2. What do you think criticism means? How could you handle it differently in the future?
3. What are some keys to working together with your colleagues and your students in a way that promotes growth and understanding for all?
Thursday, March 9, 2017
Week 6 - Mindsets in Love (or Not) - Mar 6-12
2. What do you think criticism means? How could you handle it differently in the future?
3. What are some keys to working together with your colleagues and your students in a way that promotes growth and understanding for all?
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1) I guess when it comes to criticism I do both. I can reflect on it and think of ways to help myself, but I can also get defensive about it. To me criticism can build you up or tear you down. I think it is all in how you are approached. You have to keep an open mindset.
ReplyDelete2) I think criticism means to be critical. To point out someones flaws. I truly believe it is all about how it is presented to me. If someone is going to criticize me they can do it in a polite way and maybe not hurt me so much. Some people don't care about your feelings and think it is fun to be critical.
3) Communication is key. With a child who is struggling in their work you can encourage them to be better. Help them stay positive. Don't be rude and degrading if they are struggling. Build them up! Be a positive light!
I also do both when it comes to criticism Brenda and I agree that approach has an impact. Also as you said its very crucial that we are not degrading to a student if they struggle. That is the quickest way to set them up for fixed mindset thinking.
DeleteCommunication is definitely the key, I feel like you must work together in order to create a growing environment for your students. Instead of telling them they are doing something wrong, show them some resources they could use to help them.
DeleteIt is very important to keep encouraging the students and build them up. We don't always know what is going on at home and we might be the only positive they get.
DeleteI am terrible at handling criticism especially if I feel like I have worked my hardest. I have always been hard on myself and second guess my choices so to hear someone else tearing down my thin veil of confidence is devastating. I can usually recover and be reflective from it within a few hours or days depending on the criticism and how personally it affects me. It does help to have a mentor to talk it through with because you can vent for a few minutes to voice your frustrations, but then you can get down to the business of enacting change with them as an accountability partner who will help you figure out a plan for adapting to the criticism and who will keep you on the path to achieving your new goal.
ReplyDeleteThe definition of criticism all depends on who and how the criticism is presented to me. In some cases I think criticism is someone trying to prove that they are a better person than me and trying to prove that they are of more value. In other cases I think criticism is someone noticing that something is not quite the way I normally am perceived or what I would do and they want me to become aware so that I can fix the problem. Voice tonality, word usage, body language, and offers to help are all factors that change how I view criticism. I feel that in the past few years I have begun to learn how to take criticism from others and that sometimes I need to use it to enact change. Other times I have begun to realize that their criticism may actually have nothing to do with me and they may be the one who needs to enact change. However, I cannot make them change so I may have to listen and acknowledge their concern, but know that I have tried my best and their criticism may be a reflection about their own frailties.
I think have open lines of communication is the most important key to working together with colleagues and students. If you notice something that concerns you, talk about it with them in a caring manner and offer to help them if they are in need of help. We never know all the battles that people face in their personal lives so we should always approach them with the question first “Hey how are you? How can I help you today?” before you even bring up the criticism which should be done in a respectful manner “I noticed you were _________. You don’t normally do this so I was wondering if something is different today.”. When people know that you care more about them then the “problem” they are much more likely to be willing to enact change.
It's so true that we don't know what battles people are facing. I like your idea of approaching people with a question when presenting criticism and I agree that it is important to treat people respectfully.
DeleteCan relate to your venting comment. It is great to have someone that understands that for moment you just need to get it off your chest and then everything is better!
Delete1) For me it kind of depends on a few factors on whether I handle or perceive criticism in a positive or negative way. If the criticism is meant in a helpful constructive way then I’m appreciative and I use it to work on improving that specific weakness. If the criticism is meant in a mean or negative way then I’m more likely to become defensive.
ReplyDelete2) To me criticism means its literal definition which is expressing your perceived faults or shortcomings about someone. In the future in order to handle criticism better I need to not let it get to me in a negative way and instead have more of a growth mindset towards it. Use it to work towards improving myself as a person as well as improving my skills.
