Howdy! Please answer the following questions for this week's blog. At the next class we will be reviewing for your On-Going training final exam, PPR review and test taking strategies and information as well as talking about the Theorists and vocabulary you will see on the PPR exam. If you have missed more than one class and have not met with me and taken care of your make-up hours and make-up work then please email me (blmontoya@ccisd.us or dookietexas@yahoo.com) so we can plan your next steps. Thanks and see you Monday night, 1/25/10 at 6pm!
1. Reflect for a moment on your current teaching practice. What do you think is your largest area of professional growth since the beginning of your school year?
2. What do you think is your weakest area in your teaching practice? What are you planning to do to strengthen that area?
3. If you had one piece of advice for a new teacher based on your experience to date what would that advice be?
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The area I feel better about is "confidence" I feel better about my ability to use the classroom and to be "with it" I am still feeling like a newbie though. I still feel alone some of the time and still use my network of friends from ACT and ask them about who, what, when, where, etc. but overall I am more confident. 2) I still feel like I don't have enough hours in the day to feel right about my lesson plans etc. I always feel like I have left something out. I am woking on trying harder to be better and faster aobut my lesson plans. 3) Follow through on everything. from the time you sign on the dotted line with ACT follow through. Take every opportunity you have available to you to get training, get as much training as you can even if it means losing some of those Saturday's Do it ! Follow through. I am a prime example of this. I did not follow through and was hired and worked for six months before anyone from ACT OR CCISD was aware I even existed. No Mentors, No help, just floundering...so I tell everyone follow up.
ReplyDelete1.
ReplyDeleteHaving survived my first semester of the first year in the CCISD at Ray HS, with all the mentors, opinions, courses, classes, frustrations, and challenges, I have to say that among all the careers I have been involve in my relatively short life, teaching is the most challenging, difficult, and amazing task one can experience.
I was told that I go very well in one-one teaching set-up, especially while tutoring, and while involved in an individually oriented 21st Century teaching program. I always liked a small-groups teaching strategy, and feel very comfortable to teach in front of smaller classes. My current teaching practice is focused on managing classes with 27-30 students, which means giving all the energy into teaching to the class and not “to a whiteboard”. Things that seemed almost impossible and horrible at the beginning, talking especially about classroom management, are getting more and more smoother and doable, with growing confidentiality and personal trust in “I can do it”. I probably have a huge content to “sell“ regarding knowledge of mathematics and strategies, but the problem is to use it as much as efficiently to reach the majority of students, who - let’s be honest - are not very motivated or even not interested at all. What I am enjoying lot is my personal and professional growth though, both in quantity and quality of classes, offered by the school district itself. The preparation and assistance given to all new teachers is pretty amazing, and I am learning a lot, both in and outside of my classroom.
2.
As I mentioned, my weakness - probably the first of many - is managing behavior and engagement of all the students all the time. After the first PDAS evaluation, it came clear that I have to work on limiting lecturing to the minimum, engage more students on hands-on activities, pacing material more slowly, giving sufficient time for taking notes, and checking activities and worksheets individually, re-teaching eventually the entire content, if necessary. All those observations, I try to implement step by step during the teaching process, working very hard. I was told by other colleagues that the first two year are the most difficult indeed.
3.
I would tell to a new teacher to get an excellent coach and mentor in first place, to be extremely patient with himself/herself, and with the students, observe carefully what’s going on, be involved visibly in post-school activities - if possible - and to do all the necessary documentation and paperwork in time. Certainly, I would also say to stay fit, exercise, and keep some quality hobbies. Good sleep, and daily rest are mandatory, and staying too late after the school should be out of question. Collaboration, interest, self-motivation, and continuous studying are also a must. Teaching is a spiritual task, and a strong spiritual attitude can be very helpful.
1) My biggest area of growth since I started working in the school district has been feeling comfortable in my position. I came in and have learned so much. I am the first behavior specialist for the school district and feel that I have come a long way, but still have lots of room to grow!
