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?

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Searching for the positive

Well, I must say this week has been a very difficult week. I found it a little amusing that our reflective blog is to talk about the moment when we have felt most connected to our students...and this week I have had an extremely difficult time doing that. I have found myself trying to take solace in the little things. I have racked, and racked my brain to try to come up with a situation in which I said to myself, "This is what teaching is all about." Finally I remembered something that occurred earlier this week when Dr. M came to visit my class. He happened to come during what I think is one of my most difficult periods. It is the last class of the day. It is supposed to be a 3rd level class, but due to too many students wanting to take my 2nd level class it is now literally half and half 2nd and 3rd level students. It is a bit challenging to say the least for me to try to come up with meaningful activities for each level to do everyday. Anyway, my 2nd level students were working on an anatomy and physiology project and were doing a fantastic job of staying on task. I was mostly with my 3rd level students in the lab section of the classroom. We were reviewing the steps for making an unoccupied bed. As I was restating the steps for mitering corners of bedsheets and placing pillows in pillowcases, I had a couple of students light up. They proceeded to tell me how they had been practicing these steps at home on their own beds. I think for me this week I have had to really search for something positive to cling to. I was so proud that something I had taught them had reached them, and they were actually taking it home with them. Sometimes I wonder if what I am saying is even reaching them, especially in that class which at times seems like barely controlled chaos. That day it did confirm to me though that they had been listening and were even utilizing these skills in their everyday lives. Many times I get down and frustrated with the politics of my school and especially the administration. However, it's moments like these..moments when I can see that spark of understanding and excitement in their eyes that reminds me why I decided to do this in the first place.

4 comments:

Unknown said...

The politics are the hardest part to get used to. One high school in my county is like a ghost town in the halls after school. Noone wants to be noticed by administration because the admin is so hostile. My school has good administrators even though their focus is, in some areas, misguided. The idea is that those teachers in the hostile environment tell me that they are keeping their heads down until the principal gets moved. You see, teachers may stay at a school for as long as 30 years but principals are moved around every few years. One teacher at my school commented just the other day that he hates our principal but he still has a good attitude overall because principals come and go like the seasons. The point is, don't mind the political situation too much, it is bound to change soon. Your students are the ones that count.

Penelope said...

Amy I agree. All of the Career Tech programs have their challenges. Of course, I am in Healthcare Science with you. Some of the skills that we teach are quite lengthy and have alot of steps. So whenever any of our students catch on and are excited about what they have learned or about what they have accomplished, this is and can be very rewarding for us. Nursing skills are not hard, but they are not easy either. Maybe once the few students do well and we praise them, hopefully this will affect the other students to strive and work harder so that they to can get accolades. Dr. M. came to visit me this week also. He encouraged me to look for and to find something positive in everything. And truly, if we can find the time so sit down long enough, we can find something positive in everything. Even if it is only one thing.

Dr. M said...

Hi, Amy - yes, I remember that happening in your class, and that was a rewarding example of you reaching your students. And for anyone who needs to speak with a teacher about teaching multiple levels in one class - call Amy! She has that figured out, at least for the class I observed - keep it up, Amy!

NATE said...

I have had several moments when I stand there in class and ask myself what am I doing here? The class is out of control, nobody seems to be interesting in what you are teaching and there is "gangland fights" in he cafe! Even with all that going on a student looks to me for guidance and instruction and I can actually help them. Coming from law enforcement sometimes you learn to just do away with some and let somebody else deal with them. That mentality does'nt work here. I know that today or any other day I could actuall do or say something that could resort in a a pair of hand cuffs not being placed on someone.