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?

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

If I could get a Do-Over

Reflect........Looking back at the last 5 days the outcome has been less than what I had desired. We are currently studying Material Safety Data Sheets(MSDS)and how they are used in the construction industry and the benefits to the worker. I gave the students handouts, a completed and actual MSDS from a government web site on a common and recognizable household chemical(Drano), a Blank MSDS form for them to fill out, and an instruction/worksheet that explained how to fill out the MSDS sheet. I feel like I have given the student to much credit for being able to decipher new materials.I broke the student into work partners and I thought this would take about a day and half to complete. Total time spent on this activity was approximatly 3 days. We would post the msds sheets exactly the way they do on the job site. Every student was to fill out their own sheet and I would grade them and then have them post to the Right to Know Center. It was a drudgery for the student and me. I kept lectures to a minimum and instruction simple. I walked around the room and answered questions. We changed up and went in to the Lab and had nail driving competitions and several other breaks and reward activities. I changed the lesson outline to help facilitate completion of this activity. Completion finally arrived today. hallelujah
What would I change all of IT! I think mabye spend 20 minutes lecturing and 10 minutes reading and 10 minutes quizzing and say its covered and that be it. Frustated and it probably shows.

Do differently

My Principal likes to say, and I think he actually got it from Oprah, that we as teachers have the awesome responsibility to teach our students to " do differently". Unfortunately we are not only teaching a microwave generation (want everything immediately without working hard and waiting for it to payoff) but a generation of followers. Sadly for our students, and many of those in inner city schools, the path they follow does not end on a college campus. We are constantly challenged to show,model expose our students to alternative paths. However the road less traveled for anyone is scary, it is imperceptible for the majority of our students. So how do we get our students to " do differently"?How do we teach them to do the opposite of what they have been taught, (explicitly or implicitly) from their environment?

If there is an answer or a solution I believe it lies in what we learned this week in class-social skills. In creating small groups in my classes, I really wished I would have focused on teaching my students how to interact with one another " differently" then they are accustomed to. How to be assertive not aggressive, how to disagree agreeably and most importantly how to resolve conflicts civilly.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Shop Math Blues

The past couple of weeks I have been teaching shop math. This is a subject that the students do not get very excited about, and I don't get really excited about teaching it. The students will sit there and act like they understand it, but judging from the classwork, they don't. It is hard for me to understand how students who are going to the workforce can have such a problem with the most basic of math problems. How do you teach the boring subjects in a way that keeps the students engaged and interrested?

This is where the "what would I do differently" comes in. I think the key to almost everything that I teach is giving them a real world application. I can do this better with lab time, and more variety in my teaching. I need to gather more materials and find some unique solutions.

Monday, September 26, 2011

What would have done different?!

I would have to say that this past week was a busy one. Keeping up with four classes and no planning period is already a challenge, but to add to it having four classes doing different things at the same time makes it harder. I would have to say that If I could manage to squeeze in the time I would definately assign duties to the students in a more formal format. I assigned duties to each student but it was after I already had started the lab activity. The next day I wrote on the whiteboard what each persons job was. I feel like it would have been alot easier and less chaotic if I would have had a better drawn out plan. Don't get me wrong, the students got alot finished but at times you have to step in and reiterate what the main goal was. My goal is to have the class one day where my students will come to class with the objectives so clear that the class can run itself.........of course with my assistance!LOL .

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Hmmmm.....

This weeks blog topic of what I would do differently could be really really really long if I listed everything that I'd want to try and perfect. Teaching construction is both challenging and rewarding, but the pursuit of being a great teacher is something I suspect will never have a finish line.

My classroom is much more organized this year than last. Part of that is of things I learned in my first year, but the summer's NTI session was extremely beneficial. However, organization of my classroom is not my #1 weakness, but rather I'm focused on finding more and more solutions to making learning construction fun and engaging for my students.

Therefore, if I had to change anything it would be to change my daily teaching approaches from simple short lectures and peer tutoring exercises to include a broader scope of instructional tools to both keep content presentation new and fresh, but also engaging and fun. The first 2 online classes have been key in my thought process about what new things I can inject into my teaching structure to challenge the kids and get them to process the necessary information.

