The start of this semester was a little easier than last semester for me. We have our students for the whole school year and I find that to be a plus for teachers. Teachers and students already know one another and that makes for a smoother beginning. The students already know what I expect and I already know the learning styles and personalities of my students so, so far, everything has been fine.
One thing I have tried really hard to do this semester is to NOT get myself all in a dither about things. I have finally realized that I need to just take things one day at a time. I tend to be a worrier (OK, I am a REAL worrier!) so I am trying very hard to not worry about things so much. I am trying to pace myself so that I don't get to the point of complete exhaustion that I felt at the end of last semester. One major thing wrong that I did last semester was not getting enough sleep during the week. By the time Friday evening got here I was completely wiped out. Took all weekend to recover and then the cycle began again come Monday. So I am making a very concerted effort to get more sleep every night so I can think clearly and help my old brain cells work as efficiently as possible. And hopefully help my immune system stay strong too. I still can't seem to manage to get in a full 8 hrs but I am counting it as a plus for a full 6 hrs. Anything over 6 hrs is a bonus. My students have told me several times how nice I am. I must have been a real grump last semester! So I'm hoping that pacing myself better, worrying less, and getting more sleep will help me through this semester.
In addition to NTI, Tracy, Esther, and I are also taking the Exceptional Students class on Wednesday evenings. When I look at the calendar with all the due dates for both classes I start to slip and get bogged down in the worrying/panic mode. Then I stop and take a deep breath and just take things one at a time. I remember what Dr Burns told us way back in the summer about when she was working on her doctorate. She said she was completely overwhelmed and was thinking that she just couldn't do it. Then her husband helped her to break all the work down into smaller tasks and she then had a more workable, manageable plan. And she did it! So I am trying to do that same thing.
I can't separate my own students and teaching from being a student myself and learning. I have a separate calendar at school about all the due dates for things there. And I have to blend the two calendars (NTI/Exceptional Students and school) to be sure I am on target with everything. And somewhere in all that I have my personal life calendar.
So, to get back to our original question. I am calmer, more relaxed with my students. This semester has started out smoother than last semester. I have made what I think are some positive changes for myself to keep my strength and stamina up. And I am trying very hard to not get overwhelmed and just take things one day at a time, one step at a time. I've made it through the first two weeks. We'll see how I do for the rest of the semester!
This site is a class blog space for new Career and Technical Specializations and Heathcare Science teachers enrolled in the New Teacher Institute (NTI) at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia.
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.
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?
4 comments:
I enjoyed reading your comment. I had to call my husband into the study to read it to him so he now feels like he's a part of our blog. (ha ha) I had a psychology professor who taught us to say "good enough." Then we would add, "mother" or "wife" or "husband" or "teacher." So, it became "good enough teacher." She pointed out that we are tougher on ourselves than others and we have to be honest with our capabilities and decide at some point that we are "good enough." I think about that quite often when I start to think I have to keep doing more, and more and more.
Anyway, Ms. Connie, I have observed you in class and in your class and you are more than "good enough." Dr. J.
You are wonderful Connie!!! You have a lot on your plate and you have managed it. Good Job!
Connie I have always been touch by your writings. I like how you use different calenders for different things. Connie you can make it, I do admire you trying to get more sleep this semester, but remember that the brain need to be fed. (the next time we meet I will tell you what to do to help build your energy)A friend of mine who is a brain surgeon told me he as yet to see a brain that is worn out no matter how old it is the cells are still in tack.
Connie, I have always enjoyed reading your blogs! I'm glad to hear that things are getting off to a better start this semester. I totally understand the whole "no sleep" thing! I'm doing good to get 4-6 hours a night. I admire you for being able to do NTI, Exceptional Child, teach, be a wife, mother, and all the other things that you are. It's a challenge but you appear to be handling it well! Thanks for being an inspiriation to me!
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