Teaching through Emotions
Teaching through Emotions
Taming a "squirrely" class that made this teacher want to quit teaching
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Taming a "squirrely" class that made this teacher want to quit teaching

Season 1 Episode 5: In which we banish the shame and self-blame that come when something goes wrong

Today we're in Sally's classroom. She loves hands-on learning and has a high tolerance for “squirreliness,” but what happens when squirreliness turns into outright chaos? One thing that happened for Sally was merciless self-blame that was so intense she actually considered quitting teaching. Sound familiar?

In this episode, we unpack Sally’s experience and

  • clarify what went wrong (hint: It was not Sally, and it was not her students)

  • consider the often completely mismatched purposes for being in a classroom

  • reveal the basic truth that underlies all classroom behavior

  • think about how classrooms can be effective containers

  • argue for (a type of) hugging that is essential in all classrooms

As always, scan your body for sources of sadness, frustration, anger, and fear in your teaching. Then either leave a comment or go to the TTE home page and click on Share a Story. It’s quite possible I can help relieve you from unnecessary suffering. Only a click away.

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