Looking through the reflections written by Math teachers, I felt happy and inspired.
I feel happy because teachers are actively doing and penning down their reflections. Only this time it is on Facebook which they have chosen, an alternative platform to Bloggers.com. This goes to confirm that when it comes from teachers themselves, they are more willing and motivated to do it. Of course, it is further confirmed that bottom-up initiatives work better than top-down.
I feel inspired as I am able to learn from them as well, their different strategies in classroom teaching and management. I am certain that they will feel the same way too. The sharing among the department is also deepened as some of them shared inspiring video clips and useful strategies. I also believe this is a way to create not only more collegiality but also congeniality among the Math teachers. The Math teachers have always worked closely as a team but this year I have a strong feeling that they are going to work even more closely and united to help our pupils achieve their potential. Usually during meetings, the Math teachers looked and behaved rather serious and quiet. However, for the past 2 meetings, there were more laughter and it seemed to me that they enjoyed the presence of one another. This really is a positive sign and I need to ensure that this culture should prevail in the department in order to have the right spirit to steer the department towards excellence.
As I type in my comments into the teachers’ reflections, I constantly remind myself that my comments must not only add value to their reflections but also to serve as a form of recognition and encouragement to them. It is not easy for me as I have to constantly choose my words carefully and phrase my sentences properly and professionally. One thing I like about using Facebook as a platform for reflections is that it has a feature for one to select “like” other than inserting comments and so on. This helps to allow them to know if others like their reflections. It also serves as a motivation for teachers to continue reflecting as they will know know someone will read them and they will feel good if their reflections are liked by others.
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1 comment:
Yes, the Maths teachers have really moved me with their honest and earnest reflections about what is working and not working in their classes.
It was from this Facebook Group that I know that our teachers have the right beliefs, set high expectations and encourages their pupils with affirmation.
With such social accountability to each other in the Maths department, they will want to contribute to this professional critique as it affirms each other and encourages their hearts.
Keep up the effort to give them key pointers for improvement, point them to each others' posts, videos online, and fill their posts with encouragement always.
Well done!
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