Lesson from the Fire Truck: Choose one of the lessons from the fire service that apply to education and write about why this lesson is importantfor you, for you students, and/or for your colleagues.
When the bell rings (fire or school) we have to be ready for game time. As teachers, we have each others back and support each other in the ups and downs. In a small school, we sometimes team teach and definitely bounce ideas off of eachother. It is important for us to show the kids the camaraderie and how important working together is. We set the example for them and also expect teamwork in our class. We need to teach the students to have each others back as well. When one student has an "emergency" (could be coming from a bad situation at home, etc) we need to let the students know it is ok to help that student with encouraging words or a friendly smile. If we don't have our colleagues back, we are definitely not going to have our students backs!
The lesson that really sits heavy with me is team work. I find too often we try to change education with just one person. We need a team and a team with the same goals. When the whole staff works together for common goals, I feel we truly could change the culture for our students and be the best school we can be.
I we cannot get the whole staff, then start with departments. Have same goals, best practices for students and overall assessment goals. If a department is strong then the relief of easy and hard teachers is eliminated.
One lesson from the fire service that really applies to School Counselors and those working in education is the importance of staying calm and flexible in high-pressure situations. I appreciate this because, as we often say in our office, we work like firefighters, having to put out whatever comes our way. Flexibility in our schedules is incredibly important, and being prepared for a variety of scenarios that could arise at any moment is something we must do in School Counseling. Of course, not the same, but similar to what firefighters do, in different ways. When students come to us with urgent or sometimes emergency situations, we must remain calm. It’s our job as School Counselors to provide support, encouragement, empathy, and attentive listening while helping students find the best solution for their situation. This lesson reminds me that adaptability, and a steady mindset are essential, not only in our effectiveness, but also as we created a safe and responsive environment for students and in supporting my colleagues in the same way.
Teamwork and camardie is something that plays a part every single day. We have got to figure out the best way to work together for our students and their families. We all should be working on goals that have been established and not be afraid to ask others a manner in which to get to the goal. I am constantly looking for new lessons or changing ideas from one class to the next in order to make a lesson run more effectively. I know that corrective feedback is a helpful component to learning and growing. I am always flexible with my schedule when I can be, too. When classes get invited to different programs or events in the community over the time I am to have the class, I try to change times. I know that they are also flexible and will work with me if my schedule of a sudden changes due to an emergency situation or a call to another building.
I feel that if people start to divide and have an us versus them mentality and it can really put a damper on the culture and climate of a building. I try to maintain neutrality and work with everyone in the same manner as I am about what will work for the student. I do not want to get involved in “drama” as that takes away from the mission of the school.
Teamwork & Camaraderie is crucial in school leadership by driving students and improving student and teacher performance. Working together allows schools to move faster towards common goals. Working together gains deeper insights into student's strengths, weaknesses and learning styles. This understanding helps teacher methods to help personalize learning experiences for each student.
The lesson from the fire service that is important to me is decision-making. With the group of students I have in my classroom, the scenarios can change on a dime and I need the support of both my boss and the administrator to have my back when I have to make a decisions in the moment, to allow my classroom to get back on track. I also need to allow my students to make course correction, right or wrong when they are having a melt down. I need to teach them to make this decision without the approval from me. As for my colleagues we need to allows all of us to make those snap decisions in the middle of an emergency without question asked.
The lesson that is important to me is teamwork and camaraderie. Working in a smaller district you do not have multiple teachers for each grade, so you need to work together across grades towards a common goal. To ensure consistency in student learning I go to previous teachers and ask questions and then I pass this information along to the next years teacher. Having a smaller school environment you develope a closer connection with students, too. We like to do Pre-K through 5 activites in our building. The teachers collaborate and plan and them we mix them all up and enjoy learning from each other.
The lesson that is most important to me is teamwork. Teamwork and having the voices of all stakeholders is crucial when making important decisions. Building that trust with families, that you have the best interest of their child, and communicating with them not at them. With our teachers, giving collaboration time to work together to work on pacing guides and to share strategies and tools that have worked or where they could use suggestions. Our students, our students need to be able so share there voice with there feedback being used to move forward with lessons/reteaching etc. All voices need to be valued , heard, seen and this will help build the trust when emergencies arise that the important decisions will be made for the students and staff.
Lesson from the Fire Truck: Choose one of the lessons from the fire service that apply to education and write about why this lesson is important for you, for you students, and/or for your colleagues.
Preparedness and hard work. Too often I hear and witness the fact that teachers wing it. They don't study their curriculum and/or they don't do the work necessary to make sure that the students are getting the best from them - this has included me during certain times of my 30 yrs plus of teaching and coaching. There is the burn-out factor and there's a balance, but it's important to watch during those times to not get stuck in that rut and to bounce out ASAP. In other words - be relentless. Go one more round!
The lesson that is most important to me is pride. You need to be proud of the kind of teacher you are, and your students need to know that you are proud of them. We are in charge during many difficult situations everyday. As teachers, we need to be able to respond to these situations knowing that we did all we could to help our students, and that we are proud of the way we handled it. The school, the students, and the parents are counting on us to be the best we can be. We need all of them to be proud of us too!
I teach kindergarten. I feel it is my job to build their confidence and make them feel proud of themselves… which I feel starts by letting them know how proud I am of them.
One lesson from the fire service that applies to education is that when situations arise, we need to fall back on our training and experiences. This is important to me as an ECSE teacher because unexpected situations can happen quickly in the classroom. Students may become dysregulated, unsafe behaviors can occur, or a plan may not go the way I expected. In those moments, I rely on my training, experience, and the strategies I have learned to respond calmly and effectively. This is also important for my students because they depend on adults to provide structure, safety, and guidance. When I remain calm and follow the strategies I know work, it helps students feel secure and supported. It also reminds my colleagues that preparation, teamwork, and trusting our training help us respond to challenges in the best possible way.
Lesson from the Fire Truck: Choose one of the lessons from the fire service that apply to education and write about why this lesson is important for you, for you students, and/or for your colleagues.
One lesson that really stood out to me was when Brewer failed, he did not give up. He was determined to do better next time and not let he colleagues down. I think this is a lesson for anyone and everyone. As teachers, our lessons may fail or flop. For me, sometimes I have a really tough class. How I react is all my choice. For example, I have a really tough 5th grade class this year. The don't like any of my games or activities. They are constantly complaining, and honestly just have bad attitudes about school. I could easily just throw in the towel and not give much effort with them anymore. Let them sulk and be miserable. But no! I refuse to give up on them. I want them to find little joys throughout the day. Find things that are fun and exciting at school. I am going to be persistent and have a positive attitude with them, because honestly, they need to have someone cheering for them right now!
