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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, November 26, 2016

Going Through the Motions...



Hi NTI Team,

So far my teaching experience has gotten off to an ok start. I have had several of the “I’m just going through the motions here” moments. I think I have had more of those moments than any. I sometimes feel like I speaking over my students head and they are not understanding anything I am saying. While I’m teaching they look at me with blank faces as if I’m speaking another language. They ask questions that doesn’t pertain to the lesson. I feel like I’m not being productive in my lessons and lesson plans. I second guess myself a lot when following through with my lessons thinking that they are too hard or too easy. I ask myself several times, is this what being a new teacher feels like. Are there any other teachers that feel the same way as me?? Hmmmmm…

2 comments:

Laura said...

Thelma,
I feel like that a lot. I want so badly to teach at a much higher level than I am but I struggle with not being able to. Sometimes no matter how fun or interactive your lesson is- youre just not going to have your students' attention. I find this particularly so when we are near a break or just getting back from a break. I think when your level one students now finally reach level 3 with you....you will find that your students will achieve the level of critical thinking that you are wanting.
Head up!

Anonymous said...

Hi Laura,

I understand all too well. You do have the sense that you are going through the motions, but in my opinion it is to be expected until you have figured out that you are growing and are doing an awesome job about it too. Students are going to give you that blank stare or ask you irrelevant questions, but that means you keep going and do what you think is the best. You will sometimes second guess yourself, but the thing that I have learned is that when you are a great teacher, then, you start going into the motion.