CTE New Teacher Institute Forum: Most IMportant

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.

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?

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Most IMportant

The most important thing I have learned about myself as a teacher this past year is that I make mistakes and it is OK. I tend to be hard on myself and feel that if I do not do everything perfectly that I am a failure. I have found that it is OK to tell a student that I have made a mistake and that I am sorry. I have also found that people don't put the same importance on my mistakes as I do. There have been so many changes in my life this year and I had to sit back and prioritize my life. This helped me to come to the realization that sometimes "good enough" is just that "good enough". Not every single thing I do for my students has to be perfect nor can it be. My students seem to appreciate when I admit to making a mistake, maybe they see my human side. Or, maybe it helps them to see that it is OK to admit your faults and own up to them. As a teacher I know that we are some of the biggest influences on our students, so if they learn this lesson from me, I will feel successful.

2 comments:

Dr. M said...: Hi, Jayna - what an insightful post. And you know that attitude frees you up to try new things and be creative without fear of failure getting in the way. Students are flexible and forgiving, especially when they see you have their best interests in mind. Thanks for sharing.; March 25, 2009 at 8:58:00 AM EDT
Brenda said...: Jayna,
Like you I have also talked to my students about making mistakes and saying I am sorry if I forget to do something as promised. I often discuss humanistic values with my students and try to help them understand that we are all human and we all make mistakes but also we all learned from our mistakes. We have all discussed that we are not perfect and therefore will make some but using good judgement we should not make the same mistakes twice.

Like you again, I am my worst critic but teaching has made me realize that I must uphold those values and qualities that are important in my life that keeps me sane. Upholding those values and qualities while working within certain parameters and environments is all that I can do. And to me that is good enough, that is within my living comfort zone.; March 28, 2009 at 11:30:00 AM EDT