Sometimes I need some teacher inspiration and rewatching my favorite TED talk is the perfect solution. Here are some notes and reflections from my favorite TED talk.
With all that has been going on in the world recently, I’m in need of more and more teacher inspiration, encouragement and motivation than ever. Honestly some mornings, I have to say an extra long prayer in order to just get out of bed. This school year has been full of stress, laughter, crying, tired nights, productive days, some not so productive days, moments of relief and sometimes even fear, and I am only in the first month of school. Often I have to stop, take a deep breath and remind myself that everything is going to be ok.
Every Kid Needs A Champion
Whenever I start getting into that downward spiral of feeling so overwhelmed and doubting my abilities in my profession (which honestly, I have found myself in often this school year) I always go back and watch my favorite TED talk video: Every Kid Needs A Champion by Rita Pierson.
I was first introduced to this video by my principal at my first teaching job. It was during our teacher work week right before the students came back to school. Needless to say it was exactly what I needed. Ms. Peirson is Phenomenal and so relatable in this video.
My Reflections
I just wanted to take the time to highlight 4 key points that slapped me in the face and made me re-think my teaching style.
At the beginning of the video Ms. Pierson, stated that she has spent the majority of her life either at the school house, on the way to the school house or talking about the school house. This was one of the reasons why I feel she is so relatable. I too come from a long line of educators. I also spend the majority of my time at the school house, talking about, or thinking about what happened at the school house. Growing up in my small town in South Carolina, I did not have a lot of teachers who looked like me. I think my family and misrepresentation are what gave me the drive to become an educator. I always like to go back to the “why.” Why am I doing what I am doing?
Throughout the entire video she speaks about the value and importance of human connection. As a special education teacher, I am intentionally working to help students develop appropriate friendships and relationships with peers and adults. We have a curriculum that we use daily to explicitly teach social emotional skills and how to appropriately interact with peers and adults in the school setting. Human connection can reduce anxiety and depression, help regulate our emotions, and lead to higher self-esteem.
Positive Affirmations
Ms. Pierson states that if you say something long enough, its starts to be a part of you. I’m guilty of being my own worst critic. I sometimes say some not so nice things to myself and then I start to believe it. I am working on a more positive approach, reciting affirmations and kind words to myself throughout the day to develop a more positive mindset. I would like to start working on helping my students recite positive affirmations to themselves everyday. This will help build self esteem and develop a positive mindset within my classroom.
They show up for a Reason
Rita says that we as educators know that the tough kids are never absent and they show up for a reason, they show up for the relationship. As a special education teacher I am often the teacher to the kid that no one else can handle or the kid with all of the behavior issues. They show up everyday for the safe school environment, they show up in the middle of a pandemic, they show up for the relationships they have developed at school. So I must show up for them. To send them to other grades and school better than they came.
If you haven’t seen this TED talk, I suggest you look at it ASAP. It will change your whole outlook on teacher student relationships and is the perfect dose of teacher inspiration.
What’s your favorite TED talk? Do you have anything that helps you feel inspired during a tough week? I’d love for you to share in the comments!
To see Andrea’s preschool classroom setup, click here.
