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.

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?

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Advice to a New Teacher

I am of the belief that there is no substitute for experience when it comes to teaching. However, I was given advice from fellow teachers that has proven to be helpful that I would pass along. Some examples are:
  • You're not their friend , referring to students, you' re their teacher. (It's a fine line, different for every teacher but the line needs to be there.)
  • Don't get excited when a student gets excited. (If it's a discipline issue things will only escalate.)
  • Teaching is a marathon not a sprint. (If you make a huge deal out of every bump in the road you encounter in teaching, you'll burn out.) This one is my favorite.
The only original advice I have is to be honest with yourself about why you want to get into teaching in the first place. If it's a job opportunity, you might want to reconsider. Even if you teach because you want to help young people. you need to be mature enough to know that you're helping them and that be the reward in itself because if you need the gratification of the students, parents, administration or anybody else regularly patting you on the back or stroking your ego you'll probably end up disillusioned about teaching.

3 comments:

Perry said...

Very good advice. Being their friend will always come back and bite you.

Dr. J said...

You sound like a wise old sage, Johnny! Dr. J.

joec said...

Johnny
That is some of the best advice I have ever heard, let alone read. I would not be surprised if you are "teacher of the year" in your district.
joec