Author Archives: The Book Chamber

Do Teachers Forget They Were Once Students?

09 Friday Sep 2022

Posted by in Actions, Connections, Consistency, Education, Educational Leadership, Leader, Leadership, Purpose, Relationships, Students, Teachers

≈ 2 Comments

Let’s open today’s blog with a question for you to ponder…

Do teachers forget they were once students?
It will be interesting to know your thoughts on this.

teacher-standing-in-front-of-a-class-of-raised-hands-dv1940073-5b42b097c9e77c00371ba22c

So, here is mine… Yes, I believe many teachers forget they were once students. Now, not all teachers per se, but I have heard of teachers who seem to be “out to get” students. And, after 28 years of teaching, I think I have seen a few also.

But why?

I’m not sure, but I have a few guesses. One would be an insecurity issue. I truly believe that insecure people want others to be miserable with them. While this transcends into a societal issue, it also becomes one in classrooms. It seems that insecure teachers often teach in a way that is domineering so they can let all the students know they are in charge.

Another reason, I fear, is that too often, teachers who felt like they were not “treated” the way they wanted while being a student take it out on their students now. While this does not undo a wrong, it does create a classroom filled with tension. This might be the teacher who brags about how many people failed their test.

As a teacher, we might be the only people in a student’s life where they see some idea of stability. Too many teachers forget they were once students, and I believe that is an educational crime that needs to be “fixed.” When we offer an inviting and not domineering environment, students, for the most part, will relax and breathe a little easier. At what point should a teacher not “do right” by their students? I believe our number one goal as a teacher, regardless of how a student feels about the subject, is to be the teacher that the student needs. As teachers, we can be demanding with high expectations; why would we ever lower them. However, this comes with the price of knowing your students and building credit with them.

Be the teacher your student-self would have wanted. Better yet, be the teacher you want your child to have. Don’t forget you were once a student. Let your students see this in you. I believe it will build a better relationship for your classes.

Go be a great educator and leader today… Our future needs it…

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others…

©2022 J Clay Norton

Want more Leadership Thoughts? Follow me on… Twitter @thebookchamber or follow the blog directly.

Want to share this leadership thought with others? Click on one of the social media sharing buttons below and help spread the good…

Don’t be a “Hope Stealer”

02 Friday Sep 2022

Posted by in Actions, Consistency, Effective, Hope, Hope Stealer, Leader, Leadership, Relationships, Sincerity

≈ 2 Comments

The other day I heard the words “hope stealer” on a talk radio show, and, as always, it got me thinking…

I did a quick Google search on “hope stealer,” but curiously, nothing came up with regard to leadership. I found this interesting. While many hits dealt with leadership and hope, in general, nothing specific about “hope stealer.” Napeloan Bonaparte is quoted, “A leader is a dealer in hope.” However, do you realize that many leaders are “hope stealers?”

960x0

Successful leaders inspire hope. Leadership is about the future… if we always lead in the now, our leadership stays stagnant. If we lead in the past, we remain in a position of always doing the same thing. These are the leaders who are “hope stealers.” They limit the growth of new ideas and, by doing so, cause the culture to become a relic for the museum of non-leadership.

Here is what I see… leaders hire based on people’s strengths; they should anyway. However, it seems that after being hired, the focus is all on people’s weaknesses. Now, I’m not saying we don’t need to acknowledge that, but how many times do leaders steal hope by always focusing on what is wrong instead of what is right?

Successful leaders inspire hope. They have the ability to help others believe that no matter where things stand, there is a way through it for things to be better. “Hope stealers” are unable to get away from their thoughts and do not listen to others, which shows that other voices are not valued. A “hope stealer” will worry about being right instead of doing what is right.

Bottom line… “Hope stealers” are imposters of leadership. What they bring to the table is only themselves. Be a leader who deals in hope. Hope that becomes perpetual, hope that can be valued.

Go be a great educator and leader today… Our future needs it…

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others…

©2022 J Clay Norton

Want more Leadership Thoughts? Follow me on… Twitter @thebookchamber or follow the blog directly.

Want to share this leadership thought with others? Click on one of the social media sharing buttons below and help spread the good…

Teacher Camaraderie – Part 2

26 Friday Aug 2022

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Well, last week’s blog spurred a lot of conversation. Yes, based on feedback and small talk, teacher camaraderie is lost. I heard from veteran teachers (old heads) and the young guns. The split seemed to be about fifteen years of experience among the feedback. So, I thought I would extend our blog from last week and let us see the thoughts of others and close with my opinion of why we need to either go back and find camaraderie or start finding a way to include collegiality in our schools.

images-11

A thought from several veteran educators…
“Our schools are much more heterogenous than “then,” but our communities are not. So – the question should be, how can we develop true camaraderie among all of our teachers and not just those who reside in our comfort zone?”

