And the Ties have it!

As the weather changes and we start to move into the cold and gloomy time that is winter, I have been able to pull out some of my winter clothing. In particular, sweaters have made a comeback as my room at Huron can get cold sometimes. Nothing goes better with a sweater than a nice bow tie. As I said earlier, I will be wearing bow ties to school every Thursday and it is not just because... there is a method behind my madness.

First of all, bow ties just scream physics teacher, as a small amount of dork must be present if a bow tie is worn. The kids seem to think so too. As I was talking with Yeatts, he said that it is a good thing to have a little gimmick. I am looking for something that will catch the attention of the students, but not distract from their learning. Each time that I have worn a bow tie, someone new has said some comment about it. It has allowed me to connect with some students that had been relatively quiet for class. I think that this provides a non-school related way to approach me as a person. The tie has opened new lines of communication and strengthened those already present.

I liken it to the times when I told my dad that he was the biggest dork in the world, but secretly I thought he had just said the best joke that I had ever heard, or worn something that I might have to consider in the future. While I don't want the students to focus on this issue, I feel that it provides me with just the right amount of credibility to help convince them to listen to me.

Whatever your personal gimmick might be, find it and use it to your advantage. The students can't make fun of other students if they are making fun of you in a good way. It helps to create the safe environment and makes everyone feel as if they can be a bit of a dork at times. Go find your bow tie.