10 Students Who Taught Me: Guest post by Paul Cornies
Thursday, September 10, 2009 at 06:00PM Paul Cornies is a virtual friend. We've never met or spoke in person, yet I feel a kinship and bond. His Quoteflections blog is a must read for me - and it should be for you as well. Displaying an amazing range and depth of intellect, Paul has obviously taken his own writing instructions to heart and has the heart to share his wisdom with others. I'm delighted he agreed to allow me to host this guest post...
10 Students Who Taught Me: Guest post by Paul Cornies
Nobody can give you wiser advice than yourself. ~Cicero
How true. And yet this post gives advice.
I am a teacher retiree, someone over the hill, sent out to pasture. And, yet, many teacher retirees still have the fire of education and learning within and seek out meaningful post retirement opportunities, many of which are an application of the valuable skills they have gained over the last 30+ years. ( Quoteflections is one engaging pursuit for me.)
The National Education Association (NEA) has a post entitled 'The Voice of Experience.' Fourteen retired teachers, a total of 515 years of experience, provide their advice to new teachers about the profession. They include: avoid isolation and burnout, relate to your students, be real, ask for help, develop positive relations built on trust, show you care...
I thought I would share my advice to new teachers through the lessons I learned from 10 of my students over the last 33 years as an English teacher and cross-curricular literacy coach:
-Marianne loved to write. She didn't say much in class but her assignments sparkled with sensory appeal and metaphor. She loved to be challenged and given meaningful work. Ten years later Marianne published her first book of poetry. Did I give all of my students adequate mental stimulation to develop their unique gifts?
- Steve was the jock exemplar. Gym and after school sports allowed him to develop his trophy physical skills and sportsmanship. He was an average student in English with a positive attitude. Years later, as a physical education teacher he said, "I like how you got us thinking outside of the subject once in while." Did I provide enough encouragement to all my students and provide them with meaningful connections to every day life?
- Carol was a quiet student in my grade 9 class who emigrated to Canada three years earlier. She struggled with English and had to work hard to keep up. She also signed up for badminton where I was her coach. Her gifted singles play earned her medallions through high school. Could I have connected with more of my students in extra curricular ways outside of the classroom?
- Mark was in a very large applied Grade 11 class with a lot of his guy friends. He was in one of the most challenging classes of my career. He would rarely shut up and get down to work, and I had to hover over him to keep him quiet. Did I engage him adequately in class? Should I have incorporated more diverse strategies including kinesthetic activities?
- Julie found it hard to learn content and do well on written evaluations. I caught her eyes drifting out the window occasionally to the clouds and fluttering leaves. Then, she surprised me with her independent projects, her mind maps, dramas, and visual displays. Was I sensitive enough to pick up on the surprising diversity of student abilities?
- Jeff hated to read and told me never to ask him to read aloud. I could tell he rarely completed the readings for homework. I sat with him on occasion to help him with his skills. Was I aware enough about the potential depravity of certain home environments and the lack of support and nurture some students receive? Could I have provided more individualized assistance?
- Amy was active in Student Parliament and was quite the social butterfly. One day she handed in a paper which was clearly a rambling bowl of verbal spaghetti. I got fairly upset and said, "Why are you compromising your abilities?" Years later I saw her in the supermarket and she was the most gracious young lady. Was I demanding enough on all of my students to do their best?
- Blake was a student teachers liked to talk about in the staff room because of his insubordination. As a cross curricular literacy coach I saw him in different classes and how he reacted to his teachers. In one class Blake was student gold. He sat attentively, obeyed directions, and worked reasonably hard. What classroom management and teaching strategies did this gifted teacher use to work pedagogical magic?
- Jill had a silver tongue and could converse comfortably with adults. On the other hand, she was late with her essays and other assignments. One day I took her aside and thought I would concentrate on her strengths and said, "Jill, you have very good oral communication skills. I think you should consider a career in something like public relations." Years later she came to me and said how she appreciated that advice. Did I give enough recognition of individual student skills and provide some seeds of aspirations for all of my students?
- Ben was suspended for five days because of a serious fight. When he returned he sat bored and listless. I kept him after class and asked how he felt about coming back to school. He said that he felt like quitting because he was so far behind and had no interest in school. I told him I'm here to help; when can we meet? I want to help you catch up and feel comfortable about school. Ben did come in for extra help and he salvaged his year.
I am reminded of the saying: Be real, be kind, be true, be you. It's valuable advice for your students and yourself.
The four minute video "The Message" helps to embrace the quest of learning and living for both teachers and students. The film has wonderful applications for classroom learning.
Thanks to Doug Johnson for the opportunity to provide this guest post to his wonderful blog. He has been a real source of encouragement as I develop my blogger's voice.
OK, Skunk Readers - tell us about the student who taught YOU. I'll start here, a story about Chinedu that I've shared before...
Few people know this, but Paul also serves as inspiration to the fashion industry.
Reader Comments (8)
Loved the post! I think reflection is a must in teaching. It is a goal of mine to do everyday. Did not enjoy the picture at the end of the post at all. I believe it to be a bit degrading.
What a great post. I have to agree that quoteflections is really one of the best blogs around. Knowing PC personally I can only imagine he was an amazing teacher.
I sometimes wonder what my old teachers would say about me now!
I like the picture at the end. Where can I make one of those!?!
Like you, Paul, I'm a retired educator with the fire still burning. Kelly was my student. Brilliant...also deeply angry over the acrimonious divorce her parents were going through. I discovered last month that she is the daughter of my neighbor, and they are just beginning to work through their years-long estrangement. Kelly is now 37 and was recently diagnosed with MS. It was a joy to see her again last month at my neighbor's house, but I kept thinking that when she was my student, I was far too concerned about teaching her French when her real needs were so much greater. I would be a different teacher for Kelly today. The wisdom of age and experience, I guess.
Paul is a retired colleague. In December of 2007, I invited Paul to attend a one-day technology conference. Will Richardson was giving the keynote and later, a session on blogging. Not long after, Paul started 'quoteflections'. I remember Paul telling me later that he almost decided not to attend the technology conference as he couldn't see how it related to his role as a an English teacher and literacy coach. Paul, we are so happy that you got on the bus that day!
Payback time: Paris endorses Doug...
I responded: Thank you, Paul. Your advice to "Be real, be kind, be true, be you," may sound clichéd, but those of us who ignore or forget this advice to so at terrible cost. There are no substitutes for experience and compassion.
Hi Ms Johnson,
Thanks for the comment. I believe blogging is a good thing for educators for the simple reason it does encourage reflection.
As to the photo, did you think it was degrading for the model or for Mr. Cornies? He thought it was rather clever, but I appreciate your view.
All the best,
Doug
Noah,
Photofunia.com allows one to create a number of rather silly photos like the ones in this post.
All the best,
Doug
Hi Mary,
Thanks for sharing this story. I still feel like I should write apologies to many students I had who needed something more than writing papers with red marks!
All the best,
Doug
Sharon,
Thanks from all of us who enjoy Paul's writings and virtual collegiality!
Doug
Paul,
Paris and I go waaaay back. Please don't let the LWW know.
Thanks,
Doug
Thanks, Douglas. Kindess is indeed an under-rated quality. I liked this:
"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." - Plato
All the best,
Doug
There is another web site to create a funny photos - Picjoke.com - fun photos