MFA 2025 Authentic by Aris Winger

Being honest with your feelings while also practicing empathy with others and ourselves

2025-04-07 23:00:02 UTC

For me...

2025-04-07 23:00:11 UTC

It looks like being silly with my kids when I feel like being silly, and being serious with my kids when I feel like being serious...and making sure to really let them know when it's time to change gears. And also, letting them know when I mess up, and apologizing for it.

Being authentic allows you to connect with your studetns as a fellow human. Students can tell when you aren't being genuine. It makes them distrustful and thing that you don't care.

laurie23 — 2025-04-07 23:00:21 UTC

Should we share about our lives? Not sure

2025-04-07 23:00:22 UTC

I've always been taught to not share personal experiences with students. I am cautious still.

Sometimes, TBH.

2025-04-07 23:02:02 UTC

But I don't mind it. I'm a theater person, and I think it helps. I don't think you have to be, but I definitely think it helps sometimes.

Authority ideally is derived from their trust that you are here to help them learn.

2025-04-07 23:02:42 UTC

2025-04-07 23:03:37 UTC

I've also experienced people asking about my background as if i had to prove whether I belonged in the classroom (and I teach HS)

Yes

2025-04-07 23:03:41 UTC

There are pros and cons to this - we have built a bit of a bubble - we focus on math and it's safe.

But what about the outside world? We haven't spoken about all that's happening with our country.

It's a balance

2025-04-07 23:03:49 UTC

On the one hand, it is important to be real. On the other hand, it is not the students' job to take care of us in a lot of ways.

Math is the Authority

2025-04-07 23:05:06 UTC

I had a colleague who always used to say that 'math is the authority'

I think that is great! In the same sense, certain community norms can be the authority

I would practice too

2025-04-07 23:05:10 UTC

I am not a speaker and I did not like presenting. I too would practice the night before in front of a mirror.

2025-04-07 23:05:30 UTC

I think i rehearse what i am going to say in the order I am going to teach esp. in math

Just to acknowledge

2025-04-07 23:06:25 UTC

Some educators aren't allowed to be entirely authentic. Our gay colleagues sometimes feel like they can't disclose their full identities to students and be protected from angry parents etc.

Practicing can help - but all plans are meant to be changed

2025-04-07 23:07:04 UTC

I used to find it helpful to write a script. It helped me to make sure I knew the content I was teaching - but I never actually stuck to it!

2025-04-07 23:10:11 UTC

I was just about to bring up the election but right now I am extremely angry about

Harriet Tubman being removed from national parks and information. I was furious after the election and added a black ribbon to all my slides for over a month. And any student who needed to go to the counselor - students I allowed them to go

Being a teacher is like acting on a stage.

2025-04-07 23:10:34 UTC

Like actors, teachers have to capture and hold attention.

Quotes to remember

2025-04-07 23:18:49 UTC

And here is how we think it benefits you as a student

What do we want them to feel in the classroom? Do we even have time to ask these questions?