The lesson from the fire service that applies to education is teamwork. In education we need many people to be part of the team to help kids find success in school. For kids to be successful, they need teachers, other staff, parents/guardians, counselors etc to work together and communicate. I agree with the saying, “ It takes a village to raise a child”.
The lesson from the fire service part in the book that applies to education and to my particular field in my role is where he got the opportunity to respond to his first fire call but as he was getting in the house and getting ready to help put out the fire, he realized he forgot half of his gear. This is something that stood out to me because working with students who have behavioral issues daily, we are constantly putting out dumpster fires. However, there are situations where we often jump into action without thinking about the steps we need to follow such as coming in calm, presenting with a supportive and empathetic stance, and working together to find a solution. Then the fire is still going in fact possibly getting stronger if we're not checking with ourselves before hand. In order to put out fires in an organized and effective way, we need to make sure we're checking with ourselves first to make sure that we don't respond in a way that could not only hurt the student but also hurt that rapport with the student.
As I was reading this chapter, I couldn't believe the similarities to a Firehouse and Classroom are. There are emergencies going on every single day in our classroom. I would take Pride from the firehouse. I want to always be the best I can be in teaching. Furthering my education and training, not leaving one student behind and just always doing my best. I take pride in my job and I wish more teachers in our school took pride in our jobs and realized the urgency. The other way pride comes in is in our classrooms and our actual school building. I wish my school worked together to feel the pride and take care of our school for ourselves and our students.
Being prepared and having a clean and orderly room. I strive to be prepared daily with my lessons etc.. but with running a behavior room, sometimes you just have to go with the flow and assist a student with their emotional needs in that moment. I also like to have a clean and orderly room. Everything in its place, so students know where all materials are and the expectation is to pick up and keep our room clean.
I am a Title I teacher so I can relate to you on this. Sometimes our students throw curve balls at us and we have to do our best with what we have in front of us. I think setting expectations and having a clean room are crucial as well. Kids need routine!
One lesson from the fire service that applies to education is the idea of running toward the fire instead of away from it. Firefighters are trained to move toward danger with purpose and preparation, and the author connects this to educators who face challenges head-on rather than avoiding them. Even a phrase you hear teachers and coaches use is that they were "putting out fires" all day which ties into the topic and message by the author.
As a high school history teacher, this means I don’t ignore struggling students or difficult situations. Instead, I move toward them, building relationships, re-teaching content when needed, and finding ways to help students succeed. In the classroom, “running toward the fire” means addressing problems early instead of letting them grow. As a football coach, it means leaning into hard conversations, correcting mistakes, and holding athletes accountable while still showing belief in them. Growth happens in uncomfortable moments, and I can’t avoid those if I want my team to improve.
For students and athletes, this mindset builds trust, they know I won’t walk away when things get difficult. For colleagues, it helps create a culture where challenges are addressed directly and with urgency.
I agree with you. As educators we have to run into the fire. We are the adult and the role model. We have to show them how to run towards a fire and make the decisions how to put out the fire.
One lesson I took is the quick decision-making and making sure the little details are ready before taking off on the big things. It makes me think of having lessons prepared down to having the resources ready and at hand before jumping into a lesson (even ones I've done before). It actually saves time having everything at my fingertips during the lesson so that it reduces unstructured time students have to wait otherwise for you to get the supply. Students deserve to have their lessons prepared - it helps them learn when lessons flow without interuptions and it saves us the headache when we don't have things prepared. Just like when he forgot part of his uniform - it let his team down. When we as teachers/staff all work to have things run smooth, the whole atmosphere of the school just feels the positive flow.
Lesson from the Fire Truck: Choose one of the lessons from the fire service that apply to education and write about why this lesson is important for you, for you students, and/or for your colleagues.
One lesson from the fire service is that you don’t wait for perfect conditions, you act when people need you. Firefighters don’t stand back and analyze because they prepare, trust their training, and step in to help, even when the situation is messy or uncertain.
This lesson matters to me because teaching is hardly ever perfect. There are always interruptions, challenges, and students who need support right now, not later when everything is planned out. It reminds me to be proactive instead of hesitant, and to focus on what students need in the moment rather than waiting until I feel ready.
For students, this means that they have a teacher who shows up consistently and is willing to step in when they’re struggling, whether that is academically or personally. Doing this helps builds trust. When students know you won’t give up on them, they feel more supported and are more willing to take risks in their learning.
For colleagues, it encourages teamwork and urgency. Just like firefighters rely on each other, teachers should step in to support one another, share ideas, and respond when someone is overwhelmed or stressed. It creates a stronger and more connected school environment.
The one that resonates the most with me currently is the team work and camaraderie. Not being actively involved in the classroom currently, but work in a professional setting and part of a team. Together we all have goals that we have to accomplish individually that attribute to the larger goals of the entire team. If only one person was working towards the team goals, it wouldn't be possible. For me, this lends to in and out of the classroom. We have to work together for the common good in order to make things go smoothly and for things to be accomplished. When people can see that they are contributing to the greater good and those goals are met, they are more likely to continue to work harder to the next set of goals and tasks that need to be completed. It also shows that everyone has things they are good at and we can play to each other's strengths.
I feel like a big aspect of my teaching and relationships with students would fall into the "Accountability and Attention to Detail" lesson. As a teacher, I try to get all of my students to understand that actions have consequences (or rewards) and I try to hold my students accountable for what they are doing. If they go above and beyond, I try to recognize or incentivize them to continue those behaviors. When students do things wrong, I make sure to address it, while also trying to coach them through what happened or what could be better the next time.
I think all of this is much smoother because of attention to details- knowing my students, being able to tell when they are having an off day, being proactive in addressing certain things before they actually happen. When my students know what they can expect from me and what the outcomes often will be (and knowing that I will actually follow through on my word), it leads to an environment of growth and accountability.
As a coach, I also believe that these two things play a huge role in my student-athletes. Working in a middle school, I have built relationships with the grade level of my players, creating an open door for anytime my players are acting up or getting in trouble (in or out of season) I can be another adult who can hold them accountable. Any time I walk into the ISS room at school to bring one of my 6th graders their work for the day, if there is an 8th grader who has had me, they know that they can expect to be pulled out to have a hard conversation about what happened and how to move forward.
In the chapter Lesson from the Fire Truck, an idea I found especially important is the need to be prepared. It’s interesting how we constantly plan and prepare, thinking through all the different scenarios that might occur during a lesson or throughout the day—we even make plans for our plans. However, when it comes time to actually teach the lesson or carry out a “fun activity,” things don’t always go as expected. That’s when the “one more round” mindset becomes essential. When things don’t go as planned, I make an effort to adapt, make the best of the situation, and treat it as an opportunity for learning and growth. I believe it’s important to stay positive and remain committed. I have done the training and understand what is expected of me, but now I need to ensure that I am fully prepared to teach my students using the right tools and effective strategies, so they can be set on the path to success.
