In Praise of Teachers

Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears

I come to praise teachers not to bury them.

     Okay, maybe those weren't the famous words of Marcus Antonius but I think I can make a compelling case for why they should be. And no, this is not going to be a rant designed to sway the views of anyone engaged in the myriad of teacher disputes that seem so prevalent today. Instead it is my homage to the group that I feel carries the most sway and creates the greatest benefits for our society today. Teachers are the difference makers, they are the game changers, and they are the folks who have the strongest impact on the communities of the future. It's long past the time where they should be acknowledged as such. Regardless of whom you might admire and regardless of that individual's field of endeavour, it's very likely a teacher started them on their course. Yes, I'm aware of the exceptions - the self made geniuses - but those folks are the exceptions. Just like the world's oldest man who, upon being asked the secret to his longevity, confesses to a shot of scotch and a daily cigar, anomalies abound. The general rule is that a teacher somewhere started the ball rolling.

     The role of the teacher has taken on a much greater complexity than when I was a student. Perhaps one of the biggest differences has to do with the nature of the students making up todays' classroom. When I went to school, the vast majority of the population "looked like me". It was a pretty homogenous population. Students that were different in any way went to specialized schools and were rarely seen in the public school. My children went to school with students from across the spectrum of needs and learned valuable skills as a result. I believe they got a better education as a result of ALL students being integrated into the public school and I will continue to champion full integration as the correct model. However, it does bring a unique set of challenges that seemingly escapes those who reminisce for the good old days where classes of 40 students were acceptable. As alluded to earlier, this may have been okay (although I highly doubt the effectiveness) when the group was fairly similar but it no longer works today. A recent visit to a grade 7 classroom brought this to light. The teacher had 30 students including one whose behaviour is quite severe and is marked by regular outbursts that include swearing and throwing desks. The teacher manages this with a gentle, supportive manner while also having the remaining 29 students on task and learning valuable skills of empathy and support. This is not to suggest that the remaining students do not also pose the occasional challenges but does underscore what's different in classrooms today. It's also why comparisons to a different era are irrelevant and serve only to confuse the issue and add to a negative portrayal that is both unfair and unfortunate.

     I am thankful to the many teachers who have made significant contributions to my life and have provided the foundation that has allowed me to achieve many things. The early predictors were not always so positive and I know some great teachers challenged those and provided a spark that set a better path in place. Mr. Mullahoo, Mr. Springer, Mrs. Fainsilber, Mr Huberman, and Mr. Cheyne all left positive impressions with me and they did so without ever knowing if their good efforts would take hold. I am thrilled that my youngest daughter has entered the teacher education program and I know she will be a difference maker. We don't talk about salary as she (like most teachers) is not entering the profession to become rich but instead to provide a richness to the lives of others.

"You want to know what I make?

I'm a teacher, and I make a difference"

* last line from the book "What Do You Make?" by Tom Hierck

Let's Eliminate Rewards (From Our Lexicon)

There is no way to achieve educational excellence in a school where purposes are blurred 

(Ernest Boyer)

     Some of the best conversations I've engaged in lately center around the topic of rewards. A recent blog (http://soc.li/YWFpeYO) by Dr. Richard Curwin brought the topic to the fore once again. Curwin's writing has been influential throughout my career and is reflected in my beliefs on this topic so it was refreshing to see how he frames some of the debate. More on that later in this post. His post also resonated with colleague and co-author Chris Weber (@Chi_educate). We've tried to strike the right balance in our book (http://tinyurl.com/3bxuyes) that speaks to the realities we face in schools today. Chris suggested that he is never going "to use the word 'rewards' again" because rewards are conditional (if you do this, then you'll get that). His intent is instead to "catch students being good" because that's "appreciation". The challenge posed by Boyer's quote above is that we need to have a degree of consistency across the school that is borne out of reflective dialogue amongst the educators.


