Fountain of Youth Vial #5 – Pursue Excellence but Remain Fluid

I know some teachers so in pursuit of excellence in knowledge that they lose excellence in teaching!

What does excellence in teaching mean to me?

  • My students are able to solve problems not just memorize answers.
  • My teaching evolves to use new tools in meaningful, effective ways.
  • My students use their mind and creativity in class.
    I can force students to sit in my class, I cannot force them to engage themselves and harness their creativity and excitement. When this happens, I reflect on how to do it again for to me it means I have done something excellent!
  • I understand my subject is part of a total knowledge base not a universe unto itself. In this vein, I cooperate with teachers in other departments on meaningful projects.
  • I am in synch with my student's lives, emotions, and state of mind.
  • I value education and commit to daily reading, learning, and contemplation.
  • I will attend every class, seminar, and event that is relevant with a good attitude and ready to learn. I will model the behavior I value in my students as I attend!
  • I will not have not-invented-here egotism that prohibits me from learning from those who know more than me or do things differently.l
  • My enthusiasm for my subject will show in unguarded passion as I teach.
  • I will provide timely if not immediate feedback to improve and correct as I am teaching. My students will know their average and how their grades affect that average. My gradebook will not be a bottomless cauldron of mystery from which a grade bubbles forth randomly at the end of the semester.
  • I will give ways for students to win and feel like winners! They will understand that their grade is controlled by their decisions to participate, study, and learn.
  • I will be excellent! I will know I've given my all! I will not quit until I feel that I am teaching each child!
  • As I teach I will be fluid! Let me explain:

I'm not talking about being flexible. A rubber band is flexible and it can snap! Fluid molds itself to its container.

When working with teenagers you must read them, understand them, and engage them. You must be excited! You must take your expertise in your subject and tailor it to the class learning styles, motivations, and ability level.

This is why I love the Socratic method. When you teach by asking questions, you mold your classroom instruction to the current knowledge base of your students. This does not mean that you randomly talk about whatever they want to discuss. You KNOW what needs to be taught. It is your job to direct the discussion, ask appropriate questions, and encourage response. This fluid method of teaching requires a lot from you but you reap great rewards in test results.

The students who make the highest grades in my Computer Science are those who participate in class discussions and take notes. This engages their voice, their fingers, their ears, and ultimately their minds.

This all sounds well and good and “lovey dovey” but what about achieving objectives?

I am as goal oriented as they come. I have a business and sales background and can rarely think of a time I haven't met my “goal” or “numbers” in business.

I've also never had a time when I didn't teach more than was required of me. I am intense!

If you're reading this and blogging then I can just about guarantee that you are an intense perfectionist! Most bloggers and blog readers now are early adopter type-A people. It is this type of person that must temper their perfectionism with a fluidity.

Slackers are fluid but must pursue excellence! You MUST have both!

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Vicki Davis

Vicki Davis

Vicki Davis is a full-time classroom teacher and IT Director in Georgia, USA. She is Mom of three, wife of one, and loves talking about the wise, transformational use of technology for teaching and doing good in the world. She hosts the 10 Minute Teacher Podcast which interviews teachers around the world about remarkable classroom practices to inspire and help teachers. Vicki focuses on what unites us -- a quest for truly remarkable life-changing teaching and learning. The goal of her work is to provide actionable, encouraging, relevant ideas for teachers that are grounded in the truth and shared with love. Vicki has been teaching since 2002 and blogging since 2005. Vicki has spoken around the world to inspire and help teachers reach their students. She is passionate about helping every child find purpose, passion, and meaning in life with a lifelong commitment to the joy and responsibility of learning. If you talk to Vicki for very long, she will encourage you to "Relate to Educate" or "innovate like a turtle" or to be "a remarkable teacher." She loves to talk to teachers who love their students and are trying to do their best. Twitter is her favorite place to share and she loves to make homemade sourdough bread and cinnamon rolls and enjoys running half marathons with her sisters. You can usually find her laughing with her students or digging into a book.

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3 comments

Rachel Previs February 22, 2006 - 5:07 pm

I read your blog, “Pursue Excellence but Remain Fluid.” Check out what I had to say on my own blog, Teaching to Learn, Learning to Teach. I really enjoy reading your blog; it always has great insights for pre-service teachers like myself!

Rachel Previs February 22, 2006 - 5:09 pm

I really enjoyed reading “Pursue Excellence but Remain Fluid. I think you always have great insights for pre-service teachers like myself. Check out my blog, Teaching to Learn, Learning to Teach to find out what I had to say!

Vicki A. Davis February 22, 2006 - 6:41 pm

Rachel wrote about this post on her blog.blog.

She has some very good questions about the Socratic method that I will try to answer in the future.

Comments are closed.

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Vicki Davis writes The Cool Cat Teacher Blog for classroom teachers everywhere
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