I think that my personality is more of Tigger than an Eeyore. I try to be as positive, bubbly and fun at all times, regardless of what type of day or moment I am having. I know that there are always people that have it worse than me or having a worse day than me. It is no one else’s fault that I am having a hard time with something, so I never want my attitude to negatively affect someone else.
In my classroom, I always see kids who are outgoing and happy as well as kids who are not as active and introverted. I have to find ways to include all of these kids in class since my class is solely based on participation. You can easily see who blends with whom and what category the kids fall under. I try to have the kids always work with someone they don’t normally work with or with someone they know very little about. When it comes time to making teams, I use an app called team shake. In that app, I can make certain requests to not have certain kids be on the same team so they have to work with others. This way the kids don’t think that I am being unfair. The app does the work for me. The stippulations on the app help me keep certain kids separated as well. That is one way that I help to meet needs of the wide spectrum of kids. I also will ask my more outgoing students to pair up with the more shy kids by having them go up discreetly and asking them to be their partner. I very seldom have a student say no. This way I can build trust and respect in my class.
I for sure view myself as a Tigger because I try to be a positive person and live life to the fullest. I don't try and dwell on things that don't go my way or as planned, but try to look at the best in each situation. I do have a lot of shy students this year in comparison to other years, especially girls. I try to mix my students up into different groups as much as possible and yet try and let them have some freedom with seating or partners when they can (lunch, reading buddies, locker buddies, etc.) I always try and explain to my students that even though we have a best friend, mingling and getting to know others is a way to learn new things about one another, and make new friendships that maybe we didn't know was possible just by viewing the outside of a person and not truly taking the time to get to know them.
It’s hard not to be a Tigger when you get to spend your days in a profession you love. I try to pass on to my students that life, and your reaction to it, is largely based on the choices you make. Make good choices and things will likely go along in your favor, making it easy to be optimistic. On the other hand, poor choices often also yield negative consequences which can easily spiral you into more of an Eeyore state of mind. I feel like, at the end the day, my goal is to help my students learn how to make themselves happy. Ten years from now I don’t really care if they’ve remembered any of the Spanish I’ve taught them (although I sure hope they’ve been using it everyday!). What I do care about is if they’re happy. Are they accomplishing their childhood dreams? Did college or the military work out the way that they hoped? Do they have a career that they are proud of that makes it easy for them to wake up every morning? The number one piece of advice I like to share with my students is that they should follow their hearts. It’s what I try to do everyday, and I think they can tell. We all know people who are clearly unhappy in their line of work. Imagine having to spend eight hours or more a day doing something you don’t like or that isn’t rewarding to you. How easy it would be to become Eeyore! Optimism comes from being truly happy with your life. I ask my students to frequently reflect. Are they happy? If not, let’s figure out why and change it. It’s never too late to become a Tigger!
I hope I am a tigger...even on the days I feel like Eyore. My class this school year is particularly challenging. It has been one of the toughest years in a while. But, it has also been rewarding. So at this point in the school year- I feel a little like Eyore, but I am trying to throw out the tigger vibe. I hope it's working!
The fact that you're trying makes all the difference in the world, Molly! We can all feel a little run down by particularly challenging classes, but I love how you haven't given up! Keep at it, summer is near:)
I am most definitely a Tigger. Generally speaking I'm a ball of energy, always optimistic and positive. Since my classroom is all about participation and working together to create things - I try to switch up seating and groups so that students are working with different people. Each group has super Tigger so to speak, and I am always encouraging the students to be positive and support their musical creativity.
Always been, always will be a Tigger... what has changed is that I'm trying to reach out more to the Eeyore's in my classes. It's easy to see the Tigger's. Let's find out what's going on with the Eeyore's and recognize that just because they don't celebrate and laugh like you do, they are capable of happiness- it just might take a different way of bringing it out. Now I try to reach both the Tigger's and Eeyore alike. We are all who we are...
I think this is a great way to look at it. There is an excellent book, called "Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking" that I think all educators should read. The teacher center does a book study on it - highly recommended!
I actually reject the whole premise of being either/or. I think there is a Tigger/Eeyore spectrum, and where I fall on it depends on the circumstances; the day, the things happening in my life, my age. When I was younger, I was a proud pessimist, but as I got older and learned more about mindset and mindfulness, I made more of an effort to look for the positive in things. I try to appreciate at least one thing every day, because I learned that it gets really tiring to be negative all the time, and doesn't accomplish anything. I try to be a role model in this way to my students, as I can still remember what it was like to be a teenager and can relate to their seemingly bottomless angst. :-D Without being over the top (because Eeyore really can't stand Tigger bouncing around all the time, and neither can I!), I try to guide them to a more positive mindset when things go wrong. It's not always easy, because I think mindset often comes with experience, which comes with age. But I think that showing them there are more beneficial ways to react to obstacles may at least get them thinking about it.
