Hi whole-brain teachers:
I'm writing to share with you how bad I feel.
I introduced WBT to my partners at school so they could use it if they liked it and so they would know how I was working.
What a surprise when they called me from the principal's office to ask me who I thought I was. They said that I shouldn't introduce any new method without previously asking for permission.
My fellow 3rd of primary teacher (8 years old kids) had complained about my methods and had said that I was "forcing" her to use this "too innovative" methods.
At the end I convinced my principal that what I was doing wasn't going to change the content of my classes and that I did it because I was convinced my students were going to learn much more and much better. She accepted my explanations.

It so hard fighting against so many people. At least I hoped I'd be supported by my partners.

Best,

Edward

That must have been a sad, difficult experience. Many of us have been through the same kind of thing. I've taught in my college district for 38 years ... thus far, I haven't been able to convince any of my colleagues to use even the simplest of principles that thousands of teachers across the country are using. The key thing is to see that your classroom is a lab where you are experimenting with radical new teaching techniques that use the entire brain ... you don't need your colleagues to continue your experiments. And then, you have to see that your colleagues are not your real colleagues ... we are, here at WBT! And you have done a wonderful job of mentoring teachers around the world with your posts! So, now add to your experiment issues about how a WBT teacher ought to teach, what mental attitudes are most fertile, when the teacher is not supported by teachers and administrators at his/her school ... you'll have lots of interest from other WBT educators about how you are proceeding. So, Power To The Teachers! The more resistance we get, the more obvious it is that we are doing something wonderfully powerful and new!!!

Thanks for your comments, Chris! It's good to feel supported by "my other" colleagues...

I'll keep contributing and trying to spread the word.

Best!

WBT You explained to me, Edward.

I'm sorry this happened to you.

Thanks for sharing WBT.

Lukas.

Edward,

Unbelievable! As Chris said, this just shows how powerful WBT truly is. Keep up the good work! Your students' scores will show that this method of teaching truly does work. And I wouldn't be surprised if some of your colleagues 'come around' and want to know more. Just remember, we are in this profession to TEACH, and we know that WBT does just that in a phenomenal way!

Joni

Thanks Lukaskill and Jonib!

We'll keep on working!

I understand how you must be feeling after being berated for trying a new program that definitely works. I have been teaching for over 17 years and decided that I would not tell my colleagues or administrators that I am going to be teaching a new way. However, I did mention in our staff meeting that I am introducing a new class management program to my students and invited my administrators and fellow teachers to drop by my class if they were interested in seeing how the program works.
No one came in to my room or even seemed interested. Then one day the principal came into the room to see what I was teaching and if I had posted the standard I was teaching on the board. Generally, she only spends a few minutes but that day she never left my room until the class ended. I should mention that I teach middle school 7th grade language arts.She has had anyone and everyone including the vice-principal in my room seeing my student motivated, on task, and learning.
Perhaps if you would explain that the program you are using does not change the methods of teaching but you are enhancing your classroom mangement skills in order to motivate your students to want to learn. Invite your principal and colleagues to visit your room to see how the program is working wonders.
In order to avoid problems with students in my classes, I sent a letter home explaining that I was incorporating a new classroom management system and explained how the program was going to help their child become more motivated to learn.
I hope this helps but don't give up. Whole Brain Teaching works. My students just scored the highest in my school on the Benchmark tests. Lois:cheer:

Its funny that you guys started talking about this, because it kept me up for half the night last night. My students from last year have moved up a grade level, and are currently driving their new teachers crazy.

The students are saying things like, "I learn better if we can use gestures, play games, ect..." and it is not going over well. Someone made them comment that some of my students were making them crazy because they remembered so much from last year - that they were working ahead and using it in class... oh no!!

Good luck guys - Keep plugging along and doing your thing, hopefully they will see the light some day!

Hang in there! You will prove that WBT works with the results in your classroom. WBT incorporates non-linguistic representation that, according to Marzano, is a research-based teaching strategy that works. We would not have to have so many intervention classes if we would teach in shorter bursts and give students time to reinforce learning. You are on the right track.

Your partners sound like they are in Highschool....It took 7 years at my school before anyone would take me seriously....Then my students tests scores went up, I had the best well behaved class ever, and parents were requesting for my class. Don't worry and don't give up....It will all come full circle you will see. Just have fun with your class and let whoever is interested come to you. I had the same priciple for 7 years and they wouldn't even look at me until a veteran teacher of 20 years told her to come check out what I was doing. She had seen me do it in evaluations, but it took one of her veterans to open the door.

i know how you feel. i have the same problem in my school and my country. i descovered WBT this september and immediately started to use it in my class. from the first moment I realised that I could not live without these skills...so decided to share the new experience with my colleaques...but unfortunatelly no one wanted even to try the new approach...

So, I still use the WBT but without mantioning anymore to anyone. My students are happy, so am I, and that is qiute enough, so far.

Best regards,
Renata

PS Power to the teachers

Yes, I feel like I am dating my job...on most days.

What keeps me going is knowing that I have a class of well behaved students whom are learning a great deal...and retaining it...Keep it up!