Shifting the Paradigm

 "Shifting the Paradigm from Deficit Oriented Schools to Asset Based Models: Why Leaders Need to Promote an Asset Orientation in our Schools" by Shannon Renkly and Katherine Bertolini 

    I really enjoyed the reading this week because it focused on a positive way to teach and motivate students. As a future educator, something that is very important to me is having a positive classroom environment. I am a very positive person, and I want to reflect that in my classroom and to my students. I hope to have an asset-model based classroom in the future because I want to highlight my students' strengths and motivate them to keep going. I love the quote from the reading, "We can make powerful changes when we break through the pervasive influence of the deficit paradigm and recognize the untapped strengths of students and teachers" (Weiner 2006 p.24). 

    

    Reflecting on my own experiences throughout my schooling, I distinctly remember the classrooms where my teachers highlighted our strengths rather than our weaknesses. I was so much more motivated in those classes and wanted to continue to learn. I even found school fun when those strengths were highlighted because I felt like I was doing something right rather than always making mistakes. Even something as small as a little "excellent work" on the top of a test made me a much more confident and motivated student. As a student, I struggled in certain subjects, but I really valued when my teachers took the time to highlight the skills I did have and how we could build off of those skills. 

    

    I also love how the reading mentioned that there should be an asset-model from school staff as well as for the students. As a future teacher, I want to be encouraged by my administration rather than discouraged. I thrive off of positive feedback and highlighting my strengths. I am going to me a much more motivated teacher if I know I am doing something right rather than being told I am doing something wrong. I realize that mistakes will still happen as a new teacher, but I hope I'm able to turn those mistakes into something positive and learn from them. 

    I found this great article that lists 15 ways to create a more positive classroom environment. It also includes a great video that highlights different teachers and ways they make their classroom more positive. I will definitely be using some of these in my own classroom someday!

Reflection:

One question that comes to my mind is "could an asset-model approach be more work for teachers if they are adjusting lessons based off of their students' strength?". My answer would be yes, but I think that extra work is worth it if it creates more motivated and positive minded students in the classroom.