The chapter that really stood out
to me in this week’s module was chapter one. It was all about the importance of
being a competent teacher and how much of an impact a teacher can have on their
students. One of the vocabulary words that really stuck out to me was the
definition of the phrase Teachers’ sense of efficacy. Woolfolk defined it as “A
teachers’ belief that he or she can reach even the most difficult students and
help them learn” (Woolfolk, 2019, p.5). I feel as if this an incredibly
important trait for teachers to have because every student needs to feel that
their teacher will give them 110% at all times and never give up on them.
I have experienced many teachers in
the past who are so willing to just give up on difficult students and are not
willing to go the extra mile to make sure each student gets what they need to
succeed. It truly breaks my heart. Which brings me on to another part of
chapter one that really resonated with me. Woolfolk wrote “So students with
significant behavior problems in the early years are less likely to have
problems later in school if their first teachers are sensitive to their needs
and provide frequent, consistent feedback” (Woolfolk, 2019, p.8). This
statement really makes me think back on all of the difficult students that I
have crossed paths with throughout my life and makes me wonder how they could
have turned out differently if their early teachers would have been more aware
of the needs of that individual student. If those students had been given just
a little bit more attention or one-on-one time, maybe they wouldn’t be labeled
a “difficult child”. I think this section will have a huge impact on my own
teaching because it will be a constant reminder and all children are different
and all have different needs and that I need to be aware of these needs in
order to give each child the education they deserve.
One final thing that really stuck
out to me was in chapter 3 on page 83 of our Woolfolk book where she described
all the different types of parents. I found this to be intriguing because I don’t
think my own parents belong under any of these certain categories. I would
label my parents as a mix between Authoritative, Authoritarian, and Permissive
parents. My parents are very high warmth, they always give my siblings and I a
lot of attention. They are also very high control, even though we are all
adults now. Which kind of leads into how they are low autonomy as well, they
like to be in control of our lives and never really expect us to take care of
ourselves. Finally, they have extremely low expectations. They’ve never forced
us to get phenomenal grades. They have always just told us to try our best and
that is good enough for them. Looking back, although there are some things I
would change, I would love to be the kind of parent that my parents were for
me.
I couldn't agree more, Steph! I also loved the quote, "A teachers’ belief that he or she can reach even the most difficult students and help them learn.” Chapter 1 was filled with so many insights on how to be a good teacher. We can't only focus our efforts on "good" students. We need to give all of our students the skills and attention they need to succeed. I know this is easier said than done, but it all begins with the right mindset to allow yourself to be a successful teacher. You can learn how to be a teacher, but if you don't have the right outlook and if you're not going into the field for the right reasons, you will only be a disservice to your students.
ReplyDeleteHey Stephanie,
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you that often teachers are quick to give up on difficult students. I experience this every day as a para educator in function preschool. Other teachers are quick to have my teacher intervene in their classrooms because they don't know how to handle behaviors. From my experiences these students just need a little more understanding. The students are not at the socieophysical development stage due to delays and are still expected to preform at the same level as a non-delayed student. Its obvious to think that the student would then be set of towards more emotion or physical upset.
-Ashley Neven