Discovering Your Why as a Teacher?
Sometimes teaching may feel overwhelming. You may have so many "things" that need to get done. Did you turn your lesson plans into your principal? Did you remember to give the math assessment to the child who was gone last week? Are your substitute plans done for the day you are going to that reading conference? Do you have all your parent-teacher conferences scheduled? Did you call Little Timmy's mom about how he has been acting extra sad lately?
The list of things that you need to get done could go on and on. If you find yourself thinking this way, it may be time to change your focus. I don't teach because I have to give assessments or because I love teaching math. I don't teach because I love parent-teacher conferences. I teach because of my "WHY". My "why" is that I truly believe that each child can succeed academically, socially, and emotionally and I want to do everything to get them there.
Many people live life looking at "what" they have to accomplish without knowing "why" they have to do those things. When you look at the "why" of each task, you may feel a greater sense of purpose to that task. It will no longer feel like just a boring task, but something that is there to help you reach your "why".
Most people in society look at a task/job by starting at the "WHAT" like this:
Most people in society look at a task/job by starting at the "WHAT" like this:
What: I have to give assessments. It is apart of the curriculum.
How: I have to give them weekly.
Why: That's how the curriculum works.
BUT... GREAT LEADERS ALWAYS START WITH THE "WHY" LIKE THIS...
Why: I want my student to succeed academically.
How: I am going to give them lots of 1-on-1 time to reteach the topics if they need it.
What: I am going to give him an assessment when he is ready to show what he now knows and celebrate his growth!
To learn more about this concept please watch this Ted Talk by Simon Sinek.
How: I have to give them weekly.
Why: That's how the curriculum works.
BUT... GREAT LEADERS ALWAYS START WITH THE "WHY" LIKE THIS...
Why: I want my student to succeed academically.
How: I am going to give them lots of 1-on-1 time to reteach the topics if they need it.
What: I am going to give him an assessment when he is ready to show what he now knows and celebrate his growth!
To learn more about this concept please watch this Ted Talk by Simon Sinek.
Your visual aid contributes to the concept greatly! Reading the "to do" questions in the beginning of your blog made me anxious, how do you remind yourself to stick to the WHY when "stuff" is piling?
ReplyDeleteSometimes the "Why"actually helps me realize that the little "whats" don't actually need to get done. Will it make a huge difference in my student's learning if I do not correct their DOLs one week? Nope.
DeleteWhat are your indicators for success in looking at your "Why" first?
ReplyDeleteWhat are some indicators that you are successful in achieving your "why"?
ReplyDelete