This coming week I'll be armed with new ideas that I'll use to present the Unit Material with. I'm going to try Reading Groups, Drill Partners, and Focus Trios, which are 3 approaches I've not yet tried in my class. Hopefully they go well and are something we as a group can continue to use in an effort to make learning fun and productive at the same time.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Differently 2

This week I started giving detention for being late for my class. My students seem to not be afraid of being late. There is no sense of urgency. I can look up the hallway and see the same group just standing socializing in the hallway. Even when the bell rings, there still is no sense of urgency to get to class. They walk as if there is not a care in the world. I'll start my lesson then one by one there are knocks at the door. This constantly disrupts my class. It wastes my time and also the time of students that show up on time. I don't know where this group of kids gets their sense of entitlement. It's as if we owe them something. I plan to start running my class as if it were a real job. I heard a story about a teacher that did this. He even went as far as having them call in when they were not going to be at school. 'mI also looking forward to implementing the social skills lessons. I can't take for granite that my students are learning these things at home.

What the diff?

What haven’t I done differently this year? From the bellringer activity to the recap at the end of class and from the transfer in, to the transfer out my class room management has changed. I am not as structured as I would like to be but I am getting there. This year has been a little harder than last year due to some changes in administration, supervision, and guidance. I would be completely lost and out of sorts if it had not been for NTI and the classroom management plan, the lesson plans, the Emergency lesson plans (which I get to show off to some of the teachers), the course syllabus and the list goes on and on. I Feel like all of you know exactly how and what it feels like to be working with a plan. My writing up a few notes and throwing together a lesson plan the night before or the morning of the school day has gone away.

Proud

I feel most proud of my use of groups in the classroom. We have broken into groups to handle a number of different types of assignments. We have used team/peer teaching, artwork groups, demonstration groups, research groups, skit groups to act out different safety scenarios and a number of other group activities. This week we have broken into pairs to complete an assignment of making different types of ladder labels. This gives them an opportunity to bounce information off of each other and the creativity is amazing. They are concentrating on the information without even realizing it. This gives them a break from books, lectures and notes in which they are getting plenty of from my class and their other classes. The instruction labels on the ladder and in the books are all most the same in reguards to safety and proper use. I will continue using groups as an effective way of disseminating information. The students love it.

Monday, September 19, 2011

Changes to Address

One thing I would do differently with my teaching activities would be to incorporate medical terminology and abbreviations in my 15 minute lectures. This would include 5 medical terms and 5 abbreviations. As an assignment, in small groups of 5, students will write the definitions of each medical term and abbreviation on a separate 3 x5 card. Students will also write at least 5 things about that word (how that word is used) from a medical journal, nursing magazine of any other medical/health article. Students will study with their group and keep a card box of all words. Students can review and test themselves as needed. I will do this because students seem to forget medical terminology and abbreviations within 3 days. I can not stress enough the importance of medical terms. It is imperative that students learn (know) medical terminology and abreviations in order to be successful in the medical field. It is very difficult to function in the medical field if you do not know medical terminology. Jan

Scratching My Head

The thing that I would do differently is eliminate this weeks homework assignment.  Currently I have a standing bi-weekly homework assignment.  The assignment is to review and share a Food, Nutrition and Wellness current event.  I informed students of this standing assignment the first week of school.   The source of the current event is open to the student; newspaper, magazines, Internet and TV.  To further assist students I even make newspapers and magazines available.  Right now I am considering reducing the assignment to once a month or maybe eliminate it altogether.  I'm perplexed because most students did not turn in the assignment.  Furthermore, they don't seem phased at all that they are losing points.  At the least I expected students to maybe turn it in late.   I will close with, unsure what to do but open to any suggestions you may have.

Something Different

One thing I would do different would be in my note taking. I usually try to create powerpoints to make notes interesting. But, I did the original notes of the projector this time. Bad mistake!!! My students are by far more tech savvier than I. They all thought it would be better if they took pictures with their amazing phones and went home and printed the notes out. This defeats my whole purose of helping the audio/visual learners. I, myself learn better like this, by reading outloud the notes and writing them down.
So, I am changing this note taking aspect on my next chapter. I am actually interested in ideas if anyone is good at this. I have in the past done a lot of powerpoints with notes, but I am looking for a more fun way of learning for my students. I need something interesting to all highschoolers, but that will help them learn and remember at the same time. My class blocks are an hour and 45 minutes each. Soo...... it gets a little tricky.

