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?

Saturday, October 31, 2015

I have learned a lot about teaching so far this semester.  Like most everyone else in the class I was pretty much given the keys and some materials from the previous teacher and thrown, so to speak, into the classroom. I have learned that activities that you think maybe really fun and engaging do not work well in the classroom and other activities that you think may not work tend to be great. I am in the process of learning to not be so up tight on perfecting my teaching and trying to relax and be easier on myself and know that I will get better with time. I have also learned that no matter what you are teaching in the classroom at least one student will be there to complain about the assignment. I am working on not getting dragged down by their negative energy and just keep teaching for the ones who are really there to learn.

"What is the most important thing I have learned about teaching and learning?"

When I first started teaching, it was in the middle of the school year, February to be exact.  I was the third teacher in the class in the school year.  Fourth, if you went back to the end of the previous school year and took into consideration the teacher that had left at that time.  When I came in, the class changed from a hybrid of engineering/broadcast video class to strictly a broadcast video class.  

Really, just because of dumb luck, I was able to recognize early on that I couldn't teach the kids much about video production.  At least not at that point.  I realized that what the kids needed more than anything was to know that tomorrow I was going to show up for work.  And that's what I did.  I just focused on being there.

There was a student in one of my classes that semester who was hard of hearing and required an interpreter.  The interpreter told me at the end of the year that he was convinced the students were doing everything they could to make me quit.  I never saw that, but they certainly were out of control.

But just by showing up, not losing my cool, trying to teach them a little along the way, I think they started to warm up to me being their teacher.

After the summer, I showed up for the start of the school year and found the students a little more receptive to learning in my classroom.  It wasn't perfect, but I could begin teaching them.  Unfortunately, I had no idea how to teach, so I was just doing things that I thought might work.  Some things did, others didn't.  It didn't help that there was no curriculum.  I was having to build everything from the ground up with very little idea of how to do that and few resources to use.

I was also still concentrating on changing the culture of the classroom, but again, I had no idea how to really do that.  I was just trying any and everything I could think of, asking teachers for advice, just doing the best I could.  But despite all of it, I kept showing up.  

Fast forward to today.  I now have (almost) two semesters in the New Teacher Institute under my belt and I am slowly, but surely learning how to teach the students the things I think they should know.  But I still think one of the keys to teaching and leaning is that the students just have to know you are there for them.  


I think a lot of kids feel abandoned.  So, just being a constant, even-keeled presence in their lives is important.

Anyone can teach someone else just about anything.  But to truly learn, to really make a change in a person, in this case students, I think they have to know you care about them.


Now, it won't matter to some of them.  And that's not you're fault as a teacher.  You can't have those sorts of connections with every single student.  But, that should never be the focus.  I think the focus should be connecting with as many students as possible on a meaningful level so that you can guide those students toward a better life. And the first step is show them that you care about them, not as students in a video production class or a cosmetology class, or a wood working class, but as people.

I am always looking at my students grades in other classes and talking to them about those things.  I want them to pass my class and do the best they can do, sure, but I want them to see that my concern for them goes a lot farther than just the classroom door.  It extends out into the hallways and even the community.  Who knows, for some kids I might be the only one doing that.  I am certain some of their parents don't show they care that much.  So, that's important, I think.  

I also don't get on them about their grades in other classes.  The last thing a lot of them need is someone chewing them out.  I just talk to them about things, find out why they are struggling and try to point them in the right direction as best I can.  

Of course, in doing these things, you put the spotlight on yourself.  They are looking to you as an example, so if you lose your temper, say things you shouldn't say, or do things you shouldn't do, they are going to think those things are okay.  I set the bar pretty high in my classroom in that regards.  And I hold myself to that standard.

That's not to say I'm perfect.  Part of this is letting the students see you fail sometimes.  It is in those moments that you can teach them how to overcome failure and still strive to be better.  


So, in closing (I've once again gone on and on and on) I'd say the most important thing I have learned about teaching and learning is that you can't teach without caring for your students.  And they can't learn without understanding you care for them.  It has to be more than just words, too.  You have to show them you care.  And that's hard work sometimes, but I think it is something I have already seen pay off in my classroom and in the lives of some of my students.

