When I become a teacher

August 9, 2010

Here’s some food for thought on why we become teachers, or perhaps more importantly, why we should (or should not) become teachers.

The original video, plus the video responses to the original are, in my opinion, excellent tools for discussion and reflection for teachers. Whether you are an experienced teacher or a student teacher, these videos give pause and make us think about why we entered this profession.

If you happen to be in the position of being an instructor at a teacher’s college or faculty of education, these would make great classroom resources for your teachers-in training.

Provocative and engaging, these videos are also an excellent example of how one video can inspire others to tap into their own values, vision and creativity to respond.

Here’s the original satire, “When I become a teacher”

Here’s one response. It’s called “When I become a teacher – The Remix”. It echoes in style and presentation, the original.

Here’s another response, that’s even more creative. It’s also called “When I become a teacher”.

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Update – January 2018 – This blog has had over 1.8 million views thanks to readers like you. If you enjoyed this post, please “like” it or share it on social media. Thanks!

Sarah Elaine Eaton is a faculty member in the Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary, Canada.

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Posted by Sarah Elaine Eaton, Ph.D.

Learning means growing your heart and soul

August 6, 2010

My neighbor is an outstanding gardener. She’s gone away for a few days and asked me to water her plants while she’s away. After returning home from lunch with a friend today, I went as feeling inspired as I was watering my neighbour’s beautiful flowers. The vibrant colours of her garden inspired this metaphor:

“Learning is about growing your heart and soul. The fertilizer is passion. The result is a blossoming mind and a character rich with color.”

_____________________

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Update – January 2018 – This blog has had over 1.8 million views thanks to readers like you. If you enjoyed this post, please “like” it or share it on social media. Thanks!

Sarah Elaine Eaton is a faculty member in the Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary, Canada.

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Posted by Sarah Elaine Eaton, Ph.D.

31 Signs You are a Thought Leader

August 5, 2010

The phrases “thought leader” and “thought leadership” seem to be everywhere today. There are 2 points of interest for readers of this blog:

  1. The question, “what exactly is a thought leader?” Can teachers be thought leaders? Literacy tutors? School principals? Sure they can. But not all those people are thought leaders by virtue of their profession.
  2. How do you explain the concept of thought leadership to students, particularly if English is a Second or Foreign Language to them? It’s tricky because the phrases “thought leader” and “thought leadership” are new and trendy. Some such phrases have “stickiness” meaning that they stay around for a long time, possibly even becoming part of our every day vocabulary. I think these phrases have this “stickiness” and we’re going to see them around for a long time.

There is of course, a third question.

Are you a thought leader?

Here are a few thoughts on what I believe characterizes thought leaders:

  1. Thought leaders are not so by virtue of a title or a job; they are so because of who they are and how they think and behave.
  2. Thought leaders think deeply about issues; they think them through from beginning to end and understand issues profoundly.
  3. Thought leaders”walk the talk”, not pontificate on a point.
  4. Thought leaders communicate their thoughts; they don’t just keep them inside.
  5. Thought leaders are eloquent, clear communicators. No rambling. No disjointed thoughts. They know how to get the point across.
  6. Thought leaders shares their ideas and knowledge generously.
  7. Thought leaders are courageous enough to share their thoughts despite criticism.
  8. Thought leaders are wise enough to allow themselves to be challenged by others, and to challenge their own assumptions, too.
  9. Thought leaders influence how others think and what they believe.
  10. Thought leaders inspire trust; they don’t demand it.
  11. Thought leaders are trend-setters and idea-shapers.
  12. Thought leaders have excellent reputations, or they build an excellent reputation as they go along.
  13. Thought leaders are passionate, but not pushy.
  14. Thought leaders are forward-thinking.
  15. Thought leaders are innovative.
  16. Thought leaders are confident, but not cocky.
  17. Thought leaders are sincere.
  18. Thought leaders are authentic.
  19. Thought leaders take a stand.
  20. Thought leaders are consistent with their message.
  21. Thought leaders challenge others to think in new ways and try new things.
  22. Thought leaders can share the same message in a variety of ways. They don’t sound like a broken record.
  23. Thought leaders have longevity. They are not “here today and gone tomorrow”.
  24. Thought leaders are compassionate. They understand the human situation and feel it deep in their soul.
  25. Thought leaders are driven to make a difference.
  26. Thought leaders believe in the possibility of transformation.
  27. Thought leaders believe in others’ potential.
  28. Thought leaders are lifelong learners; they learn constantly and enjoy doing so.
  29. Thought leaders have charisma not because of a great smile or chiseled features, but because they offer something fresh and new.
  30. Thought leaders are forward-focussed, allowing the past to inform, but not impede their thoughts.
  31. Thought leaders have an innate sense of hope about the future.

