Open Mic 2

This semester has truly gone by fast. I have no words to express my gratitude for the knowledge, and friendship gained during this past year. I truly feel blessed to have spent this time with all of you. Many have great stories to tell, while some like Linda received bad news at the end. My heart felt wishes go to all, may good blessings follow all of you, and may you save every student you can.

Most Important

The most important thing I've learned in the past term/year is instructing our students requires respect of both parties. The students will test the boundaries, Even our most trusted students will try to get away with something. Some of the things they will try will amaze us, not for what they may gain, but that they will chance the consequences for something so unlikely. We would all like our students to like us, but our students must respect us in order to instruct them. Correction is essential. The methods are all that should vary. Each action causes a consequence, be fair, but always be consistant. We must remember adults will let you down, so it follows the students will occasionally do the same. They are not our friends, but our wards. we are here to lead. We lead by example, consistancy, and dedication. They fall, and we start again. This is not personal, this is not a game. What we do, and how we respond will follow our students for a lifetime.

Administrators

The most important thing I have learned about working with my school administrators this past term/year is that their duties far exceed my own. Student disciplinary issues alone would overwhelm most of us. Scheduling issues, sports, parental concerns, staffing issues, substitutes, and budget problems are just a few of their daily concerns. I feel I am pretty good at multitasking, but I would not wish this position on anyone. Their dedication allows us to do what we do. Without these professionals there would be chaos. There day begins before ours, and often ends long after we are home. They are always available, at some point during the day for whatever arises. These professionals show us what ownership of our school is truly about. This is not a profession that works as a job or duty. Ownership is something to be proud of. If we are to instruct, what better example?

Spring Break

I hope everyone doing well.

Progressing in Development as a Master Teacher

As the year progresses my classroom has been flowing better. The students are familiar with my routine, and rules. The lessons delivery is much better, requiring less effort. My classes are ending now without feeling drained. Lesson planning is easier also. I used to work for hours each night rethinking what was already planned. This rubric class will be my most helpful at this point. My rubrics were generic, and lacking. My students know this and sometimes take advantage. I cannot deduct points if not clearly stating my objectives, the fault is mine. However this will be corrected soon. My expectations for my classes are being met, and I have some time left for the family now. I am already looking foward to next year. My lab is all but set-up, and this summer I will be out in force straining my friendships for materials for the lab next year. Planning ahead is the key to a sucessful day in our work. I love leading up to a great lab the students will enjoy, these are very fulfilling.

Evaluations

I have completed and sent the Evaluations.

Portfolio

In working on this project I have had an opportunity to reflect on what we have learned this year as well as life experiences. Many of these things we do without giving thought to them. When working on this I have found myself searching for improvements. Past experiences are often working habits. In my trade, bad habits have to go or time is lost, or perhaps worse. I constantly worked at time management, and procedures. At this point in life, changing professions was scary early on. However recently I have come to terms with this decision and have become comfortable with this. In doing so reflection is needed to achieve a goal as before. To me just learning the ropes will not make me comfortable. I expect excellence of myself, and my students deserve my best. My best will come when I find a stride in this new field. The portfolio project raises many bars, the counseling project many more. Looking inward is often uncomfortable to many. Who can honestly fool themselves? As I look at my students achieve, I also want to move foward. Many of these standards should be life goals for all of us. I have enjoyed the challenge so far, and hope I find the stride in this, that I achieved in my former life. I say this because the challenges of this profession is a life challenge.

Elluminate Live

There are always considerations with instruction. Is the equipment available to all students, and proper instruction for its use. I feel our students are more capable, and more at home with technology. Of course we need to have our objectives mapped, then make it interesting. With the internet at our disposal this should be easier. We can offer alternatives that require little effort compared to a traditional classroom. Time considerations to maximize participation, and careful planning would be essential to this type of setting. I subbed for a business class yesterday and the lesson plan for that day would have worked well in this setting. So many students fail their first semester in college do to the lack of regiment they received through high school, I believe this would help their transition. With technology levels of today, and the lower cost of this technology why would we not use it?

Thankful

I have spent some time wondering how I came to be in my new position. It started as a favor, went to part time, to being offered a full time position where I presently reside. It was quite a sequence of events, my wife feels it was a calling. I must admit there certainly was a driving force. I had considered a change in field, but had not considered this one. The challenge, and change of mindset has been huge. I am enjoying the change dispite the long hours, the rewards are not as obvious, but require a different scale to measure them. I am truly blessed to have a staff at school such as I do, a family that is supportive, and of course good friends. I am also fortunate to have a support group in all of you. Knowing that you have seen it through, gives others such as myself strength that I too will succeed. This is a whole new world, so much planning to do with so little in our tool bags. It does seem that practice and time heals our shortfalls. I hope all enjoy their holidays, and that we all continue to be blessed. Those that receive great support, and those that do not may find it somewhere. Happy holidays, Ken