Last
week’s post considered the role of praise for increasing reflection, motivation,
efficacy, creativity, and willingness to take risks. The benefits of offering
specific praise were affirmed for me this week as I had a conversation with a very
introspective young teacher named Amanda. It was a pleasure to talk to a practitioner
who was so metacognitive, in tune with her own motivations, and articulate
about sharing them.
When
I asked Amanda what role praise played for her, she immediately began talking
about her experiences with being praised publicly. Amanda described times when
she’s been sitting with her mentor at lunch and the mentor talks to other teachers
about the good things Amanda is doing. Besides being a confidence-booster,
Amanda said, “After hearing that, it made me want to rise!” If her mentor had
those expectations of her, Amanda didn’t want to let her down. “Because if she
already thinks this highly of me, then I want to keep that up!” Amanda
continued, “I feel like I need to rise and make sure that what she’s saying is
true!” Amanda appreciated praise both private and public. Private praise, she
said, was like giving her the go-ahead. But Amanda said that public praise is “like
a double-dose of confidence!”
Novice
teachers, of course, especially benefit from boosted confidence. But I wonder
if we don’t all need a little confidence-booster every now and then? When
coaches praise, it builds rapport and supports changes in instruction.* Amanda’s
experience has been confirmed by others: Giving indirect compliments by sharing
the good things that are happening can have an empowering effect.** When you provide
that double-dose of confidence by offering public praise, at least two people
will feel better, and one of them is you!
**Blasé, J. & Blasé, J. (1997). The
micropolitical orientation of facilitative school principals and effects on
teachers’ sense of empowerment. Journal
of Educational Administration, 35(2), 138-164.
*Reinke, W., Stormont, M.,
Webster-Stratton, C. Newcomer, L., & Herman, K. (2012). Psychology in the School, 49(5),
416-428.
This week, you might want to
take a look at:
Two
more links for poetry month:
14 chapters (from various books) on teaching poetry:
Watch a poetry movie (here’s a list):
Pinterest
for science teachers:
Learning
social studies through experiences (think beyond kindergarten!):
This
coaching video starts with a moment of praise:
That’s it for this week. Happy
coaching!
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