One of the lessons from the firetruck i can apply is teamwork. Education is not an individual sport--it relies on a team. everyone has to be invested. From the school to the family and community, we need to work together. We all need to come together to support our greatest assets which are the students. As an educator, I need to be on the same team as my administrators as well as other teachers and the parents and families. We need to be working together. I want to come alongside the parents of my students to let them know we are on a team to help their student. I want to work with them to help their student. It's not a me versus them mentality.
I also believe that a school runs much better when the leaders come to the same table as everyone else, and they view themselves as equals, not as superior just because of their title. When we all come together to help each other get better, than everybody wins.
I feel that our administration at our building is very much team oriented. I know that I can go to any of them with a concern and they don't push it off or just listen. They are on your team there to help you solve the problem and get through the issues. I feel that this is what makes our school feel more like a team.
I think one of the biggest lessons to take from the firehouse is the teamwork and camaraderie. As teachers, so much of our success and support is from our colleagues, our "team." We are all in this job because we care for our students and we are in it together. Often times, if I am having a struggle with a student either behaviorally or academically, I go to some of my colleagues and have the discussion as to what is working/not working for them.
As educators, we are some of the best readers of our students and their needs. In respecting one another and one another's ideas, we are able to provide insight on what works for our students. Respecting colleagues- knowing no one is more important than the rest- we are able to work as a team. We are one another's "ride or die."
A lesson from the Fire Truck that I apply to education is teamwork. Teamwork is important to me because you can rely on others to help in time of need or when your "teammate" is in need they can rely on you! I have been a part of sports though high school and college and the bonds that I have with my former teammates are still some of my most trusted relationships today. I feel like teamwork is so very important for students as well because kids can learn from their peers and also when they are able to teach their peers, they soak up the knowledge that much more as well. The students will also form a mutual bond and respect for one another and school becomes more about the people and less about the school part of it! Same goes for colleagues and coworkers. This life is hard enough, so If I can lighten a coworker's load by teamwork, I am all in. I enjoy bouncing ideas off of others and working together to make things better and also, if I can aid in something that I am strong in and in return receive the same, it is a win. Plus, the connections and relationships that will form can make the work environment a place that will become more like home and a place you truly enjoy being!
The lesson about teamwork. I think this is important because it fosters an us addressing matters. This leads to educators feeling supported, is good modeling for the students, and gives cohesiveness in attaining positive actions. Teachers can enrich the school experience so much more when there is a team effort being employed. Student learning, peer-teaching, discussion, etc. will be richer, more effective learning opportunities, Lessons in team-work, developing relationships, listening and constructive conversations are things that students are skills that will be used and improved upon throughout a life and, learning these things well, people will find their lives that much richer.
I think all the lessons from the firehouse are great to bring to a classroom or school, but PRIDE is one that kiddos need to learn. They need to learn to be proud of themselves and their passions. I am not a coach or a leader of extracurriculars in the school, but I am proud of what I do for my school being a teacher and hosting homework club after school. I use my life or high school stories to show that we need all kinds or passions in our school. Follow you passions such as sports, books, art, drama, music, crafts, gardening, cars, or whatever you love and be proud to be yourself and the skills you learn following your passion. Share your passion and skills with others.
I love this idea of taking pride in your work. There is a difference between being over confident and taking pride in your craft. Students need to learn how to be proud of something they created or accomplished.
Any leader worth following is a leader who leads by example and is willing to do the work. I try to lead our students/staff by showing up and getting my hands dirty right along with everyone else. By doing this, it can lead to a sense of Teamwork and Camaraderie. These lessons work full circle and build off of each other. We have a slogan that "We Can Do Hard Things". Sometimes we have to tackle the hard things as individuals and other times it requires teamwork to take care of tough situations.
In the fire service, no one enters a burning building alone; success depends on trust, teamwork, and having each other's backs. Education operates the exact same way. We cannot expect to change a school culture or handle daily classroom emergencies if we are working in isolation. Cultivating a deep sense of camaraderie among the staff is essential to keeping our school moving forward.
For colleagues, true teamwork means leaving egos at the door, sharing best practices, and bouncing ideas off one another. It creates a supportive network where we can lift up a teammate having a tough day and share the heavy lifting. If we do not have each other's backs as educators, we cannot effectively support our students.
Modeling this camaraderie sets a powerful example for our students. When they see adults collaborating seamlessly, they learn what a genuine community looks like. This allows us to foster a classroom environment where kids look out for one another, work through hard tasks together, and view school as a collective journey rather than an individual competition. By tackling our goals as a cohesive unit, we show our students that we can handle any challenge together.
Modeling teamwork is a great take away for teachers. Students learn from what we do and not just from what we tell them. Teamwork is so important today, like you stated, for creating a supportive network where teachers have someone to turn to. Working in isolation can lead to burn out and is difficult to maintain.
One lesson from the fire service that apply to education is ‘pride.’ Pride plays an important role in teaching because it helps teachers feel connected to their work, their students, and their school. When teachers take pride in what they do, they are more likely to create a positive learning environment, work hard to help students succeed, and represent their school in a positive way. School pride can help build a strong sense of community where everyone feels valued and supported.
The one lesson that stands out to me is Leadership. I am not just an Art teacher. I help lead the school just like everyone else. We are an essential part of a running school and have to make decisions sometimes on our own and we need to make sure we are making the best decisions and being a leader for our students and staff. We can't always count on others or expect our principal to do it all. I feel once you have good leadership roles all the other lessons come into play and go smoothly. Even when things happen or are going to happen, we may not always like it. But showing good leadership by planning, sharing ideas on how this "new" thing could look or work. Helps others adjust to it or gets the ball rolling instead of complaining about it and not willing to take part. In our school we have a leadership committee.
A lesson that stood out to me is when Hamish talks about being on fire. We need to be aggressive for our students and the community. We have to be ready to lead. Just like a fireman an educator needs to be prepared. Whether that is understanding the curriculum or simply having a relationship with each and every student that walks in the building. As a teacher who only gets to see a student for fifteen to twenty minutes a day, my time with them is crucial. So being prepared and getting to know my students at such a deep level is so important.
I think one of the biggest lessons to learn from is Leadership. True leaders lead by example and in the classroom is a perfect place for this to ring true. If you have a teacher who doesn’t care or is just there to earn a paycheck you will see that same attitude in his/her students. They will show up going through the motions and not be engaged. On the other hand if you have someone who shows students that they care and love them you are going to have a much more engaged class ready to learn.