ReplyDelete2) Balancing my time between 5 campuses has been a challenge for me. Between observations, attending ARDS, preparing recommendations, and documentation I feel very limited on each campus. My plan at the beginning was giving each campus a day of the week, but I have had to change that. There are ups and downs at every campus at different times and sometimes all at the same time. This job requires me to be flexible with my time and prioritize what needs to be done.
3)My piece of advise is to ask for help when needed. I have had my share of questions and I know I will continue to have them.
My biggest area of growth is realizing that I don't have to get it all done in the first month or first semester. (Although with my one semester class there was more of a demand for that!!) I have found that I have developed a trust level with students that I had doubts about and that the kids themselves have settled down and started helping to "manage the classroom" with me, both in terms of their own behaviors, their accepting the patterns I have set down, and their managing one another instead of me having to do it. I have realized that being organized is one of my best friends, and not taking care of myself my enemy. I am starting to get away from school more, exercising more and laughing more. What a gift. I would tell a first year teacher to use his/her insticts. Don't try too many new things too soon. (I did.) Above all, get to know your students and keep it simple at first. Let you students see that you love your subject. That will make them want to love it too. Know what you want them to come away with every day, and then have a design for them to learn it.
ReplyDelete1. My largest area of professional growth since the beginning of the school year would certainly have to include the learning of the SEM and my ability to write IEPs properly. It took me several days to assimilate the Manager’s functions, and I lost a fair amount of sleep trying to figure out how to go about choosing solid goals and to generate the IEPs, especially since I hardly knew the students whose IEPs were due within a few weeks of the school’s start. Now, I can write IEPs in my sleep!
ReplyDelete2.The weakest area in my teaching practice is being able to plan lessons that reflect
the needs of students in different grades and of very diverse mental developments. I have to learn to teach cluster grades, lessons based on functional core subjects, and my lessons must also be designed to include the prerequisite skills found in the TAKS-A to help my students prepare for these assessments. I find it extremely difficult to balance functional classes and TEKS centered lessons, even though the skills required are introductory skills. I also have the disadvantage of not having a basic curriculum established or chosen by the school. I have had to build most of my instructional material. Assessment tools found in Brigance have become my little friends. My only hope is to spend the summer looking online and doing research on some of the best available curricula for my student population and learn from the pros how to plan great lessons that meet most of my students’ needs.
3. The best piece of advice I can give a new teacher is to NEVER hesitate to ask for help from experienced teachers. It is simply a huge mistake to wait and try to do it on your own, especially when you are unsure about a procedure or need guidance with a tricky situation. Whatever problem you are facing, most experienced teachers will have the knowledge and expertise you are seeking, and most will be very glad to help. I have been so richly tutored this past year by some of the best of the best. One only needs to remember to ask.
So many thoughts go through my mind as I attempt to answer your three questions, Ms. Bonnie and other fellow teachers. First, I teach three sections of AP seniors which are semester courses and then three regular US History. The overall problem and concern for me is the lack of enough time to do justice to these two courses Macroeconomics and Gov/Politics. On the positive side, I have a very good handle on all my course materials and texts, so I am able to focus more on the individual student and hers/his learning and measure of academic growth. However, even there I fall far short!!! I have also documented ALL emails, phone calls, and messages from parents, other teachers, students, and administrators for referencing when needed! Also, I have followed up on all calls, emails and department "to-do" list and memos.
ReplyDeleteOn the negative side, however, I am too complacent in not grading all my academic papers, tests, and quizzes fast enough and then not posting them on eschool plus for students and parents to see in a timely manner! I plan to change all of that this semester!! Further, I tend to take too personal any things negative that is said, either to me or from third parties about my classes - it sheldom happens, but even once or twice can bring me down!!
My meager advice is similar to what one of my mellow teachers stated on this blog: "never hesitate to ask for help from experienced teachers" and to find a good coach/mentor! Also, even though we are the professionals and have college degrees, we can and go learn from our students and fellow teachers!! Thanks for a fine Phase II.
Awesome posts! Each one of you is remarkable and I am very fortunate to be part of your experience!
