Teachers, when we teach we are no greater than our masters. I am regularly reminded of Christ's words on this spiritually in John 15:20. The context is actually of his graduating of the disciples-and us-to friends, more then servants, to do the business of the kingdom. May we do this in our classrooms as well! This graduation was only because our master lifted us on his back. Likewise, if we stand higher as teachers than our earthly masters then it is only because we stand on their shoulders. This is something I readily admit (in fact part of this blog is a result of this!) A constant reminder of this helps my humility as well. When I try to do something well, the first thing I do is try to find one who has already done it. I also try to be sure I am available for those who would "stand on me." If a teacher cannot serve they are in the wrong profession. In fact, this should rightly be extended to Christians as well. If you cannot serve, you are in the wrong "profession" as well; or at least making the wrong "profession."
I appreciate the amount of other teachers in my own life who have done this spiritually as well as professionally. (I hate separating these two terms, rightly there is no separation.) With that said, the internet has become a repository of many "shoulders" upon which to stand in many senses. So how do you find a broad pair of shoulders to balance on? One must first find what is available in order expand on what others have already made. Google Advanced Search can be made to accomplish the "shoulder search" in ways many may not have been aware of. (On an important side note: This should not be construed to suggest standing on the shoulders of those who are not available. Not all teachers want the stuff they put out "shared." Be sure to check when you find stuff. More than enough do allow it. If you find something that is just too good but not open to your permitted use, email and ask them! Or, keep looking. It is amazing how many "too goods" become "just as goods" when you keep looking. And finally, if we serve our heavenly master, we cannot take what is not ours!)
Okay, after my last search post and the tantalizing opportunities for Google Advanced Search introduced, here's a quickie tutorial on how to really use it to smash my teacher "search for good ideas and resources" out of the park. Watch it a couple of times and eliminate your dependence on mass searches. Try it for your school and maybe even freak out.
Google Search Tips
I appreciate the amount of other teachers in my own life who have done this spiritually as well as professionally. (I hate separating these two terms, rightly there is no separation.) With that said, the internet has become a repository of many "shoulders" upon which to stand in many senses. So how do you find a broad pair of shoulders to balance on? One must first find what is available in order expand on what others have already made. Google Advanced Search can be made to accomplish the "shoulder search" in ways many may not have been aware of. (On an important side note: This should not be construed to suggest standing on the shoulders of those who are not available. Not all teachers want the stuff they put out "shared." Be sure to check when you find stuff. More than enough do allow it. If you find something that is just too good but not open to your permitted use, email and ask them! Or, keep looking. It is amazing how many "too goods" become "just as goods" when you keep looking. And finally, if we serve our heavenly master, we cannot take what is not ours!)
Okay, after my last search post and the tantalizing opportunities for Google Advanced Search introduced, here's a quickie tutorial on how to really use it to smash my teacher "search for good ideas and resources" out of the park. Watch it a couple of times and eliminate your dependence on mass searches. Try it for your school and maybe even freak out.
Google Search Tips
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