As a teacher, I strive for those glorious A-HA moments where you can see the student has grasped the material I have been teaching. Unfortunately, all opportunities to teach do not always end with an A-HA moment. In fact, some end with me pulling my hair out, wondering what in the world just happened.
So I do believe that teaching is just like white water rafting. No two rafting trips will ever be the same. Some will be smoother than others; some will threaten to propel you overboard throughout the ride. Luckily we can all get off at the end and take time to catch our breath and regroup.
I wanted to explain who I do workshops and trainings for. I train early childhood educators who work many long hours and usually only go to trainings to receive the required training hours per year. These trainings can be 2 -5 hours long in the evenings and on weekends. So not only do I have to figure out how to counteract the " I hope this isn't a waste of my time" assumption, I have to deal with women who spend all day with children and need adult conversation.
When I facilitate trainings for childcare providers the participants vary. The very first training I had went close to perfect, so I assumed that my next one would be just as impressive. I was surprised that it flopped and flopped badly. The group of child care providers I had were tired, grumpy and super chatty. It seemed like I lost control of the workshop before I even started.
To this day, I am still afraid of this happening again. No matter what I read or learn, I still start every workshop feeling as if I am in the river on the rapids. In the end, even if I falter, I still believe in getting back in the raft and doing it all again. I do have to say I have gotten better after a few years of reading my crowd , but this feeling of letting it get out of control does keep me on my toes.
10 comments:
Hi, with any meeting it is hard to compare it to something that happened previous. Maybe that first meeting your girls were in a different mind frame and did not say much if it was your first meeting. Maybe the time it flopped they had bad news from someone higher up the ladder and possibly took their frustrations out on you.
Just like with the white water rafting outside interferences change each white water rafting experience and no two will be alike nor should they be expected to be alike.
Good luck with the next meeting. I have found that sitting in the meetings I liked to hear the bad news first then all the positives at the end. The last thing you hear is usually what you leave the meeting remembering the most.
That is so true to every training,I too have had the experience: "that was easy" , then the next one was anything but easy. After many unique training events I have become more aware of the importance of finding out a little about the audience in the very beginning- with adults it's normally easy to do , but with kids I could see the challenge. Anyway, I recommend you attempt to sum up the audience and possible set some ground rules or working agreements to start. Thoughts?
As many of you know I work all day with children but moonlight as an educator, educating other early childhood professionals. I think that keeping control over 12 kids is a piece of cake, because they are so eager to learn.
I find that making a connection with as many participants as possible is super important. If you can engage them from the beginning, it makes the rest easy.
I think setting ground rules or agreements are great. I already let everyone know that after we get through the "boring stuff" we will have time to discuss or work in small groups. This usually allows me to get through the first part without out too much chatter because they know there is a time that they will be free to talk.
Do not be discouraged, it never ceases to amaze me how we can present the same material and have such drastically different outcomes.
I believe braving the rapids is a lot like braving teaching. We jump in no matter the temp of the water, orr our case the room. We navigate the waves sometimes with humor, sometimes pure skill.( with or without proverbial paddle)
One way to offer a smoother ride is check the current prior to placing your paddles in the water.
Guide your clients into the water with you by talking them through the expectations first. Let them know the course (river) is so long, and will conclude when the final splash hits the dock. :)
Every time I step in front of the class I get butterflies in my stomach and sweaty hands. Having this nervous feeling keeps me fresh and as you say "on my toes". I think it is safe to say all instructors/teachers have experienced the same things you have. Some run but the strong ones like you get back in the boat and attack the rough waters ahead.
I love those A-HA moments. It always makes me feel good when my students “Get it!” It’s a rewarding feeling.
I guess in the teaching environment, we always have to be prepared for anything. I don’t think any two classes will ever be the same (just like river rafting). Now we have an idea of why that happens and we’ll be more prepared for those classes. Keeping control always has to be a priority. Expectations must be established right at the beginning of the class. That’s expectations of both the instructor and students.
The subject isn’t always going to be exciting to teach--there are going to be the boring parts. The students need to know that and know that you, the instructor is there to help them through both the boring and exciting parts of the subject matter.
Hang in there. I think you will be more equipped now to deal with that situation again, should it peep its head up in your classroom.
It seems that you are handling the situation in a good way, by trying to read your audience and get a feel for what they need you can keep control of the room (at least attempt it). I find that if I can learn what it is each person does and at least one hobby etc. I can then try to weave that into the course to keep them interested. It does not always work but at least it may be worth a try.
Analisa,
So how did the second training class turn out? Did you survive the trip or did it through you overboard and you floated down river to the end? What did you learn from the class and how did you adapt your future training classes from this experience?
I just wanted to know how to better cope for whenever this happens to me.
Ron
I really have to agree with you. And given the circumstance you went through I believe that is only normal for you to worry of that situation happening again. I say just breathe and go with it. It's already happened once right? What is the worst that could happen? That it may happen again? That is ok, you know why? Because it happened to you before and you are still alive, well and breathing correct? And it looks like that situation made you stronger and more aware correct? So I say just keep pressing on how you are, and roll with the punches. You still have the job, no one was injured or died from it so I say you are going to be fine. If anything, that situation occuring just made you more prepared and cautious which is a good thing in my opinion. I think you are doing a wonderful job and if you weren't you wouldnt still be doing the same job right? So I say relax, give yourself some credit and you are not always going to appeal to everybody. Just do what you can and control only what you can control-- and that is delivering the training and to the best of your ability. You can not control what others think, or what they got out of the training session, so do not let it eat you up. :)
Ron~ After my flop class, I went in to the next one prepared for the worst but expecting the best. I have had some great ones and some not so great.
I finally realized that if I left with the participants taking at least one bit of information home with them, I won. My husband always tells me I cant save everyone (daycare children) but I can make a difference in the life of one of them and that makes what I do a success.
So I go in with guns a blazin and full of information and I leave happy because I know that I got through to at least one if not more.
So I would have to say that knowing your stuff, knowing how to get your group back on track, and having faith in knowing that you cant force any one to learn if they don't want to are the most important things for me.
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