I love the Tigger-Eeyore spectrum concept. You are right depending on the day and the circumstance we find ourselves at different points along the spectrum.
I am neither a bouncing over the top Tigger or a sad, pessimistic Eeyroe. I think I fall directly in the middle...maybe more of a Piglet. I'm level headed, logical, practical and I care very deeply for the important people in my life. I am the caretaker of the ones who need me the most ... Special Ed teacher! In my classroom I spend a lot of time helping the Tiggers learn how to control their bodies and impulsive habits. I help the Eeyores by showing them how much they have to be proud of in themselves and doing everything I can to boost confidence.
I think that I am mostly a Tigger, even though my own children and sometimes my students might say I can be an Eeyore. But to me, in teaching, there really are no bad days, maybe just some hard moments throughout the day. So I'd say that I'm a Tigger except for when my Eeyore has to come out. ;) I try to ask my students how they are every morning. I usually can sense if something is going on with them, because they're being more quiet, or looking sad. I try to ask them if they want to go in the hall and talk about anything. Usually they say they are fine, but I try to offer some one on one time to them. And even if they don't take me up on it, they hopefully know that I noticed. As for the Tiggers, I try to do recess outdoors almost every day. I truly believe that kids need to be able to run around, yell, laugh, and get fresh air. I also try to do Go Noodle activities to get the kids moving in the classroom.
There is something to being a teacher who gets a new group of students every 45 minutes. You get that chance to reset your feelings. You get the chance to flush whatever issues you were having down the drain, and again find happiness in the new group of students sitting in front of you.
I believe in the Tigger philosophy. I often share with my students that if you aren't having fun in what you are doing then you should probably be doing something else. I make a point to have fun in the classroom to show my students that learning is fun. I know there are days when I come to work that I am channeling my inner Eeyore, but I do my best to make things fun. One way I do this to to make sure I spend time "picking on" all of my students. So often the quiet unassuming students get lost in the mix, so I make a point of making them the center of my attention. I think most of the time they enjoy it.
I agree, students often want to be chosen, thought of, joked with, even if it is a brief interaction that recognizes them and their value as part of the class.
My personality is best described as a Tigger, but am sure I have days, like others, when I am feeling a bit like Eeyore. I enjoy feeling happy, optimistic, and making the most out of life. In a class full of students, it might be clever to mix Tiggers and Eeyores, as there could be a lot they could learn from each other. If I had Eeyores who are truly sad, pessimistic, or unhappy, I would do everything in my power to make sure they know how important they are. Depending on their individual personalities, I may invite them to eat lunch in the classroom with me, or give them special jobs that are fit to their interests.
As someone who likes to see the positive side to things, I am more of a Tigger. Years ago we were in Disney World, I purchased a tiny Tigger figurine after I heard Randy's Last Lecture. With students, it is important to let them know they are accepted no matter if they are a Tigger or an Eeyore. I have met students at various times in their lives, during facing transition to another school, divorce, loss, or exciting things like the birth of a sibling, developing new friendships, learning and playing a new sport. Students approach all of these events with their personality. Daily, I point out the good for kids to see. New snow, good news on the internet, a joke, a new discovery. Each day we start out with pit and peak for kids to share ups and downs of the day. Often times they realize they don't have a pit that day. We recognize the positive attributes of our partners and their efforts with a card we call Be your Best Beaker. It is good for Middle School kids to hear positive things about themselves from their peers.
I have thirteen children of my own, and I have noticed with all of them that they learn what they see. So with my students, similar to my students I model behavior in the classroom. While it isn't always easy to be "up" everyday, I have come to realize over the past 20 years of my life as a teacher that there is not a day that goes by that I don't mind getting up and going to work. I love teaching and I love learning and there are many days that my students teach me how to be better. When I come across the "Eyeore" I invite them in. My room is almost always available during lunches and the Eyeores congregate with the Tiggers but it is definitely a more comfortable atmosphere than the lunch room offers. I have told all of my students that everyone has "stuff" going on in their lives, only some are more comfortable with it than others. We need to be understanding of a person's situation when in many cases we do not have a full understanding of the situation itself, but our intuition tells us that the person is struggling or having difficulty with something. Accept them for who they are on the good days and the bad ones and have an attentive ear when they decide to confide in you.Because over time, they will, and everyone deserves a chance to be heard.