ReplyDelete1. Since the biginning of the school year, I would say that my biggest area of growth has been with my time management! Don't get me wrong...I still have a ways to go, but it has definetly gotten better! That is a terrific feeling. I now know that it will only continue to get better and better as time goes on and I continue to gain experience as a teacher. I realize that it is very important to balance my work time and personal time, so as not to burn out !
ReplyDelete2. I must say that I have two weak points that are definetly worth mentioning! First, would be learning to release some of the small classroom jobs to the students. This gives them a sense of responsibility and frees up some of my time to accomplish other tasks throughout the day! I know it makes sense, but the "very structured perfectionist" side of me can't seem to make that release happen. I am working on it however!!! Second, I would say is knowing when to make that phone call home. Finding that balance between handling it at school and getting a parent involved. I really want to handle it at school whenever possible, but I also realize that I may be setting myself up, as well as the student, for a tough situation. I suppose I just do not ever want to over react or under react either. This too is a work in progress!
3. If I were to give one piece of advice to a brand new teacher it would have to be a bit of advice that I am still trying to keep in mind every single day...and that is that it is o.k. if you don't get to every lesson every single day!! I was told this by several wonderfully experienced teachers before the school year ever began, and now I get it! And I now know that it is really o.k.! It does not make me a bad teacher. I is simply the reality of some days! But you can bet that I still continue to try just about every day!!! The difference is that I know that it is the reality of teaching for most all teachers. You learn to prioritze and move things around to best suit the needs of your class. Then you keep on truck'in, being the best teacher you can be each and every day!
The area that feels like I've experienced the most professional growth so far this year is getting used to how the math curriculum program is presented. We use TEKSing toward TAKS and I'm finally getting comfortable with recognizing where it needs supplementing so the kids understand it better. The language they use in TEKSing sometimes goes over the kids' heads so I'm learning to trust my own judgment in knowing a better way to present some of the new concepts to my students.
ReplyDeleteThe area of weakness for me I think is still classroom management. I'm learning how to find the balance that works for me AND the students. I've had those days when I finally go a rowdy bunch of kids to settle down and be quiet, only to realize that they still weren't engaged, they were just unhappily very quiet. Maybe I don't need to necessarily shoot for a quiet room but one where the talking helps the kids with the task at hand.
For a new teacher just starting out, my only advice is to ride it out and every day gets a little easier. One day at a time...
1. My biggest area of professional growth would be my lesson planning ability.
ReplyDelete2. The thing I need to work on is reflection...being honest about what worked and what didn't and then tweaking it for the next time.
3. My advice would be to not take things personally...the students' attitudes for example.
1.My largest area of growth has been learning how to handle special ed paperwork and how to keep my campus in compliance. I had no idea that my job as a special ed teacher would include chasing parents down for signatures and running ARD meetings and preparing all the IEP's as well as co-teaching and resource. (I work for a charter school, what can I say) This year was trial by fire for me, and so far I have prevailed.
ReplyDelete2. My weakest area is organization. I feel pulled in so many different directions that I can't focus on any one thing. I need to prepare early and stay on top to lesson the chances of falling behind. I have to plan weeks ahead to make sure I stay on top of things. I have to use a desk calendar so I don't miss anything important. This has helped me start to organize my weeks.
3. My advice is to have classroom procedures setup immediately. It is so much easier to manage a classroom when every day starts the the same and every student knows the expectations.
1) My biggest growth is confidence. I have learned a lot but I know there is so much more to learn. Now I know the meaning of bell work, as soon as the students felt there was free time, they would get loud. I can easily make group activities to get the students busy. 2) My weakest area is the lesson plans. I really don't know how to write them to make it look good. I wish somebody would have told me or really explained to me in detail. I understand now that my classroom management was not good when school started and it really showed. I have now gained control but it could have been better. 3) My advice to a new teacher is to ask, ask, and ask. No question is too stupid. I felt that I was left in the dark, so when school started I was really lost. Be prepared from day one. I was'nt.
ReplyDeleteI believe that my largest area of professional growth since the beginning of the school year has been a boost in my teaching ability. I feel like I am more confident and know what I am doing which allows me to have more fun while teaching.
