CTE New Teacher Institute Forum: Teaching, the right profession

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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, September 12, 2010

Teaching, the right profession

Last year was probably my most challenging year so far in teaching. I had a small classroom which contained up to 37 students at any one time. I didn't have enough textbooks. I shared textbooks with another teacher. My computer stopped functioning between classes one day. Not only did I have a shortage of textbooks, I had a shortage of handouts for my classes. We have a limit on the number of copies we can make at my school for each month. Students would always ask "Can we write on this?" My reply, "No, use your own paper." Then the moans would start. But despite it all I survived and so did the students. This year I have some of those same students and I can tell their behavior has improved, and they seem to be more mature. Even though they still have to write their answers on their"own" paper I believe they are realizing that that is minor and the main reason they are in class is to get as much information they can. I have learned to be flexible and to not let the inconveniences change my mind about teaching. My students have learned to be flexible and go with the flow as well. I think teaching is about helping others obtain their potential and when I look at my students I realize I am where I am supposed to be. Each one of my students is different, and that is O.K.with me.

1 comment:

Rod said...: Sandra, That sounds exatly like my class. They would even say, " This school is cheap." I would reply that it is not only our school. I also was short books. I had to go to another school to borrow some. Wow! That was alot of students! It was a good thing you survived!; September 13, 2010 at 9:41:00 PM EDT