Last week, I had my first observation. I had told every period that my observer was coming and that he would be here during 4th period. 4th Period came, and my observer hadn't arrived yet. He arrived about halfway through 4th period due to unforseen circumstances, and he needed to stay for my 5th period to see the first portion of my class. My first thoughts were, "Oh no! I told my 5th period (6th graders!) that he would be gone by the time they arrived! They are going to be terrible!" I just knew I was going to fail because of them! The school has recently started a new procedure where I have to go to the end of the main hall to monitor each of the students as they're walking down the hall due to a safety concern, so I was in the hallway unable to tell my students that my instructor was still here. This was the first day we were doing this, so I anticipated a little bit of wild behavior when they entered my room because I wasn't able to be close to the door to direct them. When it was time to enter the classroom after monitoring the hall, I dropped my head and walked that "long" walk to my room. To my amazement, I found my students sitting in their desks working on their "Daily Dose" (Set Induction). They were absolutely perfect and remained so during the entire lecture. When my observer left the room, we all let out a big sigh of relief to which they quickly exclaimed, "We were so good for your teacher, weren't we?! Why didn't you tell us he would be here?!" That moment showed me how much they want to please me and the relationship I have with them.
Another time last week, we had a student who tends to struggle with authority try to break a rule in the hallway. A teacher he had not developed a good rapport with quickly reprimanded him in the hall, to which he was promptly disrespectful. I stepped in and spoke to the student about his behavior, what was wrong, and why it was wrong. He quickly said, "Yes ma'am" and took the punishment I had given him (which was to state what he did wrong and write the teacher he was disrespectful to an apology letter.)
Another student I had a poor relationship with last year has developed a positive relationship with me during this term. He is a completely different student for me, and he and I even conferenced to discuss this change. We discussed with each other how our relationship has changed and what has changed within the past year. He is responsible, respectful, and one of the stronger students in the classroom since he and I started off on a new foot this year, so to speak.
Since day 1, my care has been more about building relationships with the students more than teaching them about healthcare science. I am so grateful to say that I have more "good" days than "bad" days. When it comes down to it, I am proudest that I am developing strong positive relationships with my students. The saying is true when they say, "Students may not remember what you've taught, but they'll always remember how you made them feel." I always want them to remember how I've made them feel. I believe the soft skills that I can teach them now will help them throughout their careers.
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?
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2 comments:
I agree with you 100%! I really believe that saying as well... "They may not remember what I taught, but they'll always remember how I made them feel." The student with the poor relationship learned from your positive interactions and developed those from you. I think we have to teach them these soft skills more so than anything else. Career Tech is customer service and will always be interacting with people and so many desperately need to learn these skills. I also take on the saying, "Treat others how you want to be treated." I show respect and positive attitudes with my students and in return they do as well. There are always those that test but will see how you treat them and will most of the time change their attitude. You are such a wonderful role model!
You are so correct that it is important to build relationships with your students. They can learn more from you if you have a relationship with them. They will also show better behaviors (as we saw this summer in the videos). I really enjoyed reading your long post
and appreciate the sharing to all of us.
Dr. J.
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