ReplyDeleteI believe that my weakest area is organization of used materials. I need to take more time to organize materials used for each theme and put them in specific containers. This way if I need them again I don’t have to waste time looking for what I need.
My advice for a new Pre-K teacher would be to have lots of behavioral signals to get the kids to listen and stop talking. Another idea is to use singing as a transition and a way to get the student’s attention without having to raise your voice. It took a while for me to learn to use these signals instead of raising my voice for my students to stop talking to listen to me. However, the most important advice I could give would be to remember to use repetition, repetition, and more repetition for rules, signals, and procedures in order for your students to remember to follow the rules. Lastly, don’t hesitate to ask for help or advice.
My largest area of professional growth since the beginning of the school year is my command of my job. I know my responsibilities and I know my abilities. Where once I had trepidation at starting new ventures without approval, I now know what areas are mine to determine; students are engaged in many aspects of theatre, and my life experience in labor, education, scholarship, construction, the sciences, and the arts—coupled with my somewhat increased confidence as an educator—are resulting in many and diverse projects attuned both to the TEKS and individual student interests.
ReplyDeleteThe weakest area in my teaching practice is that I show frustration during class. In an attempt to remedy this weakness, I am engaging in tactics to lessen my frustration by deliberately reminding myself before some particular classes start that I have been frustrated—sometimes visibly so—and that that frustration affects my abilities as an educator.
My advice to a new teacher: HAVE A NOTEPAD READY when you start a job, always have it with you, and write down new details that come up in conversations/meetings—even the ones that you think you are going to remember! I missed (or forgot!) too many and diverse little tidbits of crucial data during that hyper-survival teacher mode during the first two weeks at a new state/district/school/subject. That failure left me playing catch-up for months on several things.
Blog # 11
ReplyDelete1. My largest area of professional growth since the beginning of the year is my increased confidence. I have learned so many new and wonderful teaching techniques since I started my alternative teaching program. This information has helped me learn to make lesson plans much quicker and better than when I started. I have also advanced my management techniques much farther than I expected in such a short amount of time. However, I have found that the job of a teacher is much more concentrated time, so sometimes the learning curve progresses at a faster pace. I have also gained much cultural knowledge about the students and how necessary classroom management skills are to a teacher.
2. Even though I have learned much about classroom management skills since I started teaching here in the USA, it is still one of the most difficult parts of teaching, especially in high school. I find that the high school students here are much more independent and many have very strong personalities that can be difficult to deal with. In Colombia, where I am from, teachers are highly respected by students and their parents, but they are not highly paid. Another small problem that I must deal with is my Spanish accent when I am speaking English. This can sometimes create communication problems with my students. I am always working hard to speak better English and I will have to work harder on my management skills and be sure to remember that “I am large and in charge!”
3. My first advice to a new teacher is to stay organized and always be prepared. Take charge of your class from the beginning and use the teaching techniques that you have been taught. Don’t be afraid to ask other more experienced teachers for help and suggestions. I feel that one of the most important things for all teachers to remember, whether they are new or experienced, is to continue to learn and refine your techniques, because students, teaching tools, and the world are always changing.
1. I think my largest area of professional growth has been discipline. Don't get me wrong I still have a lot growth left in me, but I feel like I have come a long way in determining what is causing the issue and how to best address it.
ReplyDelete2. My weakest area is that I really do care if my students succeed. I want everybody to do their best and for each of my students to want to do well in school. I say that is my weakest area because I have a hard time handling situations when my students don't care how they do or what will happen to them. I am trying to live in the moment and I keep reminding myself that every day is a new day.
3. You really can be a good teacher if you want to be. Wanting to be a good teacher is more than just willing yourself to be a good teacher. It is learning from other teachers, taking the time to learn your subject, and having the courage to admit when you are wrong.
This is my second year at the Behavior Classroom. I feel a lot more confident in what I am doing with the students. I am finding out what works and what doesn't along with what I am allowed to do and not to do.
ReplyDeleteMy weakness is the paper work. It is a long slow process of learning everything you need to know dealing with the ARD process, IEP's, and all the TAKS information. I am attending any and all trainings offered to me to learn all I can as fast as I can.
