Teaching Vulnerably | Episode 6

Attentive Teaching

In July of 2018, New York School Talk put out an article entitled, “The Power of Vulnerability in the Classroom”. In the article, author Vivett Dukes quotes educator Whitney Hollins, who writes, “being vulnerable is often viewed as synonymous with being weak.” Therein lies the problem. If being vulnerable requires us to take chances, to think ‘outside the box’ and change course, we wonder if it is worth the risk? Maybe this is the best time to be vulnerable. Especially for teachers. The worldwide pandemic has created such fear, apprehension and disconnectedness that maybe, just maybe being more vulnerable is the antidote. What have we got to lose? Let’s just change it up.

In this episode, we challenge teachers to think about taking the risk to teach more vulnerably-to teach in a more humane way by sharing with their students who they are as people without worrying if this new found vulnerability will cause them to lose control over their classrooms. Being human, forgiving and compassionate and sharing a bit of yourself in terms of your likes and dislikes, in an appropriate manner, might be just the way to reduce behavioral issues and student apathy. Give your students a bit of a window into who you are and they will flock to your class.

When teachers are more vulnerable and more human, students feel a greater sense of connectedness and trust. Experts agree those components of connectedness and trust must be present for students to truly learn. So…let’s show just how human we all are. Perhaps this is the best time to do so.

Visit AttentiveTeaching.com for more resources and to read the transcript of this episode on our blog. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to connect with us and learn more!

Music:

Windswept by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4629-windswept

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Luminous Rain by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4007-luminous-rain

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

We Are The Best Team! by WinnieTheMoog

Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/6235-we-are-the-best-team-

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Sweet Ukulele by Rafael Krux

Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5948-sweet-ukulele

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Inspiration by Rafael Krux

Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5493-inspiration-

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Inspiration and Success by Rafael Krux

Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5664-inspiration-and-success-

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Winter Chimes by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4631-winter-chimes

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/