CTE New Teacher Institute Forum: Open Mic

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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?

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Open Mic

Ok, so I think this is one of the harder blogs for me. I feel that I have covered almost everything about my teaching. There is a side of me that wonders if I am really supposed to be teaching. Some days I wonder if I am an effective teacher. I work with someone that is so rigid in her teaching style. It differs from mine and some days her attitude makes me feel really negative about my teaching ability. She is constantly wanting to remake every form and lesson that she has from past years. If we have a form that says what is needed, I don't feel the need to remake it. She likes to stay at work really late, where as I like to go home and be with my family. Her desire to make everything perfect sends her over the edge several times a year and she will be absent for days at a time. She has missed over 20 days this year and did so last year and the year before that. I am always supportive of her when she is absent as I know she can't help it. But sometimes this is a great burden on me. Her students are always complaining about her to me. If I had one thing about teaching that I would say I don't like, it is working with this woman. She makes me not want to come to work somedays. The worst part is I don't see her ever leaving her position. So this puts me in a hard spot. WOW, I didn't expect this to go in this direction when I started writing. It is strange sometimes how therapeutic this blogging can be. I think I actually feel better just writing this out. Thanks, for listening! :)

2 comments:

Nitzana Floyd said...: Jayna, I know how you feel. I once worked in a private school along side with someone just like that. It made me absolutely miserable! Actually, it was, by far, the worst year I have ever had in my entire teaching career. But how could I have known when I took the job? Just a couple of weeks before school started that year, I was offered a long-term sub position at a public school, which turned out to be a permanent job, I later discovered. I wanted to kick myself repeatedly. I missed out on teaching high school English (my love and passion), and instead was stuck as a miserable Kindergarten Assistant for an entire year.

But then again, all things happen for a reason - so I believe. All those events led me to where I am now, and I couldn't be happier! Hang in there kiddo...; April 12, 2009 at 8:24:00 PM EDT
Dr. J said...: Hi Jayna,
I am really glad you blogged about this. Your situation, although unique to you, is not unique when there is more than one teacher in a program. I could tell you stories!!! I empathize with you and I think you will be okay if you remember to talk about it with others to help you get relief, to grow, and to also think things through. Know that we, at NTI, think you are doing great! Dr. J; April 17, 2009 at 10:00:00 AM EDT