3 Boring Teacher Habits
Talking too much.
Engaging people don't over-talk.
They're Concise.
Intriguing.
They speak less, yet say more.
Try it.
It works.
Overlooking Non-verbal Clues.
Like these subtle, dead give-aways:
Vocal tone and pitch changes
Changes in the eyes
Tempo changes in speech
Posture changes
Foot Position - pointing toward or away from you indicates their level of engagement / interest
Leaning - forward or away indicates level of engagement / interest
Head tilt shows interest (like dog ears)
Looking down.
It may feel like we are just losing our patience. But it's more.
It's also our pride.
Staying humble is hard when we are always the smartest in the room.
So is empathy for the ornery.
But remember this:
Making Progress Motivates Humans.
Even tiny bits.
Failing Feels Hopeless.
Demotivates.
All of us.
It's natural, automatic, and easy to look down on people who struggle with things that are easy for us.
Like understanding our curriculum.
But that hidden condescension when they fail— (or hide behind “ornery”)
disengages, builds walls, and reinforces hopelessness in our kids.
They smell it a mile away.
Maybe this can help.
When my patience falls and my pride rises, I remember my own struggle—
with diet.
It's a fair comparison.
That's how many kids feel with learning.
It's continually hard.
Often feels hopeless.
And yet, small wins can motivate us to continue.
So let's do that for our kids. Everyday. Run from secretly looking down on them and thinking, “This is so easy! Why can't they do it?”
Some people feel that way about diet.
Enough said.
I wish you well, my friend!
Steven
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Read Next! “3 Steps to Grabbing Attention!”
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