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?

Sunday, September 28, 2008

My Surprise was Sad

To say the least, this has been a very busy week. In addition to getting 10 students ready to attend the Fall Leadership Conference for HOSA in Jekyll Island, we were told in a staff meeting to call all parents (even though we are not the Home school) regarding absenteeism. Surprisingly, I had a parent tell me that her child had decided to move out of her house and in with a boyfriend but she was maintaining responsibility for this student. She was totally unaware of the absences and very hurt since she had spent a lot of money on her child for lab supplies and a car (of all things). The student is very attentive, interested, excited about the course, and participates enthusiastically whenever present. Initially I thought she would excel in this course and achieve certification. I was very disappointed to hear this news from her mother and additionally saddened to hear the mother’s account of her own struggles. It seems that the student was a result of a teenage pregnancy and the mother was only able to obtain a GED that has limited her in so many ways. She confided in me that she has struggled as result of this and wants so much more for her child. The entire conversation made me very sad both for the mother and the student.
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1 comment:

Dr. M said...

Delores - I am glad to hear your principal has you calling parents about absences as parental contact is huge in getting problems solved with students. Hopefully the call was made while there was still time to salvage the semester.

I know there is not enough time in the day for everything teachers (especially NEW teachers) have to do, but the time spent calling parents is undoubtably one of best tools you have to change student behavior and guide them to success in your class. Remember that parents always want to help and most of the time do not know there is a problem as their child will usually not share classroom problems with them. A few minutes on the phone may do wonders, but always make it positive and share good things about their child as well. Invite them to your class! It's amazing what may happen.

September 28, 2008 at 6:30:00 PM EDT

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