tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5931834670826653533.post8909043567672092540..comments2024-03-28T04:13:42.906-04:00Comments on A Principal's Reflections: What Drives You?Eric Sheningerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13733305358794643322noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5931834670826653533.post-90868932312962191002014-06-02T15:44:09.588-04:002014-06-02T15:44:09.588-04:00I think you captured it! What drives me is the fac...I think you captured it! What drives me is the fact that we all KNOW better in terms of what needs to happen to transform (I hate the word "reform".) our schools but often times there is a lack of a collective will to do so. Every day I try to share information and coach our teachers in what we should be doing and how we should go about doing it. Pockets of success can lead to meaningful transformation in our schools but unfortunately it often takes so much time that the system (or individual) can lose it's steam before it has a chance to have a meaningful impact.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5931834670826653533.post-84142233303757636112014-06-02T11:13:02.891-04:002014-06-02T11:13:02.891-04:00Josh - thank you for taking the time to read this ...Josh - thank you for taking the time to read this piece. Empowerment as you describe is one of the most compelling forces that drives anyone regardless of position to develop a passion for what they do. Eric Sheningerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13733305358794643322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5931834670826653533.post-44156765159172537552014-05-28T16:01:34.257-04:002014-05-28T16:01:34.257-04:00Mr. Sheninger,
My favorite line from the above po...Mr. Sheninger, <br />My favorite line from the above post is, "our mission should be to find natural pedagogical fits."<br />I have been in education for nine years (3 districts ranging from urban to suburban) and only in the past two years have I started my own personal shifts in regards to pedagogy.<br />What drives me? <br />On top of wearing the hat of a teacher I am also a coach (football/wrestling/track). Early on in my career I was driven by the end products of my athletes. For example, watching a football play perfectly executed by eleven different athletes was a work of art. Subconsciously, I also knew there were another eleven to twenty players who also helped prepare that play behind the schemes. Win, lose or draw, the maximized efforts of the student-athletes drove me to continue to design new schemes to both motivate and invigorate my players. Enter "natural pedagogical fits...."<br />What I did not realize early on in my career was that I implemented similar characteristics and strategies in the classroom. After self-reflection, collaboration with open minded peers and a continued personal drive to grow, I believe the feeling of "empowerment," or "empowering others," drives me. My tailored definition of empowerment/to empower would be the ability to build up individuals we are in constant interaction with. Engage in conversations that question, help mold deep understandings and ultimately allow our students/peers to feel that same feeling. My drive is heighten when I watch others become empowered, take risks, and learn from experiences. Simple "A-ha" moments provide individuals with the tools to exponentially impact current and future relationships.<br />Thank you for the post and have a great rest of the week.<br />Joshua Zagorski<br />Middle School Math Teacher <br />NJAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17463281088813510423noreply@blogger.com