Friday, September 16, 2011

Different

Over the Summer I went to Stevenson University to learn a new curriculum. I had a lot of fun. My kids will definitely benefit from all of the hands on activities. This means that they not only hear a lecture but they get to apply their knowledge hands on. We dissect kidneys, cow eyes, and they also get to conduct different lab reports. My classroom organization has also gotten better. Last year I felt overwhelmed at times but I have a better handle on things this year. The grading process has even been simplified. This helps me get feed back to my kids even faster so if there is something I need to re teach, there wont be a great deal of time wasted.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Excited

This is my third year teaching. My first year I have to admit, it wasn't at all like I pictured it would be. I had problems with overall classroom management. I had no lesson plans. I knew different things I wanted to teach my students but how to put it together to where they were engaged the entire class period was an entirely different story. This year I have learned from my mistakes. I don' t spend as much time on discipline as I did in my first two years but that is still an ongoing problem. For the most, part I have a great deal of kids who have their own agendas and I could'nt change their minds unless Jesus himself was observing me in the corner. I have managed to get a pretty large group to buy in to what we are doing. A majority of what I am teaching, most kids don't get to see until college so if they get it now, they should do very well at the next level. That is what excites me.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Proud

I am proud about the knowledge that I have gained throughout the NTI program. I know that I am a better educator. I am also proud about regaining alertness on my current health. I have been dieting for about a month and have lost about 20lbs. I believe that expanding my mental capacity with new education practices and shrinking my waistline will improve my longivity in the education profession. Also, I am happy to say that I have finally completed the necessary testing requirements to become a school administrator....So, once I am ready to come out of the classroom, I will have more options...

Monday, September 12, 2011

Spark

During our last professional learning seminar (staff meeting), my principal challenged us to rekindle the spark that inspired us to teach. Although this summer added the necessary oxygen to breath life back into my flame, I began to reflect on my teaching attitudes. When I began teaching, I had extremely high expectations for my students success. Believing that every student was capable, given the means and motivation. Somewhere down the road (and I know I'm not alone) I began to do my students a disservice and lower my expectations.
I am most proud of myself this school year for keeping the bar raised and continually pushing my students to think critically. I am proud of them and myself.

I love my job

I truly love my job. Teaching has certainly been a life changing experience for myself and my students. I began teaching with a "save the world" attitude, which is befitting since I'm also a paramedic. However, I often felt drained after an eight hour day of counseling,encouraging, disciplining, inspiring and of course teaching my heart out. Fortunately, the strategies I learned in NTI have equipped me with the organizational skills and planning that make it easy to teach. Yes I said easy! I am in love with my lesson plans soley because I was forced to work hard and ensure standards based learning was engaging. Who would have thought something as simple as a set induction could bring so much life to a lecture. I believe growth is a process that never ends, and thus am exciting about what seeds NTI will plant this fall.

Pride

I am most prideful of my set inductions. I really enjoy this because of my field. I can find some really cool stuff on YOUTUBE and it makes my students excited. They come into my room anticipating something really cool that I can share with them that is linked to the lecture. I really did not expect NTI to be so in depth with teaching. I felt that it was a struggle at times however I now see the bigger picture :). My goal this year to maintain the same excitement througout the lesson. I want this to be from set induction to closure. I enjoy all of my students this year ,even though I lost a cluster of students and gained a new cluster. I am starting over with the first day of school so that my students understand my expectations and we will perform a unity of learning within the classroom.

Something new

Classroom management is not new but it is IMPROVED ! I've never had problems with this area however my classroom is very organized. I implemented the 3 fingers rule, so when they have to use the restroom they raise three fingers. I find that it is less distracting for me or a speaker. I nod and they get up and use the restroom (it's in my room). I also will not dismiss my class unless all paper is picked up and chairs are pushed in when the bell rings. This saves me time between classes so I can greet my students at the door :)
I am having my first meeting with my classroom mgrs this Friday. I will have cupcakes or something and discuss some great new ideas that will make the class more challenging with fun!
I want them to be involved in their education and the development of future activites. I am so excited this year!

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Saturday Test-Post

Testing in class for everyone to see. . .

Pride

Pride is such a delicate thing in my household. We want to take pride and ownership in what we do, but we don't want to be prideful.

With that said, this week I take pride in the fact that my construction class continues to take notable strides forward. We've had several hurdles to overcome just to restart the construction program at Allatoona High School. We've been faced with spacial issues since our building last year was used as a warehouse and storage facility for the rest of the school while the program was on the wrong end of the budget crisis. We've had to deal with a sizable portion of our class being transferred in and out of the program in the first few weeks due to the scheduling nightmare caused by a large amount of transient and school of choice students searching for a better education at AHS.

