Slice of Life: Doubting the good work

I led a training this morning about Flipgrid. During the training I highlighted the work that one teacher had been doing on this website, because he had shared his groups with me. He wrote in the chat that it would be good to share the work from a certain student. So I did.

Later in the day, I received an email from this teacher thanking me for making him look good in our workshop. This stopped me in my tracks. Don’t get me wrong, I am glad he found some joy in being celebrated and used as a positive example. I also loved the thank you note. However, it struck me that this teacher would use this particular phrase, as if he doesn’t do well and my workshop somehow changed things and magically made his work look good.

You are the magic maker.

I quickly wrote back that there was no “making him look good.” I just shared the good work he had been doing. Maybe he didn’t mean it this way, but it really made me think about how often we do this kind of thing. Especially as teachers. Why can’t we stand up proudly and know that we should have bragging rights for the hard work that we do?

This teacher had just finished a poetry unit and these students wrote poems and shared them on Flipgrid. The student we highlighted wrote the most profound “Where I’m From” poem. It dazzled in its brightness and love of writing. That teacher absolutely deserved the celebration for an inspirational assignment that made a student know she is a writer. His use of the new technology tool was a new adventure for him, so perhaps that is why he was hesitant to take credit for a good idea. But I wish he would’ve thanked me for showcasing his hard work. Maybe I am being nit-picky, but words matter.

Teachers, take credit for your amazingly creative ideas. Know that you are doing amazing things. Even when you have less confidence, know that you don’t need anyone else to make you look good. You look good all on your own. You are doing amazing work. Stand up and own it and confidently proclaim it.

Author: Andrea

I am an instructional technology coach in a middle school in Milwaukee, WI. I have been teaching for over 20 years in many grade levels ranging from first through eighth grade. I am a lifelong book nerd.

6 thoughts on “Slice of Life: Doubting the good work”

  1. Andrea, you’re absolutely right: words do matter. Teaching is a funny thing in that, oftentimes, standing out from your peers can be seen as a negative thing. Don’t live up to the group’s norms? Your peers point that out. Exceed the group’s norms? Sometimes that’s even worse.

    I’m glad you were able to showcase this teacher’s work and that you encouraged him as you did!

    Also, your post reminds me: I need to learn Flipgrid before I go into the classroom next year!

  2. Andrea, teachers are often given such a hard time for not being __________ enough. I totally agree with your statement, however. We have to take credit and showcase our work despite. Thank you for encouraging us. I hope the teacher whose amazing work you showcased understood and will stick his chest out a bit from now on.

  3. This really speaks to me and to my insecurities as a teacher. I love the part you emphasized – “You are the magic maker.” I also think it’s important to remember that the credit shouldn’t go to whatever flashy tools we are trying out, either, especially in a virtual teaching environment! I fear that more than ever, our expertise as educators is being forgotten in the “noise” of controversy and change. So, it’s up to us to reclaim and proclaim it!

  4. I agree that is an odd use of that phrase. I am glad you could highlight his work and that of his student. It would be interesting to have a longer talk with him about that phrase but just glad you could share his work.

  5. I agree with what Tim said. Sometimes when we are used as an example to our colleagues, it isn’t always a good thing. However, a thank you would have been appropriate and a nice gesture. I also commend you for showcasing his work. I wish this type of celebration would happen more often!

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