https://padlet.com/tracey_birchkarst/924dxyqfrqrd Page 122 of Fostering Resilient Learners states: " An over reliance on labels does our students and ourselves a disservice. Instead of trying to pretend that need isn't there, let's refocus it by identifying which elements of a situation we can and can't control and then centering our energy on effecting positive change. This allows us to focus on the neds our students present, keeping us grounded in our cement shoes." Please take a moment to reflect on those words; then, turn to page 121 in your book-- post your answers to the 4 bulleted sentences on that page to our group Padlet. en-us 2017-03-29 15:28:39 UTC 2024-10-01 12:26:20 UTC hello@padlet.com tracey_birchkarst https://padlet.com/tracey_birchkarst/924dxyqfrqrd/wish/163453566 My thoughts about this have changed the longer I have been an educator. I cannot control children. I can however control the elements of my classroom and I can assist in helping my children to 'feel' positive about what is going on around them. Once I tried to stop controlling my students and allowed them to be who they are, encouraging them to be better, my classroom took on a new meaning. I become less concerned about how I 'looked' to other teachers and even my admin and started seeing my students for who they are-even broken at times. 

The other change I made was always trying to see the positive in the bleak. Regardless of what your classroom looks like, I have 6 hours to help my students feel safe, loved and the opportunity to give them a daily gift-of learning.

What does this have to do with labels? My students have none. They are mine regardless of what someone says they are. When you begin seeing students as someone's child and not as a problem, your mind changes. 

]]> 2017-03-29 15:17:52 UTC https://padlet.com/tracey_birchkarst/924dxyqfrqrd/wish/163453566 tracey_birchkarst https://padlet.com/tracey_birchkarst/924dxyqfrqrd/wish/163456999 First time using padlet......hope this works.

I can't control whether motivated students will come to my class today, but I can control raising the level of excitement about what needs to be taught.

I can't control whether students who have missed instruction pass this test, but I can control making sure they know the content before they take the test.

I can't control whether many of my students have experienced trauma at home, but I can control my effort to create relationships and a safe environment for them at school.

I can't control whether we add more and more to our already-overloaded plates, but I can control my feelings of gratitude for my job and an awareness of the ability and challenge I have to make a difference in my students' lives.]]> 2017-03-29 15:28:39 UTC https://padlet.com/tracey_birchkarst/924dxyqfrqrd/wish/163456999 tracey_birchkarst https://padlet.com/tracey_birchkarst/924dxyqfrqrd/wish/163457000 First time using padlet......hope this works.

I can't control whether motivated students will come to my class today, but I can control raising the level of excitement about what needs to be taught.

I can't control whether students who have missed instruction pass this test, but I can control making sure they know the content before they take the test.

I can't control whether many of my students have experienced trauma at home, but I can control my effort to create relationships and a safe environment for them at school.

I can't control whether we add more and more to our already-overloaded plates, but I can control my feelings of gratitude for my job and an awareness of the ability and challenge I have to make a difference in my students' lives.]]> 2017-03-29 15:28:39 UTC https://padlet.com/tracey_birchkarst/924dxyqfrqrd/wish/163457000