3) Whether it be colleagues or students, communication is a big factor. Being open to colleague’s ideas and suggestions, providing growth feedback and encouraging colleagues to try new ideas in the workplace are in my opinion ways to encourage growth mindsets in staff. As teachers watching how we respond to students, being more encouraging and letting them know that something might be a struggle but that they can get it if they keep trying and keep working at it are just a few good ways to encourage growth mindsets in our students.
I agree with you that communication is important when working with others. I think it's important to communicate early and often when we have an opinion about things that are going on so that we don't let issues build and become more of a problem than they need to be.
DeleteI do agree, it is all about how you perceive the criticism. I feel like it is also how they hand you the criticism, are they doing it to be polite or are they doing it to hurt you or others.
DeleteI agree that you have to have an open mindset. If we don't have an open mindset with our co-workers going to work each day could be a challenge.
DeleteI agree that if we are being encouraging about the criticism then people are going to take it better. I know when the person who was critical comes alongside me and helps me to make changes then I am much more receptive and willing to make the changes. Then it's alwats that Im not the problem, the problem is the problem.
Delete1. When I am being criticized by someone, my first reaction is to become defensive. However, I often am able to logically think about it after some time. It might not be right when I am given criticism or even the same day, though. My reaction to the criticism also depends upon whether or not I respect the person criticizing me and the manner in which they are giving the criticism. If the person is respectable and they are talking to me in a calm, respectful manner, I am more likely to view the criticism as valid.
ReplyDelete2. To me, criticism is the evaluation of someone's actions, whether they are worth approval or disapproval. In the future, when I am being criticized, I should try to remove my emotions from the situation. If I can do that, I will be more likely to see the truth in what is being said to me. If I have the ability to wait before responding to the criticism, I would be able to give a more calm, thought-out response.
3. When working with colleagues and students, I think it is important to remember that people are more than just words (or scores) on a page. We need to view others as beings who are constantly learning and growing. I think we contribute to the growth of others all the time, whether it be positive or negative contribution. Our reactions to those around us can further their growth and learning or hinder it. That being said, I think that remembering to treat others with respect, no matter how they treat us, is key in promoting growth.
Love your last sentence. Respect is huge! We are adults and have to treat others with respect even if there is a time we fill it is not easy to do so. They will usually come around and apologise if they feel like they did or said something wrong.
DeleteAbsolutely! If everyone showed each other respect, criticism would always be positive and constructive. I really like that this chapter pointed out how bullies are often not needing more self-esteem, they just thrive on putting others down. If only there were more lessons in all schools based on equality and respect.
DeleteI agree on the importance of treating each other with respect. In a world where social media is available a our fingertips, we need to be teaching students how to express themselves respectfully when they disagree with someone's opinion.
DeleteI usually handle criticism based on how it is handed to me; like if you are in a parent/teacher conference, you should usually start with a positive before dishing out the “bad” news. As long as someone can tactically tell me what I did that needs to be corrected and maybe even resources to fix my errors, I can take it pretty well. If they are rude…then probably not.
ReplyDeleteI think criticism is someone letting you know that there is something you need to work on. I feel like the best way to handle criticism is to listen to them with an open mind and try and maybe try and find a way to fix the problem.
Again, I do feel like if everyone is open minded and truly listens to their friends and colleagues then we can promote growth and understanding. I feel like this includes working not only with your own team but talking to grades below/ahead of you and see what is working and not working. If your colleague’s best interest is in their students then you should really try and listen to their ideas and how you can help your future/past students.
Your comment about promoting growth and understanding is great. We need others to help increase our knowledge!
DeleteExactly, I always try to dish out at least 3 positives with a parent before I ever begin discussing what other issues I may be having with a student'services performance. I want the parents to know that I love their children and notice what they love about their kids before I ever start to discuss areas of improvement.
