Sunday, November 2, 2008
Open Mic
This semester has been quite different from last year’s first semester due to attending the course this past summer. I gained a greater understanding of teaching however implementing the various teaching strategies has been challenging. This year has felt like a lot of trial and error. Some things worked well and some didn’t. It seems that the students I had last year are harder to manage than my new student classes. Hopefully as the year progresses it will become smoother. It has been harder this semester with teaching and attending school at the same time. I didn’t realize that doing both could be so draining.
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4 comments:
Hi Paulette. I have found it difficult as well to keep up with both teaching and school. However, I feel that the NTI instructors have given us a very fair shake and have been sensitive and very accomodating to our schedules. The online opportunities have been helpful to my schedule, not to mention the gas ! We, teachers have to stick with the busy routine and look to the end product of getting that certification ! I immediately related to you on one comment that you stated. I also seem to have more success with the new classes as opposed to the former students. This is because we now have received proper training to instruct students. The new students have responded to it and the older students still push the boundaries. I am implementing the new strategies with all of my classes. However, it is much easier to implement the classroom instruction and policies with the new kids, as opposed to returning students. Just remember that eventually we will have all new students that we can start off with correctly. Hang in there. The classes are so worth the effort !
Hi Paulette,
Last year's student are used to the last year teacher. I think its harder to initiate new ideas and strategies with students that are already familiar with you. They were expecting every thing to be the same, I suspect. Just my opinion of course. I too am struggling with all the things required for certification. But I wonder how bad it could have been had I not become more organized. Good luck I know you will make it.
Paulette, I agree that attending school while teaching is very draining. I appreciate the online opportunities and the NTI instructors support as well. The online activities have been very challenging for me because I am not as computer literate as I would like to be. I have definitely learned more about the computer and the classroom since attending NTI at GSU.
Hi, Paulette - your post has elicited several great comments and thanks to all for sharing their thoughts. May I suggest that for your older students you try to turn their focus to life after high school, and get them to use their time left with you to prepare for a seamless entry into school or work. Some may be quite anxious about what comes after high school as they will have to leave their comfort zone and jump into a big unknown. You could introduce projects or assignments that help them focus and prepare for a particular school or a health-related job, or maybe even pair them with a mentor from a local health-related business.
And yes, it will all be much better when NTI is over, you are certified, and your teaching toolkit is full and ready. Your students will have so much fun they will not even know they are learning!
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