Hello NTI Family,
I am doing o.k. I suppose. Not feeling too well today and decided to force myself to go to class. At any point, I want to share some of the thoughts that came to mind as I began thinking about the whole teaching profession. While writing my opening essay for my portfolio project, thoughts about my beliefs on teaching came quicker than I could write down on paper. I was overwhelmed at the amount of information I'd read within the last 6 months, the knowledge I've learned through NTI and the experience I've gained as a Stellar substitute. Since writing is a joy for me and English was my minor in college, (way back in the 80's) I thought this project would be fairly easy. Needless to say it took me much longer than I thought because of the information I had floating around in my head.
After carefully planning and evaluating my thoughts, I came up with the following thoughts: Teaching is a joy if you don't allow the bureaucracy and politics get to you, affect you or dictate to you. The teaching profession is vital to the growth of Americas economy, therefore change is inevitable in order to stay abreast in the 21st century. Teaching requires PATIENCE, PERSISTENCE AND PERSERVERANCE... And last but not least, you will either love or hate teaching and for those who are in between, work one day at any school and you will quickly decide. I guess what it all balls down to is whether you have thick enough skin to deal with it all and not have a stroke.
Overall, I believe teaching should be fun, realistic, and rewarding. I love engaging the students with powerful set inductions, presenting new ideas and allowing them to use their creativity. As teachers, we should have fun with the kids because after they graduate (hopefully) and go on to become successful and great adults, you will be remembered and your name should go down in history as the "GREATEST teacher ever". Thanks to NTI we will prevail!
Never Give up...
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?
3 comments:
Victoria, I love to read your writing. You are always uplifting to me.
Yes, PATIENCE, PERSISTENCE, AND PERSERVERANCE, are definitely requirements for teaching. And I would add WISDOM and FORTITUDE.
I hope I have enough of all of the above to continue on. At our staff meeting our principal was talking about how difficult this time of year was. And how tired he knew everybody was but we all had to hang on and keep pushing, that we were almost to the end. We had a good staff meeting and I did feel somewhat better about things. It was good to know that maybe I wasn't the only teacher feeling down, low, and tired....
Victoria,
I agree with what Connie had to say!!! and of course your blog. I love teaching, I could do without some of the politics that I have encountered. (at this point minor)It does take Patience, Persistence,plenty of Perseverance and an infinite amount of Wisdom!!!.
You are absolutely correct. You either love the students or you do not. I have some true "meatheads", and I mean that in the best since of the word. It's kind of like " love the sinner, hate the sin". But every day, I am thankful for the little things.
joec
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