"You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don't try." - Chasity

As a human being, to me this means that if I don’t try I will never know my own greatness or lack there of in a particular area.  As A CTE teacher this means that even though I know that I am fighting an uphill battle with all of the demands that are placed on me by the school system, if I do not try at all I will not accomplish anything for my students or me.  But, if I try and I fail or succeed at least I can say that I gave it my all.  I can feel good about doing what I know is right even in what I feel is a somewhat unfair situation.  I can be confident in the decisions that I make and the requests and results that I seek.  I can sleep at night knowing that I have served my students to the best of my ability.  All in all, this quote says to me that you must keep trying even though it may be disappointing at times because the alternative is much worse. The only people who loose in a situation where I give up are the students and to me, that is doom.

"You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don't try."

I have to break this quote down in two parts: “You may be disappointed if you fail,” I have do many things in my life.  Something’s have worked and others have not worked.  But you have to keep moving forward, it’s like when you plan a lesion and your children do not get the first time.  What do you? Figure it out.  “But you are doomed if you don’t try,” If you do not do anything in life, you live to do absolutely nothing, you might want take up the Darwin award.  The worst thing anyone can do is too be affair to fail.  When I read this quote I thought of the Walt Disney movie quote, “Around Here, however, we don’t look backwards for very long.  We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things, because we’re curious…And curiosity keeps leading us Down New Paths.” Walt Disney. 

The only overwhelming situation about being a Career Tech Teacher is that Core Teacher and Administration that wear Core Teachers, do not fully understand what goes into Career Tech, but what the funny part everyone on earth utilize Career Tech Pathways every day.  I am not by any means saying that Core stills are not important but it is the service fields that drives the world.

"You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don't try."

I am overwhelmed. It's rather surprising to me how school and district leadership has very little understanding of CTE Programs. Sometimes I feel that I'm fighting an uphill battle when it comes the pleading my case for supplies and materials for my lab and classroom. I really wish that every member of my districts leadership would visit other schools with well preforming CTE programs to see how we can improve our practices. Despite our inadequacy, I remain optimistic that we are moving in the right direction. So, therefore I'll continue to try even-though sometimes I feel like it may result in failure. On the other hand if I don't continue to try and push forward, my students and my district may be doomed. In the words of my grandmother, "Its OK the give out, but never give up."

"You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don't try."

“You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don’t try.” I try not to be a negative person but I am harder on me and tend to be more negative toward myself. When I’m looking at something I tend to think of the worst, that way I’m not as disappointed. However, I've noticed the more I focus on the best of things it usually comes out better. When I focus on the best I have more confidence and I put more effort in it. I look at it much like the quote. I may be disappointed but at least I tried. Failures are just lessons to learn from or building blocks to success. Much like I tell my students it’s okay to not know, but it’s not okay to not try. If we do not try we will not have success. 

Week September 29

One of the things I have noticed this year is that the students take me more seriously. My first year it seemed like I was always behind and I spent several mornings during my 30 minute commute thinking; “What in the world am I going to do with the kids today…” Fortunately, this year I have had a much better idea what is expected of me and I actually have a game plan. Not only has it made my year easier, but the kids are much more focused and seem to think I know what I am doing (I really have them fooled). There has been several times, last year and this year, which I have tried projects for the first time ever during the class (not the best practice I should add). Many times I have thought to myself; “Holy Crap! That worked!”, but I always play it cool and the kids believe that I have done these things thousands of times. This year I have been much better taking the time to take the demonstrations home and making sure I don’t have any surprises during class.

"You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don't try."




This quote hit home a little for this week. After the grueling week last week, I did some soul searching and found that if I fail at one thing that's better than not trying at all. I feel like as teachers and adults we are often times to hard on ourselves. Lets face it, we can only do the best we can. If the students don't want to learn it then that's on them. "You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink." We just have to keep our heads high and know that we are reaching students who care and are preparing for a bright future. As I tell them, I hope you are getting this so I can some day retire.

