We are so thrilled to be inviting Angela Watson of The Cornerstone for Teachers to our monthly writing team here at MyTeachersLounge. Angela is an educational and social media guru with a resume that is inspiring in and of itself. She’s not only written two books and is working on a third, but she currently serves as the educational editor for BrainPOP Jr., as well. Living in the Big Apple, she coaches other teachers in ways to stay positive in the classroom. I can’t wait to hear her voice in the conversation here at MyTeachersLounge. Take a minute to read a bit about her, then leave a comment welcoming her to the Lounge! You’d also be inspired by stopping by her site and facebook page, where she consistently shares practical vlogs and ideas for classroom management. – Laura, Editor of MyTeachersLounge
What is your educational background?
I knew I wanted to be a teacher since I was a little girl, and never doubted for a moment that I’d study education in college! I double majored in Early Childhood Education and Art at Hood College, a women’s college in Maryland. Then I got my masters in Curriculum and Instruction at Western Maryland College. I consider creating pacing guides a fun way to spend a weekend, so that was the perfect area of focus for me.
What is one of your favorite things about teaching?
I love being able to open kids’ eyes up to different worlds. I once taught at a school in Florida just 2 miles from the beach and was stunned to discover one day that most of my students had never been there. Finding ways to connect students to ideas and people beyond their immediate community can produce those magical moments when you can almost see the shift in a child’s perception. I love exposing kids to different ways of thinking and opportunities for their lives. It’s so much exciting when they realize how much more is out there for them than what they previously thought.
What books/resources have shaped you or would you recommend to other teachers?
Rather than direct people to one particular book or author, I advise teachers to develop their own personal learning network (PLN) and find a variety of educators who inspire them, then get plugged in with those people online. The educators who most shape my thinking about teaching these days are bloggers. We read and comment on one another’s posts, message on Facebook, tweet and share ideas on Google+ and Pinterest, etc. That element of connection and community is more powerful than I ever imagined when I first started using social media. I’m amazed at how much incredible information is out there, and how life-changing the conversations can be.
What aspect of education are you most passionate about today?
My greatest passion is helping teachers develop strong classroom management and a positive mindset so they can truly enjoy their work. The paperwork, discipline issues, and district mandates can easily become overwhelming and result in burnout. I try to help teachers construct a self-running classroom where routines and procedures are automated. Then teachers can channel the majority of their energy into the important stuff, like student learning. I also try to help teachers stay focused on their vision and the things that bring them meaning so they can build the resiliency needed to stay positive in really demanding situations.
What is a favorite inspirational quote that encourages you to teach with intention?
“They won’t remember everything you said, but they’ll always remember the way you made them feel.” It’s an anonymous quote that rings completely true in my experience.
What advice would you give a younger teacher?
Your true identity as a teacher is not defined by the test scores of your students. Instilling a love of learning in children is the most important thing you can do for them, and a standardized test can never measure how well you’ve done that. Stay focused on caring for your students as people rather than as pieces of data, and don’t spend too much time thinking about systemic issues and community problems that drain you emotionally. If you really want to shield your students from the absurdities and inequities of our education system, focus on maintaining a healthy mindset so you can enter your classroom each day with exuberance and positive energy.
Tell us a few random things about yourself. . . .
Growing up, my dad was in the army and we moved to a new state or country every three years. That experience, coupled with the fact that I’m an only child, made me really independent and free-thinking. It also taught me the importance of being flexible and open to all different kinds of possibilities in life. I get the urge to re-locate even now as an adult and travel a lot for both work and fun. I was blessed to marry a wonderful man in 2009: he’s a native New Yorker, and now we’re both based in Brooklyn. It’s pretty unusual to move from Florida to New York, but for me, it’s been a fantastic adventure.
Angela Watson started her first teaching website in 2003; it’s now evolved into The Cornerstone For Teachers. She was a classroom teacher for 11 years and currently works as an Educational Consultant based in New York City. Angela conducts a wide range of professional development work internationally as the founder of Due Season Press and Educational Services, conducts instructional technology coaching, and serves as the Educational Editor for BrainPOP Jr. She’s published two books, The Cornerstone: Classroom Management That Makes Teaching More Effective, Efficient and Enjoyable and Awakened: Change Your Mindset to Transform Your Teaching, and is currently working on a book of teacher devotions.
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