Wednesday, Aug 20, 2008

Tuesday Conference call on Education August 19, 2008 - A rubric for teachers

Download this episode (63 min)   
This is a recording of the fourth Tuesday Conference Call on Education.

On this call we had 9 people on from the USA, Australia, UK, Belgium, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland.

The topic for the call was the atmosphere in the classroom and its significance for what is possible.

As I had written about the previous call, in my work I have noticed that the quality of the atmosphere in the classroom - the relationship between the individuals - is not an accident. The atmosphere is the sum of everyone's awareness and interest. It is totally dependent on where we choose to direct our awareness and our interest, and because it is a choice, we can choose to change it from a 1 to a 5.

On this call we look at the following 1-5 rubric for teachers that Joan Berland and I started discussing several months ago.

Where Am I Right Now As a Teacher?

5. If I'm on my edge, then no matter what a child says or does, I'm totally committed to doing whatever it takes for understanding to occur. I'm committed to helping them move from a place of doubt or fear or misunderstanding into a place of possibility because I'm always in that place. From that place, I'm operating totally outside my ego. I remain focused on the biggest possible context, which is ever expanding. I am totally committed to being in this place no matter what is going on in the classroom, whether it has to do with learning, behaviour, dealing with parents, or homework. I am constantly thinking that if this doesn't work I'll try something else because I am always committed to turning it around to a place of understanding and positivity. My mottos are: "No matter what happens, I can do it", "We are here to learn", "Trust me, we can turn this around", "If you think you can, you can", and "If something is hard for you, make friends with it". This is what I do all day everyday and it feels great!

4. I am able to modify the curriculum and find ways to rethink or rephrase lessons so that the children who don't understand something can feel comfortable asking for help. I will work with them from a place of caring and compassion. I take responsibility for setting limits, motivating my students, and making learning fun. I care about connecting with everyone. I get excited when I hear about verticality and seeing what is possible from level 5. I'm open to someone coming into my classroom with the objective of helping me develop to a five and beyond.

3. I connect with a small group of students by meeting them at their level of readiness, but it's mostly those with a higher level of understanding. I know that I need to feel more positive so positive change can occur, but I can only do it if someone helps me or tells me what to do.

2. I let my moods dictate how I respond to the class on any given day. Sometimes I'm positive, sometimes I'm negative. The class lacks clear limits, so no one feels safe or secure. I am stuck in always wanting to do things a certain way and am not open to anything new. I don't feel comfortable connecting with parents.

1. I just want to make it through the day. My performance is uneven, often requiring several assistants or teachers to help in the classroom. I don't look forward to coming to school.

One of the participants offered the following more simplified version.

Teacher Levels

5. I operate from an ‘enlightened perspective’ (which is my own highest perspective) and choose to have my attention always on what will benefit the class.

4. I consistently and independently make positive choices for the class.

3. I make positive choices when prompted by my peers, colleagues or superiors.

2. I zig-zag between positive and negative choices for the class.

1. I’m lost in my own thoughts and emotions and can’t act in a way that benefits the class.
_________________________________________________________________________________

These first calls are part of a series where Joan Berland and I enquire into how the models “It’s Your Choice!” model, 1-5 rubric developmental scales and “sitting still meditation” can be structured and introduced into a class. On each call we engage with listeners and answer questions.

These calls are FREE to join and open to all interested people. You are welcome to pass this invitation on to others. The conference call will be recorded as a podcast and posted on www.nordicintegral.com as well as on www.enlightennext.org/membership/

_________________________________________________________________________________

The next Tuesday Conference Call on Education will be Tuesday September 2
The dial in number is: 1-712-580-1100
Access Code: 811288 #

TIME 9:30 pm Central European Summer Time. (3:30 pm EDT)

Time of European/American call in other time zones

12:30pm — West Coast USA Time
2:30pm — Central USA Time
3:30pm — East Coast USA Time
8:30pm — UK Time
9:30pm — Continental Europe Time
10:30pm — Israeli Time
03:30am (Wednesday) — Western Australia Time
05.30am (Wednesday) — Eastern Australia Time

Posted by Nick Drummond at 10:52 AM |  MAKE A COMMENT  

<< Home

My Profile