“This means that sometimes whatever particular issue you're wrestling with may leak into your classroom. That's okay. And you can be honest about it (without letting the leak become a swamp that sweeps your whole class away). It's part of the modeling, the teaching.” Can you elaborate on this or provide an example?
May be something as simple as talking about your current trouble deciding what to do for your ailing pet, or how to get along with a sibling. The line between sharing and oversharing will vary by teacher and by class. But it's okay to let them see that you're not a robot and that sometimes grownups struggle to come up with answers.
Thanks for the reply! I’m a teacher and I’ve missed multiple days of school recently because my kids have been sick. They are on the mend. Do you think it’s okay to share with my students that I’ve been out because my kids have been sick? My instincts tell me that yes it’s fine as long as it’s not for the purpose of seeking sympathy or needing sympathy. I’ve got friends for that. Just provides some helpful context so the students know why I’ve been out. Do you agree? But then there are things I feel murkier about. For example, discussing climate change, species extinctions, world affairs. I teach students math. Yet everything is connected and sometimes there are math connections to things like modeling exponential decline in coral populations. Part of me wants to speak about my sadness about this. Yet I also hesitate to communicate that sort of emotion to students. I think your distinction between a leak and a swamp is helpful. But then what about puddles or vernal pools? My principal says we shouldn’t share stuff that makes students feel like they have to support us. Perhaps that’s a useful addition for sensing where the line is. And sadness about corals dying isn’t something I’m seeking support from them for, it’s just a general sadness about the repercussions of climate change.
I remember these linked pieces of yours from-- what, four years ago? I am reading "Immeasurable Outcomes," Gayle Greene's book which I am certain has been recommended to you by others. Literature Stuff #1 and #2 sound like you and Greene are channeling each other.
“This means that sometimes whatever particular issue you're wrestling with may leak into your classroom. That's okay. And you can be honest about it (without letting the leak become a swamp that sweeps your whole class away). It's part of the modeling, the teaching.” Can you elaborate on this or provide an example?
May be something as simple as talking about your current trouble deciding what to do for your ailing pet, or how to get along with a sibling. The line between sharing and oversharing will vary by teacher and by class. But it's okay to let them see that you're not a robot and that sometimes grownups struggle to come up with answers.
Thanks for the reply! I’m a teacher and I’ve missed multiple days of school recently because my kids have been sick. They are on the mend. Do you think it’s okay to share with my students that I’ve been out because my kids have been sick? My instincts tell me that yes it’s fine as long as it’s not for the purpose of seeking sympathy or needing sympathy. I’ve got friends for that. Just provides some helpful context so the students know why I’ve been out. Do you agree? But then there are things I feel murkier about. For example, discussing climate change, species extinctions, world affairs. I teach students math. Yet everything is connected and sometimes there are math connections to things like modeling exponential decline in coral populations. Part of me wants to speak about my sadness about this. Yet I also hesitate to communicate that sort of emotion to students. I think your distinction between a leak and a swamp is helpful. But then what about puddles or vernal pools? My principal says we shouldn’t share stuff that makes students feel like they have to support us. Perhaps that’s a useful addition for sensing where the line is. And sadness about corals dying isn’t something I’m seeking support from them for, it’s just a general sadness about the repercussions of climate change.
I remember these linked pieces of yours from-- what, four years ago? I am reading "Immeasurable Outcomes," Gayle Greene's book which I am certain has been recommended to you by others. Literature Stuff #1 and #2 sound like you and Greene are channeling each other.