rest on your desktops. If they can't be reached with your lesson - their friends maybe can. Use them as the social hook that will allow them to engage just long enough to see that they enjoy what you're doing. We can redefine 'the cool' in any situation if there is enough confidence and flare behind it. It is a sales pitch and they have all become accustomed to the techniques of advertising through countless media vehicles. They will recognize what you are attempting to do and either buy in or dismiss it. Just be prepared to move on with or without the disgruntled and wait to see if they tag along for the ride (even if solely to socialize with their friends).