What is being a teacher really all about? What moments have made me feel engaged as a teacher? I enjoy being asked this question because I find things on a daily basis that make me smile on the inside. Working in my field as a Sportscaster, I enjoyed it immensely. I never really thought about teaching as a profession until I started my own family. In coming into a field that I never really thought about pursing or really knew nothing about was scary for me. It was frightening to think that I would now be responsible for bringing knowledge to the youth. They would be taking in what I decided to say, teach and model.
I then was hit with a wide variety of students with IEP's, which I of course had zero knowledge or experience with. I took this and made the best out of the situation. A year ago, I was introduced to a student that has an IEP and was very quiet and closed off. No one could sit at this students table or engage in a conversation. I slowly tried to find what would spark an interest in them and eventually found out that they would like to be an on air talent. I began to help them develop themselves and being supportive of what they wanted to shoot for. In no time this student was making huge strides. They were socializing with the best of them and making appearances on our daily Morning Announcements.
The entire student body now is aware of who this student is and their talents. This was an on-going, developing story. Fast Forward to this past Friday. This student now appears weekly on their own portion of the show. The show debuted Friday at school, they promptly came to class gave me a pound and said; "Thank you, you knocked it out of the park. Thank you." This made me smile inside and I thought-wow this is what it is about.
Without revealing too much information, this student suffers from something that prevents them from showing too much excitement or emotion or even being grateful for things that may be done to help them. So in me getting a "pound", smile, thank you (twice) and acknowledgment of the fact that they were pleased-I really do think "they have knocked it out of the park", through coming so far in taking those steps to do something outside of their comfort zone. Not only did they step outside their box but did it full force and with a smile that never goes away now. This kid is now known school wide as the funny cool person on that show. They get high fives from popular football players, dances with the cheerleaders at the recent homecoming dance and teachers now respect them and see the other side of them.
If I can leave this profession with the assurance that I have made one kid confident or smile-I have affirmed my place here as a teacher. For some kids that is the only smile, pat on the back or boost of confidence they will ever get. You never know when your smile or words will make a long lasting impact on a child's life. To you its just words-but to one child those words will have a lasting impression that may shape them into believing they can be whatever they want to be in life. I will leave you with this quote we received last year in a meeting.
"Teaching is a vestige of oneself in the development of another. And surely the student is a bank where you can deposit your most precious treasures."-Eugene P. Bertin
This site is a class blog space for new Career and Technical Specializations and Heathcare Science teachers enrolled in the New Teacher Institute (NTI) at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia.
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.
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?
2 comments:
Gina, what an awesome experience. That is an awesome experience! There is no greater achievement that reaching a student. There is a young man in my class I delt with last year on several negative situations as an SRO. The first day of school he walked in my class as one of my students. I thought "Dang" to myself. This is not going to be good. Since then with some help and encouragement, he has made just as much of a positive impact on my life and I hope I have made on his. He has several ISS consequences for skipping other classes. I asked him why he never skipped my class. He said it was his favorite class and that I respected him as a human being. Great Job!! Keep up the positive mindset.
Your post really affected me. I wish more teachers thought like you. I think CTE teachers are the best! I feel honored to work with all of you.
Dr. J.
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