What Being A Teacher Is All About

When I left industry to teach, I was more than just a little unsure of the decision.  A friend of mine, who is a teacher, had recommended me as the 'perfect guy' for the position.  However, when I was contacted by the school, I told them I had no desire to teach.  But they asked if I would at least talk to them about it and I agreed.  

Over the next few weeks it became clear to me, or so I thought, that this was the road I was meant to be on.  So, I accepted the job.  In reality, I had no idea what I was in for.  

When I got to Ridgeland in February of 2013, the class was a mess.  I was the third teacher in that class that school year, so the kids were wild, they didn't quite know what they should know in terms of the curriculum, and I really felt that I was in way over my head. 

As part of the job, I was assigned to be the advisor for the Technology Student Association.  I also voluntarily agreed to start a club called the Anime and Video Game Club, after a group of students approached me with the idea.  All of that simply added to the stress of the job.

So, one of the first things I did was to sit down with each student to see where they were at.  Most knew very little that I expected them to know.  Even the simple things had not really been taught to them.  

In my conferences with the students, I asked them each a series of questions to understand who they were as people and what they knew about video production.  It was all pretty basic stuff until one student said that he wanted to work in the video production field and he just seemed to have a passion for the subject, but he was being very neglected because, at that point, the class was being taught by a math teacher.  He wasn't learning what he needed or wanted to know.

He asked me if he could ask me a question and of course I agreed.  He asked me why I had left television, where I had been a director for the last 17 years, to teach.  I didn't really want to give this kid the full story of what all had happened, so I simply said that I had felt led there.  He replied that he felt that God had sent me there just for him.

I was stopped dead in my tracks with his words.  Any doubts I had about teaching were gone from that point.  I knew I was where I was supposed to be.  

Little by little I was able to bring some structure to the class and as I began actually teaching the students about video production, many of them responded.   

So, that brings me to this week's question.  You know, I have really loved watching the class grow over the last couple of years and watching the students respond to me as a teacher.  

As is normal with video production classes, we typically will record our school's football games.  When I first started I was lucky to have one student stay and help out.  That first year, I think the most help I got was from two students, one that had completed the pathway by the time I got to Ridgeland and the kid I mentioned earlier who said he felt God had put me there just for him.

But, we had a game the other night and after school my room was a hub of activity.  There was so much going on. 

There were a couple of students working on getting microphones ready for the game.  Three others were going over the statistics and notes for the play by play announcers.  Two more were preparing the cameras.  I had two students working on a project for the Anime and Video Game Club on a computer.  I had three students who are in another club entirely using my room, with it's large floor space, to make posters and signs for that night's game.  And there were several others running around helping out where they would.  

I just sat there at my desk watching all of this go on around me and I felt so good knowing that, first, I have given them a place where they can come and work and learn and feel safe and comfortable.  I think that is huge for kids these days.  Second, it felt good to know that in such a short time I have turned that whole program around just by caring for the kids.  It's certainly not because I am a good teacher.  I may one day be a good teacher, but I know that right now I am a long way away from being a truly good, effective teacher on a consistent basis.  These kids are responding to something else, I think.  And finally, to have a group of diverse kids coming together, working together, tells me that if I can do my part, learn to teach effectively, that the future is really bright for my class and these students.

I will wrap up by saying that I hope I teach these students something about video production.  But I don't think that's really the most important part for a lot of these kids.  They just want someone to believe in them, care for them, and love them.  And while I may have a lot to learn in terms of teaching a class, from the looks of things in my room last Friday,  I think the evidence would suggest that I am at the very least doing those things.  And that, I think, is what being a teacher is all about.  

What was the moment or moment(s) this past week when you felt most connected, engaged, or affirmed as a teacher - the moment you said to yourself, "This is what being a teacher is really all about"?

Wow, to be honest this was a tough week for me as a teacher. However, on Friday, I had a student make her first 100 on a vocab quiz. I have had this student for two semesters and she normally fails or barely passes the weekly vocab quizzes. I have really tried to encourage her all this year telling her she is smart and if she studies she can pass all of them. When I told her that she earned a 100 she was so proud of herself. I enjoyed seeing her confidence grow! I thought to myself this is really why I am teaching to help students believe in themselves and understand they can complete any given task with hard work. Hopefully, with this new found confidence she can continue to do well on all of her assessments. 