One of the fire truck lessons that stood out was the section on pride. In a classroom, teachers need to take pride in their every day work. The instruction need to be prepared and executed in the best way. The relationships that are in a classroom need to be developed with the most trust and respect possible. The management needs to be based on mutual respect rather than fear. All of this comes down to how much pride teachers take in what they do. All of the small details make a big difference and students notice it. I like the reminder in the book that states that students are a parent's most prized possession. We need to take pride in how we prepare for that responsibility.
I like that you highlighted this lesson. If I take pride in my classroom, then I have a vested interest in what it says about me when it is running well or perhaps not as well as it could. I also like that you thought about taking pride in how we care for other peoples' kids. When I treat my students as the children of someone, that really enhances the way I consider them and the quality of care that I take.
I get the feeling of running into a fire. For me, everyday there are fires that need to be put out. I work in a K-8 school, I have a variety of situations that come up everyday that I have to make quick decisions and find a solution that works for everyone. That also means having compassion and love for the student who may not be in the most loveable mood. You have balance compassion and understanding but also hold them accountable. You can't teach students tolerance if you don't show them the steps it takes to sometimes look away or handle a situation differently. You have to role model tolerance while still holding their feet to the fire. I always tell my students that there is consequences for your every action. This is how real life is, knowing your boundaries and learning to make the right decisions.
Hi Virginia. I like your perspective on this. I agree with the putting out fires. We are always trying to fix something or change something because we know it is the best thing to do for the students. I also like how you handle situations, and model that for students as well are role models to the students. It is important for them to learn these skills as they will need them in situations they run into everyday. Accountability is extremely important in today’s days as well. Holding people accountable, also holds yourself accountable to do what is best for others no matter what.
One less that is really applied to my teaching is the lesson of teamwork. In teaching I have learned that in order to have student success we must collaborate. There are many people in the school system that us as teachers collaborate with including: counselors, principals, title teachers, interventionists, other classroom teachers, and more. As Hammish says, “there is nothing more important than the team.” That speaks volumes to me, as we need to all work together to share ideas, strategies, and knowledge with each other in order to see students succeed, not only in the classroom, but also in life. The is important as colleagues because no one person should overshadow another. We need to all work together and everyone is just as valuable as the person next to them. I also think as teachers modeling this is essential to do in the classroom. Having students build teamwork skills will help them out in the real world when they need to work together with others as well.
I agree with your statement about modeling teamwork to our students. I try to let them know when teachers and other staff members work together to accomplish something. I think it's important for them to know that this is a skill you will use throughout life and it's important to know how to be a good team player.
Accountability and attention to detail stuck out to me. It can be tempting to know that I have a general plan for the next day and trust that with my experience hopefully it will all work out. However, I know that there are a few specific things that I must have in place in order for the day to go well, including having completed the activity myself, created a thorough answer key, and thought through possible hiccups for the day.
When I keep myself accountable to making every day the best day possible for students, then I can truly rest easy that night and know that I am setting them up for success.
The lesson that stands out the most to me is teamwork. I teach in a small school where people need to assume many different roles. Working together is key in making this work. We all need to help out when needed, understand that there will be times that it doesn't seem "fair", and be willing to bend a little to make sure things go smoothly. It also stands out to me when thinking about just my classroom. We all need to work together to make our day go smoothly. I try to encourage teamwork in everything we do. If a student is finished with his/her work, I encourage them to see if others need help. If we have things to clean up/put away, I encourage everyone to help with the task. I also try to plan activities that puts my students into groups to complete a task. These activities can be very difficult, especially at the beginning of the school year. But usually by the end, we are all much better at working together. Being able to be a team player makes all aspects of our daily life better.
I also work in a small school, so I can relate to the importance of teamwork! It can be a tough balancing act when some roles in the school are much larger than others, but it's our reality! I've found it's important to ask for help. Often, others are willing to step in and help they just don't know what to do or how to help out.
We train and we teach and often some of the first attempts we see sometimes look like failure. As teachers we should lead our classrooms by example not because we can do it perfectly but through our earnest ability to try, fail, better prepare, and repeat. If our students don't learn the content we are teaching we can hope they learn through our repetitive actions and quality example. When they are ready to learn, whatever it may be, then they will have the process of how to be successful down. I have not met anyone who is unsuccessful when they try.
I believe the most pertinent lesson from the fire truck is accountability and attention to detail. This is so important to me because our school is growing rapidly, which means we are having to split from one class per grade to multiple classes per grade. Due to this, the staff is having to change their roles a lot and adjust from doing their “own thing” to planning and working with other grade level teachers.
We’re also using a new reading curriculum this year, which is going to add another layer of difficulty into the mix. I believe that working as a member of a team and not being afraid to step up to challenges will be very important to making this year a success – not only for staff members, but also for our students. It will require hard work, but I am willing to go one more round!
You are spot on. There are many challenges in education. I like your positive attitude and willingness to work with your colleagues to overcome them. I'm sure this will help you with the new reading curriculum. I'm sure this will make next year a success. Good luck on your next round!
Lesson from the Fire Truck: Choose one of the lessons from the fire service that apply to education and write about why this lesson is important for you, for you students, and/or for your colleagues.
One lesson from the fire service that apply to education is the importance of being prepared. Just as firefighters do not wait for an emergency to happen, educators need to do the same. Firefighters train and prepare before emergencies so they are best prepared. Educators need to do the same so that when emergencies/challenges arise, they are best prepared too. Ultimately, when educators are prepared, they are best able to meet the needs of students.
Almost everyday there are challenges that I faces in my role as a school counselor. However, being prepared helps me better support the students that come to me for support whether academically, socially, or emotionally. This is especially helpful in times of crisis as I am able to remain calm and make decision that are in line with the best interests of the student/family.
This lesson is important for students too as being prepared will help them manage challenges better and lead them to success. Students need to know that life does not come without challenges, so they need to develop the skills that will help them get through the obstacles.
This lesson is also important for colleagues as being prepared leads to teamwork. Being able to rely on each other during challenges makes for a more supportive environment where all can thrive and succeed. When colleagues work together, students benefit (all benefit).
When the bell rings (fire or school) we have to be ready for game time. As teachers, we have each others back and support each other in the ups and downs. In a small school, we sometimes team teach and definitely bounce ideas off of eachother. It is important for us to show the kids the camaraderie and how important working together is. We set the example for them and also expect teamwork in our class. We need to teach the students to have each others back as well. When one student has an "emergency" (could be coming from a bad situation at home, etc) we need to let the students know it is ok to help that student with encouraging words or a friendly smile. If we don't have our colleagues back, we are definitely not going to have our students backs!
