CTE New Teacher Institute Forum: Don't Believe the Hype!!!

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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?

Monday, January 20, 2014

Don't Believe the Hype!!!

One piece of advice I would tell a new CTAE teacher is don't believe everything that you hear about teaching. One thing that honestly disgusts me is when experienced teachers (Teaching 5 more) say things like, "Don't smile before Christmas or whenever (As said as the example)......WHY??? Smiling is my personality and I smiled from my very first day of teaching until my most recent day of teaching, and I have had no major problems in terms of discipline. Definitely I would say to a new teacher, let your personality reign and adjust accordingly. Those same teachers who I've encountered who say, "Don't smile or don't take your job too seriously," have other life issues, so don't let them rain on your parade!!! Be happy, students love to see happy teachers! I know I did when I was a student, so just return the happiness to them. Another piece of advice that I am still working on is being organized. That is still something I am constantly working on and I've gotten better with it with different methods. The one thing that you don't want to do give too many assignments that back you up grading wise. I make it a point tell new teachers to pace yourself, with assignments and grading because eventually, you will have to grade them papers. The last thing I would tell a new CTAE teacher is to relate every assignment to your job experience. I know students in this generation want to know why they are doing something. The more you show that that whatever assignment they are doing relates to real world CTAE experience, the more enjoyable the activity will become. I can't tell you how much this little tip does for me as well as the students. Remember, students want credibility and they want to know whatever they are doing is worth their time and will help them. Remember, being a new teacher is trial and error and a new teacher is not going to get everything perfect during their first year. That's why I say you can't always listen to some experienced teachers because a lot don't like their job and they always see the glass as half-empty. Be yourself, be organized, and laugh with your students SOMETIMES, it takes the pressure off and you will love your job even more.

1 comment:

Terry said...: I agree Mark. Most students can detect if you are being real or trying to hide behind some intimidation mask. By being yourself they will respect you more and in turn (hopefully) give some of that respect back to you.; January 20, 2014 at 8:32:00 PM EST