cc licensed flickr photo shared by Chris Owens
I love music. I always have. I remember when other kids were listening to Sharon, Lois, and Bram I was listening to the Police and Queen (click for some fantastic songs!). Not that I went actively seeking this type of music but growing up with two older brothers, this was going to be the music of choice.
I also love basketball. I credit the sport for a huge part of my development because it taught me to work with others, stay healthy, and how to control my emotions when I was frustrated. I am a huge Lakers fan from the Magic Johnson and Kareem days and have stuck with my team until this day. Yes I jumped on the bandwagon but I was seven years old at the time and did not even know what that meant.
My dogs are also a huge part of my life. I got my first dog Kobe (named after a Laker player) the day I signed my first teaching contract since my parents were never allow us to have a dog. Shaq (also named after a Laker at the time) came into my home about ten months later so Kobe would have a buddy during the day. They drive me nuts but I love them with all my heart.
The reason I am telling you this is because this is part of who I am as a person. Fact of the matter is, I am sure that 90% of the students in our school could tell you all three of those facts and I am sure 100% of them could tell you at least one. Yes I am a principal, but I am a person first.
Sharing who you are and what you love is part of the educational process, not outside of it. Of all my favourite teachers that I ever had, I could tell you something personal about them. Mr. Hill (who is on Twitter) was the biggest Seattle Supersonics fan ever and we would talk trash in school from grade four and on when they played the Lakers. Mrs. Penrose loved music and played in a band with her husband on the weekends. Do you think I connected with either of these teachers? Maybe we had something in common?
Do you know what Mr. B. did? Neither did I (hence the reason I used his initial). I never connected with him and really did not like going to his class. It is easier to connect with someone you have something in common with, but if you don’t, at least if you feel they are “real”, you will still connect with them.
True story. I ref basketball and have parents yelling me at games. I have learned to tolerate it for the most part but when it gets really belligerent, I will often go into the crown during a break and say, “How would you feel if someone was yelling horrible things at your child from the stands? Probably just as bad as my mom does right now since she came to watch me ref tonight.” Although she has never been there when I have used this line (a little fib!), it has stopped the yelling immediately. I have shown the fan that we have a common ground that we can connect through and they ultimately see me as a person, and not just a ref.
The “real me” that I try to share with my students I also try to share with my PLN as well. I had such fun (and sometimes stressful) conversations during the Lakers run to the championship this year. I decided that I would share my love of music through tagging all of my music #georgetunes and yes, that sometimes even included my love for Wham and George Michael. There is definitely a time for moving education forward and talking about important practices, but there is also a time to share who you are. People relate to you a lot better if they feel they relate to you in the first place! One of my favourite basketball players, Steve Nash, is a fantastic soccer player. I actually am not a soccer fan, but seeing that he is not all about basketball and has interests outside definitely make him someone that people feel they can connect with and why he seems to be the exact OPPOSITE of this.
Some people may see this “sharing of yourself” as outside of education, but I see it as one of the foundations of good practice. I encourage you to share the REAL you with others. There are definitely some things that we should keep private (I am regretting talking about my love for manpris on Twitter!) but the relationships we make with our students, parents and other educators will ultimately create the best opportunities for success!
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This piece really rings true for me. For some time I did not share with my students my obsession with zombies, cheese, and Neil Gaiman. Instead I tried to be the fun teacher, cracking jokes that I thought they would like. Well sure they liked me, but they didn't really know who I was. Last year I let all the good stuff out there and the kids loved it. So I agree, share your true self but do edit. I once said I really liked Twix and got buckets, yes buckets, of them for Christmas, birthday, teacher appreciation etc. I have not been able to eat one for many months. Even that creates another memory though on our shared journey.
Thanks for your comments Pernille! The Twix story is hilarious
By the way, I just read some of your blog that you linked in the comments section here and it is fabulous. It is always great to connect with another educator and get to read their thoughts.
Thanks again!
George,
Once again you are a role model for education leaders
Kids love to know about their leaders, and it's great modeling that the human connection is what's critical in education. With the trust you build among students and staff, the academic challenges become so much easier. I have been thinking that education really is a combination of a safe, yet exciting school environment, trusting relationships among all stakeholders, and a mindset that is open to the possibility of anyone pursuing a dream. Thanks for sharing.
I am so glad that YOU commented on this post because I believe that you are an educator on my PLN that is so transparent and true to yourself. I feel like you are a person and not just a "face" in a profile that sends out information like the Wizard of Oz behind a curtain. You have shown me that your professional self and your personal self can all be shared on Twitter. I really appreciate that!
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by gcouros, Joan Young , TutorNation, hilld, Pernille Ripp and others. Pernille Ripp said: RT @gcouros You: A Major Part of the Educational Process http://bit.ly/95K4LM [...]
So very true. I find that I can connect to my students better when they know that I am "human"; when they know that I don't live and sleep at the school; when they know my family, by name, and have time to interact with them. When my students get to know me and not just Mr. Macdonald, we have a chance to form a much more meaningful relationship. That said, I do make sure that there are boundaries and that the proper respect is given/expected for teachers and students.