ReplyDeleteThe lesson that really sits heavy with me is team work. I find too often we try to change education with just one person. We need a team and a team with the same goals. When the whole staff works together for common goals, I feel we truly could change the culture for our students and be the best school we can be.
ReplyDeleteI we cannot get the whole staff, then start with departments. Have same goals, best practices for students and overall assessment goals. If a department is strong then the relief of easy and hard teachers is eliminated.
One lesson from the fire service that really applies to School Counselors and those working in education is the importance of staying calm and flexible in high-pressure situations. I appreciate this because, as we often say in our office, we work like firefighters, having to put out whatever comes our way. Flexibility in our schedules is incredibly important, and being prepared for a variety of scenarios that could arise at any moment is something we must do in School Counseling. Of course, not the same, but similar to what firefighters do, in different ways.
ReplyDeleteWhen students come to us with urgent or sometimes emergency situations, we must remain calm. It’s our job as School Counselors to provide support, encouragement, empathy, and attentive listening while helping students find the best solution for their situation. This lesson reminds me that adaptability, and a steady mindset are essential, not only in our effectiveness, but also as we created a safe and responsive environment for students and in supporting my colleagues in the same way.
Teamwork and camardie is something that plays a part every single day. We have got to figure out the best way to work together for our students and their families. We all should be working on goals that have been established and not be afraid to ask others a manner in which to get to the goal. I am constantly looking for new lessons or changing ideas from one class to the next in order to make a lesson run more effectively. I know that corrective feedback is a helpful component to learning and growing. I am always flexible with my schedule when I can be, too. When classes get invited to different programs or events in the community over the time I am to have the class, I try to change times. I know that they are also flexible and will work with me if my schedule of a sudden changes due to an emergency situation or a call to another building.
ReplyDeleteI feel that if people start to divide and have an us versus them mentality and it can really put a damper on the culture and climate of a building. I try to maintain neutrality and work with everyone in the same manner as I am about what will work for the student. I do not want to get involved in “drama” as that takes away from the mission of the school.
Teamwork & Camaraderie is crucial in school leadership by driving students and improving student and teacher performance. Working together allows schools to move faster towards common goals. Working together gains deeper insights into student's strengths, weaknesses and learning styles. This understanding helps teacher methods to help personalize learning experiences for each student.
ReplyDeleteThe lesson from the fire service that is important to me is decision-making. With the group of students I have in my classroom, the scenarios can change on a dime and I need the support of both my boss and the administrator to have my back when I have to make a decisions in the moment, to allow my classroom to get back on track. I also need to allow my students to make course correction, right or wrong when they are having a melt down. I need to teach them to make this decision without the approval from me. As for my colleagues we need to allows all of us to make those snap decisions in the middle of an emergency without question asked.
ReplyDeleteThe lesson that is important to me is teamwork and camaraderie. Working in a smaller district you do not have multiple teachers for each grade, so you need to work together across grades towards a common goal. To ensure consistency in student learning I go to previous teachers and ask questions and then I pass this information along to the next years teacher. Having a smaller school environment you develope a closer connection with students, too. We like to do Pre-K through 5 activites in our building. The teachers collaborate and plan and them we mix them all up and enjoy learning from each other.
ReplyDeleteThe lesson that is most important to me is teamwork. Teamwork and having the voices of all stakeholders is crucial when making important decisions. Building that trust with families, that you have the best interest of their child, and communicating with them not at them. With our teachers, giving collaboration time to work together to work on pacing guides and to share strategies and tools that have worked or where they could use suggestions. Our students, our students need to be able so share there voice with there feedback being used to move forward with lessons/reteaching etc. All voices need to be valued , heard, seen and this will help build the trust when emergencies arise that the important decisions will be made for the students and staff.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteLesson from the Fire Truck: Choose one of the lessons from the fire service that apply to education and write about why this lesson is important for you, for you students, and/or for your colleagues.
ReplyDeletePreparedness and hard work. Too often I hear and witness the fact that teachers wing it. They don't study their curriculum and/or they don't do the work necessary to make sure that the students are getting the best from them - this has included me during certain times of my 30 yrs plus of teaching and coaching. There is the burn-out factor and there's a balance, but it's important to watch during those times to not get stuck in that rut and to bounce out ASAP. In other words - be relentless. Go one more round!
The lesson that is most important to me is pride. You need to be proud of the kind of teacher you are, and your students need to know that you are proud of them. We are in charge during many difficult situations everyday. As teachers, we need to be able to respond to these situations knowing that we did all we could to help our students, and that we are proud of the way we handled it. The school, the students, and the parents are counting on us to be the best we can be. We need all of them to be proud of us too!
ReplyDeleteI teach kindergarten. I feel it is my job to build their confidence and make them feel proud of themselves… which I feel starts by letting them know how proud I am of them.
DeleteOne lesson from the fire service that applies to education is that when situations arise, we need to fall back on our training and experiences.
ReplyDeleteThis is important to me as an ECSE teacher because unexpected situations can happen quickly in the classroom. Students may become dysregulated, unsafe behaviors can occur, or a plan may not go the way I expected. In those moments, I rely on my training, experience, and the strategies I have learned to respond calmly and effectively.
This is also important for my students because they depend on adults to provide structure, safety, and guidance. When I remain calm and follow the strategies I know work, it helps students feel secure and supported. It also reminds my colleagues that preparation, teamwork, and trusting our training help us respond to challenges in the best possible way.
Lesson from the Fire Truck: Choose one of the lessons from the fire service that apply to education and write about why this lesson is important for you, for you students, and/or for your colleagues.
ReplyDeleteOne lesson that really stood out to me was when Brewer failed, he did not give up. He was determined to do better next time and not let he colleagues down. I think this is a lesson for anyone and everyone. As teachers, our lessons may fail or flop. For me, sometimes I have a really tough class. How I react is all my choice. For example, I have a really tough 5th grade class this year. The don't like any of my games or activities. They are constantly complaining, and honestly just have bad attitudes about school. I could easily just throw in the towel and not give much effort with them anymore. Let them sulk and be miserable. But no! I refuse to give up on them. I want them to find little joys throughout the day. Find things that are fun and exciting at school. I am going to be persistent and have a positive attitude with them, because honestly, they need to have someone cheering for them right now!
The lesson from the fire service that applies to education is teamwork. In education we need many people to be part of the team to help kids find success in school. For kids to be successful, they need teachers, other staff, parents/guardians, counselors etc to work together and communicate. I agree with the saying, “ It takes a village to raise a child”.
