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?

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Myself/My Students

I seem to learn something about myself each year. The past three years teaching have been rewarding as well as stressful at times. I have learned patience, patience and more patience. I am somewhat used to giving people orders and they pretty much follow them, but the students today are so different. I am still adjusting to that. At my old job, I was able to leave the worries of the job behind, but now I can't. I find myself thinking of something to do for my students all of the time or I am thinking about that student having a hard time and what I can do to assist them in some way. I tend to look after them like they are my own. Before contracts came out, I was thinking of searching for a new job because of all of the issues we are having, but I always think about my students, especially my sophomores that were freshmen when I first started at Riverdale. At the end of last year, they asked me see them through their Senior year and I really don't want to let them down.

The most important thing I have learned about my students is that they just want someone to show that they really care about them. I find myself looking after the students that have been labeled as "bad", but I seem to get through to them. They will come to class and work for me when they won't for others. This really makes me feel like I am making a difference in their lives. At our school, they seem to focus on the students who are at the top or our athletes and the students in the middle or at the bottom get left out, those are the students that I seem to reach and make sure I make extra time for them. Sometimes when our students are acting our, they are looking for attention and instead of them going somewhere getting negative attention, I want to be that positive person in their lives. So, I try to make myself available to them as much as possible.

4 comments:

JaJuan said...

I guess Houston is a WRAP!, huh?..LOL
Good blog Mortissa...very good!
I can relate to how you feel...
I think we all can , however the guys won't admit, or shall I say dare write such a sweet, truthful, and touching blog such as this....HA!, But let me say that your words were very accurate to how I feel.........there,..I said it..LOL

TracyF said...

Hey Mortissa,
You hit the nail on the head. I feel the same way. I had a teacher at my school tell me that I am crazy for not transferring to another school. I told her I love my students and I am need to stay and not give up on them. You hang in there, they need you. They need to know someone actually cares for them.

Jessie H said...

Mortissa,

This is lovely and very inspiring. You inspired me to try harder in my own teaching-- to dig deep to reach the students who are hardest to connect with. Thank you!

Toni said...

Hey Moti

Very touching, and to think that hey say us police people don't care. I have found myself also caring for the worst students in the school. They love me and sometimes I think too much, but just as you stated they are just looking for someone to give them some positive attention.