I haven't known you all that long, George, but if there is one thing that I do know about you, it's that you are you. Does that make sense? What I am trying to say is that you open yourself up to those you want to make connections with. We've had our conversations, whether shallow or deep, that have allowed both of us to share a little bit more about ourselves other than @gcouros and @MrMacnology.
We definitely have had some great conversations and every single one of them I appreciate. It lets me get to know you a lot better and I look forward to any time we can connect. It is great that when we finally get to meet each other, it will feel like reconnecting with an old friend than a stranger. I appreciate you sharing your thoughts as always Jeremy!
George, I absolutely LOVE this post, and I have to thank you so much for making me realize how important it is to let others see the "real you." When I started tweeting, it was for purely educational purposes, and in many ways, it still is, but I find myself taking part more and more in the fun and letting others find out more about me. It's funny because I share a lot about myself with my students, but online, I found this more difficult to do. Of the many things that you've taught me through Twitter and through your blog, many thanks most of all for teaching me that I am more than just my Twitter name.
Aviva, the real you comes out everyday in my opinion. Your kindness, caring, and support are part of the elements of you that we ALL love seeing everyday. Thanks for sharing how this relates to your own development; I really appreciate it.
Thanks George, and thanks for always taking the time to reply to all of these comments too! I think that this says a lot about you and just how much you do for everyone here!
Aviva
George this is another great post that rings true to me as a teacher. I am currently reading a book "The Courage to Teach" by Parker Palmer, which talks about teaching "who we are" to our students. If we learn what is important to ourselves, we are better able to model that and teach it to our students to help them become self-reflective learners as well. This will also build the connectedness that you have described in what you felt with some of your favourite teachers. I loved one particular line in the book that said…. Technique is what we use until the real teacher comes along.
One of the greatest compliments I remember as a teacher was when a student would look me in the eye and say, "Mrs. Power. I like you. You are different." They wouldn't even have to say anything else. I just knew that they connected with me, and what a feeling that was! So I totally agree with you – great advice for new teachers starting out – don't be scared to share aspects of yourselves with your students! The music you love, the books you read, the TV shows you watch (within reason) and let them discover how really connected we all are. Once they connect, they will want to learn more from you.
Thanks so much for this reflection!
Thanks Kelly…I love that they described you as "different" because I have always seen you as "unique" which is a synonym for the word I guess
If we tell our students that they need to "be themselves", then we definitely have to walk the talk. Thanks for the reminder of how we are role models for this.
I whole-heartedly agree. When I first started teaching (long ago) in middle school I kept my personal life very separate from my school life. With each passing year, I began to share a little more and noticed the significant, positive change in my relationships with my students. Now, I am teaching first grade and share many things with my students. They love it and it inspires them to share about themselves. I do still keep some things private but much less than I used to. Thanks for a great post and the reminder to us all that the connection with our students is the most important thing.
I think that the sharing comes with becoming more comfortable in our skin. I have seen a lot of teachers really take time before they "connect" with students, but once they do, it really changes things in the classroom. Think of the bosses that you like working with the most? For me, the ones that are personable and share about themselves are the ones easiest to connect with and work for. The ones that are "all business" I have never really connected with. The same goes for teachers in the classroom.
Thanks for your comment!
Excellent post George !! I remember the teachers I connected with now 15 years later. I remember Mr Fraser was my basketball coach and LOVED us bringing him scottish food on ethnic lunch day
I remember Mr Consedine as the one teacher who gave me my passion for reading and writing.
Both these teachers actually taught myself and my 2 younger siblings and both these teachers were also their favs and in fact they were the ones that pushed my brother to take elem. ed at the U of A because they knew so strongly it would be something he would strive to do well at.
Both these teachers actually came to my fathers funeral ( 3 years after I graduated high school ) and I will never ever forget that day, not just because of the obvious sadness of it being my fathers funeral but because those two men who influenced my life so greatly took the time to come and show up and I will never forget the tears in both my siblings eyes and my mothers when they came up to us at the funeral!
Yes teachers that share themselves leave lasting and life long impressions on students just like Mr Fraser did and Mr C did
Louisa…that is a very touching story and it is great to see a "non-educator" comment on these posts and share how a teacher has affected them in their lives. It is stories like this that really put into perspective how "little things" to educators are HUGE things to the students we work with.
Thanks so much for your comment
Hi George and thanks for this post!
This piece combines two important things: that the teachers you remember even years later are the greatest ones and the second thing is that we, as educators, have a human side as well. Which we tend to forget sometimes, out of our love for our amazing profession and due to the pace of life.
I will never forget my favourite teacher, Mrs. Ebbs, in Canada who cultivated my love for books, first introduced me to the works of E.B. White and whose overall approach to children was simply amazing. I believe she has been one of my first role models.
Students, no matter how old they are (for the reason that I teach adults as well) always love to know parts of their teacher's life and interests. So then I start telling them about my love of books, Coldplay and Keane …and that my sports history also includes playing on a basketball team for several years – which has led me to shooting hoops with kids after their lessons!
Thanks, George and it is so important to remember the teachers who do an outstanding job and that they too, are human!
