Reflecting on 2011

The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires. ~ William A. Ward

It is hard to believe that we are in October and that Christmas is just around the corner. It is at this time that teachers may begin reflecting on the past year; the incredible progress that the children in their care have made throughout the year, as well as the programmes and methods that have been more effective or those that need to be adjusted.

Reflecting on our past performance can be most rewarding, as it highlights the amazing headway you, as a teacher, have made this year. Teachers give so much of themselves throughout the year, often with little thought to their own needs or to the growth to which they have contributed.

With many teachers attending CAPS training this holiday, they may now be thinking of next year, as some of the content of their teaching may be required to change.

Children with confidence

Children are faced with tasks that require confidence on a daily basis; tackling a sum they know they cannot do, standing in front of the class to deliver a prepared oral, answering a question asked by the teacher or performing on the sports field.

Children with a low self-esteem can find these and other challenges a source of extreme anxiety and stress. They can become withdrawn and begin having self-critical thoughts. They would rather avoid these and other new situations, in order to escape the failure. They are overly critical of themselves and easily disappointed in themselves. They give up without really trying, waiting for someone else to take over. I am sure that most teachers recognize these behavior patterns.

Children are faced with tasks that require confidence on a daily basis; tackling a sum they know they cannot do, standing in front of the class to deliver a prepared oral, answering a question asked by the teacher or performing on the sports field.

Children with a low self-esteem can find these and other challenges a source of extreme anxiety and stress. They can become withdrawn and begin having self-critical thoughts. They would rather avoid these and other new situations, in order to escape the failure. They are overly critical of themselves and easily disappointed in themselves. They give up without really trying, waiting for someone else to take over. I am sure that most teachers recognize these behavior patterns.

Froggy Pond Teacher Solutions... leaps into schools

It is with great excitement that Froggy Pond – Teacher Solutions produces its very first newsletter.

Froggy Pond was started in January this year by me, Tish Sheard. I am an experienced teacher and have more than 20 years teaching experience both in the Eastern Cape and Western Cape. The schools I have taught at are: Dale Junior School in the Eastern Cape, Wynberg Boys’ Junior School and Reddam House Preparatory, Tokai.