Thursday, October 29, 2015

Of everything I did this week in my teaching, what would I do differently if I had the chance to do it again, and why?" This question can be answered from any aspect of your job as a teacher.

I would say out of everything that I have done this week with teaching I would say if I had to do something differently I would make sure that I keep my timer on to be conscious of my time left for each section of my work period, so that the students can get the full work session completed and get the full benefit of the work period . So I would work on my time management when teaching.

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

"Of everything I did this week in my teaching, what would I do differently if I had the chance to do it again, and why?"




I am still really struggling with being able to get to all of the students on the salon floor and be able to really show the ones that are struggling how to do the skill that I just demonstrated.  The salon is very spread out and there are 3 walls in the middle of the room which makes it impossible to see what all of the students are doing and the watch to see who really needs help.  I wish that I would have switched one of the standards around and taught a different skill before introducing the one we are working on now.  To late, so I will switch it around for next year.

Monday, October 26, 2015

Of everything I did this week, I would definitely redo the way I introduced a topic to my 1st period class. I always feel bad for my first period because they are kind of like my guinea pigs. I think I have everything perfectly planned for my Introduction class but then I realize once I begin teaching them that I am still a bit disorganized, or my thoughts are at least. I always figure out AFTER 1st period what the best way to present the information to the class is. When I introduced the topic of a cover letter today, I didn't realize the best way to explain it or go over the information until AFTER 1st period. Poor 1st period.

Sunday, October 25, 2015

Doing things differently going forward

"Of everything I did this week in my teaching, what would I do differently if I had the chance to do it again, and why?"

My example has to do with teaching indirectly....

I was caught off guard when a couple of students asked me for paper to do a poster. I am always so helpful. I rarely let students in my office because I keep my personal items in their and do not want to tempt anyone. I also keep construction paper, paint, extra supplies, etc. in my office.

I allowed the students to come into my office and select the color of paper. Once I turned my back to get the paper, the students decided to steal my phone. I had texted my sister before the class started and while I was eating my lunch, so the phone was out on my desk. Afterwards, I had that class, then I left the school. So, by process of elimination, the 2 students were the last ones I had in the office before I left.

I was furious and embarrassed at the same time. Did they really try to play me? After I was being so helpful? Well, I also thought of that irritating statement that "no good deed goes unpunished"
When I saw the girls first thing that next morning, which was extremely unusal, I wanted them to know that I was not accusing them of stealing, I wanted to know if they seen the phone while they were in my office. They both answered yes, it was on my desk. That confirmed everything for me. They both seen the phone and 15 minutes later it was not there???

Going forward, I will not allow anyone in my office. I will impose tighter restriction on entering the lab. The students are breaking and tearing up the keys to the keyboard and destroying the mouse for the computers. I was out done!!

I am trying to instill responsibility, accountability, ownership, dependability, honesty, and committment to the students. 

Relevant Article

I came across this article this morning and thought I would share it with the group.

Hey, New Teachers, It's OK To Cry In Your Car

Like Kennedy said when he was preparing the nation for the trip to the moon, "We do these things not because they are easy, but because they are hard."

Keep going!
This week has been the most hectic for me this year. I forgot how to be flexible. Even though I like to be in control, 3 catering events, and a fire in the other building stopped my classes from completing their assignment. Time got away from me and it looks like we will be repeating this weeks lesson.
Flexibility is what  I have to put in my character in order to reduce stress.

Saturday, October 24, 2015

What I could have done differently this week.

This was an interesting week. The highlight of the week was practicing knife skills by carving pumpkins in every class. The one thing I would have done differently is grouping. I grouped by gender instead of randomly. Although, there was great competition between the genders, I think the competition outcomes would have been more interesting. It was a great success, but realized the dynamics could have yielded more collaboration among students.

Friday, October 23, 2015

"Of everything I did this week in my teaching, what would I do differently if I had the chance to do it again, and why?" 