Many thanks,
Vicky
I really appreciate you sharing about the teachers that inspired you. It is definitely cool in this day and age so it is so easy to connect back with them and share how important they were in our own lives. Have you ever read the book by Cindi Rigsbee about finding her former teacher that inspired her? Pretty heartwarming story.
I haven't read that book,George and thank you for recommending it! Off to Amazon I go right now!
Thanks again for the post.
The more you connect with students the better. I have several who bug me about being a Steelers' fan. I practice my guitar when I am on noon supervision, so they see my interests and I get time to practice! Once in a while I even get a request or two. I always joke that there marks can improve if specific snack foods appear on my desk too-ha!
BTW – I am odds with you because I like the Celtics. Yes, you have bragging rights this year. As for WHAM and George Michael – well most people like at least one song right?
We should totally jam together Dave! I love playing and have done the same.
As for the Celtics vs. the Lakers, how about we just both agree to hate the Heat?
Thanks George for such a wonderful post. It's so important to show who we really are to our students. I love connecting with them. I tend to spend a lot of time on that. Not only do they love to hear our stories but it also creates a different atmosphere in the classroom.
When students get to know you, they realize you are a person and not just a teacher. I feel this helps their learning because their attitude in class is different. They feel more relaxed and eager to learn. I've even noticed that it leads to more and better class participation.
Thanks again for helping us reflect on this important topic, bonding is really important. I must admit that showing the real me on twitter is a bit hard for me, because I'm kind of new at this and I'm also a bit shy. I promise I'll start showing the "real me" a bit more from now on.
From what I know of you Greta, you are a wonderful person who is passionate about what you do. This comes through in your supportive personality that you share on Twitter. If this is the "shy" version, then I know your support would be amplified with your students! Your students must love you!
Thanks for commenting
I really connected with what you said here, Greta… about showing the 'real' you on Twitter. I have been a bit shy on Twitter being newer to it and trying to figure out, what to say or not to say, who to respond to or not to respond to. Thanks for saying so here. I too will be trying to share more of my 'authentic self' to help grow these relationships that I believe are so enriching, both professionally and personally.
As for your post, George, thank you for writing about this topic. I think what you say about revealing our true selves to our students really rings true. I make a very conscious effort to do this my kids. And I know that the teachers who influenced me most certainly shared of themselves as people. In fact, reflecting on this, I realize just how many fantastic teachers I was lucky enough to have in my life.
It is hard for me to choose just one 'most influential teacher'. I had many amazing teachers in elementary school. But my favourites were probably Mrs. Rogers and Mrs. Clark. Mrs. Rogers my kindergarten teacher played the piano to us during quiet time and even as a 5 year old I remember her love for the piano and for classical music. My grade 3 teacher, Mrs. Clark, who was later my sponsor teacher when I in my first practicuum, was a world traveller. She took a year sabbatical every 4 years to travel and had wonderful stories, artifacts, and photos to share. Mrs. Clark was also the best at reading aloud, using voices!!
In highschool, Mr. & Mrs. Brett were very real and down-to-earth people, with great senses of humour. They shared about their family life and love of sports and drama. Mr. Sharp, my senior math teacher, changed how I viewed math and my own abilities in math. He was the first math teacher to really 'get me'. He accepted many ways of showing your work and had endless patience! I remember his love of gardening and Farside ocmics, which he always included on our math homework and tests.
These are a few of my favourite teachers… teachers who engaged me, who modeled a love of learning and a love of life, teachers who inspired me to pursue teaching!! And you are right George, they all shared their authentic selves!
I remember the first time I realized a teacher was really human- I was in high school. A boy in our class had died in an accident that could have been prevented. Because he was one of those kids that was seen as a rebel, a lot of the school was divided- "preps" vs "outsiders." Instead of focusing on the loss of a young man's life, there was more focus on what kind of a life he had lead.
The first day back in school after his death was emotionally charged on a lot of different levels. The boy had been in one of my classes. Right before I entered that classroom, the teacher asked me if I would talk to her in the hallway. She asked me what I thought she should do. I was floored! She was visibly concerned and really wanted my opinion. I don't think I really helped her all that much- we just decided that it would be best to allow people to talk about their feelings, if they wanted. She moderated, and we were all reminded that every person has value. I admired her so much- all the other teachers insisted on going about "business as usual." She knew that none of us would be able to concentrate on her lesson plan and that there were more important things to discuss that day.
Thanks for sharing that. The way you explain it so vividly shows me how it has had an impact on your life to this date. Listening to your students is a must quality of a master teacher and will gain so much respect from your classroom.
Thanks for sharing Michelle
George,
Thanks for this post!
I do love that you tweet out what music you're listening to, what sports teams you're rooting for (even though they aren't my favs!), in addition to your thought-provoking questions and conversations on our Twitter stream.
There are some of the most kind-hearted, caring, smart people in my network – I would have never thought I'd say that 9 months ago when I signed on.
Thanks for making the connection and inspiring us to do the same!
How much fun would it be if we liked the same teams though? Way more fun with a little competition (if my team wins of course!).
Thanks for your comment. I totally agree about the surprising finding of passionate educators on this network. It is great to connect!