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, October 3, 2014

Open Mic---Jennifer Whitfield

What kind of legacy will you leave? This week we found out one of our primary subs at our school was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. Mrs. Nix is a legacy in our county. She retired many years ago after teaching a lifetime in Cherokee county. During her tenure she impacted so many lives. Then after retirement she couldn't leave the classroom instead she decided to return as a substitute. She is a very stern old school style teacher. She is the sub you want for your classroom because you know your students are in the best hands out there.
There are so many people reaching out to Mrs. Nix letting her know how she impacted their lives and how grateful they are for having her as a teacher. This has led me to the question what kind of legacy do you want to leave? Some teachers approach the end of their career and "check out" a few years before retirement. This was not the case for Mrs. Nix she even in retirement continues to touch children's lives. I hope at the end of my life I am able leave a legacy that is similar to that of Mrs. Nix. I go to work each day whether it is in the hospital or the school with the goal to have a positive impact on at least one person's day. It is easy to get bogged down with the next report we have to turn in or meeting we have to go to that we sometimes loose focus on what is really important. So with that I challenge myself and you to make it your mission to have a positive impact on at least one person's day today.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Hi Jen, your post is very touching and encouraging. As a new CTAE teacher I had not thought about leaving a legacy, but your post about Ms.Nix made me see what the impact of being a great teacher can have. At my school we have a substitute teacher who was my 10th grade World History teacher. I enjoyed her class as a student and over twenty years later, the students still enjoy when she subs. That means a lot coming from today's generation. I too would like to touch the lives of my students in a positive way. I want to teach them, be an example for them and mentor them. I feel by working hard and not forgetting the reason why I'm doing this will help me to leave a good legacy .

Unknown said...

I hope that I can leave a legacy such that. It really says that I made a difference. I look forward to becoming a seasoned teacher and seeing my students twenty years from now. I hope that they would come back and let see how successful they are. Thanks for sharing such a touching story.