LIVING and TEACHING in the FEAR ZONE
Living in the Fear Zone
The year I decided to succeed at golf was the year I confronted FEAR -fear of mishitting the ball, missing the ball all together, and never getting better. I made up my mind that it was okay to score high, look silly, and feel embarrassed - for however long it took to improve. Two things helped me - a great teacher and a great book. While my golf coach helped me grow confidence through skills, Fearless Golf by Dr. Gio Valiante helped me detach from my ego. In other words, no matter how bad I was at golf, my developing skills had nothing to do with my value as a person and my potential as a golfer. I wish I had read this book 28 years ago when I stepped into my first classroom!
What does my golf story have to do with you?
As an educated professional with an advanced degree and an abundance of life skills, you're used to success. When you enter the classroom, however, you may recognize that your current level of expertise is not enough, and you may experience feelings of incompetence from time to time. As you continue to stay up late planning, struggle to get papers graded, and meet teaching's numerous other demands, you may not be satisfied with your or your students' progress.
What will help?
As you continue teaching this year, I hope you utilize all available resources AND learn to detach from your ego. Confront your fears!
Learning to collaborate with others, share your triumphs, address your weaknesses, and reflect on your experiences, will provide you with the skills and confidence to succeed. As you engage in this professional practice, you will also be learning what it takes to create a fear-free learning environment for your students.
What does my golf story have to do with you?
As an educated professional with an advanced degree and an abundance of life skills, you're used to success. When you enter the classroom, however, you may recognize that your current level of expertise is not enough, and you may experience feelings of incompetence from time to time. As you continue to stay up late planning, struggle to get papers graded, and meet teaching's numerous other demands, you may not be satisfied with your or your students' progress.
What will help?
As you continue teaching this year, I hope you utilize all available resources AND learn to detach from your ego. Confront your fears!
Learning to collaborate with others, share your triumphs, address your weaknesses, and reflect on your experiences, will provide you with the skills and confidence to succeed. As you engage in this professional practice, you will also be learning what it takes to create a fear-free learning environment for your students.
Teaching in the Fear Zone
Fear creates a physiological response that impacts our ability to think clearly. When students are afraid of humiliation and/or consequences, they may also retreat into quiet indifference or choose to opt-out entirely. Our job is to cast out fear and to make sure our messages convey that all students can succeed.
Is is possible to be demanding and not threatening?
Yes, we need to convey high expections with respect.
Consider the difference in these remarks:
Teacher A: "You're going to get a detention if you don't do this work now."
Teacher B: "You've lost valuable time worrying about this project. Let's get back on track and identify the steps you need to take to complete this task."
Is is possible to be demanding and not threatening?
Yes, we need to convey high expections with respect.
Consider the difference in these remarks:
Teacher A: "You're going to get a detention if you don't do this work now."
Teacher B: "You've lost valuable time worrying about this project. Let's get back on track and identify the steps you need to take to complete this task."