I hope sharing this helps you all in the future. I hope and pray you never experience this, but there is nothing in the teaching books about how to handle the loss of a student. Since this post is on counseling I thought it may be a good time to share this with you all. Over the holidays Hailey Miller (15 years old) one of my students in my 6th period class and a member of our SADD club passed away due to complication from knee surgery. This was a tragic shock to say the least. I relied on my faith and police experience on how to console and handle her grieving classmates/friends. Our counseling department and administration was very supportive as well. Shortly after this same time we learned that one of our football players (Trey Rood) who is battling stage 4 cancer had a scan come back that revealed 2 new "spots". Every school has tragedies and I know we are not the first and will unfortunately not be the last. However if I can say one thing (and you all already seem to do it) please be significant in your student's lives. Please get to know them and make an impact in their lives. Prayerfully the impact will last forever while they grow old, but that is not always the case. Hailey had a Christmas card that she wrote to me prior to her surgery. Her Mom and Dad gave it to me after her death. Hailey will live in my heart forever and I hope and pray I made an impact in her life the short time I taught her. As far as Trey goes he made a plaque that read "God doesn't choose the qualified...he qualifies the chosen!" He made a plaque for himself and for me. I told Trey that quote back in October before he spoke at Fields of Faith because he was doubting himself. Keep being a significant part of your student's lives, it truly does matter. You all rock...I hope this post does not offend anyone and I hope Dr. M or Dr. Burns are not upset with this being posted.
Thanks!
Sly
This site is a class blog space for new Career and Technical Specializations and Heathcare Science teachers enrolled in the New Teacher Institute (NTI) at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia.
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.
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?
1 comment:
I am sure you did make an impact on Hailey. This is such a reminder to respect and love others. You only get once chance sometimes to impact a student's life. Thank you for sharing this with our group. Dr. J.
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