Article written by: Kathy Cote’ Rogers, Teacher of Children at Pizitz Middle School, Vestavia Hills, Alabama
Guiding my students along their learning journeys requires that I set aside my ego and relinquish – or at least share – control. Above all, to sustain a truly student-centered classroom I am challenged to get out of my students’ way. In a classroom environment that is focused on student learning (and not on the teacher’s presentation of the curriculum) one of the most important roles for me is as a “Guide-on-the-Side”. Do not misunderstand: the role of teacher as guide is not a diminished one! I still direct, support, nurture and celebrate my students’ learning. I do this by guiding my students’ learning journeys and allowing them to be active learners. I believe that all learners – teachers and students – are motivated by the proverbial: “Aha-Moment.” Seeking these moments of clarity and reflecting on them is essential to the practice of good teaching and the process of learning. In this blog post, I will share with you some of the Aha-Moments I am experiencing on my journey to become a better teacher.