I take pride in the fact that with all those moving parts we've made big strides this past week in just how we operate. I've changed a few classroom management items to better accommodate the size and type of student that is now in construction. I was able to take some suggestions by Ron Clark and apply them and his has "moved the meter" in regards to student behavior, organization, process, and overall productivity.

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Proud?

Due to the construction situation at my school, I cannot say that I am truely proud of anything that I have done this year. I will say that I am pleased with how I have used the construction going on around me to my advantage. This week my class and I dis-assembled the playground behind the school and packed it up to be sent to an elementary school in the area, so the children can enjoy it. This playground was standing in the area where they are planning on building an addition our school. I was pleased that almost everyone helped out, and we had no discipline issues. My halo must still be shining.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

What am I proud about?

This week I feel proud to have followed in my grandfathers footsteps in teaching and in coaching a sport. I was out of the state from Thursday of last week, until yesterday, attending my Papa's funeral in Farmerville, Louisiana. I actually spoke at the funeral, on behalf of him, and how he is such an inspiration to me. He dies last Tuesday, at the age of 85. He is a lifelong educator and baseball coach. This year is the first year he has been without this job. His students from recent and past years came to the viewing and to the funeral. Some of their comments were magnificent. I realized how proud I am to have followed his teaching role, and hope that one day to have accomplished everything he has.

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Refection of Self

Reflection of self
“What do I feel proudest about regarding my teaching activities this week, and why”? I am ecstatic and proud of my lesson plans and classroom management. Students respond in a positive manner and seem to want to learn. Lesson plans with built in time management and intertwined with classroom management makes me proud to be a teacher. The clock keeps me on track as well as my students. I learned so much in Summer NTI that can and has improved my teaching strategies. I am elated and so proud to have been a part of GSU NTI program. I can only imagine the greatness in teaching that awakes me. Teaching of today is so different from the nineties and that is why I am so proud of my lesson plans and classroom management. It is a great feeling when students learn, enjoy doing it and assist others who may lag behind.
Jan

A Road Map to Success

My Post this week is a "Shout Out" to Ms. Chillis. The one thing I feel the proudest about is my lesson plan. Because of an appointment, I had to leave school early one day this week. As a result one of my team members covered my class. Well the next day she came by my room to say she "loves" my lesson plan and asked could she please have a copy of it to use as a guide for her own lesson plan. In our conversation she stated how impressed she was with the content of the lesson, the format and distribution of time. Additionally, she shared her opinion of my plans with my CTAE Supervisor. Giving credit where credit is due, I explained that the lesson plan was not of my own originality,but something I learned from Ms. Chillis and NTI. The entire scenario reminded me of Ms. Chillis' comments about our lesson plans being a reflection of us as teachers. I'm glad for my NTI experience.

Friday, September 2, 2011

I am so grateful!!!

Hi!

What I am most proud of this week is being able to help the new teachers! This week I was walking down a hall where we had four new teachers in a department. As I walked by each room I stopped and asked, how was your day, do you need anything, and let me know if I can help you with anything. One teacher asked me about classroom management! OMG! I know a little something about that! ........Thanks to NTI! I shared with her some of the things I do that I have learned over the summer, even the point of how the student desk and the teacher desk could play a role in classroom management. The very next day she tried some of the things. Yes! It worked! She said just some of the small things she did differently the next day made a difference. Of course, I let her know that she has to be consistent. It's a wonderful feeling to be able to help someone and an even better feeling to know that they accepted what you told them, tried it, and it worked.
I could go on and on about the things I am proud of this week but I will save that for another time. I am looking forward to the rest of the school year. It feels good to finally be organized and have each class run smoothly.

I am grateful!

What I am proud of!

First of all I know that eveyone probably feels the same way as I do. I really feel like a real teacher this year. There have been new teachers come to my school this year, and it feels really great when they come to me for answers about certain things. It is a great feeling when I can help them. I am probably the proudest that I am more thorough and organized with the material I teach. I want my students to learn more from the books and not just lab work. I really enjoy doing labs but I know that the material should be covered better prior to lab work. NTI helped me learn how to be more organized and those task analysis projects helped me be more thorough!