It's November already

Wow - it has been over a month since I last posted. It's a busy time of the year after all, but something happened today that I wanted to reflect upon.

A student took the time to phone me to say how much she had enjoyed the class she had just completed with me and another Teacher. The things she liked about the class were the informality, the fun, the involved style of learning that allows students to contribute and learn from each other. She likes the fact that we as Teachers are not intimidating, are friendly and seem to enjoy the classes too.

What is good for that student is also good for us as Teachers. Teaching is about relationships to me. Unless a learner feels safe enough in the learning environment to try new behaviours, new patterns of thinking, how is s/he to learn? Respect in the classroom is a foundation. There is definitely room for humour that does not denigrate or humiliate too.

And I wonder how long I would continue to be a Teacher if it was not enjoyable? It is rewarding to me to see the changes in people's thinking, in their expanding horizons.

They expand my horizons too.

Post-Profiler Training Reflections

It's the week after I comlpeted my profiler training. What a difference that week made. I really was doubting that I would be able to synthesise the data from the first week and make sense of everything. The second week really consolidated the learning for me and I now feel comfortable being a profiler. I just hope I get plenty of practice from people asking me into their classrooms. It is invigorating to have a space to talk about teaching in a professional manner....

More later - am in the middle of downloading an update on Mozilla Firefox!