One of my favorite things to do is to observe teachers and watch the magic. When you have spent years visiting classrooms, you start to realize there are various teaching styles, personalities, and philosophies. I thought it would be fun to create a list of styles using Disney characters. Which Disney character are you most like in the classroom?
BALOO
You don’t need bells and whistles to inspire your students (just the bare necessities). You are laid-back as a person and a teacher. You may not be the most organized, but the students love your demeanor and the fact that you don’t add extra stress to their lives. Academics are important but they take a back seat to learning about life and soft skills. You are protective of your students. Thus, teacher-student relationships are a strength of yours, and your students feel like they can come to you because you are so easy going.
YODA
You are a teacher who believes in a student-led classroom. The tools and resources are provided for them to learn on their own, but you will always be there to support them or impart some wisdom. Your relationships with your students are built on trust. They know that it is ok to make mistakes. If they don’t think they can do it, you show them that nothing is impossible. Your philosophy is “the greatest teacher failure is”.
EDNA
You are sassy and set high expectations. Not every student gets you and that is ok. You know deep down that you want what is best for your students and you will go the extra mile (while no one is watching) to ensure they have the best resources to be successful. Sometimes your students want the easy route because they think they are inCAPE-able of learning something new or meeting the expectations, but you always give them a blunt or honest response. Deep down, they know you are giving some tough love because they are your favorite (every one of them). There is a growth mindset in your classroom. Your philosophy is “I never look back, darling. It distracts from the now”.
HARDSCRABBLE
You set strict classroom rules and set the bar high for achievement. You like to set goals and expect your students to do the same. If a student questions your assessment, you have a hard time accepting their feedback, but you do listen to your students. You have always been an overachiever and because of it you have a collection of fine accolades. You are particularly skilled in helping gifted students and can easily finds ways for enrichment. You believe in fairness and for that reason you do not have the patience for cheating. Although you push your students hard, they find that you are encouraging them to do and be their best. In fact, you love it when you students surprise you with their learning. Your philosophy is that your job is “to make great students greater, not make mediocre students less mediocre”.
So which Disney character meets your teaching style the most? I know that some of you might recognize that you are similar to more than one and that is perfectly ok. The important thing is to think about your pedagogy and philosophy. If you have recently strayed from that, you must reflect and get back to being true to you. Your students will recognize when you are being genuine and are passionate about your teaching. Things are tough right now and there is too much being asked of our educators. Remember that you are only human. Give yourself some grace and then recognize the magic that you create to a gateway of learning daily.
See You Real Soon,
Erin
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