ReplyDeleteThe lesson from the fire service part in the book that applies to education and to my particular field in my role is where he got the opportunity to respond to his first fire call but as he was getting in the house and getting ready to help put out the fire, he realized he forgot half of his gear. This is something that stood out to me because working with students who have behavioral issues daily, we are constantly putting out dumpster fires. However, there are situations where we often jump into action without thinking about the steps we need to follow such as coming in calm, presenting with a supportive and empathetic stance, and working together to find a solution. Then the fire is still going in fact possibly getting stronger if we're not checking with ourselves before hand. In order to put out fires in an organized and effective way, we need to make sure we're checking with ourselves first to make sure that we don't respond in a way that could not only hurt the student but also hurt that rapport with the student.
ReplyDeleteAs I was reading this chapter, I couldn't believe the similarities to a Firehouse and Classroom are. There are emergencies going on every single day in our classroom.
ReplyDeleteI would take Pride from the firehouse. I want to always be the best I can be in teaching. Furthering my education and training, not leaving one student behind and just always doing my best. I take pride in my job and I wish more teachers in our school took pride in our jobs and realized the urgency. The other way pride comes in is in our classrooms and our actual school building. I wish my school worked together to feel the pride and take care of our school for ourselves and our students.
Being prepared and having a clean and orderly room. I strive to be prepared daily with my lessons etc.. but with running a behavior room, sometimes you just have to go with the flow and assist a student with their emotional needs in that moment. I also like to have a clean and orderly room. Everything in its place, so students know where all materials are and the expectation is to pick up and keep our room clean.
ReplyDeleteI am a Title I teacher so I can relate to you on this. Sometimes our students throw curve balls at us and we have to do our best with what we have in front of us. I think setting expectations and having a clean room are crucial as well. Kids need routine!
DeleteOne lesson from the fire service that applies to education is the idea of running toward the fire instead of away from it. Firefighters are trained to move toward danger with purpose and preparation, and the author connects this to educators who face challenges head-on rather than avoiding them. Even a phrase you hear teachers and coaches use is that they were "putting out fires" all day which ties into the topic and message by the author.
ReplyDeleteAs a high school history teacher, this means I don’t ignore struggling students or difficult situations. Instead, I move toward them, building relationships, re-teaching content when needed, and finding ways to help students succeed. In the classroom, “running toward the fire” means addressing problems early instead of letting them grow. As a football coach, it means leaning into hard conversations, correcting mistakes, and holding athletes accountable while still showing belief in them. Growth happens in uncomfortable moments, and I can’t avoid those if I want my team to improve.
For students and athletes, this mindset builds trust, they know I won’t walk away when things get difficult. For colleagues, it helps create a culture where challenges are addressed directly and with urgency.
I agree with you. As educators we have to run into the fire. We are the adult and the role model. We have to show them how to run towards a fire and make the decisions how to put out the fire.
DeleteOne lesson I took is the quick decision-making and making sure the little details are ready before taking off on the big things. It makes me think of having lessons prepared down to having the resources ready and at hand before jumping into a lesson (even ones I've done before). It actually saves time having everything at my fingertips during the lesson so that it reduces unstructured time students have to wait otherwise for you to get the supply. Students deserve to have their lessons prepared - it helps them learn when lessons flow without interuptions and it saves us the headache when we don't have things prepared. Just like when he forgot part of his uniform - it let his team down. When we as teachers/staff all work to have things run smooth, the whole atmosphere of the school just feels the positive flow.
ReplyDeleteLesson from the Fire Truck: Choose one of the lessons from the fire service that apply to education and write about why this lesson is important for you, for you students, and/or for your colleagues.
ReplyDeleteOne lesson from the fire service is that you don’t wait for perfect conditions, you act when people need you. Firefighters don’t stand back and analyze because they prepare, trust their training, and step in to help, even when the situation is messy or uncertain.
This lesson matters to me because teaching is hardly ever perfect. There are always interruptions, challenges, and students who need support right now, not later when everything is planned out. It reminds me to be proactive instead of hesitant, and to focus on what students need in the moment rather than waiting until I feel ready.
For students, this means that they have a teacher who shows up consistently and is willing to step in when they’re struggling, whether that is academically or personally. Doing this helps builds trust. When students know you won’t give up on them, they feel more supported and are more willing to take risks in their learning.
For colleagues, it encourages teamwork and urgency. Just like firefighters rely on each other, teachers should step in to support one another, share ideas, and respond when someone is overwhelmed or stressed. It creates a stronger and more connected school environment.
The one that resonates the most with me currently is the team work and camaraderie. Not being actively involved in the classroom currently, but work in a professional setting and part of a team. Together we all have goals that we have to accomplish individually that attribute to the larger goals of the entire team. If only one person was working towards the team goals, it wouldn't be possible. For me, this lends to in and out of the classroom. We have to work together for the common good in order to make things go smoothly and for things to be accomplished. When people can see that they are contributing to the greater good and those goals are met, they are more likely to continue to work harder to the next set of goals and tasks that need to be completed. It also shows that everyone has things they are good at and we can play to each other's strengths.
ReplyDeleteI feel like a big aspect of my teaching and relationships with students would fall into the "Accountability and Attention to Detail" lesson. As a teacher, I try to get all of my students to understand that actions have consequences (or rewards) and I try to hold my students accountable for what they are doing. If they go above and beyond, I try to recognize or incentivize them to continue those behaviors. When students do things wrong, I make sure to address it, while also trying to coach them through what happened or what could be better the next time.
ReplyDeleteI think all of this is much smoother because of attention to details- knowing my students, being able to tell when they are having an off day, being proactive in addressing certain things before they actually happen. When my students know what they can expect from me and what the outcomes often will be (and knowing that I will actually follow through on my word), it leads to an environment of growth and accountability.
As a coach, I also believe that these two things play a huge role in my student-athletes. Working in a middle school, I have built relationships with the grade level of my players, creating an open door for anytime my players are acting up or getting in trouble (in or out of season) I can be another adult who can hold them accountable. Any time I walk into the ISS room at school to bring one of my 6th graders their work for the day, if there is an 8th grader who has had me, they know that they can expect to be pulled out to have a hard conversation about what happened and how to move forward.
In the chapter Lesson from the Fire Truck, an idea I found especially important is the need to be prepared. It’s interesting how we constantly plan and prepare, thinking through all the different scenarios that might occur during a lesson or throughout the day—we even make plans for our plans. However, when it comes time to actually teach the lesson or carry out a “fun activity,” things don’t always go as expected. That’s when the “one more round” mindset becomes essential. When things don’t go as planned, I make an effort to adapt, make the best of the situation, and treat it as an opportunity for learning and growth. I believe it’s important to stay positive and remain committed. I have done the training and understand what is expected of me, but now I need to ensure that I am fully prepared to teach my students using the right tools and effective strategies, so they can be set on the path to success.