"This is what being a teacher is really all about

This week in my classes we covered Professional Image.  I explain to the students how to use it in the world of cosmetology as well as how they can apply it to the real world in any job.  It was great to see all the classes engaging in questions about how they should dress for success on the outside. The old adage “Don’t judge a book by its cover”  and then we talked about professional Image on the inside and someone who inspired them for success in what they want to do in their lives.  We had some real teary days in my class.  I really had some great sharing of personal experiences.  It’s really helped me see who some of my students are and what they want out of their lives.  I have one class that has a student that is a real tough case.  She has a huge wall up and EVERYTHING is a negative.  She is going to be the one I want to really make a difference with.  Guess that I am making her my personal goal for the school year, I hope to be that teacher that can make her care about herself  and her possible career in cosmetology.

To me that summons up what teaching is really about.

The Ball is Rolling

It was GREAT to see everyone Saturday!! I've already managed to implement a few ideas some of you all suggested (seating arrangements, sign language, detention) during our counsel vs problem activity. :o)

Don't forget to take care of your assignments in D2L. The first "scan" was a challenge yet I was better with the second one. Ha! I was thankful for my "dinosaur" desktop...my printer/scanner is not connected to my laptop!! If I can do it, any of you all can do it!!!

Remember to schedule your observation, too. Perhaps I'll let you know how mine goes on Wednesday. Now that I have a date and a time, I'm NERVOUS!!

Summer School

I learned so much this summer to make me more confident for my first year teaching in a public school (secondary)
I learned to make a stronger Lesson Plan on my own not from using my Milady's Standard Cosmetology materials. My Lesson Plans have worked great!  The students have been very engaging and great discussions have evolved from them.  I am excited with the thought of creating new and funny activities!

Yes, I am much stronger and confident with the help of Dr. Burns, Jama and Dr. M
Looking forward to many more interesting discussions with my students and what I can teach them

Answer First Week Question

Back in the summer NTI classes I think I learned a lot that has benefited me in the first few weeks of class.  One of the things that I think benefited me the most involves one of the behavior management tools we were given during class.

When I first heard the "I know this may not seem important to you, but it is to me" method, I thought to myself that it was the dumbest thing I had ever heard of.  It just seemed so odd to me to validate the student, who was already being an issue. 

So, imagine my surprise when during the first full week of class when a student was challenging me on the importance of an assignment, all that my brain could quickly pull up was the "I know this may not seem important to you" method. 

Before I knew it, I had started the method.  "I know this may not seem important to you," I said.  "However, it's very important to me that you learn the vocabulary before we move on in the unit."

I cringed inside as I expected the room to burst into laughter from this lame attempt to control the situation. 

Instead there was silence. 

The student sat there with a silly look on his face, speechless. 

It had worked. 

I probably had the same silly look on my face when I realized what had just happened.  I ran through the rest of the class with a new found confidence. 

I used the same method later in the day on a kid that probably didn't even see it coming.

I'm now the king of "it may not seem important to you..." (At least in my own tinly little realm.)

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?

During the summer NTI program, I learned a lot new strategies to implement this school year. The new strategy that worked for me during the first weeks of school was the Classroom Rules Poster. I started teaching in the middle of last school year and I had no idea about structuring rules/expectations for a classroom. I completed the school year and never posted any class rules. I am using the poster I created during summer NTI and it has proven to be very helpful. I have it posted in front of my class and visible to students while sitting at their desk. Learning to create the poster using action verbs was helpful in directing students to do what is expected in my classroom. I use this poster daily to address any issue of disruption. I direct students to look at the rules poster and remind them of their expectations. Thus far, the students are starting to adhere to the rules. Last school year, this was a major problem for me. I am glad to have learned about this classroom management strategy this summer because it has given me a strong start to this school.

Fall 2015 Week One Blog Post

Sadly, I was not able to attend the Summer NTI session. I have however, had many struggles this semester. My biggest struggle is classroom management. I have trouble with a lot of talking and cell phone usage in my classroom. I am a bit of a pushover! I need to learn how to really enforce the rules I have placed in my class. I hope with time I will be able to gain better control of my classroom.

Fall Semester 2015 Blog Post - Week 1

Fall Semester 2015 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?

 

My savior for my start up to the year was my classroom management plan.

I arranged my classroom to flow smoothly. Clutter has been removed so the students can focus on the lesson. I have an area set aside to place all assignments for the week so if the student were absent they know where to go to get missed notes, and place their late assignments in the late assignment tray,

I have assigned a student in every class to pass out pass out papers, a student to help with supplies. My expectations Class rules and Responsibilities are posted .

Class work is displayed as they complete a chapter

 

Fall Semester 2015 Blog - 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?

