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, October 1, 2013

Blown Away!!

I had an all-time "This is what being a teacher is really all about" moment this week. One of the classes I teach is Work Based Learning. This class is designed to take upperclassmen that have decided what their career is going to be and match them up with a local business in the same category. So, if a good student thinks they want to be a Vet I will go to a local Veterinary Office and attempt to get the student accepted as an intern. Last spring I had a senior who was interested in marketing as a future career. I was lucky enough to get her placed at Kennesaw State University in their Sports Marketing Department. Once the semester ended, she left the internship as she was going to attend a different college. Fast forward to last week and upon opening my e-mail one morning I noticed an e-mail from this same student. Here is the e-mail:

Hey Coach Kemp! I thought that you would like to know that because of the experience I got at Kennesaw State University in the sports marketing program I got hired to be a part of the Athletic Event staff, and I am the only freshman that got hired! I have so many doors that are open to me now and it is all because of your effort that you put towards me in your internship class. My boss is Joshua Clendenin, and he graduated from Harrison in 2004, so it's a small world over here in West Georgia. Anyways... I just wanted to take the time to thank you because I really could not be where I am without you and I don't come across nice and genuine people like you.

Insert misty eyes here! I was blown away by this action. For a teenaged student to take the time to email a thank you letter to me was very impactful. This was a much needed spirit lifter at a time when the grind was becoming quite tough.

2 comments:

ChiroCourt said...

*Insert tears* That is amazing! I mean, if I were to get an email even 10% close to this I'd be floored. One of my college students asked to be my "friend" after the semester was over and I was honored. You were DEFINITELY affirmed as a teacher and you should be VERY proud you created that avenue for that student. Great job, Terry and keep up the great work!

Unknown said...

Wow Terry, that is SO awesome! From what I understand being a WBL coordinator is a very demanding job on top of teaching and advising a CTSO. It is really great that you have tangible evidence of your impact on a former student. I hope that when times are tough and the grind is rough you can reach for this email for a much needed boost of morale :)