This post has everything to do with education, however I need to set it up a bit...bear with me!
I am sure that most of you can identify with, and be able to answer "Yes" to the following...have you ever known someone who says only the things they think you want to hear? Or...someone who validates you face to face, then talks dirt behind your back? Talks out both sides of their mouth? You can recognize these animals by their two faces. I am sure you know at least one.
I am sure that if I asked a room full of one hundred people "Who in here knows a liar?" One hundred hands would shoot up! Equally, if I asked the same room full of people "Who has ever told a lie?" One hundred hands...straight up!
What about that other person you know (We all know at least one) who smiles on the surface, and speaks in sugary tones, yet writhes with contempt underneath. You know? The phony. You can usually recognize this animal by their sickeningly sweet demeanor. This is not to say that all sweet people are phonies...just the ones who wield their charms to get what they want.
How about the "Holier than thou" clan? Bet you know some like this also. These are the animals who rate themselves superior to everyone else. These are the pompous ones who speak, but rarely listen. You can recognize these animals by their constant expounding on professionalism, or their tenured status. These animals believe that they are all that AND a bag of chips. They also believe that because they have been a teacher for more than a decade or two, they are a better teacher than anyone who has less time in. What these animals don't realize is that length of stay is not definitive proof of how good someone is at something, it only really proves that a person has it going on in the longevity department, or that they have excellent staying power! Of course, it could also mean that these animals are at least intelligent enough to know that they can't do anything else.
the animals above are not exclusive to education...they are everywhere. It takes all kinds to make a world, right? However...a wolf in sheep's clothing does not a good educator make (How's that for grammar?)
I mentioned this already in another post, but I feel it is important enough to mention again. We educators must be honest. Not just the kind of honesty associated with NOT telling a lie. We must be honest in all things. We must be able and willing to not only say what is just and true, but also to say what isn't. For instance, if an educator administers a test, and half of the students fail it...that educator should be able to say to the class...
You didn't fail, I failed you! Now lets get rid of that test, and begin again.
Blaming the kids for failing is not an option...not in my classroom!
Educators must also be able and willing to open themselves to their students. If we want our students to open up to us, we must be willing to do the same.
Regarding the kid who chronically fidgets, or blurts, or talks during a lesson...talking dirt behind that kid's back to anyone willing to listen does nothing, but bother the listener, and make an ass out of you! No matter how frustrated an educator might get, suck it up! Remember...they are YOUR kids. Your students should each believe that you "Got their backs!"
Finally, there are educators out there who treat their kids like serfs. "Do as I say and not as I do!" They command from on high, demand only the highest grades at any cost, and punish simply because they know they can. Hey, I believe in consequences too, but...incentives are mountain movers. Praise and privledge promises productivity!
I am certainly not perfect. Over the years I have made my fair share of mistakes as an educator. In the future, I will make many more. I am a human animal too. Within the walls of my classroom, however is a safe haven. A place where mistakes are shared, and triumphs celebrated. I hide nothing from my kids. They see that I am unafraid to admit when I am wrong, or have made a mistake. This allows my students to follow suit.
With me...what you see is what you get. Kids know a phony...maybe not consciously, but they know. Your students will know that you are Real, and the genuine article if you are honest.
Lastly (For real), you must lead by example. This isn't a bogus, over used statement...it is truth! If you want your kids to follow the rules, you must follow them also. I will never forget what happened a few years ago when I shared recess duty with a fellow teacher. We were monitoring our kids while they played, and talking about this, that, and the other. She was chewing gum...she always chewed gum! Anyway, she blew her whistle, and her kids began to line up. As one of her kids ran by she noticed he was chewing gum. She stopped him, told him to spit it out, and then stated that she was going to take his recess away the next day. I stood there thinking...are you freaking kidding me?
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