We’ve both been getting stuck in to our new jobs this week. Inevitably new situations take us out of our comfort zones. Read on to find out how we are grappling with that, and how we can shift our mindset around being uncertain and uncomfortable.
Shona
It was our second meet and greet with potential parents last Friday before the program launch this week. We had some lovely families come through looking for alternate options for their early years kiddos which is exciting but it also means that the perfectionist in me needs to be gagged and pushed into the corner! Without a program blueprint for this niche educational space, learning through our educated guesses and embracing our mistakes is going to have to become standard practice.
With so many creativity focused ideas running around my head and wanting to try everything, I know I need to simplify to amplify here (I love that one!). I keep reminding myself through this uncertain process that being uncomfortable is a good thing - think pregnancy or a well deserved divorce - and that with the discomfort comes growth. We definitely expect to have bumps along the way this term as we flex and pivot but it’s worth the risk if we can find a way for the kids who don’t fit the mainstream to feel like they have no barriers to learning in our space.
Naomi
For the first few days of my new job, everything has been seat-of-pants. (An added challenge has been the 40C+ weather, with students staying in classrooms at recess and lunchtime: zero teacher headspace). I know that, over the coming days, this acute feeling of discomfort will decrease - it already is.
But for educators, it is never too far away. You might have been in the same school, teaching the same year level for decades, but you still can’t avoid the curve balls which come at you on a regular basis. It is hugely important to prepare effectively - but we are kidding ourselves if we think we can plan the learning to perfection. Especially if we want creative thinking to flourish. The more rigid we are, the less likely we are to be able to pivot and respond to the needs of learners.
To grow as an educator, I want to fight the powerful urge to hurry back to my comfort zone. Trying some new Maths Problem Solving activities last week I was in uncharted territory, but it turned out to be fun, with high engagement from the students.
Shifting Our Mindset
In a recent presentation, Experimental Psychologist Dr. Jessica Alquist explained that an inability to deal with uncertainty has costs. She shared research which links low tolerance of uncertainty both to poor mental health and to a reduced ability to comprehend and summarize information. Alquist’s advice is to make peace with this uncomfortable state. Make trying new things a habit - attempt a different recipe, read a book from a genre you’ve never considered, find a new artist on Spotify.
We use James Nottingham’s image of The Learning Pit to help students understand that learning will be uncomfortable; but we can apply this to our own experiences too. Even though we’re teaching others, we’re in the pit ourselves!
So teachers, we hope you’re starting to feel like the discomfort is bearable. If you feel like trying something new with your learners this week why not start with one of our fun and useful Jumpstarters activities - download the free guide here .
Until next time… stay curious!
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