#04: Simple Ways to Find Your Teaching Blindspots in the Classroom

February 02, 2017

#04: Simple Ways to Find Your Teaching Blindspots in the Classroom

10MT: A 10-Minute Teacher Interview with David Geurin

From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis

Follow @coolcatteacher on Twitter

Dr. David Guerin, (@DavidGeurin) is the 2017 NASSP Digital Principal of the year. David believes that

“excellence is not the same as success. True excellence is a mindset, a desire to serve, a belief that helping others leads to the best outcomes.”

SMART Learning Suite is today’s sponsor. Register for my free Differentiating Instruction with Technology webinar sponsored by SMART Learning Suite next Thursday, February 9 at 4pm.

One of the hardest things about teaching is not knowing where we’re falling short. It is easy for teachers to remain clueless about the things they are doing that are hurting learning in the classroom. In this episode, Dr. David Guerin shares several ways that teachers can seek out and find their blind spots so they can be better teachers.

It may seem risky to find out our blind spots as teachers, but it will unlock better learning.

So, today when you leave a review on iTunes, you’ll be eligible for two drawings: I’ll be giving away one copy of the SMART Learning Suite (today’s sponsor) and you’ll be entered for the Makerbot Replicator Mini+ give away.

Also, for those of you who have emailed me about your entry yesterday, it takes 24 hours for iTunes to show reviews, so we’ll hold off on giving away Karen Lirenman and Kristen Wideen’s iPad book until tomorrow when your reviews start showing up! Thanks for emailing and letting me know!

In this episode, we talk about teaching blind spots. Topics include:

Who has blind spots in their teaching and the impact on learning in the classroom
Examples of common teacher blind spots
How teachers can intentionally uncover their blind spots
How administrators need to encourage teachers to be better

Happy Thought Leader Thursday! I hope you enjoy this episode with David Guerin!

[Stitcher coming soon!]

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Want to hear more about this show? Listen to my first episode of this podcast where I tell a story about a remarkable teacher and about this new podcast, the 10-minute Teacher.

Selected Links from this Episode

9 Proven Ways to Make Learning Irresistible – http://ift.tt/1TuZAh1
5 Blind Spots Educators Must Address: http://ift.tt/2jMtnIr
Differentiated Instruction Webinar – (http://ift.tt/2jA0oIm) .

TRANSCRIPT: #05: Simple Ways to Find Your Teaching Blindspots in the Classroom:

Full Bio

David Geurin

Dr. David Geurin has been named the 2017 NASSP Digital Principal of the year. This is his overview of his career from his personal blog:

“When I came into education, I wanted to be successful. Specifically, I wanted to be a successful basketball coach. I had dreams of winning state championships. Later, as a principal, I wanted my school to have the highest test scores and be recognized as successful.

I’ve since learned that excellence is not the same as success. True excellence is a mindset, a desire to serve, a belief that helping others leads to the best outcomes. It’s not about what we accomplish, but how we can become valuable to others.

Even when you seek success, you may still find failure. But when you seek excellence, success usually find you.

When I realized this lesson, success began to find me. In 2013, our school was named a National Blue Ribbon School. In 2014, I was honored as principal of the year in our area and was up for state principal of the year. My blog now has almost a quarter-million views. I didn’t set out to achieve these successes. But I did pursue excellence, a growth mindset, a culture of collaboration in our school, and most importantly, the best learning opportunities for our students.”

Contests included in this show

SMART Learning Suite
- Manner of Selection of Winners: All participants with a valid Twitter or Instagram handle who leave a review on iTunes for the 10-Minute Teacher between February 2, 2017 and midnight on February 9, 2017 will have their handles put into a random drawing to determine the winner of 1 SMART Learning Suite Software Package. Contest leaders reserve the right to give away more than one license.
- Geographic Area and Eligibility: United States
- Dates: February 2, 2017 – February 9, 2017 at midnight EST.
- How Prizes Will be Awarded: All names of people who leave reviews on iTunes will be put into a random drawing by the prize administrator.
- Determination of date of winner: February 10, 2017 the name will be drawn and the winner will be notified.
- No purchase necessary.
- Alternate method of free participation. You may also enter with a social media posting on Instagram or Twitter linking to the show using the hashtag #10MT.
- Winner’s name will be posted on this blog before February 27, 2017.
- Void where prohibited.
MakerBot Replicator Mini+ Giveaway Contest Rules
- Manner of selection of winners: All classroom teachers with a valid Twitter or Instagram handle who leave a review on iTunes for the 10-Minute Teacher show will have their handles put into a random drawing to determine the winner. Those who leave a review between 2/1/2017 and 2/3/2017 will have two entries for each review. The winner will be required to verify that they are a classroom teacher and that the MakerBot Mini+Replicator will be used in the classroom. Or, if the winner is not a classroom teacher, we must verify with an appropriately designated principal or administrator of the location in a classroom where the device will be placed. Winning another prize during the contest period from the 10 Minute Teacher Show does not exclude the winner from winning this prize. All reviews of the show are eligible for entry.
- Geographic Area and Eligibility: Due to shipping costs, this contest covers the United States and Canada. Classroom teachers or those in schools who will place the device in a classroom for student use are eligible to apply.
- Dates: February 1, 2017 – February 14, 2017 at midnight EST.
- How Prizes Will Be Awarded: All names of people who leave reviews will be put into a random drawing by the prize administrator.
- Determination of date of winner: February 15, 2017 the name will be drawn and the winner notified and verified to be a classroom teacher or to place the device in a classroom. If the winner does not meet qualifications, another winner will be selected.
- No purchase necessary.
- Alternate method of free participation: You may mail your name, mailing address, email, phone number, and school name to ATTN: Lisa Durff 26 Beall Street, Frostburg, Maryland 21532.
- Winner’s name will be posted on this blog before February 27, 2017.
- Void where prohibited.