“Anyone who does anything to help a child in his life is a hero to me.”
Hello to all of our amazing HEROES out there!
Why are we calling you heroes? Because that’s exactly who you are! By definition, a hero is a person who is admired for great or brave acts and fine qualities. A hero is someone who sees a need and does something about it - making a difference in the lives of others. With this definition in mind, it’s clear that every teacher who is reading this newsletter is a modern-day hero!
You get out there every day and try to make a difference in the lives of your students. You seek to strengthen your“superpowers” by acquiring new information, strategies, or skills to try out in the classroom. But just as Superman can be rendered powerless by kryptonite, so, too, can teachers feel helpless when working with certain students.
Have you ever wondered why certain student behaviors bother you more than others? Isn’t it interesting how your colleagues can be more patient with a student who drives you insane? These kids can be our kryptonite, but only if we let them! In order to understand why certain students trigger difficult feelings in us, we have to understand how our own hero’s journey—emotionally, culturally, and academically—will impact the teacher we become. Self-awareness is essential in helping us understand and to help us teach those students who present us with the greatest challenges.
One way to achieve this self-awareness is through honest reflection. What are your own superpowers? How can you use these strengths to improve your instruction and support teachers around you? In which areas do you need more support? Where can you look for help in that area?
We at Infinite Horizons admire all of you teacher heroes out there, and we want to do everything in our power to support you! That is why we are so excited to announce the release our newest book entitled Transformative Teaching: Changing Today’s Classrooms Culturally, Emotionally and Academically! In this book you’ll learn about the latest brain and behavioral research as it relates to instructional practice. You’ll dig into your own hero’s journey as teachers through a self-discovery process that will highlight your own strengths and give you tools to counter your personal kryptonite. The book will explore the following six foundations for creating a culturally, emotionally and academically responsive classroom:
- routines and procedures
- safe environment
- growth mindsets
- mindfulness
- self-assessment
- student talk
Kick off this new school year with a fresh start and a fresh set of superpowers to boost your students’ success! Click here to be taken to our website where you can purchase a copy of this awesome resource.
Stay Tuned! In the coming newsletters, we will offer ideas about meeting the needs of specific types of learners that could be your kryptonite kids.
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Co-Authored by: Michelle Leip and Kathleen Kryza
Free Resources
References:
Kryza, K., Brittingham, M., & Duncan, A. (2015). Transformative teaching: Changing today's classrooms culturally, academically, and emotionally. Solution Tree.