Open Discussion Forum

  • 1.  To passionate about my classroom

    Posted 02-12-2019 09:29 PM
    Good afternoon everyone So I have a question! Is it wrong to be to over passionate about your students and your classroom,  Because I was told to be less passionate about my classroom and my students and just concentrate on my work, And I must say that's hard for me to do. My classroom and my students or my life It's what I live for and love.

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    Keisha Harris
    Teacher special ed
    Grand Canyon University
    Camden NJ
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  • 2.  RE: To passionate about my classroom

    Posted 02-13-2019 01:41 AM
    You should always show passionate customer service. I understand how you feel about your students and classroom is your life because I been there but sometimes the people or companies who you work with see it as a business and you should do what your job asks. It is sad because it takes the fun away from teaching and being passionate about teaching and learning and caring for your students.

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    Michelle Jones
    Lead Teacher and Mentor
    HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CHILD CARE CENTER
    Washington DC
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  • 3.  RE: To passionate about my classroom

    Posted 02-13-2019 05:06 AM
    Good morning  Michelle!   Now that you said that, that makes a lot of sense. Thank you

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    Keisha Harris
    Teacher special ed
    Grand Canyon University
    Camden NJ
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  • 4.  RE: To passionate about my classroom

    Posted 02-14-2019 11:05 AM
    I absolutely LOVE what I do. And I have had people not understand that this is actually my dream job. They just cant imagine maintaining the level of enthusiasm and joy for a job the way people like us do constantly. I usually end up just ignoring them. Parents LOVE seeing that the person who cares and educates their child enjoys their job and is excited to come to work. It makes them feel like they have a partner and they have someone they can count on if a problem arises. The people slightly removed from the classroom and parents sometimes forget that part of the job is just as important. Keep it up! But don't forget to take time for you!

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    Temesha (Ms. Tessie) Ragan
    Family Child Care IF Facilitator
    Perfect Start Learning
    Family Child Care Provider
    Edwards, CA
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  • 5.  RE: To passionate about my classroom

    Posted 02-14-2019 11:38 AM
    In my opinion, it is definitely not wrong to be passionate about your work.  I, too, consider myself passionate about working with young children.  That's why I chose this profession!  (And, I presume, why you chose it, too.)  Certainly, one should complete their work that is required by the program they are employed by.  If the program you are working for does not match your value system and you are constantly having to fight for what's right for your children, I figure you have a couple of options - one is to keep it up and keep fighting for what is right in your mind, and the other is to leave and find a program that matches your philosophy.  I had to do this a couple of years ago when I found myself in the throes of depression over what I was having to do to children in a program that was no longer matching my value system.  In my head, I could hear the words of Bev Bos, "Never compromise what you know is right for young children."  So I quietly looked for a program that would allow me to do that while I continued in my job.  I was blessed to find a program that was right for me and the children I serve rather quickly, left what was the wrong job for me, and have been following my heart ever since.

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    Sherrie Rose Mayle
    Director/Teacher
    Campbell Parents' Participation Preschool
    Campbell, CA
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  • 6.  RE: To passionate about my classroom

    Posted 02-14-2019 11:43 AM
    I agree that you should be passionate about your job and your classroom and always work for what you believe it. I also agree that if your philosophies aren't matching that of the program you work for it might be time to move on. With that said, just make sure you are maintaining professional boundaries.

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    Susan Garrison
    Lanesborough MA
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  • 7.  RE: To passionate about my classroom

    Posted 02-14-2019 11:44 AM
    Sherrie is right! I found I wasnt happy in a program and left to open my in home preschool program. You never want to let someone else steal the joy you feel teaching children and helping parents!

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    Temesha (Ms. Tessie) Ragan
    Family Child Care IF Facilitator
    Perfect Start Learning
    Family Child Care Provider
    Edwards, CA
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  • 8.  RE: To passionate about my classroom

    Posted 02-14-2019 12:55 PM
    Keisha,

    I'm sorry to hear about you having such a struggle.  I think being passionate about our students is extremely important.  It is, however, important to get the work we are required to do done, and we do need to learn how to channel our passions so that they are not negatively affecting our lives, and taking over all other aspects.  It is sad that they are telling you to be less passionate.  It is one of the most important qualities in people who work in school settings.  I do know, too, that sometimes our passions can get away from us and we have to be careful that they are not preventing us from doing what is required and from maintaining our family lives, also.  I'm fortunate in that I am not married and have no children, so I am much more free to let my passion flow into my out of school life.  I do not know if any of this has been helpful, but my suggestion is to try and find a way to make sure you are getting your required work done, but continue having your great passion.  Maybe there is a need to just reign it in a little, without letting that take away from your great love for your students and what "you live for."

    Good Luck!!

    Heidi

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    Heidi Van Amburg
    PreK Teacher
    Primrose School of St. Louis Park West
    Crystal MN
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  • 9.  RE: To passionate about my classroom

    Posted 02-14-2019 05:25 PM
    pas·sion·ate

    Dictionary result for passionate:

    adjective
    adjective: passionate
    1. showing or caused by strong feelings or a strong belief.
    I believe that passion is crucial, particularly in work with young children.  At the base of Maslow's hierarchy of needs, after physiological needs and safety, is the need for belonging.  This means that developing strong, healthy relationships is our primary job as caregivers (after meeting physiological and safety needs).  How can we do this if we are not passionate about our work with children?  How can we improve and seek opportunities to learn if we are not passionate about children?  How can the children in our care feel a sense of belonging and connectedness if we are not passionate about them and their well being?  How can we do the best for them if we are not passionate?  The teachers that my children most respect and adore, who make the most positive impact in their lives, are those that are passionate about teaching.  Those are the teachers I want in my children's lives.  Those are the teachers I would hire to work in my program.  And that is the kind of teacher I strive to be. Please keep your passion alive.  That is how you make a difference in the world.  Thank you for being passionate about children!

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    Lyn Schmucker
    Sunnybrook Montessori
    Lancaster NH
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  • 10.  RE: To passionate about my classroom

    Posted 02-14-2019 07:26 PM
    Lyn,
    It couldn't be said any better!!

    Heidi

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    Heidi Van Amburg
    PreK Teacher
    Primrose School of St. Louis Park West
    Crystal MN
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