Week September 22

My moment happened after my Unit on the court systems and court room demeanor. Last year I had tried the same unit and the output was a little rocky. This year I made sure that I discussed the breakdown of the court system, gave out a few handouts and made sure that I walked everyone through the whole process. When I came time for the court day the subpoenas had been served, the evidence was collected, the jury was selected and everything was in place to start. I was pleasantly surprised how smoothly everything went and it actually felt like a courtroom. The kids interaction was the most focused I have seen. Even the kids that were in the gallery were invested for the two days. This is one of the moments that everything seemed to come together and I knew that this is why I wanted to be a teacher.

Week September 15

One of the things that I have caught myself doing is redundancy. The first few assignments I mixed up the delivery of the projects for each unit, but last week I found myself slipping in to my old habits of assigning projects with the same output. When I started the year off I made sure to use different strategies, handouts and delivery with each unit. As the year has moved along, I have noticed that I have reverted back to some of the old lessons I used last year and I suppose I was hoping for a different outcome, but the results looked a lot like last years. I would defiantly start referring to the list we were given last summer about the different activities I could use. 

Beverly Sills- You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don't try

What it means to be a CTAE teacher?

Coming from post secondary education, I understand the impact we have on the lives of our young generation. I have personally experienced those thankful for the investment you make into them because they either were not considered college material, came from a background where college was not even discussed or life simply got in the way  and or they support they needed was not available. So they move into the mentality of "i got to do something".  I have even encounter some that was just entering career programs just do they could receive some for of public assistance. I have had the pleasure of having the "turn it around" students, where they entered for one reason and left with a different attitude ready for the workforce. Being a CTAE teacher means I reach all students, not just the ones in some sort of financial , emotional or social crisis. Also I am able to in a since bring work to school with me and teach what I love .

Open Mic

Once in a while it is fun to blog about anything you like related to you and your school. We call this "open mic." This week is your choice and what you would like to share.

Finally I am able to share an experience on this blog. I entered the classroom for the first time as a K-12 Teacher on September 19, 2014. The students thought I was " another sub". I had to do lots of proving to them to ensure them I was not "another sub" and I was their permanent teacher. Well, after that settled in their heads, then it all begin. I was in ahhh at the demeanor, disrespect and defiant behaviors toward me. I personally didn't raise these types of kids which had me patting myself on the back, but part of my mothering came forth and found myself slowing talking to the students one by one, by setting up personal conferences with each one of them during my planning and lunch periods. Amazing how  a 15 minute one on one will do to a child's demeanor and behavior. Well to make a long story short, I had colleagues tell me how they were shocked how I got the kids in check. I was then informed that my class was the "dump" class for the misbehaved and intolerable kids. Well it bring me to tears when as I walk down the halls and they see me, they are speaking to me, when caught in the hall, they start explaining "why" before I even ask, and just to talk in the morning during breakfast. I feel good about where I started and where I am currently. 

If anyone has any information on classroom management and classroom consequences for those students with behavior challenges please email me tennille.rainey@clayton.k12.ga.us

"You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don't try"

This quote provokes so many personal thoughts for me.  There was a time in my life when my mind felt paralyzed and I didn't follow my passions and dreams.  The feelings that resulted from that time were disappointment and doom.  I felt like I had fallen in a deep hole and didn't have away out.  When I found my way out I realized that I would be willing to take on any challenge to fulfill my dreams even if I failed trying.  Although that doomed feeling was awful it produced a tremendous amount of gratitude in me.  I have gotten overwhelmed a time or two this school year with all that I have on my plate.  I haven't perfected my organizational skills yet.  My classroom plans don't always work out.  I don't feel like the world's greatest mom these days, being stretched in so many directions.  Yet I am so thankful to be in this position right now.  I would rather be in the race and feel the pressure of the long stretches than sitting on the sideline wondering what it would feel like to be in the race.  I am having the time of my life trying to rise to the occasion of the challenges that I have asked for.  I am so thankful for this opportunity in my life right now.  I know it is more overwhelming to be doing nothing or not embracing the challenge to live life to it's fullest.

Grateful Candice

10/6 Chef Elissa

Question of the Week October 6:

 "You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don't try."

