Too Thankful

Well, I am thankful that Thanksgiving break finally got here. I was able to find some time to rest... almost too much time that I forgot all about my college classes putting my focus which was much needed elsewhere. OOOPS!

I am thankful for my position right now; however next year, I may not have it because the high school is switching to a Hybrid 7 period schedule with study hall and a 0 period. Needless to say, this is not an "elective friendly" schedule. By the time the students take Foriegn Language, Band or Fine Arts, and Business Ed, poor little ol' police course falls short on numbers as there aren't any students left to pick my classes. Although my time may be limited on this "new direction" the school is taking, I am thankful for the lives I have impacted and those who have made a difference or change in me, the relationships I have made, and the life lessons I have learned along the way. The students impact my life just as much, if not more, than the associates I work with. They are all great individuals exploring who they want to become and I am grateful that I may have helped guide them to bigger, better, and safer things.

I Am Thankful

I am very thankful for my teaching position. It is a blessing to me and my family. I was told by my personal construction teacher, when I was a student, that I would never amount to anything and that I would certainly never become a carpenter. I am a successful carpenter with my own business and I am becoming a successful instructor and teacher to inspire other carpenters and construction workers to be the best in their field that they can be. I have been blessed with these young men and women that are in my classes, and their peers, to have the opportunity to pour into their lives and encourage them to set and reach their goals. I am very thankful for this opportunity. The teaching staff at my school, in my department, has been very supportive and helpful since my first day. I have been very fortunate and blessed with my lab and classroom supplies and work area. I am thankful for all these things. I am thankful for my college experience. It has been very challenging but I know that I can do this. I have had an extremely stressful year in many aspects of my life. I am thankful for all of the opportunities and challenges that this position has offered me.

Thankful

I am always prayerfully thankful for every aspect of my life. Presently with teaching in the forefront, there is of course a list of things within this realm. First, I am thankful for a teaching job. It is quite ironic that growing up I always wanted to be a teacher as many young girls during my generation. But, I didn’t finish college initially and ended up working as a nursing assistant and later as a nurse. Full circle and back, I am now a teacher and loving every minute of it. Secondly within this school year, I have successfully completed the GACE exams; I am within 2 weeks of completing the Exceptional Children’s Course; and of course on the road to completing NTI. I owe an abundance of thanks to my instructors of NTI for their instruction, patience and support. Last but not least I am thankful for the opportunity to have met and work with a wonderful group of educators through NTI.

Thanksgiving Thoughts

As I reflect on what I am thankful for in the teaching field, I realize that I am blessed to have a secure job in this waning economy. For twenty years I was self employed with my own video production company. I made the switch to education two years ago, and I suppose that now I am lucky to have been hired into this field at that time. We received word that there will not be any teachers losing their jobs next year, although I doubt any new programs will begin. Not only am I blessed to be able to have begun a new program, but to have received a hefty state grant for equipment funds. All of this happened just before the downward spiral of job freezes and a poor economy. With self employed businesses suffering, I imagine that I would have been in that mix as well. So during this Thanksgiving season, I a grateful that I have my faith, family, friends and JOB. With this in mind, my goal is to approach each day of teaching with energy and direction to make a difference with students. One more day to eat lots of leftovers !

Thankful

I am thankful for all the new friends that I have made this year and that ever one in my family is in good health. I hope that ever one has a grate week off.

Thankful

This week I am thankful for getting the opportunity to see my great grandmother on her 96th birthday. It has been a struggle watching her health fail, and I felt fortunate to see her doing so well.
What I am thankful for my teaching position: I am thankful that I am still employed. A lot of my friends that worked at the dealerships that I used to be at have been laid off. I feel fortunate that I didn't have to go through that. My teaching position actually came to me when I was thinking about changing careers. I didn't know if I wanted to still stay being a technician. I was tired of the six day work weeks, but the money was good so I kept getting up for work everyday. I still wonder what everything would be like if I hadn't started teaching. But, before I was a technician I taught music. My family thinks teaching was in my blood. My great grandmother was a professor in WI. She only taught for three years, then became a full time mother. My mom taught music, and still does. I grew up watching teachers teach, and had private lessons on several instruments. My teaching position came up as teaching dual-enrollment, but like a few other people. I taught part time while I was still working in the automotive field part time. A full time teaching position opened up and I took it. I am not in my third year of teaching automotive, and it's only my second year full time teaching automotive. I have moments when teaching that remind me why I'm teaching. I didn't expect the long hours, and all the lesson planning. One of the perks that I was seeking was the opportunity for more time off. Three of my grandfathers passed away while I was working as a technician. I hadn't seen each of them for about two years when they passed. I was upset with myself for not being available to take time off at holidays or time off for family events. I always worked the day before and after a holiday, even new year's day. Now I have time to travel to Indiana, Wisconsin, and Florida to see my family several times a year.

