Teaching thoughts: Positive Feedback
This is going to sound totally dumb and simple. But it's a simple revelation I had the other day.
I LOVE being taught. I relish feedback. Right now I have five teachers--my art teacher, my horseback riding teacher, my Krav Maga instructor, and Talya, my colleague/mentor on the Fulbright. Adam and I also started parent training, where we are being taught skills that may help us with our strong-willed angels.
I love my interactions with all of these instructors and realize it's because I relish feedback, and in particular positive feedback. I should swim a few times a week, but without a swim teacher, I'm not interested. I should do Yoga by myself, but I need someone to teach me. I LOVE having feedback.
Yes, I have studied behaviorism. I have heard a million times "positive feedback" (hell, I even teach that it's important) but I'd hereby like to apologize to all those around me in my life. I do not do this enough.
My ice skating coach Tim made me think of this last year. I'd nitpick about everything I do wrong, and he would compliment something small (your right pinky is in a good position). And his little positive feedback kept me going. The problem is, I'm naturally really tough on myself. I am a "problem seer" (I think the world calls me a pessimist). But yet, I love being taught by people who do notice me doing anything good. I told Tim that he was really good at finding something to compliment, and I needed to do that more. But, again apologies to my students, I don't think I did this enough.
I hereby am resolving to try to give more positive feedback to others in my life. And to start with that. I do believe being a problem-seer/problem-solver is useful but I'm starting to realize maybe the positive feedback is not a "waste of time" but rather the thing that keeps someone else going.
So, sorry Adam, kids, family, and all my many students who haven't received enough of the "good job" comments. I'm going to work on it this year.
I'm not very good at it though, so I would appreciate any positive feedback if I do a good job :)
I LOVE being taught. I relish feedback. Right now I have five teachers--my art teacher, my horseback riding teacher, my Krav Maga instructor, and Talya, my colleague/mentor on the Fulbright. Adam and I also started parent training, where we are being taught skills that may help us with our strong-willed angels.
I love my interactions with all of these instructors and realize it's because I relish feedback, and in particular positive feedback. I should swim a few times a week, but without a swim teacher, I'm not interested. I should do Yoga by myself, but I need someone to teach me. I LOVE having feedback.
Yes, I have studied behaviorism. I have heard a million times "positive feedback" (hell, I even teach that it's important) but I'd hereby like to apologize to all those around me in my life. I do not do this enough.
My ice skating coach Tim made me think of this last year. I'd nitpick about everything I do wrong, and he would compliment something small (your right pinky is in a good position). And his little positive feedback kept me going. The problem is, I'm naturally really tough on myself. I am a "problem seer" (I think the world calls me a pessimist). But yet, I love being taught by people who do notice me doing anything good. I told Tim that he was really good at finding something to compliment, and I needed to do that more. But, again apologies to my students, I don't think I did this enough.
I hereby am resolving to try to give more positive feedback to others in my life. And to start with that. I do believe being a problem-seer/problem-solver is useful but I'm starting to realize maybe the positive feedback is not a "waste of time" but rather the thing that keeps someone else going.
So, sorry Adam, kids, family, and all my many students who haven't received enough of the "good job" comments. I'm going to work on it this year.
I'm not very good at it though, so I would appreciate any positive feedback if I do a good job :)
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