I am definitely a Tigger. I am generally full of energy and life, and more importantly, I am eager to live life. I struggle with people who have a hard time finding happiness on their own. I am not saying that I don't have down days, but usually being around my students is enough to bring me back up. I love my work and I thrive interacting with people. I do work hard to have a good understanding of the personalities in my classes, and to address and work with them in ways that are complimentary. I feel it is important to know who needs what kind of push. Should it be the encouraging, energetic push, or a quiet aside. Can I make a scene about what someone has accomplished, or is a quiet knuckles better. Knowing my students and what motivates them is very important to me.
At work I am more of a Tigger but at home I am more of an Eeyore. At work I know a lot of people are relying on me to get the work done so I tend to be more on top of things and organized. At home, however, I tend to be more lax and less on top of things and I do not necessarily get the job done on time. I tend to procrastinate at home and get easily distracted by a lot. At work I care what my peers think of me and I want to be viewed as a team player as well as professional and responsible. I just try to be very patient with my students and try to positively encourage the "Eeyore's" to stay motivated. I often time have the "Tiggers" help me out by helping the "Eeyores".
I think that in the classroom and at practice I am a Tigger - but sometimes when I get home I need to be an Eeyore for a while. All of my jobs are incredibly emotionally exhausting, I spend my time pouring all of my energy into the children that I teach and coach and making sure that they are making memories that will last them a lifetime, and learning lessons that will help them facilitate their future relationships - that sometimes I am in desperate need of alone time, or some quiet time. I think because of this, I am very apt at recognizing this quality in my students as well and respecting their personalities and individual needs. I can laugh and dance and sing with the Tiggers, and sit down quietly next to the Eeyores and ask them how their day is or how their weekend off was.
I think that my personality is more of Tigger than an Eeyore. I try to be as positive, bubbly and fun at all times, regardless of what type of day or moment I am having. I know that there are always people that have it worse than me or having a worse day than me. It is no one else’s fault that I am having a hard time with something, so I never want my attitude to negatively affect someone else.
ReplyDeleteIn my classroom, I always see kids who are outgoing and happy as well as kids who are not as active and introverted. I have to find ways to include all of these kids in class since my class is solely based on participation. You can easily see who blends with whom and what category the kids fall under. I try to have the kids always work with someone they don’t normally work with or with someone they know very little about. When it comes time to making teams, I use an app called team shake. In that app, I can make certain requests to not have certain kids be on the same team so they have to work with others. This way the kids don’t think that I am being unfair. The app does the work for me. The stippulations on the app help me keep certain kids separated as well. That is one way that I help to meet needs of the wide spectrum of kids. I also will ask my more outgoing students to pair up with the more shy kids by having them go up discreetly and asking them to be their partner. I very seldom have a student say no. This way I can build trust and respect in my class.
This app seems pretty cool, Katie. I want to look into using it in my classroom. Thanks for writing about it!
DeleteI for sure view myself as a Tigger because I try to be a positive person and live life to the fullest. I don't try and dwell on things that don't go my way or as planned, but try to look at the best in each situation. I do have a lot of shy students this year in comparison to other years, especially girls. I try to mix my students up into different groups as much as possible and yet try and let them have some freedom with seating or partners when they can (lunch, reading buddies, locker buddies, etc.) I always try and explain to my students that even though we have a best friend, mingling and getting to know others is a way to learn new things about one another, and make new friendships that maybe we didn't know was possible just by viewing the outside of a person and not truly taking the time to get to know them.
ReplyDeleteIt’s hard not to be a Tigger when you get to spend your days in a profession you love. I try to pass on to my students that life, and your reaction to it, is largely based on the choices you make. Make good choices and things will likely go along in your favor, making it easy to be optimistic. On the other hand, poor choices often also yield negative consequences which can easily spiral you into more of an Eeyore state of mind. I feel like, at the end the day, my goal is to help my students learn how to make themselves happy. Ten years from now I don’t really care if they’ve remembered any of the Spanish I’ve taught them (although I sure hope they’ve been using it everyday!). What I do care about is if they’re happy. Are they accomplishing their childhood dreams? Did college or the military work out the way that they hoped? Do they have a career that they are proud of that makes it easy for them to wake up every morning? The number one piece of advice I like to share with my students is that they should follow their hearts. It’s what I try to do everyday, and I think they can tell. We all know people who are clearly unhappy in their line of work. Imagine having to spend eight hours or more a day doing something you don’t like or that isn’t rewarding to you. How easy it would be to become Eeyore! Optimism comes from being truly happy with your life. I ask my students to frequently reflect. Are they happy? If not, let’s figure out why and change it. It’s never too late to become a Tigger!