In my meeting with my admin this week they asked me do you feel pressured. I said yes! They said by who and my res ponce was "ME." This is so true as a perfectionist I wear myself thin trying to finish Everything on my to do list. I need to often step back and remember that I do teach 190 students, I do try to cook everyday, but I am HUMAN! I need sleep, I need social interaction, I need family time. I do try my hardest at everything I do and I always feel I can do better. I am not the teacher nor the person to just make it by...I never have been. It is very hard for me when things are "out of my control" I tend not to believe that often... I can do it and I will. Lately I have been trying to back off of that because I know when I become a mother in February MANY things I will not be able to control. I just put in for my last day at school to be February 6th and I am due February 7th. I will make it through my last week of school.......right..... Determination is one thing, and knowing yourself is another. I can do all things I put my mind to but will I loose my mind while doing it ha. I feel like an octopus with many hands in different things being pulled in too many directions.

 

Week #5- Reflection-Gina G

  This week I am reflecting on the quote by Beverly Sills, "You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don't try.".  In relating this quote to being a teacher in CTAE, I believe is very easy.  As a professional in my field for several years, I have seen failures and successes on both my part and the parts of those around me.  In striving to do better, be the best you can be and climb the ladder to success-failing is necessary.  It is part of the growth of each of us as a professional.  We become who we are by learning and experiencing failures and successes.
  Relating this to the field of teaching for me is easy. As a "Rookie" last year, I was confident that I knew the material.  I am knowledgeable and experienced.  That was not the problem.  I have to relate my knowledge and experience to teenagers.  I have to structure it in a way that they can learn and understand.  I also have to be up to par on the "teacher lingo".  Wow! That was a scary thought.
  Something came to mind when I made the decision to go this route.  My mom always said, "You won't know unless you try."  Having a positive and optimistic attitude is something that I have tried to maintain through out my life.  My parents taught me that it is all in how you look at it and approach it.  If you fail you will only know one way to not do it.  There are countless opportunities for failures, but there are also countless opportunities for successes too.
  As a teacher in the career and tech field, it is structured in a way that allows you to decide how to deliver the standards.  I look at my experiences when designing my lesson plans.  I try to relate what I know and deliver that in a way that would be easy to understand but also a way that will ignite or spark a passion.  I have had days that I would consider not the best on my part of delivering those lessons. What I do is go back and "regroup" and think about different ways of delivering the material.  By never settling for a less than perfect lesson, I am always looking for things to enhance it.
  I think looking at the quote, I can see that if you never try something than how will you know if it will work.  Believing in yourself and accepting your failures along with your successes will develop you into a wonderful teacher.   As a teacher, not unlike your students, you are always learning.  Developing your craft as a teacher is a process. Life is a process.  Failing and Succeeding are one in the same.  So I will leave you with a quote that Fredrick Douglass left us with, "If there is no struggle, there is no progress.".  Failure, Disappointment and struggle = Success, Progress and Fulfillment.

Oct. 6th Topic...Jennifer Whitfield

"You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don't try."

 

Wow, What an appropriate topic! I am really struggling this year. Last year it seemed everything came very natural. I don’t know if it was that I was doing something different or if the difference is the students. This year I don’t feel like I can get the students to “buy” in like last year. I won’t say last year was perfect by any means but the students really seemed “into” what I was teaching. It was like they were sponges and could not absorb enough. This year I don’t get the same vibes. I’ve left more days frustrated than I have feeling like I made a difference. I’ve done a lot of evaluating and reevaluating how I do things. I’ve still not found the solution. I’ve talked with my department head about my concerns on several occasions and she has offered support and advice. While I’m not giving up I am starting to come to the conclusion that it isn’t a reflection on my teaching but rather just a different group of students. I will continue to work to find ways to engage them but I’m trying to learn to accept that they are very different from the group I had last year. I will also focus on the positive interactions I have with them and the few students who are really interested in my subject matter and make sure they are getting the most that they can while accepting the fact that some of the students are here because they didn’t know what else to take or thought “it will be an easy A”.  Being a type A person it is difficult for me to accept something like this but in the long run it is better to accept it than continue to feel frustrated, like I am not doing a good job and becoming bitter and burned out.

