"You don’t often get a second chance at a first impression so I’m taking mine with both hands."
Genuinely appreciative of your openness here—reading this makes me more reflective of my own classroom, and also reminded that the peaks in our classroom journeys almost by definition necessitate valleys. Such is life, really, but especially within the context of relationships, which the classroom inevitably, beautifully is.
That's honestly such a wonderful thing to say, Marcus. I love to get people thinking and if my writing does that then I'm ticking a lot of what I aim to do.
Nothing goes farther with students than a heartfelt apology. In fact, I believe that sometimes it is so unexpected for an adult to admit a mistake to a child that it can sometimes completely undo a relationship blunder. Why do we find it so hard to speak up when we've made an error? We've all found ourselves getting pulled into a power struggle without even realizing it. It's how we respond after that makes the difference, as you demonstrated. Good luck welcoming Gandalf back for what I am sure will be a triumphant return!
Great piece. For anyone who's not a teacher, it is a salutary reminder of just how complex and difficult this work can be.
Excellent point Douglas, thanks for reading as always.
"You don’t often get a second chance at a first impression so I’m taking mine with both hands."
Genuinely appreciative of your openness here—reading this makes me more reflective of my own classroom, and also reminded that the peaks in our classroom journeys almost by definition necessitate valleys. Such is life, really, but especially within the context of relationships, which the classroom inevitably, beautifully is.
That's honestly such a wonderful thing to say, Marcus. I love to get people thinking and if my writing does that then I'm ticking a lot of what I aim to do.
Nothing goes farther with students than a heartfelt apology. In fact, I believe that sometimes it is so unexpected for an adult to admit a mistake to a child that it can sometimes completely undo a relationship blunder. Why do we find it so hard to speak up when we've made an error? We've all found ourselves getting pulled into a power struggle without even realizing it. It's how we respond after that makes the difference, as you demonstrated. Good luck welcoming Gandalf back for what I am sure will be a triumphant return!
It's amazing isn't it? You can visibly see their animosity melt when you try to make up for getting anything wrong.
Transitions can be tough. My children have changed schools half a dozen times each. Feeling a sense of real belonging can take months or years.
I hope Gandalf's return goes well. Can't wait to hear how they feel about the portrait!
I'll let you know!
Amazing post Jack, as usual! Showing the power of relationships and how they can influence a child's engagement with school.
I hope today and the rest of this week goes well 🤞🏼