I learned a lot from my students
By makingpots
@makingpots (11915)
United States
September 10, 2008 6:19pm CST
and now my son!!
As a classroom teacher I used to give my students lots of opportunity to 'be teacher'. Way beyond the normal letting them work problems on the board. I would sporadically let them do things like get the class ready for PE, or even administer the spelling test. I loved the things I would learn about my teaching style by watching them be me. I even had 'grade the teacher' report cards I would let them fill out. (brave wasn't I).
The same thing is happening now with my son. He is really into imaginitive play, or pretend play so I see/hear him creating real life situations all the time. It amazes me how I can see my parenting style in his behavior at these times. For example, apparently I am very good at positive reinforcement ..... he is so encouraging to his pretend friends ("that was great", "I really like the way you did that") I love the times I get these little glimses of myself.
Mind you, it is a not always a good thing. Apparently I say sh*t when I drop things. 
I see a parent-teacher conference in my future concerning this. 
Is there someone in your life that you learn a lot about yourself through? How so?
I see a parent-teacher conference in my future concerning this.
Is there someone in your life that you learn a lot about yourself through? How so?3 people like this
8 responses
@hiddenwing (3719)
• China
11 Sep 08
Glad to hear that.
This makes u wiser.
Confucious say
Among any three people, there must be one who can be my teacher.
One should be foud of learning and not feel ashamed to ask and learn his inferiors.
@danishcanadian (28955)
• Canada
11 Sep 08
It's refreshing to hear from teachers who actually like to be taught, themselves. We are all students, and no one ever stops learning. there is always something new to discover every day. I had some good teachers who thought like this, and then I had some who didn't believe in this theory. I prefered the ones who did, because they were always open to new ideas.
2 people like this
@makingpots (11915)
• United States
11 Sep 08
Thanks, danishcanadian.
I am definitely a lifelong learner. I'm afraid life would grow stale for me if I wasn't always open to new ideas.
1 person likes this
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
11 Sep 08
You have created something different and bring out the monotonous life in the classroom. I am sure the students enjoy having you as their teacher. This is something every teacher should do to make students life more interesting. Make them fit in your shoe which will motivate them more in their studies. A good idea. I have done something like this to my kids. I let them cook and clean the house and I take on the pleasure to watch tv. At the end of the day they will come back to me complainning how tired they are. Now they learn to do the household task with less complain if I am not around.
@makingpots (11915)
• United States
15 Sep 08
lol It is good for them to appreciate all you do. 
1 person likes this
@williamjisir (22819)
• China
11 Sep 08
Hello makingpots. I am sure that your students can get their imagination well developed by having them practise teaching. This way they are also learning while teaching, learning while having some fun with imagination. Happy teaching, my dear friend.
1 person likes this
@makingpots (11915)
• United States
15 Sep 08
Thank you, williamjisir. I am no longer a teacher. I stay home full time with my four year old.
1 person likes this
@luckycharm00812 (621)
• United States
11 Sep 08
I wish I hada teacher like you growing up. None of my teacher's did this sort of thing, and I really feel I would have benefited from this teaching style. My son will be 13 months tomorrow. I learn a lot about myself through our interactions togethers, and how I feel I should rasie him best. It says a lot about me as a person, and how I handle situations.
Good luck with your report card!
1 person likes this
@makingpots (11915)
• United States
15 Sep 08
Haha .... I still get report card anxiety.
Have fun with your 13 month old. I loved that age.
1 person likes this
@Caesar_King (2)
•
11 Sep 08
You know what? I am sure you are a good, maybe a great, teacher to your students. I really want to be taught by a teacher like you. I am not talking about my teachers weren't good teachers, I am talking about every teacher have their own teaching style, like you. And, of course, at the time students, like me, have their own learning style. But I think your teaching method is the best style to me. Finally, one friendly suggestion: post more your great experiences so that you can share them with all of the MYLOTTer, especially me... For certain, we will learn more from you. Thanking in advance and hoping for your next post..
1 person likes this
@makingpots (11915)
• United States
15 Sep 08
Wow, what a very kind response this is, Caesar_King. I look forward to some discussions started by you.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160879)
• United States
11 Sep 08
Just you wait til he is an adult.
It is even more dramatic, and revealing.
I have two adult children. I see me, or their dad, a lot. Both good and bad.
It is even more dramatic, and revealing. I have two adult children. I see me, or their dad, a lot. Both good and bad.1 person likes this
@makingpots (11915)
• United States
15 Sep 08
Oh I can only imagine, Gerty.
I wonder if my mom feels that way? I should ask her sometime.
1 person likes this
@makingpots (11915)
• United States
15 Sep 08
It's funny how we get instructions fed back to us. My son put me in the naughty chair recently. And then came to discuss 'my choice' with me before I could get up, just as I do him.
1 person likes this