Beverly Sills Quote - Chris C.

"You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don't try."


I really do not have much to write about this week. I did help Officer Gravitt with his classes this week by bring in my SWAT and Sniper gear and teaching the students about that side of Policing. As I was instructing the class I could not  help but remember when I first tried out for the team and questioned if I could do it. Getting on the team and being a Sniper was difficult and very stressful. I can relate this feeling to what it is like starting a career as a teacher. I don't have the stress factors being a sub that Officer Gravitt and the other teachers have, but I still understand. I know when I fail at anything in life it upsets me, but I agree with this quote that if you don't try it is trajic and you are left with a what if feeling.




Officer C.Cannon

Quote-Beverly Sills- Ruth

As a CTE teacher this quote is very encouraging. It makes me feel that I am doing the right thing by trying. I work at a school in which a lot is expected of teachers. This may be the case everywhere, but I really don't understand it. It seems if there is a job to be done, someone says " the teacher can do it".  As a new teacher I often find this difficult.This quote makes me feel that it's not all about getting it right all the time, but it's about putting forth effort.  I may not succeed in every area this year, but maybe more areas next year.  After thinking about this quote I will try more and I will not beat myself up when I have a failure, instead I will find a way to learn and grow from my mistakes.  Ms. Sills' quote is also going to help me to have a different view on industry certification ( another to do). I am going to give it a good try , but I am not going to stress out. Starting this new career as a CTE teacher has really taken me out of my comfort zone, but it is very rewarding and I enjoy what I do.

October 8, 2014 (Jan)

"You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don't try."


This week I was asked to help judge the try-outs for the McEachern dance team. I am not sure why, since I know nothing about dancing, but I was honored to be there. As I watched the dancers  it was obvious, even to my untrained eye, who could dance and who couldn't. I admired the girls who showed up and tried their best. I am sure that some of them had an idea that they would not make the team, but they were there anyway. That is how I feel as a CTE teacher. I know that I will not reach all of my students and inspire them to go into the healthcare field. But, If I don't try, then all those bright young adults will never know the possibilities that await them in the future. That is what keeps me going when I feel overwhelmed. I feel that if I show up and reach just one child I have succeeded.

Open Mic

I have looked at the postings of my classmates for several days now and I pondered upon what to write and then I pondered on how to express my thoughts in this post without sounding negative.  I actually like you guys and all of your different personalities, so I will speak freely in this post.  I have the same dilemma as many of the posts that I have read in regards to “TIME”.  It doesn’t seem to be enough “TIME” to do “ANYTHING!”  Where is the “TIME” that I was supposed to use for planning???  Most “TIMES” that period is taken up by something else that is required like responding to a poll or survey or taking some kind of test online or meeting with a parent or calling a parent or even my collaborative group meeting, and if not that, some kind of training.   When am I supposed to have “TIME” to actually plan or grade papers?   After school there is Faculty Meeting, or Tutorial or Group Sessions with the activity I have acquiesced to participate in with the students or another parent meeting or just having to read the numerous emails that I have received so that I don’t miss a due date or offer from someone that can benefit my program!  Don’t get me wrong.  I LOVE TEACHING and I LOVE THE STUDENTS!  They make me laugh every day because every day is different with them.  I LOVE watching them soak up information and ask questions because they are interested in what I am teaching or coming to find me during my “FREE TIME/PLANNING PERIOD” to talk about some kid issue, good or bad.  That is what I find most rewarding, but then I have to deal with the corporate and adult part of it all.  During my “PLANNING PERIOD” when I am on my way to “PLAN”,  I will see a co-worker who ultimately has a lot to say (in this profession there is always a lot to be said), as I try to back away (to go get work accomplished) they continue the conversation without giving me an opportunity to cut things short without seeming insensitive or self-centered.  For the most part I like my co-workers and the seasoned ones always want to give me advice or a heads up on information.  It’s worth it most times for me to stop and listen despite the fact that I am not planning or grading papers, but at the same time, I don’t like hurting anyone’s feelings and I must be careful not to make enemies because it’s not worth the fight or sabotage.  Before you know it, there is only 20 minutes or less left for (planning).  Now, what do I do about the show-offs I have to deal with?  I will be brief with this issue.  How is it that some people have time to participate in 15 different activities in addition to the required activities?  Do they have a life outside of work?  If so, how is that possible?  Some teachers have expressed that it’s a facade.  If that is true, that performance is over the top and who has time for that???  I just want to be stress free.   I want to have time to plan and do all of the other corporate requirements, enjoy teaching, enjoy the students, and enjoy the comrade of my co-workers.   Is that too much to ask for?  In the end isn’t it all for the kids???