ReplyDeleteOne of the lessons from the firetruck i can apply is teamwork. Education is not an individual sport--it relies on a team. everyone has to be invested. From the school to the family and community, we need to work together. We all need to come together to support our greatest assets which are the students. As an educator, I need to be on the same team as my administrators as well as other teachers and the parents and families. We need to be working together. I want to come alongside the parents of my students to let them know we are on a team to help their student. I want to work with them to help their student. It's not a me versus them mentality.
ReplyDeleteI also believe that a school runs much better when the leaders come to the same table as everyone else, and they view themselves as equals, not as superior just because of their title. When we all come together to help each other get better, than everybody wins.
I feel that our administration at our building is very much team oriented. I know that I can go to any of them with a concern and they don't push it off or just listen. They are on your team there to help you solve the problem and get through the issues. I feel that this is what makes our school feel more like a team.
DeleteI think one of the biggest lessons to take from the firehouse is the teamwork and camaraderie. As teachers, so much of our success and support is from our colleagues, our "team." We are all in this job because we care for our students and we are in it together. Often times, if I am having a struggle with a student either behaviorally or academically, I go to some of my colleagues and have the discussion as to what is working/not working for them.
ReplyDeleteAs educators, we are some of the best readers of our students and their needs. In respecting one another and one another's ideas, we are able to provide insight on what works for our students. Respecting colleagues- knowing no one is more important than the rest- we are able to work as a team. We are one another's "ride or die."
A lesson from the Fire Truck that I apply to education is teamwork. Teamwork is important to me because you can rely on others to help in time of need or when your "teammate" is in need they can rely on you! I have been a part of sports though high school and college and the bonds that I have with my former teammates are still some of my most trusted relationships today. I feel like teamwork is so very important for students as well because kids can learn from their peers and also when they are able to teach their peers, they soak up the knowledge that much more as well. The students will also form a mutual bond and respect for one another and school becomes more about the people and less about the school part of it! Same goes for colleagues and coworkers. This life is hard enough, so If I can lighten a coworker's load by teamwork, I am all in. I enjoy bouncing ideas off of others and working together to make things better and also, if I can aid in something that I am strong in and in return receive the same, it is a win. Plus, the connections and relationships that will form can make the work environment a place that will become more like home and a place you truly enjoy being!
ReplyDeleteThe lesson about teamwork. I think this is important because it fosters an us addressing matters. This leads to educators feeling supported, is good modeling for the students, and gives cohesiveness in attaining positive actions. Teachers can enrich the school experience so much more when there is a team effort being employed. Student learning, peer-teaching, discussion, etc. will be richer, more effective learning opportunities, Lessons in team-work, developing relationships, listening and constructive conversations are things that students are skills that will be used and improved upon throughout a life and, learning these things well, people will find their lives that much richer.
ReplyDeleteI think all the lessons from the firehouse are great to bring to a classroom or school, but PRIDE is one that kiddos need to learn. They need to learn to be proud of themselves and their passions. I am not a coach or a leader of extracurriculars in the school, but I am proud of what I do for my school being a teacher and hosting homework club after school. I use my life or high school stories to show that we need all kinds or passions in our school. Follow you passions such as sports, books, art, drama, music, crafts, gardening, cars, or whatever you love and be proud to be yourself and the skills you learn following your passion. Share your passion and skills with others.
ReplyDeleteI love this idea of taking pride in your work. There is a difference between being over confident and taking pride in your craft. Students need to learn how to be proud of something they created or accomplished.
DeleteAny leader worth following is a leader who leads by example and is willing to do the work. I try to lead our students/staff by showing up and getting my hands dirty right along with everyone else. By doing this, it can lead to a sense of Teamwork and Camaraderie. These lessons work full circle and build off of each other. We have a slogan that "We Can Do Hard Things". Sometimes we have to tackle the hard things as individuals and other times it requires teamwork to take care of tough situations.
ReplyDeleteIn the fire service, no one enters a burning building alone; success depends on trust, teamwork, and having each other's backs. Education operates the exact same way. We cannot expect to change a school culture or handle daily classroom emergencies if we are working in isolation. Cultivating a deep sense of camaraderie among the staff is essential to keeping our school moving forward.
ReplyDeleteFor colleagues, true teamwork means leaving egos at the door, sharing best practices, and bouncing ideas off one another. It creates a supportive network where we can lift up a teammate having a tough day and share the heavy lifting. If we do not have each other's backs as educators, we cannot effectively support our students.
Modeling this camaraderie sets a powerful example for our students. When they see adults collaborating seamlessly, they learn what a genuine community looks like. This allows us to foster a classroom environment where kids look out for one another, work through hard tasks together, and view school as a collective journey rather than an individual competition. By tackling our goals as a cohesive unit, we show our students that we can handle any challenge together.
Modeling teamwork is a great take away for teachers. Students learn from what we do and not just from what we tell them. Teamwork is so important today, like you stated, for creating a supportive network where teachers have someone to turn to. Working in isolation can lead to burn out and is difficult to maintain.
DeleteOne lesson from the fire service that apply to education is ‘pride.’ Pride plays an important role in teaching because it helps teachers feel connected to their work, their students, and their school. When teachers take pride in what they do, they are more likely to create a positive learning environment, work hard to help students succeed, and represent their school in a positive way. School pride can help build a strong sense of community where everyone feels valued and supported.
ReplyDeleteThe one lesson that stands out to me is Leadership. I am not just an Art teacher. I help lead the school just like everyone else. We are an essential part of a running school and have to make decisions sometimes on our own and we need to make sure we are making the best decisions and being a leader for our students and staff. We can't always count on others or expect our principal to do it all. I feel once you have good leadership roles all the other lessons come into play and go smoothly. Even when things happen or are going to happen, we may not always like it. But showing good leadership by planning, sharing ideas on how this "new" thing could look or work. Helps others adjust to it or gets the ball rolling instead of complaining about it and not willing to take part. In our school we have a leadership committee.
ReplyDeleteA lesson that stood out to me is when Hamish talks about being on fire. We need to be aggressive for our students and the community. We have to be ready to lead. Just like a fireman an educator needs to be prepared. Whether that is understanding the curriculum or simply having a relationship with each and every student that walks in the building. As a teacher who only gets to see a student for fifteen to twenty minutes a day, my time with them is crucial. So being prepared and getting to know my students at such a deep level is so important.
