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?

Thursday, September 8, 2016

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

     This past week I was in the hospital, so when I initially read this question I wasn't sure how to answer it since I had not been back yet.  My first day back (yesterday, 9/7/16) completely caught me off-guard and left me feeling like "proud" was an understatement.  I was bombarded with students asking about me and telling me how much they missed me, and even received a standing ovation (minus the standing) from both classes in 4th Block after returning from a meeting with my Principal.      It let me know the importance and value we hold in our students lives.  Even though some days are rough and WE get really stressed out, we don't always see the impact we have on our students.  It was a very motivating and perception-changing return to work, but I couldn't have asked for a better day than the one I had yesterday.
     When I first walked in I was expecting the kitchen and classroom to look as if Hermine had just came through them... and they didn't.  To my surprise, my classroom managers held down the fort while the Captain was out.  I suppose having the students fill out applications for the roles they wanted empowered them to a level that surpassed my expectations.  I felt that the changes from last year to this year (as far as Dropbox/Assignment Submissions, Classroom Roles, Classroom/Lab Expectations, etc.) weren't being received as well as I wanted them to be, but I am glad to say I was wrong.
     Change is not always easy and hardly ever happens overnight, but it does happen.  Implementing the techniques and strategies gained from this Summer, especially small group and hands-on activities, is starting to gain a much more positive reaction.  So to my fellow educators I encourage you to keep fighting the good fight, we make more of a change than we think we do.  I hope none of you have to be hospitalized, but I hope you soon experience what I did yesterday.  It makes it all worth it.

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