What I am thankful for...

I am thankful to have a job during these tough economic times! I am even more thankful that it is a job I enjoy! I feel very fortunate to know what I do within my career field area and to be able to teach that information to others. I am happy that I am able to learn those things that I am not knowledgeable about and can then transfer that knowledge into information in which I can share with my students.

I am thankful to work in a place that facilitates a positive environment for students and staff. I truly appreciate veteran teachers who share their stories with me. This provides me with encouragement and lets me know that I am not alone.

I am thankful that I have students who make me think about things in different ways. They make me see things that maybe I had been looking at differently and introduce to me ideas that I may have missed. They inspire me to think with an open mind and remind me about the differences within us all. My students make me a better person.

Thankful

I have just returned from a week long trip to Chicago and back to be with family for Thanksgiving. I'm grateful that I have a teaching job that allows me this privilege. Vacation time, time to be with family, is a big reason I saught out this job and I am thankful I was given the opportunity to get this type of job. I also had to bring papers to grade and I really put it off to the last moment. I first graded my level ones and unfortunately their work was not great. It made me feel aggravated and stressed. Then I began to grade my level 2 papers. What a difference. Format was great, content was excellent. I'm not sure, but I may be seeing the fruits of my labor. The level two students know my expectations, have written papers for me before, and it appears that learning has occurred. I am thankful that I have been given the opportunity to be helpful to someone. That is what I have always wanted to do. It was easier to see the help I was doing when I was working as a nurse. Teaching is very challenging to me in many aspects and I admit that I am still struggling with this age group and whether it is right for me. I am thankful for a job that works best for my family, which was my main goal. I am thankful for the opportunities teaching has given me to expand my experience and to share the knowledge I am passionate about. I am thankful for the great mentors who have gotten me this far. I do believe that all things happen for a reason so I know that there is a purpose in me teaching this age group. I am thankful for this experience and I just need to be patient to see how it will all play out.

Thanks

well I am most thankful for having a great job. On many days it does have its ups and downs, good and bad, but its good out weighs the bad. The ability to be able to have an impact on so many lives other than your own is a very good reason that I am thankful. Also being thankful for a job with such a great schedule because anytime that you can be off of work for a whole week and still be paid is a great reason that I am thankful. I have a great relationship with my students and my fellow teachers so I am very thankful.

Thankful CTAE Teacher

Just as Webster's meaning for Thanksgiving, I am very thankful for all of the Divine interventions that I have seen over the last year as a Teacher. I can truthfully say that teaching is a profession that you have to love and want to do or it can't be done. In the 2007-08 school year I started the school year out with nothing except a textbook and a room with 25 desks. There was no lab and certainly no equipment to give the students the hands on experiences they will need in the health care industry. Today I am thankful that I have had the opportunity to influence several students into seeking a career in the health care industry. I am thankful for the large new lab I now work in and the equipment I use to give my students real life experiences. We have a long ways to go before we get to the fully equipped health care science laboratory but I and my students are very thankful for what we do have at this point.

I am thankful and hopeful that through Divine interventions I will be able to continue this inspiring journey as a CTAE teacher. Teaching is a very rewarding and enjoyable position yet it is extremely exhausting at times. Sometimes finding the strength to continue in this position is difficult when you are sleepy and exhausted after preparing detailed lessons and grading stacks of papers. But when you take a moment to reflect back and when a parent at a PTSA meeting comes up and say my daughter really likes your class and is learning a lot, then a sense of satisfaction is felt in the midst of being exhausted and sleepy.

I am thankful for all of the wisdom and positive encouragement received from the NTI staff at Georgia State University. I am thankful for having the opportunity to meet my NTI classmates and for the opportunities we have had to share experiences with each other.

