Reflection Blog #11

Reflection #11:

• Reflect on challenges that can come from teachers taking on the role of the “expert”. How does that impact the child and the family? What are the advantages of supporting a child and families competence? 

Teachers can be "experts" in their field, much like any other person can be in their career of choice, however that doesn't mean they know 100% what's right for the child.  It can get really difficult when a teacher has one way of doing things and that's all they know how or will do.  Students learn in different ways and are also different in the way they communicate their needs.  This can impact the teacher/student and teacher/parent relationship greatly.  Parents will feel like the teacher isn't being understanding to their child so it can cause some animosity between them.  The students will feel like the teacher just doesn't like them for whatever reason because they aren't willing to change how they are teaching.  I can relate to this currently because my oldest is struggling with is teacher on Distance Learning.  We are hearing one thing from our son but something completely different from his teacher.  Sometimes it's a big misunderstanding, but other times we are only getting what they want to tell us.  Some advantages of supporting a child and families competence would be making sure their goals are clear, having open communication with them, and less chance of miscommunication.  We can join them in their aspirations for their child.

• Share an example of when a supervisor supported you and focused on your strengths - what impact did it have on your job performance? 

When a supervisor focuses on my strengths, it boosts my self-confidence and makes me feel appreciated.  Last year, I created a door covering at the beginning of the school year for the office door.  It was welcoming and I got lots of compliments on it. My boss knows that I can be super artistic and let me take the reins on that project.  It made me want to do a good job too because I felt appreciated and wanted at my job.  

• Or on the opposite end, share an example of when a supervisor focused on your negative attributes or “weaknesses” - what impact did in have on your job performance?

This isn't a job example but an example that I can relate to this.  When I was in High School, I was on the flag team in the marching band.  My coach would always yell at me for not doing things right in front of everyone which was 200 something people.  It was embarrassing and I would get defensive so then she would make a bigger scene.  Her criticism was less than helpful and made me feel like I wasn't even wanted on the team.  It affected my performance in a negative way.