Disappointment and Failure - Casey 10/6

"You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don't try."

As a perfectionist, I know I disappoint myself frequently because I know that out of my failures, I do have some successes. The problem, for me, with failure is that it affects me negatively and causes stress on myself. My husband gets so frustrated with me because I often don't see myself the way coworkers see me. I administered the 8th grade final exam last Friday and the results were not nearly what I anticipated them to be. I was nearly to the point of tears and doubting my teaching career by the time I went home. After I regrouped myself, I looked at how my 7th graders did on their final exam and realized that they did pretty well. I decided at that point that my teaching can't be the problem. Perhaps, I didn't teach exactly what I should have, the right points, or the test could even not have been clear. I spent several hours over the weekend reconsidering my lesson plans, and I rewrote most of a 15 day unit during that time. When I returned to school, I apologized to my students and posed the changes I plan to make for my next term to them. I even had a few raise their hands to ask if they could come back to my class because the changes seemed so exciting to them. Yes, I was very disappointed in my failure because I truly feel like I have found my calling and it hurt badly. If I didn't have the failure, I wouldn't have tried to improve; therefore, I would be missing out on a great teaching opportunity (improvement), and my students would be missing out on a great learning opportunity. This quote was just what I needed to see today because it is so relevant to my life and helps ease some of my feelings of inadequacy. 

Once in a while it is fun to blog about anything you like related to you and your school. We call this "open mic." This week is your choice and what you would like to share.

I need a moment to vent about what I like to call the "mid-semester meltdown". For some reason, about halfway into each semester, all of my students seem to go through this behavioral anamaly. that during my first few semesters, was hard to manage. During this time, all of my well behaved, on task, angels turn into michevious little envelop pushers in regard to classroom behavior. I have noticed this trend every semester that I have taught, but am finally learning how to manage this phase without totally losing my mind. The most affective strategy that I have found is changing the assinged seating arrangment. I don't tell the students of the change until it is actually taking place. This unanticipated play seems to check them back into reality regarding who is the boss of this rodeo. I have spoken with other teachers here at my school and they too have this issue around week 9. From what I can gather, my strategy in handling this matter is a fairly common practice. If anyone has any additional suggestions, please let me know. :)

BUSY....

This week I have been second guessing this teaching thing. It has been a crazy week with the Police Department and the School. I have found it hard to keep up with both. I am not very organized and often find it hard to keep up with everything. I normally rely on Officer Cannon to keep track of everything that is suppose to happen and now I don't have him in the same office. With the help of my wife and some encouragement form my Principal to the department chair, I now have some teaching materials on the way. I feel better going into this week and am looking forward to a bright career.

Open Mic- Chasity

This week our fall break starts Thursday (after PD).  I am truly looking forward to it.  Prior to becoming a teacher, I could never understand why teachers needed so much time off.  I understand now. Teaching is not like any other profession.  It takes so much out of you, but the reward is great.  This semester has been very busy, overwhelming, and a host of other things, but with things like fall break, Thanksgiving break and Christmas break sprinkled throughout the semester, its not so bad.  Now I understand why teachers look forward to the breaks.  WE NEED THEM! J  I love my job, but sometimes it can be frustrating and never ending.

