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?

Monday, December 1, 2014

The Good, Bad, and Ugly - Casey

     In the past month, I've had at least 10 correspondences by different companies trying to offer me a job in nursing. During my nursing career, my dream was to work in the operating room, but, after serving a long 2-year contract, I refused to sign another contract to learn in the OR. Just a few days ago, I was speaking with someone who was trying to recruit me into the OR. I love everything about the OR, and I occasionally miss the hospital - I considered this job long and hard even to the point of speaking with my husband and planning out my job change (again). My husband adamantly reminded me how happy I am teaching and told me I needed to finally just stop looking at jobs in healthcare because I am where I need to be in teaching. I used this conversation with my husband to reflect on my love for teaching and reaching the students.
     The good - What I love about CTE is that the students love my class. It is a break from the ordinary for these students. Most days, they come in incredibly excited about my class because they know they'll learn something they may use one day. Sometimes, they don't even realize they're really learning much because I can make it fun.
     The bad - The huge pay cut from my previous career and sometimes missing that career is a constant struggle. I sometimes wonder, "what-if."
     The ugly - I only have nine weeks with my students, and I struggle with that. I have a lot of material I have to teach in only a short amount of time (truly about 7 weeks). I also don't have much time to reach the students (my favorite part). It's hard to develop a lasting relationship in only 9 weeks. The other thing I struggle with is that my class is sometimes considered less than academics. If there are any guest speakers in the school, it's during my class. If there is a ceremony, it's during my class. We deal with many interruptions, and that can be frustrating at times.
     The good in my new career far outweighs the bad or the ugly. I enjoy teaching, and I enjoy working in the CTE department. I am so proud to have my new career.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Casey-I enjoyed reading your comment. As someone that came from the field and never thought of teaching as an option, I too, weigh my options and ask myself "what if" from time to time. I totally relate to your struggle as a CTE teacher and competing with academic classes. We know that as teachers of career education, we will have to struggle at times to be as "important" as the academic classes. You seem like a great teacher!

Unknown said...

I can totally relate to you thoughts of "what if". I've struggled with that question a lot this school year. This year has been more challenging than last and many days I think that I should go back to the hospital. I realize some years you will have your ups and others your downs so I'm going to keep progressing forward but I'll always keep my foot in the door with nursing.