Kids with Differences- Part 1 Problems

Send us Fan MailI take on differences kids bring to with them to our classrooms and how we struggle with them.  Later episodes will turn this on its head and be about what we can learn from giving good attention to kids differences and how learning might flourish for all when giving the right kind of attention to difference.    In this episode, I talk about retention, grouping, and kids who blow up the classroom.  Do share comments and questions.  Thanks for listeningFrom the episode:We have to be honest about what we can do and what we cannot do.  I have had too many conversations with teacher friends about how impossible their work is.  We have to say no to requests that set us up not to be at our best, that does not serve all kids and just as importantly damages us, makes us unsure, makes us feel like we are bad teachers.  This is a challenge because power structures in schools are very real.  But we need to not think of ourselves as workers in schools doing teaching work with principals as bosses, we need to think of ourselves as teachers, the main engine of the work of schools.  Engines that drive good learning, drive the mission of the school, purposefully and intentionally built to do good work.  But you as the engine of the good work of schools needs to be given the right maintenance, the right attention from all who need your good work.  When you are not cared for, when you are put to the wrong tasks, you cannot do what you have created yourself to do well, teach.