ReplyDeleteDefinitley Tigger! Such a positive force and wocerful role model for your students and collegues. Dream job all the way!
DeleteI hope I am a tigger...even on the days I feel like Eyore. My class this school year is particularly challenging. It has been one of the toughest years in a while. But, it has also been rewarding. So at this point in the school year- I feel a little like Eyore, but I am trying to throw out the tigger vibe. I hope it's working!
ReplyDeleteThe fact that you're trying makes all the difference in the world, Molly! We can all feel a little run down by particularly challenging classes, but I love how you haven't given up! Keep at it, summer is near:)
DeleteI am most definitely a Tigger. Generally speaking I'm a ball of energy, always optimistic and positive. Since my classroom is all about participation and working together to create things - I try to switch up seating and groups so that students are working with different people. Each group has super Tigger so to speak, and I am always encouraging the students to be positive and support their musical creativity.
ReplyDeleteYour theory of mixing students to encourage team work, and different personalities to work together is smart. I like your team work approach.
DeleteAlways been, always will be a Tigger... what has changed is that I'm trying to reach out more to the Eeyore's in my classes. It's easy to see the Tigger's. Let's find out what's going on with the Eeyore's and recognize that just because they don't celebrate and laugh like you do, they are capable of happiness- it just might take a different way of bringing it out. Now I try to reach both the Tigger's and Eeyore alike. We are all who we are...
ReplyDeleteI think this is a great way to look at it. There is an excellent book, called "Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking" that I think all educators should read. The teacher center does a book study on it - highly recommended!
DeleteI actually reject the whole premise of being either/or. I think there is a Tigger/Eeyore spectrum, and where I fall on it depends on the circumstances; the day, the things happening in my life, my age. When I was younger, I was a proud pessimist, but as I got older and learned more about mindset and mindfulness, I made more of an effort to look for the positive in things. I try to appreciate at least one thing every day, because I learned that it gets really tiring to be negative all the time, and doesn't accomplish anything. I try to be a role model in this way to my students, as I can still remember what it was like to be a teenager and can relate to their seemingly bottomless angst. :-D Without being over the top (because Eeyore really can't stand Tigger bouncing around all the time, and neither can I!), I try to guide them to a more positive mindset when things go wrong. It's not always easy, because I think mindset often comes with experience, which comes with age. But I think that showing them there are more beneficial ways to react to obstacles may at least get them thinking about it.
ReplyDeleteI love the Tigger-Eeyore spectrum concept. You are right depending on the day and the circumstance we find ourselves at different points along the spectrum.
DeleteI am neither a bouncing over the top Tigger or a sad, pessimistic Eeyroe. I think I fall directly in the middle...maybe more of a Piglet. I'm level headed, logical, practical and I care very deeply for the important people in my life. I am the caretaker of the ones who need me the most ... Special Ed teacher! In my classroom I spend a lot of time helping the Tiggers learn how to control their bodies and impulsive habits. I help the Eeyores by showing them how much they have to be proud of in themselves and doing everything I can to boost confidence.
ReplyDeleteThat's great! I have found in my classroom that the Tigger and Eeyore can actually benefit each other and it's so cool to watch.
DeleteI think that I am mostly a Tigger, even though my own children and sometimes my students might say I can be an Eeyore.
ReplyDeleteBut to me, in teaching, there really are no bad days, maybe just some hard moments throughout the day. So I'd say that I'm a Tigger except for when my Eeyore has to come out. ;)
I try to ask my students how they are every morning. I usually can sense if something is going on with them, because they're being more quiet, or looking sad. I try to ask them if they want to go in the hall and talk about anything. Usually they say they are fine, but I try to offer some one on one time to them. And even if they don't take me up on it, they hopefully know that I noticed.
As for the Tiggers, I try to do recess outdoors almost every day. I truly believe that kids need to be able to run around, yell, laugh, and get fresh air. I also try to do Go Noodle activities to get the kids moving in the classroom.
There is something to being a teacher who gets a new group of students every 45 minutes. You get that chance to reset your feelings. You get the chance to flush whatever issues you were having down the drain, and again find happiness in the new group of students sitting in front of you.