My advice to a new teacher would be to make contact with your mentor as soon as you get started. I wasn't assigned one until the second year. Find a fellow teacher you can get to know that will let you pick their brain whenever you need to without bothering them.
1. I feel as though I was already very geared content-wise for teaching many topics, but relating those issues to children has been an area that I have grown considerably. I now have a total control over what I would expect my 6th, 7th, and 8th graders to already ready know and what they don't - what language is too intense, and what procedures are too much. Specifically I am more in tune with what it takes to understand their mind and how to relate to them interpersonally. The people skills.
ReplyDelete2. My peers would agree that my weakest area is classroom management. Honestly I feel like I babysit more than teach and I would rather it not be that way. Now, I have grown considerably in this since the start of the year - but I still have a long way to go.
3. Don't ever get a generalist certification. I expected that I would be teaching any of the subjects in my certificate range - that goes with the flow, but I never expected to be teaching different subjects at the same time. When you are trying to spend most of your time focusing on the areas you want to (like management, engagement) I spend more time lesson planning and prepping.
MS SPEAR
ReplyDeleteI would have to say that being patient,driven and trying over and over is something that is an all day thing in my special education life skills classroom. I have so many different students, age, disability, level of performance, and more. Also teaching is such a fulfilling and difficult job, who ever thinks teaching is easy-I would say come try it for a day. I have learned so much from my students it is amazing. I have to say that I have a weakness in sometimes coming up with enough different ways to present the same lesson at all levels for them to understand and still teach the TEKS/objectives. Some of the advice I would have to say is to have patience and understanding and to never give up trying. There is so much that teachers can offer to students and I am blessed to be able to be a teacher and impact lives as well as my own. Thanks
1. Reflect for a moment on your current teaching practice. What do you think is your largest area of professional growth since the beginning of your school year?
ReplyDeleteThe area of professional growth for me has been my skill of lesson planning. It has become quite easier now that CCISD/MOODY has provided us with online lesson planning. The format they have provided has enabled me to provide concise information for my students and me in a more proficient manner.
2. What do you think is your weakest area in your teaching practice? What are you planning to do to strengthen that area?
The most difficult thing for me in the classroom is the ability to keep the students focused. Teaching Spanish tends to become difficult at times due to the lack of keenness and interest that has plagued this area for a long time. I may try the “life experiences” approach more often. I am weary about getting too personal with the students and let too much of myself shine through.
3. If you had one piece of advice for a new teacher based on your experience to date what would that advice be?
The best advice I can pass on would be to “beg, steal, or borrow” any lesson that is going to help you in the area you are teaching. I am fortunate to work with an extraordinary department whereas any new/old technique that is used or discovered, is shared with everyone and anyone who is willing to use it in their classroom.
1. Reflect for a moment on your current teaching practice. What do you think is your largest area of professional growth since the beginning of your school year? I think that I have improved in my overall confidence in working with the kids that I work with (special education, BI students) and that has allowed me to have higher expectations for my students and provide them with a greater level of structure that they need.
ReplyDelete2. What do you think is your weakest area in your teaching practice? What are you planning to do to strengthen that area? Having the confidence with other staff members...I am a professional also and know my students well. I need to be able to stand up to certain staff members to best advocate for my students.
3. If you had one piece of advice for a new teacher based on your experience to date what would that advice be? Plan a lot and set your expectations very high.
1. I think the largest growth tus far into the school year is the relationships I have developed wwith my students. I have learned that when you show them you care about their academic progress they will go out of their way to make you proud!!
ReplyDelete2. I think my weakest area would be in going to Professional Development sessions. I plan to go to some sessions during the second semester. I have reached out to other teachers to give their advise on which one's would be the most useful to me.
3. I would tell them to stay confident and to get to know your students becuase once you do it becomes easier to manage them!!
My largest area of professional growth would have to be classroom management. It was a little difficult getting used to controlling a group of people who always try to get you off task, but I've started to get the hang of it.
ReplyDeleteMy weakest area is definitely organization. I have been trying to correct this since the first day of the school year, but it's a hard habit to correct when you have been a disorganized procrastinator your entire life. I just try to get one part of my job organized a day and hope that one day it all comes together.
