#TLAP Book Club

How often is it that teachers make time to sit around discussing a book that makes them excited about being a teacher? Well, it is happening out here on our little island off of Massachusetts and I am thrilled. Reflection in education is so important and it is often overlooked or swept under the desk, due to the lack of time.  We don't always make the time for ourselves, which allows us to grow as educators.  This year, I have been trying to 'steal' time to reflect on my teaching.  Recently, my principal, Dr. Cohen started up a book club based on a book and author that I am passionately familiar with and am thrilled to have coming to Nantucket this August!! The book Teach Like a Pirate by David Burgess has really hit home with not only me but many of my colleagues.  It is a book dedicated to helping teachers increase student engagement and enhance teaching through creativity and thinking outside the box.  Which are precisely the areas of teaching that I have a soft spot for.

For our first Book Club meeting we had a healthy mix of educators across all disciplines.  We focused on Part 1: Teach Like A Pirate and went around the room sharing  our "take-aways" or lines that stuck with us.  It was a very organic, laid back way of approaching a book, which was right up my alley.  The highlights of Part 1 for me were the two questions that the author asks you to pose to yourself.  They have always stuck with me and I find myself coming back to them when I am planning or revamping a lesson.  "Question One: If your students didn't have to be there, would you be teaching in an empty room?"  and the second questions goes along with the first..."Question Two: Do you have any lessons you could sell tickets for?"  

Now these two questions can misguide one's train of thought.  They are not to lead you down the path of "do my kids like me?" or "am I everyone's favorite teacher?".  They are posed to make you think about your delivery of your content and your instruction.  The way I look at teaching with these questions in mind is, are my students excited to come to class and learn my English content?  Am I presenting it in a particular fashion that creates energy and excitement about learning? Will they remember what they have learned based on the experience I have created in my classroom?

I look forward to our next Book Club meeting and the opportunity to reflect with colleagues on best practices.  I am in my tenth year of teaching and have never been presented with this unique opportunity to discuss pedagogy and teaching philosophies.  It is motivating and quite frankly, a breath of fresh air.