Honestly, time-management is a real issue for me. I believe I work well in the classroom yet outside of the classroom, I struggle. I'm really enveloped in my "new career" and I feel like my family is lacking because of it. I bring a lot of work home whereas an RDH, I worked a daily schedule and left. The sad part is, I do not feel like I am half as dedicated as many of my cohorts whom have "extended day" schedules. Trying to find the "balance" has probably been the BIGGEST challenge for me. I've gone from working 4 days a week to 5 days a week, and my commute nearly tripled. On the flip-side, I'm home early enough to join my family for MOST of their extracurricular activities, and I'm off when my kids are out of school.

I'm not really sure what I'd change...Open to suggestions. :o/


Thursday, October 22, 2015

What would I do differently...

What would I do differently? I can honestly say that after each class I try to make mental notes on what to do different in my daily plans or with the specific class for the future reference. I want to perfect my lesson plans and teaching style to the best of my ability. In saying all of this there is not one particular thing I would do differently there is a number of things I need to change and perfect. For example, I do an ethical project in my introduction class. For the project I let the students choose their own groups and their own topics. In the future I will not let them pick the topic and I will limit the groups to just a partner assignment and I will pick their partner and not let them have so much 'freedom." 

"Of everything I did this week in my teaching, what would I do differently if I had the chance to do it again, and why?"

This week I tried to implement a new seating arrangement for two of my classes and the process did not go too well. I allowed students to come in class and sit down before instructing of their new seats. This created a long disruption and attitudes flared at me. The next I do this, I will create the new seating chart and then have it visible to students when they walk into my classroom. I could also instruct them where to go while I am standing at my door when they enter the classroom. It was a train wreck and I screwed up on that one.

"Of everything I did this week in my teaching, what would I do differently if I had the chance to do it again, and why?" This question can be answered from any aspect of your job as a teacher.

"Of everything I did this week in my teaching, what would I do differently if I had the chance to do it again, and why?" This question can be answered from any aspect of your job as a teacher.

If I had an opportunity to, I would redo my Pharmacy Services unit. Aside from my background in Chemistry and Biology, I have a background in Pharmacy. This week we concluded discussion in Pharmacy Services and I feel that I gave them the experience that any other teacher would have. However, their experience from me should have been astonishing.Yes the students did pretty cool labs, but I should have given them a better experience. It would have been awesome to make medicinal lollipops, suppositories, creams, and lip balm --- all fun labs. Because of time constraints, I had to forfeit excessive labs. It is very disheartening to have to teach and concern myself with a test deadline ---- data. We should be able to spend more time on topics that students are really interested in without the worry of not having test data to submit. Other than that, all was good. 

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

"Of everything I did this week in my teaching, what would I do differently if I had the chance to do it again, and why?"

This week has been really somber besides the visit from Dr. Montrois who gave me a lot of great pointers after he sat in my class.  Unfortunately right before he arrived as some of you may have seen on the news, one of our students as South Cobb was hit by a car crossing Austell rd. I did not have the pleasure of meeting or teaching this student but this morning Isiaiah Dean past away.  I guess what I would do differently is  be more prepared to address students in time of crisis and need when tragedy strikes in any form.   We live in a dangerous world be aware that at any time something fatal can happen.  Though I think handled it ok,  I just felt like there was more opportunity for dialogue that I let go by the way side rather speak to my students about it.  There were counselors on site to help that we allowed the students to speak to but just for me personally I wish I was a little more prepared.

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

"Of everything I did this week in my teaching, what would I do differently if I had the chance to do it again, and why?" 

I feel like I have a pretty good idea of where I want to go with my classes.  But, building the curriculum, the lessons, the worksheets, the activities, just about all of it, is so time consuming.  So, I just keep chipping away at it, keeping everything with notes and just keep building.  I am always adding to my lessons, trying to make them the best that they can be.  

So, to answer the question, I think everything I've done in the last week I would do differently if I had the chance to do it again because I am always trying to learn something to make each lesson better.  I am not at the point where I am happy with my lessons... I may not ever be happy with them, at least in my mind.  But, I am doing a lot better today in my class than I was this time a year ago.

