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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.
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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.
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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?

Monday, September 16, 2013

I am not alone in my struggle.

After talking to many teachers at my school and others, I have learned that I am not alone in my struggle. A teacher I spoke to at another school said one of her friends was going back to school and changing careers. She is leaving the teaching profession. I thought I would teach school and have more time, however, it is not working out that way. Teaching is not a profession that you can leave work and forget about. You are always thinking how you could have done a lesson better. I heard that a teacher in MCSD stood up in a district meeting and told everyone she just came back from Afghanistan and war was less stress than teaching right now. That is an eye-opening statement. With more accountability and less support, it is not surprising teachers are feeling overwhelmed.

5 comments:

Jama said...

Wow! What a powerful statement! The first few years are truly the hardest, and that's when we lose a lot of teachers. I hope you'll stay with it--it gets easier and easier. If you get the chance to attend conferences and workshops with other teachers, you'll find a lot more support and resources, so you'll just get better and better, and things will seem smoother and easier every year. I promise!

Unknown said...

This is so true--I always dreamed of being in the classroom and even took a pay cut as many of us have to teach. However, I just didn't realize how hard the job would actually be.
And it isn't necessarily the teaching, it is everything else that goes along with it. You can definitely see why most people leave the profession within their first 3 years. Nothing can prepare you for the culture shock of the classroom--some days dodging bullets seemed a lot easier. Now, I understand why teachers need breaks to keep from losing their minds. This is a tough job--it is worth it, but a lot of hard work.

JT

Mark said...

Teaching is indeed a profession that you simply can't stop thinking about when you leave for the day. Teaching is a craft which you have to practice all of the time. On top of that, you have to remember if you completed all of the paperwork you had to complete during the week as well as any phone calls you need to make or after school or administration duties. Speaking from experience, I always think about my students and if they are ok. Especially students who you know struggle not just from a school-work perspective but from a well-being stand point. I'm not surprised by your friends statement about Afghanistan being less stressful than teaching. Teaching is definitely not for the weak-minded.

Henderson said...

I could not agree anymore on this. I started teaching with the perspective that this is for now. Well 9 years later, I am still here. I have put so much on hold due to my over commitment to my students and this teaching career. When you are a true educator unfortantly our students naturally become our priority. Priority over ever other dream and aspiration in life. For me I suck it up and say this is where God wants me to be. But the other day a mentor told me something to rethink my statement. He said in the classroom you only have some much influence on children, but if you were to dive out and accomplish your hearts desires you will not only be happy, but you will be able to influences the children on a entire new level. I know that was a run on but just something to think about.

Dr. J said...

I always am thinking about teaching - things like was my lesson boring? Did my lesson reach the students? Will my students be better teachers because of my lesson? How can I help the teacher who feels overwhelmed in the classroom? See, it never goes away. I think I agree with Henderson in that it has to be a calling. It's not a profession to choose for time off anymore. We even work in the summer!