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, March 1, 2009

Bumps along the way...

Hello!

This past week has been quite the adventure.  On my path to becoming "master teacher," I have realized how many frustrating issues develop throughout the year...and how little we as teachers can do about it.

You can't help what kind of home your students come from.  You can't change the way parents are.  You can't have a real teacher work day.  You can't make kids do their homework or come to class.  You can't emphasize enough the importance of school.  Of life.  You can't always anticipate what will happen during your day.

This week we were told all the other things we CAN'T do.

And now...you can't make copies.  You can't print.  You can't use your budget.  You can't be in the classroom with all the lights on.  You can't make any handouts.  You can't laminate.  You can't buy any basic supplies.  You can't print out progress reports.  You can't go on field trips.  You can't get a fork from the lunchroom without paying 20 cents.  Really.

This week I have learned that as much as education is emphasized and seems like a concern in this country, there is certainly no hesitation to take away any funds from education before any other place.  Why do we punish the education system, our students - our future, with the budget cuts or decreases when things start to go sour in the economy?  It doesn't make sense.  We already lost our salary increase for next year and we are already losing teachers at probably every Cobb school at the end of this year.  Now we are taking away the things that make education fun.  That make it work.  That allow teachers to teach.

On my path to mastering teaching, I have found that my class is 100% performance based.  My students thrive on building bigger and better projects.  We have built bridges, clocks, buildings, airplanes, rockets, go-karts, pinewood derby cars, mini golf courses, and whatever else it takes to enhance student learning and keep interest going.  We do stuff.  And....that costs money. 

So, for the rest of the semester I am going to have to pull out all my cards to figure out how to keep my kids motivated and to keep all the supplies I have last until the end the spring.  i guess this is the true test of a teacher on the way to mastery.

Cobb County - I want my poker chips back.  :)

1 comment:

Georgette said...

Hi Penny,
Wow, you seemed really frustrated and I understand your frustration. It does appear tat we are asked to do a lot and might not have all of the resources available to us. It is very challenging to help the students create things without enough supplies. I had to get creative with copy paper, poster and display boards. In fact, I had to actually purchase display boards myself to have enough for the last student project. It was very hard at first, but realizing the challenge with these type of the things and figuring out how to deal with them is something that makes you reach another level.