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, April 19, 2009

Open Mic 2

Last week, I took students on field trips to Jackson State Prison. I have to take multiple trips because they only do tours of 30 people at a time, so I took one class per day. I complained to my husband all weekend about the trips. Although I admitted that it was my fault for planning them, I complained that the kids were so ungrateful and that I am very pregnant and should have just skipped them altogether this year. There was one morning in particular in which I was feeling extremely regretful. I had students that seemed to have zoned out when I went over the rules of the tour...one kid forgot an ID, one kid came wearing shorts...those kinds of things. Yet, I found that each day upon returning from the trip, the kids were very grateful and appreciative that I had taken them. They all said that they really learned a lot from the experience. I felt like all of the hard work that comes with planning field trips had paid off. I left work in a very good mood each day feeling impressed by my students' behavior. At the weeks end, I was left with thoughts and reminders of how doing things for others can really be rewarding. I think it can be easy to allow yourself to feel taken advantage of and unappreciated in the field of teaching sometimes and then moments like the ones I experienced last week happen to remind us of why we do what we do.

1 comment:

Dr. M said...

Hi, Christina - what a (pregnant) saint you are! That is truly above and beyond but you are so right about why we do what we do. Stay focused on your students and you will not be taken advantage of - they need you and your special attention!