Sunday, July 1, 2012

Blog Post #9

What I've Learned This Year..

Joe McClung At A Teacher's Desk First year teacher Mr. Joe McClung went to the internet to post a reflection. The reflection was great. He gives us several tips. His blog was elected for a teacher blog. Which I thought was killer, since he was a first year teacher!

Mr. McClung said the most important thing was to stay positive. He learned a TON. I hope to keep this in mind. I might need to post this in my classroom. "Stay Positive!"

How to Read the Crowd


He said that he had been watched by so many teachers in college grading him that he had forgotten about the most important people..the KIDS! The students and how they are comprehending your lesson are the most important crowd. I totally agree. I went through student teaching this Spring and I thought about my grade more than the students. In college, you are taught to worry about everyone watching you and your grades. The kids don't matter in college. But in the real world they are the only people that should matter.

Be Flexible

I loved this part. No lesson goes as planned. You have got to be quick on your feet. You can't always stick to your plans. He says that the lessons you teach are never the one you planned. I am so totally down with this. I am not one to stick to something. I think quick on my feet and don't like having to stick by some "plan". Now, I understand that there are few people like me. More people who have to stick to their "plan". I wish I could give them some stress relief, because they are going to need it.

Communicate

Mr. McClung said to communicate with the people you work with. I am a talker. I am a very friendly and outgoing person. I have run accross many who aren't. Many will ask you for your help or plans, but will not help you in return. But if I don't help someone I find myself feeling guilty. We all must learn better communication skills. It is the pathway to building relationships with other teachers.

Be Reasonable

Okay, this was right on. Most of the time we set our expectations too high. These are KIDS! He said that he forgot that. He said that many forget that. I know this is true. I am not saying that kids can't reach great or high expectations. I know they can. But I know they are kids too! I have a kid in the school system. I think once you have your own child in the system, your view changes. Yes, my child is highly intellegent. However, do I think he is pushed too hard sometimes? Yes, I do. I think the schools need to give kids "free time". If it is only one hour on the last Friday of every month. Kids need to be kids. How about no recess in Alabama? Are you serious? Did these "law makers" not have recess themseleves? Where they not once a kid too?

Don't Be Afraid of Technology

Technology is our friend. He said jump in the water feels fine. I was scared of technology. Now I am not. No, I don't know everything. Do I know more than I did? Yes, I do!

Listen to Your Students

I believe this is the most important piece of information that I have read all summer long. He said listen to your students. You must get to know your students. This is my passion. I talk to my students. I take time with them. It only takes a minute. That's all these kids want is a minute. Come on! You have no idea how many classrooms I have been in and the teacher is too busy worrying about facebook or their own children to listen to their students. We may be the only one listening. I knew more about all my students than any teacher I worked under. I sat by them at lunch. I talked to them during class. You have time. I want my own son's teacher to talk to him. How can you be with these kids for 9 months and not know if they have a brother or sister?


Lastly.. Never Stop Learning

It is never too late to change your way of thinking. We work in a learning enviornment. So why would we not want to learn? You must be a life longer learner.
New Teacher


Mr. McClung 3rd Year

Mr. McClung made it to his third year teaching. This was the first time he had stayed at a school for a second year. He was now a head coach, which was new to him. It was his first experience as a computer application teacher. he had new and exciting things going on. He was at the same school, but things were very different from the last year.

Know Who Your Boss Is

We are here for the kids! I thought this was so great to hear someone say. I don't believe many think this way. I think many need to start.

Don't Expect Others to be as Excited About Change as You Are

This is an understatement. He says that not every teacher wants to learn something new. I can say yes I have been guilty of this. I think we all have. I like going to learn new things. I think it is fun. I thought was a great statement Optimism can create barriers in the teaching profession. Because you will teach with teachers who are not wanting to learn or change a thing.

Don't be Afraid to be an Outsider

He said don't be afraid to be you. Stand up for what kind of teacher YOU are going to be. Don't follow the crowd. I think outsiders are great. I was called "the rebel" by Mrs. Amy Dees. I am not afraid to speak my mind. I don't care if I am an outsider. It fits me well.

Don't touch The Keyboard

Mr. McClung said that a fellow teacher, whom he had an outstanding relationship with told him this: Don't touch the keyboard! He means let the students do it for themselves. Don't take over the task..allow the students to take over. I believe in some cases this is going to be tough, but do it. We are to stand back. We are to allow the students to learn.

Don't Get Comfortable

We are to never get comfortable. When you get comfortable, you get lazy. We can't afford to get lazy. I enjoyed reading his blog. I thought he had very good points. I believe it was very helpful.

5 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hey Lori, I enjoyed reading your blog. I agree with you on a few things. I think we as teachers should really get to know and listen to each other and our students. I found out so much about my students and their families when I taught Kindergarten it was very heartwarming and shocking all at the same time. They will tell you anything and everything! Sometimes it’s good and sometimes it’s bad but we have to keep an open mind and stay positive for them. Also, I think we can get comfortable as teachers but we just need to know when it’s too much, where we get lazy and we need to always be on our toes thinking of new things that will motivate our students. Great post!

    ReplyDelete
  3. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Original comment removed to correct two spelling errors.

    "I went through student teaching this Spring and I thought about my grade more than the students. In college, you are taught to worry about everyone watching you and your grades. The kids don't matter in college." How unfortunate!

    "Now, I understand that there are less people like me." Fewer, not less. Less refers to something that can't be numbered such as "less sugar in your cake" while fewer refers to something than can be counted such as people.

    "I have ran accross many who aren't." have run not have ran

    Thorough, thoughtful, interesting. You really put yourself into this post. Well done. Proofread.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Previous comment removed to correct two spelling errors.

    "I went through student teaching this Spring and I thought about my grade more than the students. In college, you are taught to worry about everyone watching you and your grades. The kids don't matter in college." How unfortunate!

    "Now, I understand that there are less people like me." Fewer, not less. Less refers to something that can't be numbered such as "less sugar in your cake" while fewer refers to something than can be counted such as people.

    "I have ran accross many who aren't." have run not have ran

    Thorough, thoughtful, interesting. You really put yourself into this post. Well done. But PROOFREAD what you write.

    ReplyDelete