My advice to new student teachers would be to take every day as it comes. There will be great days, there will be good days, and there will be bad days. When each day is finished, think upon it and reflect why it went really well, just okay, poor etc. and remember that for the next day.
Also, my best memories of student teaching were having fun with the students. I have found the students don't have to have their heads pounded into the books all day to learn information. Just make sure you are having fun, and the students will soon follow.
Last bit of advice: I am one of the world's biggest procrastinators. I never had my lesson plans in 48 hours in advance because I always put it off; this made my life miserable.
After I started having my lesson plans in 48 hours in advance, it completely made my life easier. Instead of sitting in the library for hours upon hours trying to get five lessons around for the next day, I would only have to prepare for five lessons that were in the future so the pressure was less and I had more time to develop the lessons.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Week 15
Wow! Finally made it. I would have to say not having any Clinical Studies work to be the most beneficial part of my week. It is a nice feeling knowing that the semester is coming to an end.
Also, the most beneficial part of my week was having an Act 80 day last Monday. I got to meet the other business teachers from the middle and high schools, which was nice to collaborate and discuss what everyone is teaching. A department Wiki page was created so everyone can keep in touch, which I am finding beneficial.
If there was an aspect I would have changed in the past week, it would be being more tough with my 6th period computer class. I gave them an inch, and they took a foot. With the weather becoming warm, the students getting tired of Microsoft Access, and the year coming to an end, discipline has had to become a factor during the period. By Friday, the class is under control and everything is fine.
Glad we all made it to the end! Congrats everyone!
Also, the most beneficial part of my week was having an Act 80 day last Monday. I got to meet the other business teachers from the middle and high schools, which was nice to collaborate and discuss what everyone is teaching. A department Wiki page was created so everyone can keep in touch, which I am finding beneficial.
If there was an aspect I would have changed in the past week, it would be being more tough with my 6th period computer class. I gave them an inch, and they took a foot. With the weather becoming warm, the students getting tired of Microsoft Access, and the year coming to an end, discipline has had to become a factor during the period. By Friday, the class is under control and everything is fine.
Glad we all made it to the end! Congrats everyone!
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Week 14
The most beneficial part of my week was laying a strong foundation of rules in the previous week's class. I am really pleased with how the students are behaving in my classes. There are some minor interruptions which you would have in any class, but for the most part, the students are really well behaved.
It is amazing how different it is when you have your co-op to rely on when you are student teaching. If there is any problem/questions with a class I always had someone to turn to for advice. When you are teaching on your own, its all you! It is almost bittersweet because you can have the freedom to run your class how you like, but when a problem arises, you have to figure it out completely on your own (which isn't bad, just different from student teaching.) Tomorrow I have an Act 80 day, I am looking forward to that new experience.
Again, this week is similar to the past; I am completely satisfied with how the transition has gone with teaching at a new school. Considering how difficult it is picking up six classes at the end of the year, everything has gone rather well. The students, faculty, and administration have been really great throughout this learning experience and I look forward to the upcoming week.
It is amazing how different it is when you have your co-op to rely on when you are student teaching. If there is any problem/questions with a class I always had someone to turn to for advice. When you are teaching on your own, its all you! It is almost bittersweet because you can have the freedom to run your class how you like, but when a problem arises, you have to figure it out completely on your own (which isn't bad, just different from student teaching.) Tomorrow I have an Act 80 day, I am looking forward to that new experience.
Again, this week is similar to the past; I am completely satisfied with how the transition has gone with teaching at a new school. Considering how difficult it is picking up six classes at the end of the year, everything has gone rather well. The students, faculty, and administration have been really great throughout this learning experience and I look forward to the upcoming week.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Week 13
The most beneficial aspect of my past week was having my own classroom. It was a great feeling to finally have a set of keys and enter "my" classroom. Monday was an interesting day because the substitute teacher stuck around to help the transition go more smoothly. The students were very unruly and their behavior was completely unacceptable. Tuesday was a whole different story. I went over my rules with each class and explained how respect is the number one rule in my classroom; the students must respect themselves, their classmates, and the teacher. I saw a completely different group of students and the rest of the week went great. It was also nice that Easter break fell when it did. It gave me adequate time to to get used to Stroudsburg without overwhelming at the same time.
To my delight, there isn't one thing I would like to change with the past week. When I observed the students' behavior on Monday I thought, "boy, what did I get into". After introducing myself and getting to know the students, the rest of the week went better than ever expected. Numerous teachers stop in my room periodically to see if I need anything and have any questions, which I have many of. I have a great group of teachers always willing to help which has aided me in my first week at Stroudsburg. I really look forward to the future when all of our classmates will soon have their own classroom. I know that everyone is completely prepared and all will be awesome teachers.
To my delight, there isn't one thing I would like to change with the past week. When I observed the students' behavior on Monday I thought, "boy, what did I get into". After introducing myself and getting to know the students, the rest of the week went better than ever expected. Numerous teachers stop in my room periodically to see if I need anything and have any questions, which I have many of. I have a great group of teachers always willing to help which has aided me in my first week at Stroudsburg. I really look forward to the future when all of our classmates will soon have their own classroom. I know that everyone is completely prepared and all will be awesome teachers.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Week 12
I found attending FBLA to be the most beneficial part of my week. I never imagined how big of an ordeal FBLA really was. I was also amazed with all the planning that was devoted to get 3,900 people together and have it run smoothly. Although my assistance wasn't entirely needed at FBLA, it was nice to see fellow classmates and spend time with them on a personal level, outside of the classroom. It was a benefit being surrounded by my classmates for 3 days; whenever I had a question about homework or creative ideas for my lesson plans, I always had a resource (a classmate) to help get me going in the right direction. I wish I could have shared an apartment with someone in the BCIT program for it would have been great to always have someone there to collaborate with!
It was really nice coming back to the classroom and teaching on Thursday. The students were excited to see me and and many said they were happy to have me back. That was nice to return to. Also, Friday was my last day at Crestwood. Many students came up to me and said really kind words, some even made cards on Microsoft Publisher. I never imagined the impact I had on these students' lives until they explained how much they were going to miss me and how much they learned. It was quite touching.
If I could change an aspect of my week it would definitely by my stress level. With the FBLA conference, having to move to Stroudsburg, and beginning my own classroom the same day the training presentation is due, I just wish there was more time in a day. Thank goodness the semester is winding down! Hope everyone has a great week!
It was really nice coming back to the classroom and teaching on Thursday. The students were excited to see me and and many said they were happy to have me back. That was nice to return to. Also, Friday was my last day at Crestwood. Many students came up to me and said really kind words, some even made cards on Microsoft Publisher. I never imagined the impact I had on these students' lives until they explained how much they were going to miss me and how much they learned. It was quite touching.
If I could change an aspect of my week it would definitely by my stress level. With the FBLA conference, having to move to Stroudsburg, and beginning my own classroom the same day the training presentation is due, I just wish there was more time in a day. Thank goodness the semester is winding down! Hope everyone has a great week!
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