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?

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Lesson Reminder

Over the past week I experienced an important reminder that, as a teacher, you are potentially never more than one or two degrees removed from your students. Many teachers have experienced similar situations and not fared as well. In this particular situation, I passed the test. I have a student that was disciplined for a major infraction while at school. (Thankfully, the breach did not occur in my class.) This student was suspended for 5 days because of their poor decision. Unfortunately, this student came to me with a stained reputation and although he may have helped his “street cred” he did nothing but solidify the image which preceded him. The reminder actually occurred outside of school late into the punishment time. On the evening of this student’s 5th day of suspension, I was at my youngest daughter’s volleyball practice. After practice, my daughter introduced me to one of her teammates. Once the introduction was complete, I realized the young lady had the same last name as the student in my class who had been suspended. Since this last name wasn’t a common last name I was suspicious they may be related. So, I asked if she was related to him. They were. This young lady was the younger sister of the suspended student. This was an eye re-opener. As a rule, I never speak of any of my students outside of class unless it is a positive mention. What if I had spoken poorly of this student around my daughter and she then passed that opinion on to her teammates? This would have been a disastrous and, in my opinion, unethical. This experience taught me that as a teacher you cannot lower your guard as far as talking about your students. The moment you do, you can make a serious mistake.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

That is a very good reminder. I have many friends and family members who are educators and I thought at first that they were always goofing around talking in code about this or that. I now realize that you never know who is around and may hear what is being said and sadly can twist words around. Never speak the names of students outside the walls of the classroom - if even then.

Dr. J said...

Terry,
Thank your for remembering our ethics module and making a great decision. I have learned that the world is very small so we have to resist those "human" temptations to speak out of turn. You will be a good role model for this student whether he knows it now or later in life . . .