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.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Impressed and Suprised
Well let me begin by saying my students have been very well behaved lately. Despite the occassional stand off betweentwo students we don't have many incidents, since the positions have been assigned. Today I recieved my visit with Ms. Greene. First let me say she is a very nice woman. I wasn't very nervous about my "presentation". However as Scott has already mentioned in his post I read earlier today, I was very nervous about their cutting up during her visit. Well, again I was suprised and impressed by their behavior. We played a tool assignment game in review for the upcoming module exam and I had a three way tie for First Place. I assigned a tie breaker and again all answed correctly. Then we proceeded to the shop area. Again, everyone acted totally professional. They even kept their tone of voice low. I had to mention to Ms Greene that this behavior is above par, feeling she might think this was some kind of staged event. It was at this moment when I felt most connected. Ms Greene replied to me, "The reason is that they admire and respect you." That was it for me! Now let me just say I was not perfect. I didn't even state the objective which was plainly written in front of me. But, all in all. it was a very good day.
To me, one of the greatest achievements as a teacher is when you connect with students and they see you as a person who is investing in them. For your administrator to comment that they students respect you shows me that you have invested in them and it was a way for them to return a thanks to you. I am only a second year teacher, but I have worked with students for years. Some students will tell you every day how much they like you and on and on and on. But, what is really awesome is when the ones show you respect that you weren't even sure you were impacting. We teach the students information and knowledge, but I try to look at my job as much more than that. We are, on some levels, their mothers, their fathers, and some of them, we are the only family they have. They aren't looking for more friends. They are looking for leaders that will show them the way. I think the respect that your class showed you that day shows that you are living a perfect example to that.
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