Then again, I really hope that I can say that every October 20th, for the rest of my teaching career.

Saturday, October 17, 2015

Open Mic

What like about my position as a CTE teacher is the ability to interact with and realize just how intelligent a lot of the students are.  I'm realizing I can challenge them more and put more on their plate, even the intro students.  It's great satisfaction to see the response emails from my administrators and fellow educators about quality of work my students are putting together.  I'm really starting to have lots of pride in what I teach and pride being a teacher at South Cobb High School.

This week we will have what I like to call "open mic." This means you can post about anything you like related to your position as a career tech teacher. Last week I would have to say I was "most proud" of the way you are all using our NTI blog!

The thing I am most proud of this week is how my students battled and kept their composure at the Perry State Fair during the Culinary Arts Competitions. We placed 2nd in the Chili Competition and the Knowledge Bowl, 3rd in the Culinary Competition and 4th in the Georgia Peanut Competition. We placed in every competition we competed in and it was all of their first times competing. The conducted themselves very professionally and never lost their composure, they studied hard for weeks and at the end they got together and thanked "Me" for being their role model. I enjoy the feeling of helping but to influence a child to achieve a goal is the best feeling. Great Question for this week.

Friday, October 16, 2015

"Open Mic"
The past two weeks have been nothing short of fulfillment. I enjoyed an entire week on Fall Break. I'm elated to report I stuck to my guns and created several unit assessments and 15 days worth of lesson plans. I took care of many things I needed to and was delighted to have the time to do so.

Today, a dear friend, whom our paths have crossed over the past two years, and her daughter paid my class a visit. The two of them educated 100+ students on Apert's Syndrome. Her daughter was born with this rare condition in addition to a "cloverleaf skull". She is 1 of 130 ever documented cases with this skull pattern and has been a guest on the "Doctor's" show twice over the course of the past two years. I feel BLESSED to have been an instrument in His works, sharing/enriching our students young lives. I was so PROUD of our students and how they accepted them with open arms and interacted with my friends 3-year-old daughter. She has so many "special needs" and is so different yet her heart desires many wants, needs, and feelings the same as ours. All in all, my cup overflows and I look forward to hearing my students reactions to today on Monday.

Monday our local fire department will be visiting my class as I wrap-up my "Safety Practices" unit. I'm a hands-on learner and am excited to offer a FUN learning environment to my students. I am anxious to see what the future holds yet extremely content in the present!

Thursday, October 15, 2015

Open Mic!

I am really enjoying being a CTE teacher because I truly love what I do in the field of cosmetology and honestly believe doing what you love is freedom, loving what you do is happiness.

In thinking about my teaching activities this past week, of what do I feel most proud? Why?"

In thinking about my teaching activities this past week, of what do I feel most proud about my teaching strategies and how I have really grown from last year until now and I owe that all to the NTI program and Dr. Burns I am truly grateful so this week I can say when being evaluated I felt very confident in using my lesson plans I creating and how I was able to form my groups and have you good classroom management.So I am very proud of myself.

Open Mic

I am glad we are at the mid-semester point. I see some students really changing in a positive way. I had my walkthrough, my frame and bulletin board check, my lesson plan check, and all have been good, so here we go.

I feel great about doing this job!! I love the impact that I have on the students. I do enjoy the breaks... I am ready for the Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks!! Enjoy!!

Open Mic

Well, well, well. I must say that I enjoy my new career as a CTE teacher. I never imagined being a this type of role during my career. Coming from the industry to the classroom has been a difficult, but rewarding transition. All the acronyms, as well as lesson planning, is definitely new to me. I thought investigating a homicide was challenging at times, but this teaching is a daily challenge. In saying all of that, I must also say that I am extremely happy about my decision to change careers. Nothing excites me more than hearing how much the students enjoy my class. This has been very rewarding and NTI has help my transition become a lot easier.

Open Mic

Hello All!