     These common expectations are more than just rules; they create a vision of the end we have in mind and reflect core values. They should reflect the notion that we ought to spend more time on the positive reinforcement of appropriate behaviors than on the identification of negative ones. Curwin talks about this as showing appreciation. His belief is that "we have a responsibility and obligation as teachers to evaluate students' academic performance and behavior." How we do these evaluations and what we do with the information we gain are the critical pieces. Curwin speaks to the difference "between manipulating students to behave in a certain way by giving them things when they comply, and expressing true feelings of appreciation for something well done." His views differ in this regard from other luminaries like Kohn and Glasser who suggest this is still tantamount  to influencing behavior to get students to do what we want. Curwin suggests that "No one can work hard without validation, appreciation, being noticed or being thanked"and supports this type of feedback "as long as these things don't have a price tag attached." I know how hard educators work and I fully believe we deserve recognition for it. There is a difference between manipulating someone by offering rewards that are conditional and pre-determined, and appreciating someone after they have displayed appropriate behavior. Rewards are part of a system while appreciation comes from the heart.


     Curwin also speaks about the importance of having appropriate levels of challenge for our students as a better option than any form of reward for increasing motivation. He poses a question that resonated with me. Given the option of engaging in a game with an opponent, would you choose the person who you routinely beat or the person to whom you have routinely lost but been close each time? Not surprisingly most people choose the latter option. And so it is with our students. It is important to find the right level of challenge as too easy builds little pride, and in some instances resentment, (think of the student who completes the assigned questions early and is given more of the same) and too hard leads to frustration and withdrawal. In our technology impacted world, video games may offer some insight. Students who engage in these go to the level that best meets their ability and continue until they master that level. Of course if we attached rewards to completing a level, many would opt for an easier level. When students are given the opportunity to make personal meaning of the expectations they are more likely to internalize them and achieve desirable outcomes.  

     Curwin's third point is one that really resonates with me. He speaks about the importance of getting to know your students and showing genuine care for their welfare. He suggests we think about teachers that impacted us and to recall why they did and the feelings associated with those memories. In "Pyramids of Behavior Interventions" we list both the positive and negative recollections many adults have shared with us about teachers who impacted them. Here's the list:

Positive

Cared about me as an individual

Brought learning to life, made it real

Took extra time to help me learn

Always fair, reasonable & understanding

Inspired me to do my best

Negative

Did not know me or care about me

Made the subject dry and boring

Often unfair or arbitrary

Yelled, screamed, put kids down

Seemed more interested in the subject than the kids

As Curwin states, "Can any reward or bribe come close to these feelings as motivators?" I know the genuine emotion that occurs when people share these stories with me and it reminds me of the significant impact we have day by day and minute by minute on our students. Curwin's final comment is an ideal summary. "I always remember that I teach for them, they don't learn for me." It's time to eliminate "rewards" and speak more to "acknowledging" and "appreciating" the demonstrated behaviors our students are displaying. 

Glory Days (Can't Pass Us By)

Glory days well they'll pass you by

     Contrary to the sentiment expressed in the song by Bruce Springsteen, in our profession our glory days can't be something that has passed us by. By this I mean that the students we have today are deserving of the best educators we can be and not be saddled with someone whose best days are distant memories. The students in your classes today are new to you as you are new to them. They deserve to have the best teacher you are with all of the passion and commitment you bring to the profession.

     This is not to suggest that your teaching style does not change over the years. I know that some of the best things I thought I did in my early years of teaching would not be as successful today. Similarly some of the worst things I did early on are no longer a part of what I believe. In a brilliant post (http://bit.ly/zHY61R), Chris Kennedy (@chrkennedy) talks about how his teaching has changed over time.  As the context changes around us so do the strategies we employ to effectively teach students. What shouldn't change is the enthusiasm and capacity to make a difference.

And I hope when I get old I don't sit around thinking about it but I probably will

Yeah, just sitting back trying to recapture a little of the glory of

Tears and Triumphs

This is the lower jaw of a bowhead whale
and it is on display at Inuksuk High School
in Iqaluit. I got to meet two of the hunters and
was amazed by the story of the hunt.

