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

Welcome to the week of March 3

After being in the classroom for a few years I finally understand...or shall I say figured out! What the secret is for a successful yet stress free classroom experience...DRUM ROLL>>>>>>>>>>>
..It's building your foundation...Let me explain.....We have learned sooo much from NTI and each other, but I am willing to bet that EXPERIENCE(itself) was the best tool we encountered...in other words...jumping into the fire, getting your feet wet,etc....I have notice that the first three to four years of teaching is the deciding factor of how you will run and finish the race(humor the sport analogy..smile)....if you have a slow(unproductive) start in those years than chances are that you will have to dig down deeper to catch up with the pack in front of you...however, you you get a fast(productive) start in those years than you may lead the pack or at least be in the race....
The first few years are to develop, build,strengthen your foundation...such as Lesson planning, activities, getting familiar with curriculum, creating yearly procedures done in the classroom, gathering useful resources,videos,slides,overheads, field trips, school activities, bus duty, hall duty, staff meetings, overall TIME MANAGEMENT!...these are some of the things that have to become...what I call a "NORMAL COURSE OF BUSINESS"...and frankly we are all still green..and our foundation is not yet complete...but we are building!!!!!!
I say this(in keeping with the original topic of the blog) that I have learn about myself this year that..."Every man has a plan until he gets hit".....~MIKE TYSON
We are still a little daze from hits of being in a REAL classroom with students, as oppose to sitting in classroom being instructed on how to deal with students...
Imagine if we didn't have NTI.........can you say first round knockout!..ha

4 comments:

Corey C said...

OH YEAH...I can say 'first round knockout' alright. And what about a possible 'career ending blow to the head?!?!' Seriously, I think that some of us might possibly be hunting for a new gig without NTI! Nice metaphor!!

Connie said...

JaJuan, you have hit the nail on the head! You are so right! Thanks for this blog. It's helped me to see things more clearly.

Jessie H said...

Well said! I hope Tracy reads your post. I've been telling her that I honestly believe that it takes about 3 years (even with good training) to really feel grounded as a teacher. You said it more eloquently though. The "building your foundation" analogy is a good one.

joec said...

The analogy really hits home to a "construction" guy. Without a solid foundation, everything will crumble around you. You sound as if you really have handle on things.
joec