My initial weeks of the 2015/2016 school year have been much smoother than last year, especially in the classroom. I believe having the pre-prepared lesson plans, an in-box, classroom rules poster, and many other ideas have contributed to my success. Students have really responded well to the in-box, I have referred back to my classroom rules on several occasions, and overall I feel much more confident.

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?

This summer we learned different classroom management techniques to redirect misbehaving students. It is very useful to employ those techniques as appropriate. My new students reacted well to the techniques used and responded appropriately. My returning students thought something was wrong because I very calmly redirected their behavior. Initially, they did not know how to "accept" my techniques, but eventually they responded accordingly.

I am very happy with the change and I look forward to implementing other techniques learned.

Fall Semester 2015 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?

 

One of the tactics that I was able to employ durring the first week of teaching infront of a live classroom was Classroom management skills.  In particularly Proximity re-correction and language of choice.  Occasionally, their would be students of task and not responsive to visual non-verbal correction.  By positioning myself near an off-task student it would stop the behavior without resorting to verbal commands 90 percent of the time. 

On the rare occasion where that did not work, I would attempt to address the student directly through the language of choice.. i.e. "You can either complete the assignment or you will have to make up the work after class.... it's your choice".  This allowed me to set a standard early in the year that carried over the entire semester.

If you were not in the Summer NTI, what did you struggle with most during your first weeks of school?

My first weeks have been interesting in the fact that I am new to teaching and am still learning the ins and outs of this experience.
I think the thing that I struggled with the most is remembering all of the processes and required materials that everyday teaching requires. Things like-taking roll, handing out all of my forms to my advisement, remembering that my block schedules are different on Wednesdays because of Advisement. TKES. SLO's. IEP's and infinite numbers of other acronyms which I had no idea what meant! Small things. But as you know small things can become big things if you gather enough of them. I suppose the short answer to this question would be routine. Getting used to the routine was the hardest part I think and not letting my amateur hour antics not disrupt my instruction.  I think that gets easier with time. It has thus far and I have learned enormous amounts in the last 4 weeks than I could have expected. I even sound mildly like a teacher when I talk about school now.

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?

What I learned and used from the NTI program is use of the transition and closure questions before and after lectures or discussions.  It worked really well because it keeps the students engaged and involved and is a great tool for review before you begin your next topic of learning for the day.  If absolutely got me off to a stronger start because it shows the students that you have a logical agenda of preparation for them on a daily basis.

Fall Semester 2015 Week 1 Blog

Throughout the first few weeks of class, I have been having a difficult time with misbehavior with my advanced students. They are not used to the structure that I am bringing to the classroom. The teacher before me was much less structured than I am. I have been dealing with several different kinds of misbehavior. One of the most prevalent misbehaviors has been off task behavior. The way I have found that corrects this behavior best is proximity. As soon as I locate any off task students, I walk toward them and stand next to them. As soon as I do this, the students get back on task. The proximity technique has been a great technique and has helped me very much throughout the first few weeks.

I didn't teach last year. But it has definitely helped me gain control of my classes this year.

Week1 Question

The first week of school, i used my classroom procedures which i created during the summer NTI class. I went over my procedures the first two weeks and i use them every day.Something else i used was the parking lot ,all of my lesson plans and the teaching strategies! I am using every thing i learned even down to dealing with students that interrupts while I'm teaching!

If you were not in the Summer NTI, what did you struggle with most during your first weeks of school?

The main issue I sturggle with is transition from a floater being in my room for a second period class and having to come in and then not having enough time to place my framework on the board before the class comes in.

Week 1 first post

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?

I used the syllabus and the lesson plans the first week. I also found the safety information very helpful.

I posted the classroom procedures (behavior) policy. I felt so well prepared the first week of school from all the things I learned from the summer NTI program.

Some parts worked very well. I had to redo the lesson plans to a weekly level instead of daily for various reasons.

Yes, it did get me off to a stronger start than last year. It was less things that I had to complete being in a new environment.

Student Learning assessment...anyone have a good website?

I want to have my students take a learning style assessment when we come back from winter break. Does anyone have a reliable website?

Final Blog Like and Dislike

I love being able to share my love with others. Teaching students and watching them learn and grow with something they love to do is so rewarding. The things that I like least is that I feel sometimes teachers are not valued for what they do. There is so much other stuff outside of teaching that either the county or school requires you to do. The one thing I can’t seem to get students to do is read. I have yet to get them to actually read something before beginning on it. All in all I have enjoyed the teaching. I keep trying to make the good outweigh the bad.  Seeing my students each day and how much they truly enjoy class keeps me coming back.