November 8 Let's Try It Again
Since noone responded to the last prompt and to be fair, I didn't check until this week, let's take two of the questions and focus on them this week.
What are you most proud of thus far?
What do you think you still need to focus on in the last month of your experience?
Share with each other.
posted by Chris @ 9:17 PM
5 comments
5 Comments:
So far, I am most proud of how comfortable I feel teaching. I know that it is probably an obvious thing that you assume will come the more you practice it, but I am so happy that I finally feel like a teacher!
During this last month, I am hoping to do a better job of circulating throughout the room while I'm teaching to get a better idea of how every student is doing and helping to keep kids on task. Since my mentor teacher never really let me "take over," I am looking forward to some afternoons that she planned doctor's appointments so I will have the class to myself with a sub! It is such a fine line to cross, it is just easier to not step on any toes when they're nowhere to be found!
Rosie- I know exactly what you mean about the comfortablity in the classroom. It is so nice to enjoy coming to work every day and feeling like a real teacher. I don't think it is obvious to everyone either. Not everyone feels comfortable teaching, and I think it is a testament to your love of it that you feel so comfortable so early on.
This week I feel most proud of the comments Ms. Liff and I got from the parents at parent/teacher conferences. Almost every single one said that their child expressed a love for our class. And one even said that her child would now rather take a book to read on a family trip than her i-pod. That was one of those moments when you really realize how much of a difference you can make.
I am hoping to do a better job talking to individual students. Some students I feel I know really well, mostly because they are the ones that get into the most trouble. But some, the quiet behaved kids, I unfortunately don't know that well, other than from their writing. I want to make a point of talking with those kids and gathering their interests, because they don't get enough attention and desreve to have a great experience in this class. I am also looking forward to those doctor's appointments. :) I feel now that the TPA is over and I am stress-free, I should be focusing on my own lessons; however the experience has been quite the oposite. Ms. Liff has sort of felt that my completion of the TPA was her cue to take back her classroom. I feel a little pushed out.
I am most proud of my ability to stay calm when their are angry parents or students. Also, of the community that has been built in 4 out of my 5 classes. (The fifth class still needs work).
I am hoping to do a better job of teaching with the end goal in mind. Whatever we are assessing I need to make sure that the students have at least a basic understanding of what is being asked. Even though we have been giving the rubric far in advance, and going over specific skills, students are still struggling with understanding. Part of that is behavioral issues, but I want to make sure I'm doing everything in my abilities to drive home the necessary skills.
PS-Sorry for the late post; it has been a hectic past couple of weeks. My trip to Ireland and Norway were spectacular, despite being sick! Then it was crunch time on the TPA--My goal is to have it completed today and revise the next week...Also, we had conferences from 12-8 yesterday, and we had the most parents (about 5 really angry parents...). Literally a line of at least 4, giving us no breaks. When they couldn't attack our grading of their students, they would attack that it must be the "student teaching." There were a lot of great parents too...who said they loved English now, and that they wish I was staying longer. It was just hard seeing some of the parents being so hard on their children and calling them disappointments right infront of them, while trying to blame it on the grading, us, or any other scapegoat. With the new grading system, it has definitely been a challenge.
Rosie-That must be hard not getting many chances to have the class to yourself. From what Chris shared in her visit, it sounds like you have a natural talent for teaching, so that is a plus in your situation!!
Emly-(Thanks for answering one of my TPA questions!) I'm glad your conferences went well! Definitely making connections with the quieter students is a challenge. Maybe if your mentor teacher is pushing you out, then you can use that time to try and make connections with some of the quieter ones?
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