Deficits, Belonging, and Lessons Learned Over 40 Years in Education with Martin Silverman
Today's episode is with Martin Silverman. He is a father, grandfather, husband, and long-time educator in beautiful San Antonio, Texas. He is committed to providing the best educational experience for the students and families at Salinas Elementary school where he is the principal. Martin has worked as a teacher and administrator in urban, suburban, and rural districts. His interests are creating and nurturing school culture, providing enriching experiences for students and families, and developing future teachers and administrators. As a former bilingual teacher and administrator, Martin is committed to providing ELL students with quality programs to develop their unique skills. He hosts a podcast called The Second Question, which highlights educators and provides them a forum to discuss ideas, and honor the teachers that have influenced their lives. He is also part of a trio of Texas educators that host the podcast The Texan Connection.
1. We control the culture, climate, our own attitudes, etc.
2. We can have a mindset that we create the experience that our students have with school.
3. Keep perspective on the bad days.
4. When students have a bad day think about the internal turmoil that they might be having.
5. When you think that you can do something to alleviate the internal turmoil of others that can be a pretty good day.
6. You have to be deliberate and find joy in moments.
7. Recognize the fact that sometime we have to go look for those positive moments.
8. Find ways to help recalibrate yourself.
9. In education we tend to focus on deficits.
10. Create moments where you are not in deficit. This benefits you and your students.
11. You don’t fix a deficit by just focusing on it. As it can be what you become.
12. If all I do is tell you what you do wrong all you’ll think is that you do stuff wrong.
13. When all students hear about their deficits what type of identity will they create for themselves.
14. Recognize when students are only hear negative things about them and make it a point to tell them something positive.
15. Build trust with others.
16. Don’t always solve every problem for a child.
17. Learn about people as individuals. It takes time, but it has great benefits.
18. Honor each other. What works for someone else doesn’t have to work for me and that is alright.
19. Create a place where everyone knows - You belong here!
20. You may never realize the impact that you make.
21. Allow yourself to absorb those special moments.
22. All of the things that you think are important probably not as important as you think they are.
23. Don’t sweat things that you perceive to be huge, but really are nothing.
24. Create a place where you can truly say “You belong here” and be able to back that up with conscious efforts to make.
Social Media:
Twitter: @MrSilverman116
Facebook: Martin Silverman