I am sitting here at 4:30 a.m. unable to sleep. I can't decide if I am starting to get the "creeping crude" that all my students have or am I just feeling overwhelmed as it seems we all are. Since I am on my lap top and working, I would have to agree with the later. I thought that I was going to start this semester much more organized than the previous one; which I actually did. However, thing have quickly spiraled down hill. I am in an unique situation at my school. My program is in it's first year of inception. The sister high school in my county has had a program for ~20 years. With little help from the veteran teacher, I have been placed in many unexplored areas of program planning. I am now being told that I have to implement an entire new program of medical terminology and start HOSA by Fall of 2007. I need to do curriculum and textbook adoption as well as purchase the equipment I will need to start (with very little $ I may say).HELP!! I have talked to many people and I feel that it is just expected that I understand. Don't get me wrong, my school administration is unbelievably understanding, but the whole vast picture scares me.
Any suggestions?
Anyway, enough venting. I did have an incredibly rewarding moment this week. I have a student who is mild-severely mentally disabled. She reads on a 1st grade level and has a very low level of understanding. She is self-contained all day except for my class (which she has for socialization skills). She is very sweet, but has been becoming a distraction in my class. I had to figure out something for her to do. I wanted her to learn. Her case manager was of little help. As he said "she can't even bag groceries at our work study job site." I decided to talk to her and se what she likes to do.( such a simple concept that I had been overlooking). She likes to color and watch cartoons. I had recently read an article about teaching the child not just the material. So I created her her own little work station: crayons, colored pencils, health books on a 1st grade level ( from my son's school library), puzzles etc. She loves it. I even created her a lesson plan of her own. I have a gifted student read the books and record them on tape (enrichment) and JJ listens to them with headphones. I created her little worksheets and thanks to various websites have created her coordinating color pages. She loves it. She has already started to work better in class. JJ even brought her case worker into she her new stuff. I just hope it continues to work and I can keep it up.
So, there are great moments that keep up doing what we are doing.
Barbara N.
This site is a class blog space for new Career and Technical Specializations and Heathcare Science teachers enrolled in the New Teacher Institute (NTI) at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia.
Rules For Posting To This Blog and Weekly Blog Question
1. Only use your first name (no last names, addresses, IM screen names, etc.)
2. Show respect and consideration of others when posting and commenting. This includes individuals, students, organizations, political parties, colleagues, etc.
3. Check all posts for spelling and grammar errors before posting.
4. Protect the privacy of others. Gain permission from other people before you write about them. Avoid sharing someone else's last name. Use job titles or pseudonyms when writing about experiences with your co-workers or students.
5. Watch your language. Use politically correct and non-offensive language.
6. Make sure you write about things that are factual.
7. Keep your postings education-oriented. Avoid discussing plans for the weekend, etc.
2. Show respect and consideration of others when posting and commenting. This includes individuals, students, organizations, political parties, colleagues, etc.
3. Check all posts for spelling and grammar errors before posting.
4. Protect the privacy of others. Gain permission from other people before you write about them. Avoid sharing someone else's last name. Use job titles or pseudonyms when writing about experiences with your co-workers or students.
5. Watch your language. Use politically correct and non-offensive language.
6. Make sure you write about things that are factual.
7. Keep your postings education-oriented. Avoid discussing plans for the weekend, etc.
FINAL BLOG POST - OUR "DAILY TRIPLE" (DUE 12/1).
This week I would like you to use your imagination. You have just won the lottery and will leave your teaching post immediately to travel around the world. As you leave your keys you meet your replacement. You are asked to give this new teacher just ONE piece of advice. What would that be, and why? Enjoy your world expedition!
Blog Post - Week 7
This past week in my own teaching I felt a little disconnected which prompts my question to you, "What was the moment (or moments) when I felt most disconnected or disengaged as a teacher - the moment(s) I said to myself, I'm just going through the motions here?"
Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 6
For the past couple of weeks you have experienced asynchronous online learning (doing modules by yourself). Previously this semester you have experienced synchronous online learning (all together in the Collaborate room). Which do you think is more effective and why do you think that? Which do you like better, and why?
Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 5
This week we have what we call "open mic." You can write a post about anything related to your teaching that you would like responses from your classmates.
Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 4
Here is this week's question: "What was the event that most took me surprise this week - and event that shook me up, caught me off guard, gave me a jolt, or made me unexpectedly happy?"
Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 3
Please write a post about the following question, "In thinking about my past week teaching what is one thing I would do differently, and why?"
Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 2
Please write a post about the following question, " In thinking about my teaching activities this past week, of what do I feel most proud? Why?"
Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 1
Describe something you used in your program in the first weeks of school that you learned in the summer NTI program. How did it work? Did it get you off to a stronger start than last year?
3 comments:
I am just like you. I'm burning the candle at both ends. With so much to do and on my mind, I don't sleep much. Hormones play a small part but I slept fine over Christmas so I know it's stress. Just keep telling yourself, "I can make it for 3 more months." That's what I do and I also do a lot of praying.
Your idea about making a coloring/work book for your low level special needs child is awesome. That is yet another great idea I am going to steal. Be sure to put that in your portfolio. I have the exact same thing in my last period of the day. The only twist is that this child has cerebral palsy. I'm not sure he can color. Once in a while an aide will come with him snd they always do the writing for him. I will have to find out.
Your strategies for supporting the special needs student in your class are awe-inspiring. We can all take a tip from your book! I especially like that you have involved another student the support process. Wow, you rock!
When I was hired I walked into the oldest vocational high school in the state of Georgia and was expected to work miracles. Culinary art had never been taught before and the Vocational supervisor who had hired me retired over the summer. The new vo/tech supervisor was a superb teacher but had no experience being a leader, coordinator or mentor basically he had no experience being a manager or lead specialist. I had no kitchen. Well I take that back I had a room for a kitchen but not the first piece of equipment to make it functional. This was a major problem right up until sometime in November. The only thing I had going for me was I walked into the classroom bringing 18 years of restaurant experience with me. I found ways to teach.
I don’t have any omnipotent words of wisdom except this. You know your area of expertise very well or you would have not been hired in the first place. Reach back and remember you have trained others just not in a high school setting. Think of the people you have trained and/or worked with and you should notice that they will remind you of many of the students you teach now. You should now realize that you are armed with everything you need to be a successful instructor. Have fun, and don’t worry we all feel funny about teaching at one point or another.
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