I just want to say that I am excited to be a part of this group and have already learned a lot! Each one of you is an inspiration to me and drive me everyday to be the best that I can be!
I dont have anything really specific to talk about right now. Just kind of generalized comments about how I am enjoying this job very much and that each time I come to class I am learning and applying new things. I am on a constant drive to get better and better at this. And I can't lie...I have had SEVERAL instances where I have slapped myself in the forehead and gone "DOH!" and its just because of experience and learning all the ins and outs of this career. But I believe it will come. I am keeping a good record and journals, making note of things that work and a bigger note about things that don't and always remembering that no matter what, no matter the struggles, I will succeed and overcome all of the speed bumps in my road. I WILL get better at this and I will continue to grow and already feel more like a teacher than I did at the beginning!
So that being said, Thank you everyone for your help and patience, and for all of the tips and advice! Please keep them coming because I am absolutely listening!

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Open Mic

Fall break was Friday and Monday. I am happy that we were able to rest for a couple days. Now it's back to the wire. Half down, half to go.
I am looking forward to a great second half. My students are progressing and I am happy with that.
Have a great week colleagues.

Monday, October 12, 2015

Whew...

The last few weeks I have felt a little overwhelmed.

I guess the reason for that is that I have pretty much ran out of lesson plans that I created over the summer and then the ones that I was able to create as the year was moving along, so there is the added work of creating more lesson plans, coming up with assignments, and the like.

I guess, though, that's part of the deal.  I have a solid idea of what I am going to be teaching from week to week, but creating the daily plans can be a bit of a hassle.  The thing is, though, I can't imagine not having those lesson plans now, so it is well worth the effort of creating them, if only I could find an extra hour or two each week to use for making them.

And once I have them, the hope is that I can adapt them, altering things that worked, adding new things, or whatever.  Most of the time consuming work will be done, so I can then focus on making them the best they can be.

I know we are all busy.  But I think it's a really nice kind of feeling to lay down at night knowing that I have really exhausted myself for my students.  I really try to be the best possible teacher I can be for them.  I am nowhere near where I want to be, but I am so much better than I was this time last year.

And I have another success story to tell.

Last year a young lady took my class.  She was a senior and she fell in love with making videos.  She was easily one of my best students.

A while back she asked me to write a recommendation letter for her to use as she sought out opportunities at various colleges.  She wrote me last weekend to let me know that she had been accepted to the Savannah College of Art and Design for film and television broadcasting.

She thanked me for my class and for me turning her on to video and film.

What a great opportunity we have, to touch the lives of our students, to give them hope, a chance at a great career, a chance for a better life than they may have had otherwise.

So sure, I am overwhelmed.  I am tired.  I am spent.  But I am those things because there are students out there that are apparently hungry for what I (and all of you) can offer.  That's a great feeling.


Week 6

Open mic...

Wow, I can not believe this semester marks the half-way point of this year. I am so ready for the semester to be over. I am excited to utilize the information that we have been learning next semester. Since I was not in the Summer NTI portion I really started the year off on the wrong foot. I had students doing group work the very first week of class. I see some of the mistakes that I have made and will fix them next semester. I have tried to implement some of the lessons I have learned into this semester but I feel like I am fighting a battle. I know next semester I will focus on classroom procedures and rules for the first two weeks. I hope building a strong foundation on procedures will really help my classroom run smoother. It has been so tiring still trying to gain control of the classroom. I am so excited for 2016 NTI session so I can learn even more!

Sunday, October 11, 2015

Open-Mic Week



Such a Good Week!
This week started out so AWESOME!  Took my second year students on a field trip to see Dennis Stokely, he was Paula Abdul’s hairdresser for the last three years that she was on American Idol. They all dressed appropriately and followed all of my instructions.  One of my students was chosen to be a model for him and got to go on stage.  I was so happy that she was chosen.   Afterwards, we took them to eat lunch at Golden Corral.   They were so well behaved.  Was a good day.

The next day I played a Kahoot game with all my classes as a review for their end of Unit test.  They really had a GREAT time and so did I.  The following days the students were given their first BIG test in my class.  They all did really, really well.  Everyone Passed!