Closure activities - Casey

I know I've already posted this week, but I was looking for some more closure activities to do in the classroom, and I found this GREAT article. I hope it helps someone here as much as it has helped me!

https://edc448uri.wikispaces.com/file/view/40_ways_to_leave_a_lesson.pdf

Open Mic- Ruth

As a new CTAE teacher I have found that I need more time.  I never could have imaged how demanding this career would be. It is not only demanding, but it never ends. I am learning that even with the demands I have to have a cut off. I have also learned that even when I do my very best there will always be someone to find fault or find a problem.  I have also learned that some students just don't want to be helped at times and I have to respect that. I am aware that the above sounds very negative, but I'm not saying this to be negative, but just to show how I have learned to cope. I truly enjoy teaching, and I actually learn new things all the time. So as a new teacher, I have started setting limits on how much time I spend on my career. I have learned to reach the students I can, and hope to reach the rest. I have also learned to slow down because there is no end. Learning these things has made a big difference in the way I feel when I walk into the building.

Open Mic---Jennifer Whitfield

What kind of legacy will you leave? This week we found out one of our primary subs at our school was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. Mrs. Nix is a legacy in our county. She retired many years ago after teaching a lifetime in Cherokee county. During her tenure she impacted so many lives. Then after retirement she couldn't leave the classroom instead she decided to return as a substitute. She is a very stern old school style teacher. She is the sub you want for your classroom because you know your students are in the best hands out there.
There are so many people reaching out to Mrs. Nix letting her know how she impacted their lives and how grateful they are for having her as a teacher. This has led me to the question what kind of legacy do you want to leave? Some teachers approach the end of their career and "check out" a few years before retirement. This was not the case for Mrs. Nix she even in retirement continues to touch children's lives. I hope at the end of my life I am able leave a legacy that is similar to that of Mrs. Nix. I go to work each day whether it is in the hospital or the school with the goal to have a positive impact on at least one person's day. It is easy to get bogged down with the next report we have to turn in or meeting we have to go to that we sometimes loose focus on what is really important. So with that I challenge myself and you to make it your mission to have a positive impact on at least one person's day today.

Open Mic, Candice

I am really enjoying my first year as a CTE teacher.  Instructing students in the field that I am so passionate about is very fulfilling.  I have come to realize that I need the students just as much as they need me.  This first year of teaching seems to continuously present challenges but every time I have a student that has overcome  one of the challenging tasks that I have presented to them I get inspired.  I am so very thankful to have had the opportunity to attend the New Teacher Institute this summer .  I felt that the boot camp ( as Dr. Burns referred to it as)  really helped me to keep up with the fast pace of the start of the school year.  I am looking forward to being able to get more creative in the classroom when things lighten up just a little.  There are some awesome veteran teachers in my environment that are very supportive and I am so thankful to them.  I look forward to many years as a CTE teacher.

Open Mic

First of all I want to say how blessed I am to be in a career position I have always dreamed of. I have worked hard to get where I am and I am still working hard. Some of it is a bit overwhelming but yet I know I can do it, I look at it as something that is going to make me stronger. J Not only am I blessed with the career position but also the school and teachers. We have a unique school that reaches out to students that are “at risk”. I’m very blessed to be with this school and work alongside teachers that are so supportive and loving to those sometimes “hard to love” students. Our teachers have a chance to give these students opportunities that everyone else has told them they do not have. They help the student find what motivates them or become their motivation. Our school is small and each student is different and unique. There could be a student with 4 credits or only needs 1 credit to graduate. Every time a student completes all of their credits (graduates) there is an announcement through the whole school, “I’m pleased to announce “student’s name” has graduated from Lanier Charter Career Academy today”. The cheering and clapping can be heard from a mile away as everyone in the school participates in their victory. We all will have an impact on a student and I hope and pray each day I am helping bring joy and hope into these students lives that they may not have. Each day I will make a difference even if it is just showing love and support. 