Set your foot down with all of our students on the first day. Be strict and consistent; you are not their friend, you are their teacher. Once you get this into their head, as well as your own you can start to relax and be more lenient. This is mainly for the new teachers that teach the older students; I've seen doing the opposite turn out badly for too many people.
1. I've been trying to get away from direct teaching and trying to use more activities, especially ones that deal with literacy and writing because that has been something our campus has been focused on this year.
ReplyDelete2. I'm still very weak in pacing and assessment. I go faster than I probably should sometimes and I assume students have paid attention and learned the material at hand and then I beat myself up when they fail tests.
3. My advice is to seek advice. The great lessons that I've had this year has come from other teachers giving me advice. We don't have to reinvent the wheel because there are others in the profession whose years of experience can be an invaluble asset if you seek it.
I think that my largest area of growth since I started teaching in October is understanding of processes and procedures at my campus. I have become a little quicker and now know why we must do a lot of the things that we do as teachers. My weakest area is timing. I need to work more on my timing in my classroom so that I do not end up rushing at the end of the day to complete assignments. If I had to give advice to a new teacher I would say assume nothing. This goes for students, teachers, and administration.
ReplyDeleteWhat I have learned is that it is important to be organized and ready for class. The more organized that I am, the better I will teach that class and the better the class will be. Often it simply means having things planned for; such as, if you finish early with a lesson having something else to do in the remaining time.
ReplyDeleteWhat I need to work on is understanding the system that I am in and what that system expects of me, such as what meetings do I attend, and what paper work to turn in.
The advice I would give a new teacher is to hang in there and don't worry about every little thing that has or will go wrong.
1. I think the largest area of professional growth would know that I am doing a good job. For awhile, I didn’t think I wanted to continue to teach because I was so stressed out thinking that I wasn’t doing a good job. Now that I have the confidence in myself, I am able to be a better teacher. I know I want to continue teaching and this really helps because I’m not so stressed about working. I still have days were things don’t go as plan, but the best thing about being a teacher is knowing that there is a new day.
ReplyDelete2. The weakest area in my teaching practice would be classroom management. I’ve always said that I need better classroom management. I know what I need to do for next year and how I will go about implementing it.
3. The one advice I would tell the teacher is to really emphasize classroom management. I’ve learned not having good classroom management can hinder instruction. I’ve gotten better, but I’ve learned what I need to do.
My largest area of growth is classroom management. I have a structured agenda that is consistent and my students know my expecations. So well that when I have a sub, they try to get away with it but the following day they already know what is going to happen for inappropriate behavior. They come in saying, "I know we messed up privileges have to be earned until we know how to to show PRIDE with a sub. they use thier hand signals when they need something, they know thier schedule of what subject is going to be taught. They do not ask repetion questions cuz I just point to the student duties vs. teacher duties wall and the rule board.
ReplyDeleteMy weakest area is teaching reading. I have had sent to staff developements for reading strategies and to a JET visit to see how reading is taught. My biggest area of concern is teaching a multilevel classroom.
My advice for new teachers will be this: "never take it personal. Your most troubled student is the one that needs you the most. Listen to your students, gain a good rapport, and its ok to be wrong. Have good classroom management and develop a good behavioral management system that will benefit all students in a positive manner. Negativity gets you nowhere."
1. The greatest growth in my professional development this year has been in my collaboration with other teachers and being able to learn from others and use their experience. I relied too much on myself when I started making lessons and I feel like often times they were not very effective. I now meet with other teachers in my department to develop a plan of attack for units and we come up with progressions of effective lessons and activities.
ReplyDelete2. Organization is definitely something I could improve in my classroom. I want to develop an archive of everything I do this year, but often times I put it off and past lessons seem to pile up. Time management may be the real culprit here. I seem to always have a million things I'm trying to do and I end up cutting corners in my organization to make things work.
3. For someone just coming into teaching, the advise I would give them is to use the help around them. The wealth of experience others can contribute to your class/ skills will help the new-teacher learning curve.