ReplyDeleteI think one of the biggest lessons to learn from is Leadership. True leaders lead by example and in the classroom is a perfect place for this to ring true. If you have a teacher who doesn’t care or is just there to earn a paycheck you will see that same attitude in his/her students. They will show up going through the motions and not be engaged. On the other hand if you have someone who shows students that they care and love them you are going to have a much more engaged class ready to learn.
ReplyDeleteOne of the fire truck lessons that stood out was the section on pride. In a classroom, teachers need to take pride in their every day work. The instruction need to be prepared and executed in the best way. The relationships that are in a classroom need to be developed with the most trust and respect possible. The management needs to be based on mutual respect rather than fear. All of this comes down to how much pride teachers take in what they do. All of the small details make a big difference and students notice it. I like the reminder in the book that states that students are a parent's most prized possession. We need to take pride in how we prepare for that responsibility.
ReplyDeleteI like that you highlighted this lesson. If I take pride in my classroom, then I have a vested interest in what it says about me when it is running well or perhaps not as well as it could. I also like that you thought about taking pride in how we care for other peoples' kids. When I treat my students as the children of someone, that really enhances the way I consider them and the quality of care that I take.
DeleteI get the feeling of running into a fire. For me, everyday there are fires that need to be put out. I work in a K-8 school, I have a variety of situations that come up everyday that I have to make quick decisions and find a solution that works for everyone. That also means having compassion and love for the student who may not be in the most loveable mood. You have balance compassion and understanding but also hold them accountable. You can't teach students tolerance if you don't show them the steps it takes to sometimes look away or handle a situation differently. You have to role model tolerance while still holding their feet to the fire. I always tell my students that there is consequences for your every action. This is how real life is, knowing your boundaries and learning to make the right decisions.
ReplyDeleteHi Virginia. I like your perspective on this. I agree with the putting out fires. We are always trying to fix something or change something because we know it is the best thing to do for the students. I also like how you handle situations, and model that for students as well are role models to the students. It is important for them to learn these skills as they will need them in situations they run into everyday. Accountability is extremely important in today’s days as well. Holding people accountable, also holds yourself accountable to do what is best for others no matter what.
DeleteOne less that is really applied to my teaching is the lesson of teamwork. In teaching I have learned that in order to have student success we must collaborate. There are many people in the school system that us as teachers collaborate with including: counselors, principals, title teachers, interventionists, other classroom teachers, and more. As Hammish says, “there is nothing more important than the team.” That speaks volumes to me, as we need to all work together to share ideas, strategies, and knowledge with each other in order to see students succeed, not only in the classroom, but also in life. The is important as colleagues because no one person should overshadow another. We need to all work together and everyone is just as valuable as the person next to them. I also think as teachers modeling this is essential to do in the classroom. Having students build teamwork skills will help them out in the real world when they need to work together with others as well.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your statement about modeling teamwork to our students. I try to let them know when teachers and other staff members work together to accomplish something. I think it's important for them to know that this is a skill you will use throughout life and it's important to know how to be a good team player.
DeleteAccountability and attention to detail stuck out to me. It can be tempting to know that I have a general plan for the next day and trust that with my experience hopefully it will all work out. However, I know that there are a few specific things that I must have in place in order for the day to go well, including having completed the activity myself, created a thorough answer key, and thought through possible hiccups for the day.
ReplyDeleteWhen I keep myself accountable to making every day the best day possible for students, then I can truly rest easy that night and know that I am setting them up for success.
The lesson that stands out the most to me is teamwork. I teach in a small school where people need to assume many different roles. Working together is key in making this work. We all need to help out when needed, understand that there will be times that it doesn't seem "fair", and be willing to bend a little to make sure things go smoothly. It also stands out to me when thinking about just my classroom. We all need to work together to make our day go smoothly. I try to encourage teamwork in everything we do. If a student is finished with his/her work, I encourage them to see if others need help. If we have things to clean up/put away, I encourage everyone to help with the task. I also try to plan activities that puts my students into groups to complete a task. These activities can be very difficult, especially at the beginning of the school year. But usually by the end, we are all much better at working together. Being able to be a team player makes all aspects of our daily life better.
ReplyDeleteI also work in a small school, so I can relate to the importance of teamwork! It can be a tough balancing act when some roles in the school are much larger than others, but it's our reality! I've found it's important to ask for help. Often, others are willing to step in and help they just don't know what to do or how to help out.
DeleteWe train and we teach and often some of the first attempts we see sometimes look like failure. As teachers we should lead our classrooms by example not because we can do it perfectly but through our earnest ability to try, fail, better prepare, and repeat. If our students don't learn the content we are teaching we can hope they learn through our repetitive actions and quality example.
ReplyDeleteWhen they are ready to learn, whatever it may be, then they will have the process of how to be successful down. I have not met anyone who is unsuccessful when they try.
I believe the most pertinent lesson from the fire truck is accountability and attention to detail. This is so important to me because our school is growing rapidly, which means we are having to split from one class per grade to multiple classes per grade. Due to this, the staff is having to change their roles a lot and adjust from doing their “own thing” to planning and working with other grade level teachers.
ReplyDeleteWe’re also using a new reading curriculum this year, which is going to add another layer of difficulty into the mix. I believe that working as a member of a team and not being afraid to step up to challenges will be very important to making this year a success – not only for staff members, but also for our students. It will require hard work, but I am willing to go one more round!
You are spot on. There are many challenges in education. I like your positive attitude and willingness to work with your colleagues to overcome them. I'm sure this will help you with the new reading curriculum. I'm sure this will make next year a success. Good luck on your next round!
DeleteLesson from the Fire Truck: Choose one of the lessons from the fire service that apply to education and write about why this lesson is important for you, for you students, and/or for your colleagues.
ReplyDeleteOne lesson from the fire service that apply to education is the importance of being prepared. Just as firefighters do not wait for an emergency to happen, educators need to do the same. Firefighters train and prepare before emergencies so they are best prepared. Educators need to do the same so that when emergencies/challenges arise, they are best prepared too. Ultimately, when educators are prepared, they are best able to meet the needs of students.
Almost everyday there are challenges that I faces in my role as a school counselor. However, being prepared helps me better support the students that come to me for support whether academically, socially, or emotionally. This is especially helpful in times of crisis as I am able to remain calm and make decision that are in line with the best interests of the student/family.
This lesson is important for students too as being prepared will help them manage challenges better and lead them to success. Students need to know that life does not come without challenges, so they need to develop the skills that will help them get through the obstacles.
This lesson is also important for colleagues as being prepared leads to teamwork. Being able to rely on each other during challenges makes for a more supportive environment where all can thrive and succeed. When colleagues work together, students benefit (all benefit).