_________________

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Update – January 2018 – This blog has had over 1.8 million views thanks to readers like you. If you enjoyed this post, please “like” it or share it on social media. Thanks!

Sarah Elaine Eaton is a faculty member in the Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary, Canada.

1 Comment | leadership, Uncategorized | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by Sarah Elaine Eaton, Ph.D.

Social Media Workshop for Language Educators – LARC, SDSU

August 4, 2010

Calling all Language Educators!

The Language Acquisition Resource Center at San Diego State University is organizing

Social Media Workshop
Date: August 9 – 13, 2010
Time: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm (Pacific Time Zone)
 – 10:00 – 17:00 (Calgary / Mountain Time Zone)

This is an online event, open to all educators at no cost.

I was thrilled when they contacted me and invited me to do a presentation on using Skype in the Second and Foreign Language Classroom. So if you missed the first Skype webinar, this one may be of interest, as it will cover much of the same material.

But forget my session, check out all the other great sessions. Here are just a few that will be offered:

  • Michelle Olah & Catalina Bohorquez – Social Media Tools for Collaboration
  • Glenn Cake – Online Class and Digital Story Telling through PhotoStory 3
  • Ronnie Burt – Using Blogs To Enhance Student Learning
  • Evan Rubin – Mobile Devices, Social Media, and Language Learning Dicsussion
  • Chris Brown – Classroom Narrative: Twitter in a Spanish 3 Class

I’m looking forward to learning all I can about using social media in foreign language teaching. Come join me?

____________________________

Update – January 2018 – This blog has had over 1.8 million views thanks to readers like you. If you enjoyed this post, please “like” it or share it on social media. Thanks!

Sarah Elaine Eaton is a faculty member in the Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary, Canada.

Comments Off on Social Media Workshop for Language Educators – LARC, SDSU | education, second languages, social media, technology, Uncategorized | Tagged: , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Sarah Elaine Eaton, Ph.D.

Why we should stop worrying about putting “bums in seats”

August 3, 2010

Remember that moment when you were so enthralled with what you were learning it seemed like time stopped? Your worries melted away and you were in that space somewhere in between reality and potential. It’s a little like being in a dream state isn’t it? You feel your untapped potential surging forward, about to launch you into a new space, where you had abilities you’d only previously dreamed about.

I remember a time like that when I was learning Spanish. It was the moment when I was so into a conversation that drudgery of memorizing verbs and vocabulary melted away. It was the moment – ever so fleeting that first time – when I was so into the moment that my lack of confidence vanished and I just spoke. It was the moment when my heart filled with joy because I realized that moment had been a dream for me – and it was coming true.

Having the ability not only to speak – but actually to engage with someone else in a meaningful conversation – was something I hadn’t been capable of in Spanish up to that point. Once I’d passed the threshold, I knew I could do it again. Knowing that spurred me on to keep learning.

Ever had a moment like that? Sure you have.

If you didn’t, you wouldn’t believe in the power of knowing other languages.

Your students have those moments, too. Or at least, they crave them. Learners crave breakthroughs; breakthroughs make a challenge worth the effort.

What are you offering your students to help them achieve those “ah ha!” moments? How are you challenging them to reach within themselves to tap into their potential? How are you making their dreams of fluency and sincere connections with others, enabled by their language learning experiences, come true?

When it comes to marketing your ESL, second language, literacy and other educational programs, keep your goals worthy and your sights firmly set on why we do what we do.

Stop worrying about how to put bums in seats.

Always worry about how to empower your students.

__________________

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Update – January 2018 – This blog has had over 1.8 million views thanks to readers like you. If you enjoyed this post, please “like” it or share it on social media. Thanks!

Sarah Elaine Eaton is a faculty member in the Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary, Canada.

1 Comment | education, ESL, languages, leadership, marketing | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Sarah Elaine Eaton, Ph.D.

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