High-Achieving Teaching - Action Items · Learn YOUR English Courses

High-Achieving Teaching - Action Items

A. What’s an assumption you’ve been rethinking lately?

Something I've been rethinking lately is the meaning of success. I think I have always been willing to "go the extra mile" and gotten better-than-average results, particularly as a student and an employee. But going solo has made me realize that I am the one who decides: I decide what I do and if it is worth doing; I decide how and when to do it... The criteria can no longer be what others say is best. The criteria are no longer given by an evaluation rubric. For me, the criterion for success now is that what I do allows me to live my life the way I want to. You can't graduate with honors from that; you just have to honor it every day. That's why I'm here: to find my way to succeed by my own standards. Also - as Leo says - to learn to "embrace the role of an observer", so that if my current business idea is not "the one", I can take what I learn from the process and work on the next one.

B. Are you most likely to slip into preacher, prosecutor, or politician mode? What steps can you take to think more like a scientist?

I'd say that unconsciously I tend to slip into a quiet form of politician mode. Even if I don't show off, deep down I want people's approval. Something I can do so that this does not prevent me from thinking like a scientist is to constantly reflect on my decisions, not only from a rational point of view (which I always try to do), but also by being honest about my underlying subjective position and the impact it may be having on my thinking.

C. How do you embrace the joy of being wrong?

Although it is not always easy, I try to do it humbly and learn from the process.

D. Who’s in your challenge network? How can you make sure your most thoughtful critics are comfortable being honest with you?

My students and now the TAP community :-). All constructive critiques are welcome!

E. How can schools and teachers do a better job teaching kids to think again?

Iteratively asking, questioning, and challenging beliefs.

F. What “best teaching practices” should we rethink?

All of them! We can always find new things by rethinking what we think we know.

How do you define the value you provide?

I am working on this question.

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High-Achieving Teaching - Action Items