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?

Friday, January 17, 2014

Don't Be Afraid to Ask for Help!

Imagine that a new CTE teacher has taken over the program across the hall from you. This teacher came straight out of his/her occupation into teaching and won't be able to begin NTI until the summer. What is one piece of advice (just one) that you would give this person to survive the semester? Why would you choose this piece of advice? Advice I would give a new teacher across the hall is to stay strong and not be afraid to reach out to their colleagues for even the smallest amount of information. I joined a group that had 3 other CTAE teachers and they were very helpful to me. They assisted with lesson plans all the way to making copies. My transition to teaching high school was a bit of a culture shock because although I had taught college courses, high school students are a completely different set of rules. If the new teacher has as many outside of work responsibilities as me I would definitely advise them on a few different time management tactics that I've developed since becoming a CTAE teacher. K-12 instruction includes a lot more paperwork so setting a particular planning period on a specific day to complete it all is helpful. They won't have a pool of lesson plans to pull from so completing 2 weeks at a time would really help them. And definitely add important dates to a wall calendar and cellphone with reminders. Being "new" anywhere can add extra amount of stress to a situation so asking for help can smooth the transition.

2 comments:

Trenton said...

I can completely relate, ChiroCourt.
I did not have a CTE teacher across the hall, but if I had not had my neighbor, Mrs. D, I would have been lost the first semester. We had almost an entire newly staffed CTE department when I started here because of the fact it was a new school so I did not have much of a chance to get advice and assistance from many in my department. It also was difficult to get to know the CTE veterans due to the fact we are scattered across the school. Mrs. D gave me lesson plan formats, pass blanks, sign in sheets, and a hole slew of get started advice and paperwork. A good neighbor is truly a blessing.

Unknown said...

I totally agree with both of your statements. I was blessed to be surrounded by veteran teachers who took me under their wing. While I was diving headstrong into my standards and trying desperately to figure out how I would teach and what, they were making copies for me, creating my wall art and word walls, I was so thankful to have them working with me and helping me in every way.

Several of my fellow teachers have the same thought process that I do in the CTAE department. It’s so funny because it’s like we understand our place in this world, in the cogs that move through the machine known as High School. We understand that most students take us as an elective, that is to say a “Chosen” course. However, this is not a get out of jail free card like Monopoly. We still have standards and curriculum to teach. To say the least I believe all of us back in the infamous “300 Hall” reinforce what it means to question your surroundings no matter how sane they may seem. If we can echo this same thought process to our students then I believe we have done our part as CTAE teachers.

I think that is why I am trying so hard to be the very best teacher I can be. I feel like I must push myself to be at least “up to par” with my fellow teachers. They do so much, work so hard, and give so much to a program that they truly believe in. I’ve learned that to believe takes faith, not just in yourself, but the teachers that surround you, and the students that learn from you on a daily basis. If not for these teachers I would be lost at sea for sure!

Mr. H