r o e t s Bo r e p ok u S
Teachers who are 'systems thinkers' have a highly effective approach to causing change in their classrooms. They understand that causing change in any one part of an interconnected system like the classroom leads automatically
behaviour, you must be
to cause real change in their rooms they focus firstly on changing the one
Teac he r
to changes and readjustments in all other parts of the system. Therefore,
ew i ev Pr
If you want to change a child's
prepared to change your own
thing over which they have any control — their own behaviour. Watching
first.
highly capable teachers use this 'model of influence' based on the 'Inside-Out' approach to change I have come to realise that there is now a starting point I always begin from when I want to change behaviour. I call it 'Gerry's first rule' and it states: If you want to change a child's behaviour, you must be
© R. I . C.Publ i cat i ons •f orr evi ew pur posesonl y• prepared to change your own first.
Abandoning the 'illusion of control' is one of the most difficult things for a classroom teacher to do. Many of us feel the need for a sense of 'power over', or 'control of', our classrooms. Yet once you realise you can only control
sense of relief and wellbeing.
w ww
. te
and be held accountable for your own behaviour you will feel a tremendous sense of relief and wellbeing.
m . u
…you will feel a tremendous
At last you don't have to bluff, bully or bribe to keep the illusion alive. All that mental and emotional involvement can now be directed into an area that
o c . che e r o t r s super you can do something about — your own behaviour.
Teachers often underestimate their influence on the children in their care. A teacher's influence extends into the home. They affect periods of time that children normally spend with their families and friends. Through activities like homework, discussions of the day's events in obvious and more subtle ways, the influence of teachers on the lives of children is incredible. Teachers must recognise that their beliefs about themselves, the world and other people affect the children with whom they come into contact. This would be a step towards a more honest and humane recognition of the responsibilities involved in teaching.
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