Meet Me in the Middle - Chapter 1

Abstract:

This chapter underlines the importance of attitude in the classroom, “The teacher is the attitude.” Wormeli, stresses that teachers should lead by example in their classroom. If they show passion for their subject, and respect for students then most of the time student will follow suit; however, a dangerous situation is when the opposite can occur. Too many times teachers allow themselves to make a snarky or flippant comment to a student and it opens a floodgate from their peers. Middle school students are at an impressionable age where their need for adults to model good behavior is imperative for their development. Wormeli understands that these rules for behavior do not just apply to students. Our viewpoint, attitude, and the way we approach things can change the way we interact with students, and colleagues alike. Wormeli suggests that we make sure we understand exactly what our students or colleagues are saying by practicing conversational techniques as simple as paraphrasing to ensure understanding.


Reflection:

The introduction of this chapter reminds me of when I played sports. My coaches would always tell us that if we went onto the court/field thinking that we were going to loose we would. This seems similar to Wormeli’s point that a negative outlook of one’s profession as a teacher, represented by slogans on coffee mugs or bumper-stickers, will not equal success in the classroom. I think that anytime I have had a teacher who has shown a passion for their subject I have wanted to learn that subject ten times more than if they had not. Excitement for what you are teaching can be a huge motivational tool.