Transcript

Welcome to BLaST the Airwaves with BLaST Intermediate Unit 17. Here at BLaST Intermediate Unit 17, we strive to transform lives and communities through educational services. On this podcast, we will provide you with educational solutions for all, no matter the learning environment. So teachers, administrators, caregivers, what are you waiting for?

What would happen if we started questioning, what if? What if we had a positive perspective on education? What if we flip the switch on education? What if we were the solution?

Hello listeners. We are excited to BLaST the Airwaves with you today and provide educational solutions for all. My name is Rebecca Gibboney and I am the Curriculum and Online Learning Specialist here at BLaST Intermediate Unit 17. I am thrilled to welcome you to episode 13 of BLaST the Airwaves. Today, during this episode, we will start to uncover the secrets of what it takes to build your teacher credibility. How much do your students believe they can learn from you? So, let’s start blasting the airwaves.

What do you believe in?

Funny story. When I was growing up, I used to believe that there were little construction workers working inside of me to help me grow. I know completely random and weird. I’m not even quite sure why I shared that tidbit of information with you, but either way…what do you believe in?

Your beliefs keep you motivated and help you, along with your values, to continue to do what you do, how you it and why you do what you do. They are a daily motivator. Those of us who are educators, we teach our students to believe. Anything is possible, right? All students need to do is believe. Believe in themselves, believe in the impossible. Simply, believe.

Often our beliefs come from those who surround us. I tend to have common beliefs with my colleagues, my friends, and most of all, my family. Our relationships help us form our beliefs.

When I started studying John Hattie’s Visible Learning, I came across a term that stuck: teacher credibility. And, it took me until recently to figure out that what I used to think about teacher credibility….well, I had it all wrong. I used to believe that teacher credibility meant my students can learn from me. Can my students learn from me? Of course, they can. I mean, why couldn’t they?

But, what I have come to realize is that that portion, “can students learn from me?”, that is only part of the definition. In fact, according to Hattie, teacher credibility is how well your STUDENTS believe that they can learn from you. It’s not how well administrators feel students can learn from you. It is not how well you feel your students can learn from you. No, it is how well students feel they can learn from you.

Phew, nothing like asking a bunch of teenagers or little ones, “hey, do you think you can learn from me?” They either answer yes because they don’t want to get a bad grade or no because they, let’s face it, spite you. Seriously, you know it happens.

But, friends, this teacher credibility is really actually a big deal. I mean like a 1.09 effect size, according to Hattie, kind of big deal. It means that if our students think they can learn from us, we will grow them. Yet, “the credibility a teacher has with their students changes; it’s dynamic. It’s not the same for all students at the same time.” (pg. 66)

Phew, that is a weight lifted off my shoulders. It’s hard. Not every student, every day, is going to like you, is going to learn from you.. It’s probably the hardest lesson I learned as a teacher. Sorry if I spoiled anything for you. They just aren’t. We need to practice a little grace with ourselves and understand that not everyone will like us every single day. Not ever single student is going to learn from us every single lesson. However, we also need to understand that these relationships, your credibility, evolves over time. And, we need to keep working ont it. And, I think it’s interesting because while yes, I am talking to an audience of educators, I find myself translating everything right now we’ve been discussing to my own life, too. The importance to have positive relationships, the importance of building credibility not only as an educator but also as a decent human being. Funny how education is truly all about life.

So, how do you understand your credibility? When I was in the classroom, it always started with talking with my students first. Sure, to build relationships, but also to learn how they were as learners. I wanted them to understand, for themselves, the importance of education and why they were in my class (or should be in my class every day). I wanted them to understand how to advocate for their own learning. I wanted them to understand what they needed, what it took, what it looked like, for them to be successful. I wanted them to own their learning.

After that, I always had my students provide reflections. At the end of each unit, each day, each quiz, my students had to complete a self-reflection and a teacher-reflection. It may not have been the fan favorite,but that is okay. This reflection focused on my teacher credibility and I could see what was working and what wasn’t working. If something was really off, I made sure to make a touchpoint with that particular student. And, no, to be honest, it was not really for the student; but it was more so for me. I needed to learn how to be a better teacher to make my students better. I needed to improve. I needed to show up and put myself out there. I needed to model vulnerability.

I encourage you, in fact, I challenge you, to be vulnerable and put yourself out there. Test your teacher credibility. It’s okay if you have to start over. Don’t feel defeated. I know I have started over plenty of times, and I’m not ashamed to admit that. Credibility is built off of trust, competence, dynamism, and immediacy. Four things that we are going to dive deeper into over the next couple of episodes. These are four aspects of my life and as an educator, as a person, that I continue to grow and develop over time.

Your teacher credibility changes over time; but, no matter the learning environment, no matter the circumstances, no matter what, it is important to commit to working on your credibility. Seek ways to build trust. Find ways to show competence. Light up a room with your passion. Discover ways to show up for your students.

Because ultimately, your student’s–your kiddo’s–their ability to learn, it only happens when they believe they can learn from you. And that my friends, that is the first belief a student in your classroom needs to have.

We would like to thank you for blasting the airwaves with us today. If you like the show, please subscribe or leave a review. If you want to know more, check out www.iu17.org for further resources and show notes. As always, we want to thank you for what you do every single day. Remember, keep shining. We’ll be back next episode to provide you another educational solution for all, as we continue to transform lives and communities through educational services.

We would like to thank you for blasting the airwaves with us today. If you like the show, please subscribe or leave a review. If you want to know more, check out www.iu17.org for further resources and show notes. As always, we want to thank you for what you do every single day. Remember, keep shining. We’ll be back next episode to provide you another educational solution for all, as we continue to transform lives and communities through educational services.

Additional/Suggested resources mentioned in the episode:

The Distance Learning Playbook by Douglas Fisher, Nancy Frey, and John Hattie

BLaST Intermediate Unit 17 – www.iu17.org 

Professional Learning Opportunities at BLaST IU 17 – https://www.iu17.org/professional-learning/ 

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