DeleteDepends on how and who is giving the criticism. For the most part I can listen and then decide for myself if the advice merits credit or any change. My mother always said I was great at asking and listening to advice, but not necessarily following it. That’s because I believe that others are able to notice things differently from me and can make points and give input of ideas that I have not thought of. But I have to work it out for myself if it is best for me or the situation I am working on. Not proud of this fact, but there has also been a few times that I have exploded. My immediate reaction is anger and I think that the person doesn’t know what they are talking about etc. Luckily I am surrounded by great people that wait, knowing that soon I will settle!
ReplyDeleteCriticism seems so negative but if you can think of it as advice it seems so much better!
Stay positive, think of the other person while talking. Think about how you would like to be told if you were in that person’s place.
First of all, I can't imagine you angry or exploding! LOL But, it definitely matters who is giving the criticism. I am going to try to be a more patient listener and decide if the criticism is of value and if there is something I can learn from it. Thankfully, we are surrounded by quality people who know how to carry each other and promote each other instead of putting them down.
DeleteI take criticism differently based on what it is concerning and also depending on who it is from. Mostly I am able to shrug criticism off, but there are those times when people you hope to hear positive comments from, let you down. I do try to take something away from those experiences though. It is interesting to hear other people's view, even if it isn't constructive criticism. If I am at fault, I don't like to play the blaming game. I'm usually good to accept whatever is coming my way.
ReplyDeleteI think criticism means giving your view about something in a negative way. I can accept that everyone has their own view about things and that if they are true friends, they know that the only criticism they would give is that of a constructive nature.
Building a relationship with colleagues and students that encourages communication is key. Colleagues who take time to work with each other and take the time to get to know each other are more successful with collaboration. Teachers who take the time to get to know their students and their abilities through communication develop a more respectful and dependent relationship. That's why elementaries are more successful with building teacher-student bonds by giving students a "home" room with a constant figure there.
I agree, it is important to have a great relationship with your students and colleagues which will result in a better atmosphere!
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ReplyDeleteI hate criticism and usually sulk, get defensive, and then reflect on the actual cause of the criticism. I have to be able to logically turn criticism into "constructive criticism", at least in my own head or it eats me up.
A criticism is a judgement. It should mean that someone is trying to help you out. For example, when my husband is critical of the outfit I am wearing. Is he being helpful or mean? Another, if someone points out a spelling or grammar mistake -- are they being helpful or mean? I suppose it is all in the way the criticism is presented. Possibly a compliment first and then offer your critique, if needed at all.
Keep an open mind, be mindful of how you offer advice and put yourself in the other person's shoes and think of how you might like to be reminded or corrected. And, to try to always remember to THINK before saying anything. For young students, I like how... can we try or add something to make it even better? My absolute favorite encouragement this year that I have apparently stressed is adding detail. My littles are constantly retrieving their work to "add more detail."
I can take criticism both ways, it just depends on how it was presented. I can take the information and think about it and come up with a way to make things better and then there are times when I can become very angry and upset.
ReplyDeleteI think criticism is giving your opinion in a typically negative way. For the most part, I hear criticism given in a negative way, but not always meant that way. It's hard to stop and think about the best way to present the criticism to a person before giving it. I think we should stop and think about how we would personally take the information before giving it to another person.
It is important to have a relationship and be able to communicate with your colleagues and students. By having a good relationship, they will listen to you more and will take what you have to stay in a better light. It is important to be positive and encourage them to keep doing what they are doing and let them know when they are doing well. Students will respond to you better if you have something more negative to say to them if you have a good relationship built with them.
1. It depends on the context of the criticism. If its purpose is to help, then I am usually reflective and take it well. If it's in the context of an argument with my spouse, I am often defensive.
ReplyDelete2. I think criticism can have a negative connotation, as in trying to find fault with someone's character, work, or actions. Possibly a person trying to tear someone down to make him/herself feel superior. Constructive criticism, however, should be meant to encourage and help a person to improve.
3. Treat others as you would like to be treated. Think before you speak. Take others' opinions into consideration. Be kind when giving constructive criticism.