Taking feedback
I have never been good at taking feedback. I have always felt like any feedback reflected very negatively on me and it felt like an attack! When I began the Bachelor of Education program, I had to remind myself often that the feedback that I was getting was intended to make me a better teacher. This was not an easy switch to make and I found myself having to remember that the people giving me feedback had nothing but my growth and improvement in mind. I also reminded myself that I did not have to take every bit of feedback given to me! I could choose whether a tip or method that was recommended was right for me or not.
Having worked hard on receiving feedback, I was thrilled to see the following comment on my midterm report for my certification practicum:
“Appreciates feedback as integral to improvement in the teaching and learning process”
And then when I received my final practicum report, I was very excited to see the following comment:
“Chloe’s teaching persona is gentle, enthusiastic, respectful and caring. There has been excellent growth in the natural flow to her teaching, primarily through her willingness to learn by self-reflection and appreciation of feedback. As a result, she demonstrated a fine ability to navigate and negotiate the highly varied and complex elementary class environment. I strongly believe that she could enter any classroom and teach successfully based on her performance in this practicum“
I believe that these comments reflect how I have grown to recognize the feedback that I receive as a tool to make me a better teacher and learner!