     I feel more than fortunate to be able to travel and work with educators across Canada and the United States. There is no greater profession than that of the school teacher and I try to reflect that notion in my presentations. The beauty of the role is found in the understanding that we don't just get to predict the future but instead, get to create it. This is not without a myriad of challenges, as I was recently reminded, on my journey to Iqaluit where I spent four days at the Nunavut Teacher's Conference. I was also reminded, by listening to the stories and seeing the outcomes, that teachers are in the best position to help students overcome many of these challenges.

     Perhaps a little bit of context will help (and my good friend Brian Barry aka @Nunavut_Tweeter will correct any misinformation) to understand some of the challenges facing our colleagues in Nunavut. This is Canada's largest and least populated territory covering over two million square kilometers for a population of approximately 32,000. The twenty-five communities (with limited exceptions) are not connected to each other by road, leading to a high degree of isolation. The preceding is simply information and is not used by any of the educators as a crutch to prevent them from doing top quality work. As part of the push for an education that includes local context, the forty-two schools all include instruction in Inuktitut which is the language of the Inuit. Culture is an integral part of the learning experience for all students and Inuit elders work in all of the schools.

     In my keynote I share a personal story to illustrate why I am passionate about the beliefs I hold. Often this leads to others sharing their personal stories with me in a private moment after my session. I am humbled by the trust these folks place in me and appreciate the growth they have experienced to allow them to move forward and be difference makers in the lives of kids as a result. The stories I heard in Nunavut were not dissimilar to those I have had shared with me in other locations but the emotion and thought behind the stories left me feeling that the full healing for some of our First Peoples will take time. The commitment to doing the best for their students, however, is beyond reproach.

     Another interesting dynamic at this event was having teachers from Greenland in attendance. My afternoon session provided an insightful moment when I asked the various groups to define some key attributes they would want their school to be known for and what behaviors would indicate that those attributes were being demonstrated. One of the tables had a teacher from Greenland whose first language was Danish, a couple of teachers from Nunavut whose first language was Inuktitut, and a teacher who was a southerner (anyone from south of Nunavut) whose first language was French. While the objective of the activity was to get a common language around the attributes and behaviors, this group had to first find a common language! This reminded me of the struggles we sometimes have in schools when we think everyone is speaking a different language because they just "don't get what I am saying" or agree with my "brilliant insights".

     At the conclusion of the conference most of the 600 teachers were heading back to their communities having maximized their time with colleagues and increased their skill set to be able to meet the challenges of teaching in the North and reminded of the triumphs that come with being a teacher. On a personal note I'd like to thank Heather Campbell and her fabulous conference team for a great event and wonderful hospitality, Brian Barry for taking the time to share his insights, and Terry and Barb Young for once again opening up their home and hearts to me.

Tenet #10 - First With the Heart, Then With the Head.

     Bryce Courtenay wrote a great book called "The Power of One" which was a favorite of my son. The main character in the novel, Peekay, talks about his own battles through life and decided his approach must be "first with the head, then with the heart". He was not prepared to open himself up to the hurt that came with letting others into his life. I believe as educators we need to look at this the other way around. We need to have our students know we care about them first and the curriculum second. I have found this to be the most effective practice with all students and especially so with those who have baggage they sometimes bring to school.

     As I think back on some of the biggest challenges I have faced with students in my career I can say with confidence that the potential severity of the issue was always lessened by the time and energy I had invested pre-conflict. This is not to suggest I always got it right or that my human emotions didn't sometimes get the best of me. But here's the interesting part. If I had spent any time building relationships with my students, even when I got it wrong and lost my cool, they were remarkably forgiving. In addition to helping during the tough patches, having a positive connection with students also provided me enjoyment in my role. It was an added bonus to being an educator. I know that the relationships I have with many former students today were built on a foundation established when I was their teacher, coach, or Principal/Vice-Principal. A previous post (http://umakeadiff.blogspot.com/2011/09/its-all-about-relationships.html) talked about a recent example of these connections. 

     Daniel Goleman’s (2006) study of students identified as being at risk found that those placed with cold or controlling teachers struggled academically—regardless of whether their teachers followed pedagogic guidelines for good instruction. But if these students had a warm and responsive teacher, they flourished and learned as well as other kids. These results show that quality of relationship, above all else, is the springboard to success.

