Teach Like A Pirate - Reflection #2

Since June, I have continued my engagement in summer reading through discussions with my cooperating teacher - Mr. Roy Campbell of Derry Area High School. Our discussions have been centered on the core messages presented throughout the book Teach Like a Pirate.  Teach like a Pirate is divided into chapters for each letter of the word PIRATE:

P - Passion

I - Immersion

R - Rapport

A - Ask and Analyze

T – Transformation

E – Enthusiasm

In June, Mr. Campbell and I were able to reflect on the first third of the book. My last reflection allowed us to discuss the chapters centered on the meanings of Passion, Immersion, and Rapport in an educational experience. As we continue our reading, Mr. Campbell and I have focused our attention to the meanings of Ask and Analyze, Transformation, and Enthusiasm throughout the text.

Ask and Analyze –

"What is this creative process? To a large extent, it is the process of consistently asking the right questions."

Burgess suggests that to be an effective teacher, you need to be creative. Throughout this chapter, Burgess describes the creative process and the questions he uses to help trigger creativity. This chapter was difficult for me at the beginning because I understood that it takes creativity, but I did not know how to trigger that creativity. Burgess truly believes that it is all about asking the right questions, so that the brain can begin to generate possibilities. Possibility is what leads creativity. Unfortunately, our brains are wired to answer questions directly – it will not think outside of the box unless it is prompted to.

Burgess concludes by saying that creativity isn't luck or genetics, it's HARD WORK! Planning! Research! He writes, "It's not supposed to be easy - it's supposed to be worth it." Basically, it takes determination. Whether we are stumbling over an idea, picking yourself up, trying again, and seeking improvement – our STRUGGLES AND FAILURES ARE POSITIVE FEEDBACK.

Overall, this chapter truly got me thinking about how I can create outrageously entertaining and engaging lessons that my students will never forget. I might fail a few times, but failure is growth.

Transformation –

This chapter was a great follow-up to Ask and Analyze. Throughout this chapter, Burgess shares that transformation of a classroom begins with changing our expectations of what can be accomplished in the classroom. He writes, “instead of looking at limitations, imagine the possibilities.” He suggests re-framing the "boring" content into something amazing. Basically, Burgess believes that as a teacher, you must go out of your way to make the content you teach interesting. This can simply be done by making connections to student’s daily lives.

Burgess asks, "Do you have any lessons you could sell tickets for??" I am not sure yet, but this makes me want to ensure I have some that are ticket worthy throughout my student teaching experience.

Enthusiasm –

In the last chapter Burgess shares how it is no accident that the cornerstones of the Teach like a Pirate system are Passion and Enthusiasm. He believes that teachers begin with having passion in their life, which drives their enthusiasm throughout their career. It happens often that teachers get so caught up in their day to day life, and forget what it means to be excited about teaching. Burgess suggest that teachers need to make it that they are excited to go to school and excited to teach a lesson because the enthusiasm is what drives teachers to get through the day, and helps drive student engagement.

Overall, the main idea is that teachers and students need more excitement and enthusiasm throughout their day. However, excitement and enthusiasm does not happen on its own. It happens through putting all these elements together (Passion + Immersion + Rapport + Ask and Analyze = Enthusiasm). It happens when you make a conscious choice to make each day exciting.  It happens when you teach like a PIRATE!

Although these elements are not new ideas, I feel these are important foundation ideas of a good teaching philosophy. I believe in my ability to increase student engagement by boosting my creativity and enthusiasm as an educator. I want to teach like a PIRATE. I look forward to finishing the book to learn how to build a better PIRATE. 

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