Mrs. B getting spicy

What is spicy teaching? I got the idea from one of my students in my first summer school class. I was struggling to get my bearings and discover my teaching style- all while attempting to manage a classroom of restless and frustrated 8th grade boys. At one point I must have been a little frazzled, and I responded to something a student said with something less than the patient reserve I had been forcing up to that point. I don't remember exactly it was that I said, just that it was kind but pointed. The surprised student looked at me, genuinely amused, and said, "Oooooh, Ms. B. You be gettin' spicy."

I had to laugh. He was right, I was getting spicy. I was dropping the teacher act and being myself as a teacher. It became a turning point in the mood of the classroom. I began to loosen up a little, and was more willing to bring myself and my personality into my teaching. I sought out opportunities to laugh with my students, and stopped being afraid to laugh at myself. Interestingly, by not feeling like I had to play the role of disciplinarian, I developed more confidence in holding consistent standards for classroom behavior. I began to see what my teaching style may look like.

I also use "Spicy" as a challenge task in my classroom - students can choose levels of work or guidance that are "Mild", "Medium", or "Spicy". So even though the title of this blog is a little unusual, by "Spicy Teaching", I mean teaching that brings in elements of humor and personality; teaching that relies on a passion for students, social studies, and excellence in the classroom. I want my teaching to be as spicy as possible, every day.