     A quote attributed to the late Chief Dan George provides an insightful reminder about the long term impact of connecting with the heart before the head:

"Always speak from the heart. When we get old, the brain forgets, 

but the heart, the heart never forgets." 

Tenet #9 - If We Don’t Model What We Teach, Then We are Teaching What We Model.

     One aspect about being a teacher is that you are always teaching. This extends beyond the classroom and often times, beyond the walls of school. Modeling the desired behaviors reminds students of the expectations for all members of the community. Contrast that with having a rule, for example no food or drink in class, that is broken regularly by the teacher arriving with their cup of coffee. What message is received in this case? Rules exist only for some members of the school community? Once you become an adult, the rules don't apply? This disconnect creates a huge challenge for educators as we try to ensure appropriate conduct but don't necessarily display it. Does your staff room operate under the same behavioral expectations and guidelines that you desire in your classroom?

     The modeling can take several forms. For example, are you a "Good Morning" person? If this is your normal greeting pattern, then stick to it. Even in those moments where you don't receive a similar reply. For some of our students this is foreign territory. They aren't greeted that way at home or on the street and they aren't quite sure of the right response. If you're only doing it to control their behavior they will sniff out your insincerity and won't respond. If this type of greeting isn't your style, think about how you do acknowledge students. Is it warm and sincere? How do you greet your colleagues? No matter how alone I thought I was I quickly realized my behavior was being watched by many others. The modeling may also be in how you choose to share yourself with your class. One of the best examples I saw of this was with a teacher who brought her "Bag of Me" with her to class. In that large bag were personal items that related to various times in the teacher's life. Students could pick out an item and the teacher then shared the story of why that item was significant. This built a positive relationship and provided a method by which students could also share their stories.

     It strikes me as patently unfair to expect that our students will thrive in a world of "Do as I say, not as I do.", and that we would be better served by demonstrating appropriate conduct in an authentic fashion. Remember the eyes are always on you.

Tenet #8 - Are you Looking for a Code of Conduct or a Code of Consequence?

     One of the areas that occupies a lot of time in staff discussion is student conduct. Often times these conversations get diverted to a discussion about consequences. About what we, the adults, need to do to them, the students, to gain compliance. I want to be clear that I am in favor of us having expectations for appropriate conduct for all members of our school community. I'm also in favor of the adults modeling those expectations. And I'm really in favor of us dealing with the behavioral miscues that occur with our students in the same way we deal with academic miscues - by providing strong remedial efforts to help students more closely approximate the desired behaviors. However, as Paul Dix argues in a blog post on the UK Guardian, 

"Most behavior systems are based on the "Punishment Road". The idea  

that for every behaviour there is a punishment to fit the crime; a punishment  

that is severe enough to give the child a road to Damascus and change  

their ways. For children who won't "do as they are told" the solution  

is to punish them, in increments of severity, until they will."

The frightening aspect of this approach is that it works for those students who are afraid of the consequences. However, for our neediest learners or those who come from challenging home environments, the effects can be severe. For these children we simply become the latest adult in a long line of adults who have let them down. Rarely are these students worried about the punishment or the consequences that result from them.  As Dix comments, "What they are coping with in their own lives far outweighs any threats that school can issue." These students need support not consequences. They need adults who display an understanding of who they are and demonstrate a desire to help them to meet the challenges.

     I am convinced, based on numerous conversations with teachers, most recognize this but they feel  stuck with a school-wide system or philosophy that weighs heavily on punishment being the answer. Students are given consequences with little regard to what they might need in order to change the negative behaviors they are demonstrating. If the student persists, we up the ante until they are asked to leave. It begins with the conversation staffs first engage in when the topic of student deportment arises. If the dialogue is all about control and "laying down the law", it will not be a surprise that more energy is spent on designing new consequences than in structuring growth opportunities to address the changes we can assist our students in making. This will also predetermine the end result for every conversation on behavior. It's like the old analogy that says if the only tool I have in my toolbox is a hammer, everything looks like a nail. The health and welfare of our students demands that we have a more complete toolbox.