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 2, 2010

A Lesson Learned

Every week I learn more about the students. It seems that I am the student more so than them. This week the Therapeutic class has been on the course topic of Careers. The students were introduced to the inventory assessment, goal setting, the personal data sheet and building a resume. Students have complained that they they thought they were in a health science course and not a Business or English course. Well, I had one more writing task for them on Friday.

This idea was given to me by another Health Science teacher; it is an opportunity to say thank you to someone who has helped or inspired you at school, as well as to learn how to write a thank you note. The students were allowed to pick the stationary to write their notes on, which I envisioned was going to be special. Well, once I give them the instructions, many were excited but some said that they had no one to thank at the school. In fact, one young lady was so upset that for a few seconds she explained that no one had helped her in life and she had absolutely no one to thank for anything.

I am thinking, this did not go as planned. The students gave me their letters to distribute to administrators and teachers. Within the letters there was one addressed to Heaven. OK, so were do I send this one. As I read the letter, the young man went on to express his sincere thanks for life and all that God had allowed his mother to do for him. The lesson taught to me is that I must listen to the students. Many have wombs that are deep but If you keep going they will try. It does not always go the way we want but in the end they learned how to write a thank you note.

2 comments:

Angie said...

I enjoyed reading your post. Sometimes the only adult mentor in a student's life is their teacher. So it’s a really special thing to have a student open up to you and share their personal life and experiences. The other day my son had to write a thank you note as a class assignment. He wrote a touching letter to his father. He thanked his father for always being there for him. The letter brightened my husbands’ week. I am sure that teachers allover the school felt appreciated, and it might have brightened their day.

Chef BCY said...

Hey Freda life is just so so not set in stone. When we think we are on one path many doors open and when we peek into them we see so much. But the big question is what do we do with the knowledge we get? Keep on enjoying your teachable moments - we learn a lot from our students when we listen to them. I feel that this is one of the best qualities a teacher could have; being able to listen and think outside the box.