"Take the attitude of a student. Never be too big to ask questions. Never know too much to learn something new" - Og Mandino
Jan's involuntary transfer to an elementary school was difficult. Not only did she prefer middle school, but she felt inadequate to teach at the elementary level. Just because she was certified in that area didn't mean she wanted to teach it.
Teaching in a self-contained classroom all day was quite an adjustment for Jan. Her first method of coping was to keep to herself and observe .
After the first grading period, she realized there was more to being an elementary teacher than wearing theme jewelry and giving out stickers. Her demands on her students were too high and she knew it. She could tell that from the looks on their faces when she assigned research reports. She could also tell it from their parents as note after note came in with complaints. She just didn't know what to do about it all.
During her third grade team meeting, Jan sat and listened to Kathy, a first-year teacher. Kathy's student loved her. Her room was bursting with energy and creativity. Even her discipline problems were minimal.
How does she do that? Jan wondered. Then, in a moment of utter humility, she said aloud, "How do you do that?"
That was the beginning of a beautiful friendship and a successful school year.
Don't be afraid to ask questions of team members you admire or to share tips with someone new.
Find someone who is already doing well what you want to be doing well, and then ask them how they do it.
Prompt: Some questions I have in an area I feel weak in are . . .
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