I am also glad I am finally to a place where I have taught them a practical application that they can do in the salon and we will start another new practical application by the end of the month.  It really is neat teaching them some of the basic skills of my profession and seeing them enjoy it.

Hope everyone had a good week as well!


Monday, October 5, 2015


This week I worked really hard on differentiation for my Intro class. I made several different games and taught throughout the week with a different method each day. I was really proud that I did not repeat a teaching method for five days straight. My students seemed very engaged all week. I asked them today how this week compared to the previous weeks and they told me that they enjoyed this week more than they enjoyed the past weeks. I hope to continue to differentiate every week so my students will learn how to learn with different methods of instruction.

Sunday, October 4, 2015

"In thinking about my teaching activities this past week, of what do I feel most proud? Why?

"In thinking about my teaching activities this past week, of what do I feel most proud? Why?

I feel most proud that my students are engaged and have shown improvement over the last few weeks. I feel proud that I am a positive reflection in my students' life. I feel proud when my students succeed and we high five or "nay-nay" (trendy dance) to their success. Why? My students work hard to succeed. Success of one student breeds success of more. 

Saturday, October 3, 2015

"In thinking about my teaching activities this past week, of what do I feel most proud? Why?"




I was off this week due to Fall Break and I attended the NEW teacher conference.
Based on the week before:

I would have to say that I am trying very hard to do the activities/lesson plans that were taught to me this summer.

They are working out quite well.  There have been days though when we are rushing to clean up and I don’t always get my 3 questions or my transition in. I am really struggling with timing.    The students are really engaging in the process and I am enjoying that and them very much.  I had to have my advisory meeting on Monday of that week and I hated being out of the classroom.  My greatest concern is making sure I will be able to cover all of the standards and lessons in the time frame given to me.  I want to do the FUN things but make sure that I am covering the subject content so they are prepared for their tests and the SLO at the end of the year. 

"In thinking about my teaching activities this past week, of what do I feel most proud? Why?"

This week we reviewed knife skills and I watched as my classes all set up and cleaned up with very little horseplay and minimal talking. We stress safety in the kitchen as well as sanitation, and as I walked around I noticed small acts that let me know that the students are taking pride in the kitchen and really are attempting to clean with some passion and enthusiasm. It really makes the job so much easier and lowers my stress level considerably.

Thursday, October 1, 2015

"In thinking about my teaching activities this past week, of what do I feel most proud? Why?"

I think overall, I feel most proud that I am (or am seeing results) that I am making an imapct here at the school and with the students that I am teaching.
Everyday I see more and more examples of things that I teach and say being applied in pratical and successful ways. I know that this is pretty vague but I was asked the other day about a specific student in my class. She ask me how this student was doing and I responded that she was doing well and showed signs of positive learning
She responded to me by telling me that this particular student had some past school problems but that she spent alot of time talking about my class in particular and that she really liked it and was learning alot!
I really appreciate things like this. Small victories. That made a big impact on me and made me even happier that I was spending the time to be doing what I am doing here. After all-thats really why we do this right?

I hope everyone was able to catch up last week on the blog! Here is our new reflective question: "In thinking about my teaching activities this past week, of what do I feel most proud? Why?"

Last week, several of my students approached me and said, "Thank you for being the teacher that cares!" That was one of the proudest moments throughout my career. I felt like I had done what I am here to do as an educator. I think what made me even more proud was the fact that the students did not like me in the beginning. They gave me the hardest time when I started last school year. I just feel good in knowing that I am making an impact in a few students lives thus far.

"In thinking about my teaching activities this past week, of what do I feel most proud? Why?"

This week my lesson is table settings. I bring in bins filled with flowers table covers, silverware, glassware. We discuss Russian table service vs French or American service. Then I let the class dress their table and give it a theme.
On yesterday the gentlemen completed their table and asked the young ladies if they would like to sit at their table. Then the all pulled out the chairs! even though it was not in the actual lesson, I did tell the students that when you do start to really date Gentlemen always open the door for you, and pull out their chair. They won't admit it but they are learning.