I felt more confident beginning the school year after attending NTI this summer. The previous two years of classroom instruction gave me a knowledge base to reflect upon, as I mulled over the instruction that I received as a student. I began my third year of teaching high school with direction and preparation.
Classroom strategies, discipline and methods have benefited me tremendously. These ideas were presented to me this summer, and I have incorporated them. My level one and two classes keep a student notebook. It keeps their minds and hands busy. The students seem to take pride in their work and they have a better understanding of the direction in which they are moving. I have set up lab managers, equipment managers, and classroom assistants. They keep me from being so overwhelmed with ninety-eight students. This also develops future leaders for my upper level classes. The school year began with a routine which I repeat and I remind the students often of the classroom logistics and expectations. The method of demonstrating and modeling equipment usage has helped the students to perform properly with less accident issues. Having learned that there are various styles of learning, I am incorporating all styles into my classroom presentations. I am using visual, audible and tactical sessions. The tool that has helped me the most from attending the New Teacher's Institute is preparedness through good lesson planning. At times it is hard to stay on top of the preparation but the time is saved in the long run. Also, there is a noticeable difference in classroom management when the lessons are prepared and varied. NTI has given me an overall brighter outlook on teaching.
The area that I am struggling with is classroom management. I do not struggle with the two classes that are one level of twenty-eight students. However, I am struggling with my divided classroom that has an upper level class and a lower level class. Fifteen of the students are a level. The struggle comes with being successful at balancing my teaching responsibilities between the two groups.
One group needs a written lesson plan and constant supervision during the time block. The other group needs input from me as they run the studio. They also need guidance as the studio is new and when problems arise. The way that I am problem solving is two-fold. I am developing my senior leaders to follow through with my directives. This takes outside preparation by me, ahead of time. I give written instruction or clear verbal directives. The other thing is that I have sent each group of fifteen students to a different lunch. This gives a thirty minute slot of time for me to spend with the upper level students. I don't do this every day but only as needed by them and I eat my lunch in the classroom. As time goes by, the studio based students will become more self-sufficient and independent. This is the best solution that I have for now, as I was unaware that the class would be mixed. I feel that with the expensive equipment now accessible to my classes that it would be best to keep the classes separate. As we all know, in education, sometimes you have to roll with the tide.
