Think about your teaching this past week and then answer the following question: "What was the event that most took me by surprise - an event where I saw or did something that shook me up, caught me off guard, gave me a jolt, or made me unexpectedly happy?"
I have a story that I just have to share with the group. I was involved in a situation on 11/3/14 that totally shook me up as a teacher and changed my whole perspective on this job. I would like to preface this story by sharing the fact that I spend approximately 60 hours a week at my school with various duties that I have been assigned to do in addition to teaching. Anyway, on 11/3 I was observed during a 3 minute walk through by my reporting administrator. Long story short, I was given a very poor evaluation. Now, I am the kind of person that can handle criticism and appreciate feedback on what I can approve on. Unfortunately, I was never talked to about the evaluation, just that it had taken place and that it was "poor". I was told, however, that my extra duties were obviously taking away from my ability to perform at my best "instruction-ally". With this information, I immediately requested the removal of my extra duties so that my performance in the classroom could improve. It has become very clear to me that I am not successful when trying to wear too many hats in the workplace. Spreading myself too thin has done nothing but stress me out and affected my ability to teach successfully. Though I enjoy the additional roles that I was given, I am a teacher first and foremost, and I have to know my limits. The system will take advantage of anyone willing to step up and help, but will not help you decide when you are in over your head. For me, it took a bad 3 minute walk-through evaluation, that will forever be connected to my employment record, to wake up and realize that I simply cannot do it all.
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:
Wow! I am so glad you shared this on our blog. I think others in our group have taken on too much as well and could very likely have the same experience. However, unless your class was in the process of burning down the school I don't see how 3 minutes could be that bad. I don't know that I could make any statements to anyone about their performance in just 3 minutes. We should talk about this as I am wondering if there are other underlying factors we could "flesh out" for you.
Erin...I agree with Dr. Burns. How bad could your class be in 3 minutes? I hope that you, with the help of Dr. Burns, can get to the root of the review. I think that you have taken the right step in letting go of some of your other duties. Your first priority is your classroom. hang in there,I hope you take this Thanksgiving break to relax and come back refreshed and ready to tackle the rest of the semester.
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