My Thanksgiving Yesterday- A Prayer For Everyone

I am not a religous, street preaching person, or one that shares my personal beliefs in public very often. I never talk about politics or religion in my classes. But I have several things to be thankful for this year in particular. I have spent a lot of time thinking about the amount of real changes in my life and career that has happened this past year. You go on for years without any major changes in your life and when it happens you wonder why. The "Why" has the same source for all of us. It comes from Someone who guides us in our journey here on Earth. He places us with good friends, new and old, family, and new instructors that awaken us from years of "static thinking".
I have celebrated several Thanksgivings this past year. From starting a new career in education, to going back to school again. I have many things to be truly thankful for. What follows is the prayer why wife said yesterday at our "Thanksgiving" She was quite emotional when she was saying it and you can read a lot of extra meaning with every line. She also believes that it was a special calling for me to teach.

"We,ve come a long way this year, some of it very difficult, some of it wonderful, and some of it life changing. So as we come together this Thanksgiving let us give thanks again once more to our Lord.
Dear Lord,
Thank you for the miracles of today. For laughter and smiles, for hugs and kind words. For new babies, old friends and family that never let you down.
For old jobs and new jobs and for jobs yet to come. For old homes and new homes and homes yet to come.
For brothers and sisters, for daughters and sons, for Moms and Dads, and new family members we have come to love.
For Fridays when we think we've made it through another week. For Saturdays when we sleep late! and for Sundays when we decide that tomorrow we can be a little better than we were the day before.
For fireman and policeman, for our soldiers who fight for freedom. We call them all heroes and they really are.
For summers with butterflies and winters with frost, for good health and prosperity and for love of each other.
From top to bottom, thanks for it all, but most especially Lord, thank you for your Son, who gave His all so that we might have all.
We offer this prayer of Thanksgiving in His name. Amen"

Thankful for . . .

First thing I would like to be thankful for about my job is that I have it. With the economy as it is, it is nice to have it. That being said, there are other things about the teaching profession that I am thankful for. This job keeps me sharp. Kids are very inventive in trying to get one by you that you must be aware of. This occupation is rewardingly challenging, because I simply enjoy it. I really enjoy being around the students even as annoying as some of them could be. This job allows me ample time to spend with my family. Also, if I want to learn a new skill, I have opportunities to try and do so because of the time off that I have during the summer. I am not sure what other avenues this occupation will take me, but for now I am having a great time with 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

Thankful for Teaching Position

I am “Thankful for my Teaching Position” for several reasons. I enjoy working with people in a helping capacity. Sometimes at the end of the day it does not feel like I have helped but over the course of weeks and months progress and growth can be observed. Like a traveler traveling to the East, the compass may not always point east, but eventually they do reach the east. It is great to see them gain understanding. I am also “Thankful” that I can still learn. The first time my children saw me as being smarter than a dinosaur was sometime after they graduated from College and were trying to establish themselves in their careers and lives, almost thirty and that was over ten years ago. Recently, while finishing up some NTI homework while they were at the house, they commented, “Dad you are getting smarter, going to school and teaching school has made you smarter”. I have a lot to be Thankful for!

Thanks,
RS in Alpharetta

Thankful

I am grateful that I have been able to manage 3 preps, extended day, beginning a newHOSA chapter, and NTI without a nervous breakdown. Oh yeah, I also have a family too.....last time I checked. This has been an exciting year with excellent students and an administration that seems to recognize and appreciate the work that is done in the classroom. I was even told last week that Healthcare was the premiere program at the CA, WOW!!! I am also fortunate to have a partner who also teaches healthcare, we both started when the school opened, and we work closely together with the same visions and desires for the program. I am most fortunate to have began NTI this summer. I have really made some changes in classroom management as well as how I implement my lessons and can easily see how well they work. It is especially evident when my co-worker complains of a classroom issue. I try to help her out some, but don't won't to reveal all of my new secrets because she will probably begin NTI this summer. I feel blessed to be able to make a career change and share something that I am so passionate about with an age group that I enjoy working with. I tell the story that when I returned to school for my BSN I was certain that God had a wonderful job in store for me when I finished. I ended up becoming a school nurse and thought, God, this is not really where I thought you would lead me. I even begged my supervisor to NOT put me in a high school. Had I not taken that job as a school nurse in 9-12 I would have never realized how much I like working with that age group. I feel that I am definitely where I am supposed to be and I'm excited about my future and what teaching has to offer.

