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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.
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5. Watch your language. Use politically correct and non-offensive language.
6. Make sure you write about things that are factual.
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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?

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Exhaustion

Plainly put, I feel overwhelmed and exhausted most days just from trying to get everything "covered" for class and "done" for administration. My brain is "burned out" and my mind laughs at me when I ask it to be creative!
I think being a new teacher is a blessing and a curse both. Most of the time I am not burnt out on teaching my students and wanting them to learn, I am burnt out on all the "other" responsibilities that are required of teachers.
I keep hearing that 3rd year will be so much better. My hopes are that this is true. Maybe I will have a good foundation for each of my classes and the "newness" will be worn off and my sanity hopefully in tact, that I can take some time to be more creative.
My plan for adding variety is to ask the students after each semester to write down something that they think would help them ie) this can be anything that they want. Of course, I probably won't implement each suggestion but maybe by having them honestly give their input (without having to reveal their name) I may find pattern to something that I am missing in my teaching skills. It also lets them know that I value and appreciate their opinions.

2 comments:

Leola said...

I've heard the third year will be easier as well. I really identify with your observations, I keep finding another requirement or someone has changed the way a report must be written. It's interesting to see how much politics plays in being a teacher. For every moment I've envied teachers' their summers off, I apologize. Now I know the truth, they go into therapy so they can come back and try again. Just think, things are a lot better than they were last year.

Dr. M said...

Hi, Donna - very poignant post, and thanks for sharing what you are going through. Yes, it will get better, and, as Leola says, it is better than last year. Another key is learning how to minimize the impact of outside-classroom developments, yet still being aware of them for program survival and growth. That will come with time and exerience as well. Keep after it!