It's week 3 in The Innovator's Mindset book study and I've been thinking about relationships. Relationship building between teachers and students and between teaching colleagues. How does fostering solid relationship help to cultivate an innovative mindset? I'm a huge believer in trying to develop solid relationships with my students. I welcome them to my class the first day with a smile and a handshake the first day. I try to learn their names within 3 days so they start to feel like I'm paying attention. I spend the first few minutes as they filter into class chatting with various students, trying to make sure each one gets some time each week (can be challenging in a class of 40). I feel that by getting to know the students and by them feeling like they matter to me (and they do!), they are more willing to try new kinds of activities within the classroom. They are willing to go out on a limb and take some risks because they believe I am there with that safety net.
The same goes for colleagues. I am fortunate in that I've been in my school for a good many years and have developed some very strong working relationships within my department. Having that type of bond allows me to feel like I can try new ideas or bounce them off of my colleagues and will get supportive feedback. It helps that a number of my department colleagues have been with me for 10 years so we know each other and our strengths and weaknesses really well. I know I can take an idea to them and get honest feedback that doesn't feel like judging. I can admit to weaknesses or flaws in my idea and they will help improve. It is so important that we all can do this. Building strong work relationships only helps our students to have stronger learning opportunities.
The same goes for colleagues. I am fortunate in that I've been in my school for a good many years and have developed some very strong working relationships within my department. Having that type of bond allows me to feel like I can try new ideas or bounce them off of my colleagues and will get supportive feedback. It helps that a number of my department colleagues have been with me for 10 years so we know each other and our strengths and weaknesses really well. I know I can take an idea to them and get honest feedback that doesn't feel like judging. I can admit to weaknesses or flaws in my idea and they will help improve. It is so important that we all can do this. Building strong work relationships only helps our students to have stronger learning opportunities.