19 May 2009

No winners. No defeat.

The teacher who wins an argument or competition does not win students over. Victory is an external event, not a personal thing. It signifies lack of harmony or understanding. A winner on one side always promotes a loser on the other. There is nothing to be proud of in any loss of humanity or humility. (...) A classroom with a "win-lose" environment is full of tension, manipulation and one-upmanship*.
If you have won a battle your children, you have diminished their pride in thinking for themselves. Find a way of both of you to win." Greta Nagel
*"the practice of, or skill in, seizing an advantage or gaining superiority over others"
Image source: Getty Image

1 comment:

Unknown said...

I never thought about that.I will...