Open Mic - Casey

     The predominant thing for me this week has been having substitute teachers in the classroom. Last week, when I was absent, I had a student stick gum in another student's hair. When I returned, I was so frustrated with the students for their misbehavior. This week, I had to be absent because my son was sick with a stomach bug. When I returned to class today, my students had no behavior issues with the substitute. My coworker always says that you don't want a sub your students like because they will run right over that person, and I have truly found that to be true. I also am learning the type of work not to give and the type of work to give the substitute when I am absent. 

     Also, nearing the end of the term, I am finding that students are hitting their "terrible twos" as I call it where they test every rule. I find that if I'm not just as strict on my rules now as I was in day one, they will take a mile. I struggle with this because I don't always want to be so stern, but I know I need to be more organized and prepared in class. The days I come unprepared and disorganized, the students are hard to get back in order for a couple days afterwards. With having a substitute 4 days out of the last 10, it has been a major struggle to maintain order in my classroom. I keep telling myself that I always have next term to fix my mistakes. The important thing is that I am continuously learning from my mistakes!

Week #4-"Open Mic"-Give One Back- Gina

  So this is interesting that "open mic" falls on the week of our faculty meeting when we were encouraged to think of times in our teaching career that we have touched a student.  In sharing those stories we began to realize that our impact on specific students may not ever be known to us or if it is may be further down the road.  With that being discussed, it brought to light the question that we all had to ask ourselves.  "Have we told a teacher or teachers how they impacted our life"?  As you could probably guess, the answer would be for the most part no.  Sadly, so many of us have great stories of that amazing teacher that helped or guided us, but we never go back and thank them.  Stop and ask yourself right now-who was it that touched you?   Have you gone back and told them how much it meant?
  In my career as a Sportscaster and in Theatre, and I guess you can throw singing in there as well, I have to be on stage or camera in front of hundreds even thousands of people.  I wasn't always the outgoing, verbal person I am today.  I looked back and evaluated my relationship with certain teachers.  I began to see a pattern of encouragement from my second grade teacher, third grade teacher and then my fifth grade teacher.  Now my second grade teacher, is by far the one that stands out and encouraged me to get in front of the class and read novels.  I enjoyed reading and never thought anyone would enjoy hearing ME read aloud to them.  With her encouragement of, "you have a great strong, clear  reading voice", "you should read to the class" among other encouraging statements.  She helped be find courage to get up there and do it.  The first time I read to the class, I thought they would laugh at me or be mean because they were jealous.  But, my teacher was right all along they enjoyed it, and so did I.
  The same thing happened in third grade, the teachers never spoke about me but saw the same talent.  I was so excited that two teachers now felt my voice, reading and speaking ability was good enough to get in front of the class and read a novel.  Fast forward to fifth grade, I still was not quite so sure about the stage but knew I kinda liked it up there.  My fifth grade teacher pulled me aside one day and asked if I could have my mom come to school and meet with her and I one day.  Scared and unsure what that meant, I told mom to come.  The message was, "your child has a gift, she needs to be heard.  I have never assigned a student this position but feel like I want her to narrate the entire fifth grade play for the school and sing a solo." This was a big deal and a job I took very seriously.  I have it on an old VHS tape and it makes me smile every time because I could see that is when my confidence in myself started to bloom.
  I still see those teachers frequently and they smile, hug me and say I knew you would be doing something on stage and talking on camera.  They tell me how proud they are.  I want to make sure they know how thankful I am for giving me a chance, when I was so unsure of what they were asking me to do.  To some this may not seem like a big deal, but to me it made a difference in how I thought about myself.  I began to think about professions as I grew and went through middle and high school that would let me speak and talk to people on stage and camera.
  My final teacher came in high school, my theatre teacher that not only encouraged my singing but that I could do anything.  She gave me the role I had always dreamt about and fulfilled that hope in my life.
  All of these teachers contributed to what and who I am now, however small or large.  They all saw something in me that I didn't.  Through encouragement and confidence I eventually started to believe what they were saying.  I am going to try and contact all of them.  One of them I have told and they know how much I loved them.  The rest I have never told.  So, I encourage you to find that teacher that touched you, helped you in a tough time, encouraged you to find your talent or just was there to vent to.  Find them and tell them thank you.  As teachers now, you see how much a simple thank means.  Give one back.

