This week I am reflecting on the quote by Beverly Sills, "You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don't try.". In relating this quote to being a teacher in CTAE, I believe is very easy. As a professional in my field for several years, I have seen failures and successes on both my part and the parts of those around me. In striving to do better, be the best you can be and climb the ladder to success-failing is necessary. It is part of the growth of each of us as a professional. We become who we are by learning and experiencing failures and successes.
Relating this to the field of teaching for me is easy. As a "Rookie" last year, I was confident that I knew the material. I am knowledgeable and experienced. That was not the problem. I have to relate my knowledge and experience to teenagers. I have to structure it in a way that they can learn and understand. I also have to be up to par on the "teacher lingo". Wow! That was a scary thought.
Something came to mind when I made the decision to go this route. My mom always said, "You won't know unless you try." Having a positive and optimistic attitude is something that I have tried to maintain through out my life. My parents taught me that it is all in how you look at it and approach it. If you fail you will only know one way to not do it. There are countless opportunities for failures, but there are also countless opportunities for successes too.
As a teacher in the career and tech field, it is structured in a way that allows you to decide how to deliver the standards. I look at my experiences when designing my lesson plans. I try to relate what I know and deliver that in a way that would be easy to understand but also a way that will ignite or spark a passion. I have had days that I would consider not the best on my part of delivering those lessons. What I do is go back and "regroup" and think about different ways of delivering the material. By never settling for a less than perfect lesson, I am always looking for things to enhance it.
I think looking at the quote, I can see that if you never try something than how will you know if it will work. Believing in yourself and accepting your failures along with your successes will develop you into a wonderful teacher. As a teacher, not unlike your students, you are always learning. Developing your craft as a teacher is a process. Life is a process. Failing and Succeeding are one in the same. So I will leave you with a quote that Fredrick Douglass left us with, "If there is no struggle, there is no progress.". Failure, Disappointment and struggle = Success, Progress and Fulfillment.
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:
Awesome ending quote!
I like how you mentioned learning the "teacher lingo" and how overwhelming it is. As CTAE, we often get tossed into lions den without so much as bowl of milk. You really do have to learn everything on your own because no one takes the time to teach you (that was my experience, anyway). I have slowly picked up on the education side of things and feel better about my role as an educator and not just a career trainer. Too bad there is no "quick guide to acronyms" book they can toss our way. :)
Post a Comment