Instructional Therapy

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 2011

School is out for the summer, but the Texas Legislature is still "in." Most school folks on teacher schedules are really catching their breath by now, though they have a way to go before they are re-charged enough for the next school year. I felt that as a teacher. I would be physically and emotionally drained at the end of the year, or just before a major holiday. Wonder why? Here's a guess:

Teaching resembles therapy. The goal of therapy is to help a person work through issues, overcome problems, develop new patterns, heal, improve, grow and move-on. Not much different from teaching, except the format is mostly "group" therapy with the teacher as therapist and the kids as patients. Not only do teachers attempt to accomplish all the goals of therapy, they attempt to embed learning. Therapy in a group of 22 would be tough. Instructional therapy in a group of 22 or larger would be even tougher, yet somehow, teachers do it.

Many kids come to us OK. Many do not. The wounded, angry, hungry, hurt kids need the most learning and the most therapy. Successful teachers are able to do one of two things (or both): tend to the emotional needs of the kids and bond with them, and/or help kids learn to put their feelings aside to focus and learn. I don't know many therapists, but the few I know would have a tough time if their group was subject to some kind of content-based standardized assessment to determine the quality of the therapy and the therapist.

Every therapist I know has their own therapist. They need one. After attending to the needs of their patients and the incredible focus and control it takes to help wounded folks heal, a therapist is drained or bottled-up. Teachers are the same, but if they have therapists, they keep it a secret. For some strange archaic reason it is not OK for teachers to have stress, be drained or be bottled up after attending to kids all day. Teachers teach kids to their own highest potential, not the kids' potential. Stress them out and the teaching potential has diminished.

External standards increase the stress on teachers. That becomes contagious with their already fragile charges. The design of such a system should be subject to charges of child abuse.

Meanwhile, lucky teachers are basking on a beach, climbing mountains, touring the world during their summers to re-charge. Others, like me, may be sipping an adult beverage on a deck in a back yard somewhere feeling the stress float away.

So, here's a toast to teachers everywhere: May your summer be restful, fulfilling, rejuvenating and inspiring, and may you return this coming fall motivated to provide the best instructional therapy you are able. Bottoms up!

POSTED BY EILEEN GOOD AT 6:58 PM


2 COMMENTS:



Anonymous said...

I'll drink to that! Thanks!

JUNE 15, 2011 10:57 PM



Anonymous said...

Cheers!