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?

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Reflection Time

Well, this year has been a different one to say the least. I have said to myself on several occasions how much more tolerant I have become this year. I am not as quick to anger or become frustrated in the "system" nor the students. It appears that I have a different outlook and perspective on my profession. Coming from Law Enforcement and working with hardened criminals I developed tough outer shell. One that would allow me to do my job and not get "cased up" by crooks. Coming into the school system, I began to associate some of the students to some of the offenders I supervised, arrested, transported, etc. I trusted no one and became extremely territorial with "my" classroom, "my" students, "my" stuff, and "my" opinion of others. This mindset made my job difficult and I could not understand why I was constantly butting heads with my destiny. Today and even more so last week, I realized the amount of patience I have developed since the summer as well as how much I listen now than ever. In the past I would listen to student sidebars and interject my opinion. Monday it came to me "as clear as the hair on my head" (one of my Nana's sayings;). If you would only listen and act as if you are not paying attention, you would learn more and understand your students a lot better. Not only that, I also learned one very important thing..if they want your opinion and care about what you think they will ask your for it. Soooooooooooooo all last week I listened inattentively and without saying a word students were coming up to me asking "Chief did you hear that?" "456 what do you think about this", "Mrs. Jackson, we are trying to settle something, can you help us out?" People you all do not know how good I felt inside. Aside from laughing at some of the things I heard ( I have dog/inmate hearing if you didn't know..I can hear "a rat pee on cotton"(another one of my granny's saying). I defeated one of my biggest obstacles- The art of listening attentively w/o talking, and for the rest of the day I had this victorious smile on my face. Before now I had not told a soul. Thank you Good Dr.s for this question..It turned out to be very therapeutic.

1 comment:

Angel said...

Anitra,

Thank you for sharing you post. Your post has inspired me. I will listen and hear what the students are saying without interruption. Your nanna is right if the student wanted to hear you thoughts they would ask. Also we may learn something from our students. This is very therapeutic.