After being in the classroom for a few years I finally understand...or shall I say figured out! What the secret is for a successful yet stress free classroom experience...DRUM ROLL>>>>>>>>>>>
..It's building your foundation...Let me explain.....We have learned sooo much from NTI and each other, but I am willing to bet that EXPERIENCE(itself) was the best tool we encountered...in other words...jumping into the fire, getting your feet wet,etc....I have notice that the first three to four years of teaching is the deciding factor of how you will run and finish the race(humor the sport analogy..smile)....if you have a slow(unproductive) start in those years than chances are that you will have to dig down deeper to catch up with the pack in front of you...however, you you get a fast(productive) start in those years than you may lead the pack or at least be in the race....
The first few years are to develop, build,strengthen your foundation...such as Lesson planning, activities, getting familiar with curriculum, creating yearly procedures done in the classroom, gathering useful resources,videos,slides,overheads, field trips, school activities, bus duty, hall duty, staff meetings, overall TIME MANAGEMENT!...these are some of the things that have to become...what I call a "NORMAL COURSE OF BUSINESS"...and frankly we are all still green..and our foundation is not yet complete...but we are building!!!!!!
I say this(in keeping with the original topic of the blog) that I have learn about myself this year that..."Every man has a plan until he gets hit".....~MIKE TYSON
We are still a little daze from hits of being in a REAL classroom with students, as oppose to sitting in classroom being instructed on how to deal with students...
Imagine if we didn't have NTI.........can you say first round knockout!..ha
OH YEAH...I can say 'first round knockout' alright. And what about a possible 'career ending blow to the head?!?!' Seriously, I think that some of us might possibly be hunting for a new gig without NTI! Nice metaphor!!
ReplyDeleteJaJuan, you have hit the nail on the head! You are so right! Thanks for this blog. It's helped me to see things more clearly.
ReplyDeleteWell said! I hope Tracy reads your post. I've been telling her that I honestly believe that it takes about 3 years (even with good training) to really feel grounded as a teacher. You said it more eloquently though. The "building your foundation" analogy is a good one.
ReplyDeleteThe analogy really hits home to a "construction" guy. Without a solid foundation, everything will crumble around you. You sound as if you really have handle on things.
ReplyDeletejoec