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.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
A pleasant surprise
Last week our school had our five year review. I was so nervous as I have never been through one before. I had told the students that we would have some very important visitors in our school and that I may have to be interviewed at some time during our class. My plan was to go along with my lesson as usual and if our class was interrupted then I would get the students started on some book work to keep them occupied while I was being interviewed. We started our lesson on cultural diversity as planned. We had a mock panel of guest (students with a script) representing several different cultures to be interviewed by the rest of the class. We had a great time with this during the first half of class but did not get to finish due to our break bell. After the students had been on break for a few minutes, the lady who was to interview me came to my room. All I could think was "I hope she finishes with me before the students come back from break because they will be so off task". Of course, she was still interviewing me as my students came back from break! As the students poured back into my class I was just about to say to my interviewer, "Please give me a few minutes to get my students started", however, I watched them in amazement as they quietly went back to their desks and continued their mock panel interview. Different students were taking turns asking their questions without having to be prodded. They were fantastic! I was so pleasantly surprised at the maturity of these first year students! After my interviewer left the room, I told the students how proud I was of them! I stated to them, "You guys did such a great job of coming back in and getting back on task! You didn't need me at all!". Then one of my sweet young ladies replied, "We might not always need you, Mrs. Walsh, but we want you!". That made my day! I am so thankful to have such amazing students!
That was totally awesome!! My students are continually surprising me. It seems as though they can drive me absolutely crazy sometimes and other times, as you have described, they can make you so proud! I had my first observation for the year a couple of weeks ago and my students were fabolous like yours. I think that when they like you as their teacher, and you have shown that you care about them, then they will stick up for you when it counts. The kids know when we are being watched and they can really make or break you. I don't mean to sound like I'm not giving them credit for what they can do, or that they are bad all the time. I do think, however, that sometimes people (other teachers and admin) can spew so much negativity that it can alter you thinking a bit. I do believe that when the students see that you want them to succeed, then they will do the same for you as a teacher.
ReplyDeleteThat is great! It is amazing how they really do know how they are to conduct themselves in the classroom. So many times I think the students get comfortable with us, their teachers, and let that part go. Then they surprise us when we least expect it. Last year during my evaluations, I just knew I would have a problem with a particular group of students. When the administrator came in though it was like someone switched places with them. They were wonderful!!
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