My English teacher was tall and desperately skinny with a long bony nose upon which rested a considerable pair of thick glasses. I was thirteen and didn't see any of that. What I saw was a frustrated poet who was teaching us the language by playing us haunting songs. In one lesson he introduced our young minds to the trio, Peter, Paul and Mary and their plaintive "Leaving on a Jet Plane". It was hard not to cry for all the world's farewells, right there, in class.
I have learned the hard way that Depression and Despair are demanding, difficult but wonderful teachers; ergo the reason for capitalizing them. Depression is one way that our soul is endeavoring to reach out and help us. We become depressed when our life is out of balance and we are not 'doing' what we are supposed to be doing. We have gotten off track and lost our way.
golden teacher golden teacher Our former employer had fired Bill because he was 'too slow and indecisive'. How was it that a man who'd had two exemplary careers as a fire-jumper and military analyst and had enjoyed a long and successful career at other institutions come to us only to disappoint? Amazingly, his bosses did not ask this question. They found it easier to blame him and his former employers for duplicity. He was gone within months.
From the very beginning set the standards for behaviour high. 'Jump' on early problems immediately. (One of the guiding principles of a successful principal I worked with was this: If you are particular to make sure all the simple issues of discipline are concentrated on, e.g. good manners, being on time, correct dress and so on, the students are so concerned about being 'caught' that the more serious offences never seem to develop. It is important to note here that it is much easier to 'loosen up' on discipline later than to tighten up at a later date.
golden teacher growkit Many teachers fail do a good job in the classroom because they do not have the ability to maintain a good classroom environment. A teacher must establish and maintain a positive classroom environment from day one. How does a teacher achieve this? From day one, students must learn and understand what the rules are in class. The teacher must reinforce such rules consistently. During the first week of school, the teacher must go over the classroom and school rules every day, making sure students fully understand what is expected of them. Managing classroom behavior starts from day one and has to continue everyday, all day long.
Outside of Huxley at night there could be a fire in the wood burning fireplace. A world renowned Schooner Operator could be playing classical guitar alone. While at the other end of the deck a couple of people are sipping tea or coffee. Others coming up from the baths refreshed and ready for sleep. Couple of raccoons vibrating calmly nearby as a mystical lady tells you to fear not. Their scent uniquely pungent still to my memory. Sounds of nature flourish. Sparks from the crackling fire fly up into the gentle breeze of the cool crisp evening toward the star filled universe surrounding us. Stratus clouds intermingle with silhouettes of tree branches.
When we stop obsessing about how difficult teaching our subject or students or whatever is, and start obsessing about adding enormous value to the lives of our students - our success rates soar - and as an added bonus, teaching becomes much more pleasurable.
growkit golden teacher So, I've been on a journey of learning to listen to myself at a deeper level. And, I invite you to join me on this journey, too. I want to share four of the ways I've been deepening my ability to listen to my self. And, conveniently, they spell S.E.L.F...
The original source of course was Aesop, who told a tale with a moral core in The Goose that laid the golden egg. A man and his wife had the good fortune to possess a goose that laid a golden egg every day. For a while they were happy and lived well, but then they became impatient with how quickly they were accumulating their wealth. So they thought that if the goose could lay such a fine egg of gold, it must be lined with the precious metal.
golden teacher growkit
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