Teach Like A Pirate - Reflection #1

Ever have a time in your life that you felt inspired to create a positive experience for someone else?

On September 24^th, 2015 Penn State Teach Ag! Society celebrated National Teach Ag! Day by hosting Dave Burgess, author of Teach like a Pirate, as an inspirational speaker.  Although I did not read the book, I was inspired and motivated that day to become a more passionate and caring teacher. I wanted to empower young minds to become fully immersed in their educational experience.

Two years later, I have the opportunity to read and reflect upon the book Teach like a Pirate by Dave Burgess. Throughout this summer, I will be engaging in discussion with my cooperating teacher - Mr. Roy Campbell of Derry Area High School. Our discussions are centered on the core messages presented throughout the book.  Teach like a Pirate is divided into six chapters, one for each letter of the word PIRATE:

P - Passion

I - Immersion

R - Rapport

A - Ask and Analyze

T – Transformation

E – Enthusiasm

Mr. Campbell and I were able to reflect upon the first third of the book. This allowed us to discuss the chapters centered on the meanings of Passion, Immersion, and Rapport in an educational experience.

Passion - At the beginning of this chapter Burgess shared the secret of facing fears and ruts of teaching. Although this is something many do not want to admit of experiencing, many teachers do. However, it is okay! According to Burgess, a teacher just needs to ignite, or reignite their passions both inside and outside of the classroom to eliminate fears and ruts throughout their experience. Mr. Campbell shared how a teacher who lives life without passion for the content or profession is not going be a person that can ignite the spark needed for engaging students.  I realize that throughout my quest of becoming an agricultural educator, I need to ignite the spark to bring that flame of passion into the classroom for my students.

Immersion – Throughout this chapter, Burgess suggested that teachers need to create/set up an environment that is safe physically, mentally and emotionally for all students.  Students help to create the environment, but the teacher sets the parameters and holds all accountable.  On the other hand, Burgess also encourages teachers to not miss the moment, “It is OK to surrender your structure in pursuit of something far more valuable in the moment.” Sometimes teachers need to be with their students in a moment to become the most effective in teaching for the comfort of the students, not teaching for the standardized test.

Rapport – In the last chapter of the first third of the book, Burgess suggested that teachers must build a rapport with the students to value and understand how to guide them throughout their experience in the classroom. This can be achieved by asking questions, listening, and even sharing. The information that a teacher can learn about each individual student can easily be used for student engagement throughout upcoming lessons.  In addition, Mr. Campbell shared how rapport is important because students know when teachers are interested in them, and they want to feel valued.

We concluded that if I constructed a foundation of a safe learning environment, built rapport with my students, and have a passion for what I am teaching, a positive experience will be created within my classroom.  All in all, it is about creating the experience for my students and myself! 

Tweet from 2015 reflecting on the overall message by Dave Burgess.

I am amazed how something that inspired and motivated me in the past, continues to do the same in the present. I truly have been blessed with an experience that rooted me in my agricultural education journey, and continues to grow with my agricultural education journey today. 

Stay connected to learn how I continue to grow in my agricultural education journey from the reading and reflecting on the book Teach like a Pirate.