If I were to reflect back on the previous week, I would think the most beneficial part was having my mid-term grades being decided by our supervisor and my co-op. It gave me strong reinforcement of what aspects I need to apply more time to and develop more as I become closer to being on my own. I also felt that picking up another course (five classes total) to be a true eye opener and a benefit to my overall planning and preparation. I am on an accelerated process in order to get me prepared for Stroudsburg and it is really tough keeping up with our detailed lesson plans with five classes, but I am adapting and keeping up.
If I were to change one aspect of the previous week, it would be not dedicating so much time to our clinical studies homework and spending more time on my lesson plans. My chief concern the past weekend and week prior to that was handing in quality work in last Monday's class and then handing in quality lesson plans. The equation should have been reversed- lesson plans then Clinical Studies work. I wish I used this updated equation because this past week I because I took a HUGE step back in my teaching and preparation; I feel the students lost out. My Word Processing class went so bad that I re-taught it the day after I had to take a sick day; this turned out to be a huge benefit for the students because they really seemed to grasp the material after I had time to prepare a quality lesson. I am fully prepared for next week and I know it will go much smoother. Hope everyone's week went better then mine!
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First of all, Congratulations on the Stroudsburg job Jonny. That is awesome!! I have picked up my fifth class now as well and it definitely involved more planning. Sometimes we do have bad days, but as long as you are learning from mistakes, that is what matters most. It will only make you a better teacher. I'm sure this coming week will go much better for you. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI completly agree that we need to be first be focused on creating excellent lessons and then focusing on doing good work for Clinical Studies. I feel as if I did the same thing last week and this should not happen. Hope you have a great week ten! Congrats on the Stroudsburg position.
ReplyDeleteJonathan – You’re right. Professional semester should always come before Clinical Studies. Professional Semester is five days a week and Clinical Studies is once a week.
ReplyDeleteVery simply, it’s all about time management.
If you look over the Clinical Studies syllabus, there were two very light weeks for assignments preceding the March 9th deadline, on February 26 and March 2 (also no class).
In the February 19th class I advised everyone to work ahead on assignments for the midterm.
I’m not sure when you began your midterm assignments or the Community, School, & Program Part II assignments, but I was hoping student teachers would not leave assignments until the week before it was all due.
Teachers learn very quickly that time management is key to being a strong teacher for your students, your fellow faculty members, and administration. Every challenge is a lesson. :)