DeleteI believe in the Tigger philosophy. I often share with my students that if you aren't having fun in what you are doing then you should probably be doing something else. I make a point to have fun in the classroom to show my students that learning is fun. I know there are days when I come to work that I am channeling my inner Eeyore, but I do my best to make things fun. One way I do this to to make sure I spend time "picking on" all of my students. So often the quiet unassuming students get lost in the mix, so I make a point of making them the center of my attention. I think most of the time they enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteI agree, students often want to be chosen, thought of, joked with, even if it is a brief interaction that recognizes them and their value as part of the class.
DeleteMy personality is best described as a Tigger, but am sure I have days, like others, when I am feeling a bit like Eeyore. I enjoy feeling happy, optimistic, and making the most out of life. In a class full of students, it might be clever to mix Tiggers and Eeyores, as there could be a lot they could learn from each other. If I had Eeyores who are truly sad, pessimistic, or unhappy, I would do everything in my power to make sure they know how important they are. Depending on their individual personalities, I may invite them to eat lunch in the classroom with me, or give them special jobs that are fit to their interests.
ReplyDeleteAs someone who likes to see the positive side to things, I am more of a Tigger. Years ago we were in Disney World, I purchased a tiny Tigger figurine after I heard Randy's Last Lecture. With students, it is important to let them know they are accepted no matter if they are a Tigger or an Eeyore. I have met students at various times in their lives, during facing transition to another school, divorce, loss, or exciting things like the birth of a sibling, developing new friendships, learning and playing a new sport. Students approach all of these events with their personality. Daily, I point out the good for kids to see. New snow, good news on the internet, a joke, a new discovery. Each day we start out with pit and peak for kids to share ups and downs of the day. Often times they realize they don't have a pit that day. We recognize the positive attributes of our partners and their efforts with a card we call Be your Best Beaker. It is good for Middle School kids to hear positive things about themselves from their peers.
ReplyDeleteI have thirteen children of my own, and I have noticed with all of them that they learn what they see. So with my students, similar to my students I model behavior in the classroom. While it isn't always easy to be "up" everyday, I have come to realize over the past 20 years of my life as a teacher that there is not a day that goes by that I don't mind getting up and going to work. I love teaching and I love learning and there are many days that my students teach me how to be better. When I come across the "Eyeore" I invite them in. My room is almost always available during lunches and the Eyeores congregate with the Tiggers but it is definitely a more comfortable atmosphere than the lunch room offers. I have told all of my students that everyone has "stuff" going on in their lives, only some are more comfortable with it than others. We need to be understanding of a person's situation when in many cases we do not have a full understanding of the situation itself, but our intuition tells us that the person is struggling or having difficulty with something. Accept them for who they are on the good days and the bad ones and have an attentive ear when they decide to confide in you.Because over time, they will, and everyone deserves a chance to be heard.
ReplyDeleteI am definitely a Tigger. I am generally full of energy and life, and more importantly, I am eager to live life. I struggle with people who have a hard time finding happiness on their own. I am not saying that I don't have down days, but usually being around my students is enough to bring me back up. I love my work and I thrive interacting with people. I do work hard to have a good understanding of the personalities in my classes, and to address and work with them in ways that are complimentary. I feel it is important to know who needs what kind of push. Should it be the encouraging, energetic push, or a quiet aside. Can I make a scene about what someone has accomplished, or is a quiet knuckles better. Knowing my students and what motivates them is very important to me.
ReplyDeleteAt work I am more of a Tigger but at home I am more of an Eeyore. At work I know a lot of people are relying on me to get the work done so I tend to be more on top of things and organized. At home, however, I tend to be more lax and less on top of things and I do not necessarily get the job done on time. I tend to procrastinate at home and get easily distracted by a lot. At work I care what my peers think of me and I want to be viewed as a team player as well as professional and responsible. I just try to be very patient with my students and try to positively encourage the "Eeyore's" to stay motivated. I often time have the "Tiggers" help me out by helping the "Eeyores".
ReplyDeleteI think that in the classroom and at practice I am a Tigger - but sometimes when I get home I need to be an Eeyore for a while. All of my jobs are incredibly emotionally exhausting, I spend my time pouring all of my energy into the children that I teach and coach and making sure that they are making memories that will last them a lifetime, and learning lessons that will help them facilitate their future relationships - that sometimes I am in desperate need of alone time, or some quiet time.
ReplyDeleteI think because of this, I am very apt at recognizing this quality in my students as well and respecting their personalities and individual needs. I can laugh and dance and sing with the Tiggers, and sit down quietly next to the Eeyores and ask them how their day is or how their weekend off was.