Open Mic (Jan)

Do you ever feel like you are sinking in a hole and things keep getting piled on top of you? Well, that has been my week. My unexpected absence last week has pushed everything to this week. There have been department meetings, faculty meetings, observations, test to be given, papers to be graded, lessons to plan. Not to mention wedding preparations, homecoming dress shopping, laundry, dishes, etc., etc., all in four days!! I am exhausted mentally and physically. The pinnacle of my emotional stress hit me the other day when my son moved out pending his wedding on Saturday. I thought I was ready. I was wrong! Savor the moments that you have with your children they grow up way too fast! Work will be there tomorrow and I will eventually dig my way out of that hole, but this weekend, it is all about my family!!

Cali - Question of the Week September 22 Response

I covered the subject matter of Impressions v. Observations during the week.  It was during the activity  section of the lesson when I felt this is what teaching is all about.  The students were really engaged in the lesson and activities that were included.  My lesson included activities wherein students were broken into small groups to perform the activity.  I was able to use information learned through NTI to select the groups which created balance in each group.  The friends seemed to enjoy working with different students than the students they are friends with.  It was a great feeling as I watched the students interact with each other. 

Question of the Week Response for September 15th

The things that I would do differently Is to be prepared for unexpected events that occur during class such as announcements or an excessive number of students missing from class due to field trips.  I had a lesson to teach, but did not want to teach the material as planned on that day because so many of my students would have missed it.  I did not want to use an emergency lesson plan, so I needed to have a lesson that would still be interesting and meaningful.  In the future, I will create small lessons that will reinforce the current material for each unit for "just in case days" such as that day.  I want to prevent kids from thinking they will have a class of playtime because there are a lot of students absent.

Open Mic 9/29 - Elissa

Hello,

Is it Christmas break yet! ha kidding:/ So Perfect timing for open mic night as I had my first observation from NTI today. This week was a lot better for me than last week. He came in and I have 10th graders doing knife skills. I am walking briskly around the kitchen trying to make sure all 33 students needs are met, their knife cuts perfect, and that safety and sanitation are in order. I am writing down 33 students comments, taking grades, and making sure I cover all of my NTI bases. Doing this while still trying to be a human....Needless to say I am tired. I have decided after these 2 months of being back in school to have a substitute when I go on maternity leave that can not yes I repeat can not go into the kitchen. Yes I can get a Chef to teach 190 high school students maybe how to cook OK,but,.....does she/he have classroom management? Can they take grades, deal with adolescent attitudes, know how to approach parents, create a working relationship with admin and other teachers? These are things that I as a micro manager are worried about. What about if someone gets hurt in the kitchen, or classroom, cheating, or a piece of equipment breaks, a pest infestation occurs? All of these things have lead me to get a teacher who knows how to run a classroom and go over chapters in my subject area that have nothing to do with cooking or going into the kitchen! ahh that is my open mic for the week finally making a decision on how to leave my home away from home for 12 weeks!

Chasity-Question of the Week September 22:

Every semester I teach my students the IRAC format.  The IRAC format is a legal critical thinking tool that I learned in law school.  It is a useful tool in all subject areas.  Students (and some adults) can tell you the starting point and the ending point, but it gets a little cloudy in the middle.  They understand the end, but they cannot explain how they got there.  The IRAC format teaches them to critically think through the issues presented.  I taught the IRAC format and I got the blank stares and I knew that most of my students were slightly confused.  I kept teaching it everyday with every scenario that we used.  By the end of the week my students were able to apply the IRAC format in my class and explain to their classmates and me how they could apply the IRAC format in other classes as well (science, math, language arts, etc.).  I felt like I had given my students a tool that they could use for the rest of their academic careers.  It was very affirming.  I will continue to use the IRAC format in class as a tool for students critically think through the issues presented.  FYI – IRAC stands for Issue (Question Presented), Rule (Applicable Law), Analysis (Application of the facts to the rule), and Conclusion (The answer to the question presented).