“… it’s imperative to be intentional in these days and times!!!”

“Teachers have become our State/country’s salvation!! Without camaraderie with their peers, teachers will not get the tremendous intrinsic values from what they do for the children!!… Too few folks see or understand the true value of teaching, and that includes those in the profession-has been that way for a long time.”

Thoughts from the young gun teachers…
“I 100% agree!!! It’s crazy how things have changed and this is only my 13th year!!!”

“I have really never thought about it this way. None of my family is in education, and I really don’t talk to anyone about what I do every day.”

“I see how many of the older teachers always talk with each other. I guess that’s because they have been teaching with each other for so long. I hope I can find that the longer I stay in education.”

As you can see, camaraderie is a valuable commodity in education. Veteran and young teachers know what is at stake by losing or not having camaraderie. Being in education for 29 years, I have noticed that it seems the more teachers “get along,” the better the school culture will be. As one veteran teacher commented, “Is everything ‘push, push, push’ to raise test scores, or is there appropriate attention given to the climate of the school?” As I thought about that question, I wondered how many schools provide professional development for this. Would it be a good thing? Would school leaders see value in it? If we are going to create a culture conducive to growing students, then the school environment must help those (teachers) entrusted with that responsibility. What better way to do that, than to find ways to ensure that teachers have the opportunity to have camaraderie?

Yes, it takes effort from many different angles, but doesn’t most things that matter do? Let’s be intentional in finding ways to build each other up, edifying the good that others do. The world is standing in line to tear people down, teachers included. Schools should be one of the safest places for teachers to feel valued. It’s all about leadership on every level.

Go be a great educator and leader today… Our future needs it…

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others…

©2022 J Clay Norton

Want more Leadership Thoughts? Follow me on… Twitter @thebookchamber or follow the blog directly.

Want to share this leadership thought with others? Click on one of the social media sharing buttons below and help spread the good…

Is There a Lost Camaraderie of Teaching?

19 Friday Aug 2022

Posted by in Camaraderie, Family, Friendship, Listening, Relationships, Sincerity, Teachers, Thankful, Time, Trust

≈ 1 Comment

In writing last week, I mentioned I attended the memorial of one of my mentors, Dr. Gerald Hasselman. During the memorial, I looked around and realized I was sitting in an ocean of educational greatness. More importantly, I realized that these people’s friendship and camaraderie have stayed and tested time. 

1556383_orig

Riding home, I thought about my teacher friendships that have also moved with time. Yes, these core friends will drop anything to help. I also realized that teacher friendships and relationships are becoming a “thing of the past.” I remember early on in teaching, at the end of the day, we would “hang around and visit” for a little while. Slower days, they were, I guess. 

I asked one of them the other day, “Reckon why?” As we talked, we came up with several ideas. 

Teachers…

Did not move schools as much as they do today.

Lived in the community of the school.

Went to the same church.

Children were the same age.

… and a few more I’m sure you can come up with.

More than anything else, we decided that our lives did not have the hustle and bustle they do today. There are so many “things” we are involved in with ourselves or with our families. What’s an average day going home…? Get to the bank or the cleaners before they close, run by the grocery store to pick up something for supper, get children to practice for whatever sport they are in, check/go over your children’s homework, etc. And… the best school taboos… An hour and a half faculty meeting, get home to get tomorrow’s lesson ready, grade papers, etc… Before you know it, it’s time to shower and go to bed (and don’t forget to ask how your spouse’s day went).

Now, I want to get home as quickly as anyone, but… we are losing one of our greatest educational strengths – each other. Who better understands us than other teachers? At the end of the school day, the bell rings, and we hear, “See you tomorrow.” Social media and texting have taken the place of conversations that includes the going on’s of your family, not the smack talk of gossip. Having another teacher listen and ask questions, connect mentally, provide realness, offer help, and celebrate is the camaraderie we are missing.

As the school year begins, make an effort to have camaraderie with your colleagues. There will be some you do not “click” with, and that’s ok. However, you will appreciate the social and emotional side of your well-being when you do find those with whom you do “click,” and your friendship stays intentional. 

Two more thoughts for this blog stand out as we close…

  1. For the Andy Griffith fans out there, the episode of “What’s Your Hurry” comes to mind. 
  2. For the “Toy Story” fans, with Andy and Buzz… “You’ve Got a Friend in Me.”

Both of these practiced intentionally, can be of great help.

Go be a great educator and leader today… Our future needs it…

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others…

©2022 J Clay Norton

Want more Leadership Thoughts? Follow me on… Twitter @thebookchamber or follow the blog directly.

Want to share this leadership thought with others? Click on one of the social media sharing buttons below and help spread the good…