Imaginative Bridges = Photography

So I am a little behind on this post. It didn't exactly hit me that I needed to write on it last week. Oh well...better now than never.

Teaching itself is an art. As teachers we need to find our inspiration wherever need be as long as we use it in our classrooms to enhance our students' learning. My inspiration from the photography module came from a few key points or aspect we focused on.

First, reducing and simplifying. Why does it have to be presumed that 'more' is 'better'? I remember my first few years of teaching. I was so eager to do everything at once. I had the mind set that I must complete everything as soon as possible, and students need to be told everything as soon as possible, and I need to purchase or get my hands on everything that pertained to my subject. Reflecting now, I wasn't really happy. I was exhausted, anxious, and often overwhelmed. Slowly, I started to realize that a little at a time was much better. It enabled me to focus on the small and make them fantastic. It allowed my students to learn more at one time and build upon that to get where they needed to be. It made me realize the possibilities that were available at the time that could be great. Simplify and concentrate on one step at a time. Just like in photography, clutter and commotion take away from what is the focus at the moment. When you center in on that moment, or what you are aiming for, better results will occur.

The second point or aspect relayed in the photography module, is waiting for the right moment. In teaching, patience is definitely key. Whether this is with your students and their unique personalities, especially at the middle school level, or with the learning process. Students are individuals and are never the same. You will have those who behave regularly, those who will test you, and those who are like a roller coaster in their emotions and behavior. The teacher who waits patiently and doesn't give up, will find more success with making a connection with their students. In addition, students learn differently. They will not all grasp the content at once. Some will struggle and will need you to go beyond to help them research their goals. As seen with photography design, if you want the nature to connect with your design and for it to be compelling, you must wait for the opportunity. If you get too eager and are in a hurry, half successful results will occur. The photographer who takes the time to get to know the subject and doesn't give up on it if it needs some time, will have an compelling result.