Thankful Teacher

Thankful Teacher

First, I am grateful to have had a long career in law enforcement and making it to retirement. I am thankful for finding a teaching position in my field of interest and education after my retirement. When I started teaching on August 3, 2006, I had some misgivings about teaching teenagers in high school. Having been a police officer, I was more conditioned in arresting or putting criminal juveniles in jail. Definitely, I was not keen on teaching teenagers the pros and cons of law enforcement. But, now after two full years and one semester, I have discovered that teaching has become rewarding in many ways. I know I have made a difference in most of my student’s lives. I have discovered that students respond to you according to the way you treat them. I treat the students with respect and they treat me the same way. I may be the teacher but I have learned much from my students as well. The majority of the time, my students and I find class time pleasant and enjoyable. Therefore, I’m truly thankful that my transition from law enforcement and becoming a teacher has gone so well.

Open Mic

I would like to take this opportunity to thank my school, as well as my NTI instructors for being so helpful and considerate during this time. My life has been extremely crazy for the last three months or so. I am currently right at four months pregnant and have been extremely sick. I have to leave my classroom several times throughout the day to go throw up. I have had to depend on neighboring teachers to step out of their rooms and watch my class and they have willingly done so. I have even had to leave work a couple of times because I felt so bad and other teachers covered my classroom. I can not thank them enough. Not only have my coworkers been extremely helpful, but the administration has been wonderful as well. One morning, I had to call in after seven o'clock because I could not quit throwing up. The principal was very understanding (and luckily I had wonderful emergency lesson plans due to NTI) and has continued to be during this entire process. On top of this, I am the assistant varsity girls basketball coach, so the head coach has had to be very flexible with me...and he has managed to do so with a smile! Next, I would like to thank Dr. Burns and Mrs. Hayden for being so caring and willing to work with me throughout these months. I have felt so bad for being such a slacker and feel like I have had to apologize to more people within the past few months than I have had to apologize to in years. The good news is, I have feel pretty good this morning and think all of the rest I got this weekend was something that my body really needed to hopefully recover from all of this sickness. I miss my old self!

EDBT 4570

Overall, I have really enjoyed the mixture of online/classroom sessions. It really helps with trying to juggle school, work, family, and anything else that life throws your way. I have found that the downfall can be having the self-discipline to stay on task with the work load. Typically, I feel that I am a person who does not slack on responsibilities, but because of personal issues, I have fallen behind on the online workload, which makes me feel horrible. Yet, it makes me truly see the downfall of completing online assignments. On the other hand, I ask myself, would I have done better if I had actually driven to class more? Truthfully, I don't think I would have. It has simply been a tough semester for me and having instructors who try to make this as convenient for the learner as possible truly helps. With all things considered, I think the combination works best for most learners and is a way to tailor to adult learners with busy lifestyles.

Online Experience

My experience with online learning has been so so. I am more of a classroom type student but it has to be on a very consistent basis. My personal focus has a lot to do with my experience this semester but other than that it hasn't been all bad. I like to know that I have to be at school every week and have something due on paper. I'm working on my technology savy and after this experience I know next semester will be much better. As far as the EDBT course I enjoyed it when we were in class together. I always walk away from out gatherings more enlightened and with a ton of information and resource to use in my classroom. I like the online modules during the holidays but would prefer to be in class otherwise. But whatever is decided I will do my best to make it work.

On Line Learning

This week I would appreciate it if you would Post about your experiences this semester with on-line learning in EDBT 4570. What did you like? What did you dislike? Would you like more/less? How does on-line learning fit with your learning style? What's your perfect "mix?" Remember to make a comment to at least one other student. Thanks, Dr. J.

I am from the old school of learning and I prefer the traditional learning environment merely because I am an auditory & visual learner. The best part of this experience has been the opportunity to work at my own pace and of course I appreciated the opportunity to save on gas. I must admit I am experiencing problems working inside the little box (screen) - some what confined and bordering on claustrophobic.

I am very open minded and very aware that this way of teaching and learning is the future classroom. I will probably do more on-line classes in the future and I will make the adjustments as I have done for this class. Overall, as I have stated before I have learned a lot and remain enthusiastic about the next two classes - whether online or in the traditional setting.