1. The greatest growth in my professional development is taking the leap and becoming the school distict's autism specialist. Although it is much to remember, I have gone through intensive training and have met some terrific people along the way that are in the same field as I am.
ReplyDelete2. Something that I can improve on is beleiving in myself and asking for help when I am needing it. I have always been the type to just sit back and listen to others but I realize that I need to get in the game and go after what my dreams are...and that is to become really comfortable being in charge of ARD's. It is really hard to not underestimate myself being a first year special ed teacher.
3. When coming into teaching you have to have an open heart and believe in yourself and your students that you are there to be the best possible and they will see and feel that and know that it is important that they do the same. Never let them settle for less.
1.My ability to teach science has grown tremendously. Last year I taught math only and this year I am planning science. I have been to the first science boot camp and learned alot there. I have been to other science staff developments as well.
ReplyDelete2. My weakest area is probably ELA. I am still getting used to teaching it and the more I practice it and review my lesson plans the better I am doing. I am also reading and reviewing books that explain how to teach writing.
3. It's never as hard or as easy as you think and it's not a 7-3 job.
I do believe that I have learned to be prepared in my fast moving classroom; my students are small and need lots of structure.
ReplyDeleteProfessionally I have seen a growth of me personally in open communication with my principal and other teachers for planning.
I would consider my weakest area in my teaching is not having enough materials in my classroom for my students, I plan to order materials and structure my room for my students because I work with autistic students.
Don’t give up it gets better once your students know what you expect from them they will know how to behave in your classroom.
1. Reflect for a moment on your current teaching practice. What do you think is your largest area of professional growth since the beginning of your school year?
ReplyDeleteMy largest area of professional growth by far has been me able to know how to differentiate instruction and modify work for my students. When I first began teaching I taught that every child learned the same way and a lesson was prepared the same way for everyone. That is so far from the truth! I know now that I must have different teaching strategies for different students.
2. What do you think is your weakest area in your teaching practice? What are you planning to do to strengthen that area?
My weakest area is learning all the paper work, disability codes, and acronyms that are associated with special Ed. I think that I have to study more about my profession as a special education teacher and learn the lingo.
3. If you had one piece of advice for a new teacher based on your experience to date what would that advice be?
Take one day at a time and do not be afraid to make mistakes. This is a learn by trial and error job.
1. I can still recall my first day and how I was so nervous and I did not know what to expect. Now I know what to expect each day, I know how to actualy "TEACH". I had never been in a classroom environment and I really did not know what to expect and how to go about my day but now it is so natural to me and I love it. I really wished that my school was more supportive and would have prepared me a little more instead of waiting till the first day of school but I got through it.
ReplyDelete2. My weakest thing I would say it not being as affectionate to the children. My supervisor would like us to tell the children that we love them and I find this really hard to do. Don't get me wrong I do love my children but I don't feel comfortable telling them I love them I feel as that is not my role as a teacher to get emotionally attached to the students. I do give my children hugs and occasionally I do tell them I love them and it does feel good to hear that from them so I'm trying :}
3. There would be so much advise I would give this teacher becasue to be honest I didn't have anyone help me at my school. All that I know I would relay to them and make them aware of what to expect and what they should be doing. Advise is the best thing to give someone but what they do with it is up to them.
I am still learning from my experiences as a teacher. Continue to be open and want to teach and reach the motivation of each child. Second
ReplyDeletemy weakest area is directing the paras. It is hard for me because they were there before me and are in habits different from mine. Third, I would tell a teacher to not be too hard on themselves. Teaching is a learning process, get the routine, structure, rules, and be consistant, caring and forgiving. I have to do a lot of that in a BI class. Strive to insight the joy of learning.
My largest area of professional growth has been in lesson design. It has taken time to recognize how important this is and even more time learning how to effectively accomplish it.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, success in this area (particularly managing my time so that I can actually accomplish it) remains an area in which I need the most improvement.
One piece of advice:
After three months, I would find it easier to compile a list of don'ts based on my mistakes rather than a couple of do's based on personal wisdom, but I have found many successes in listening to the advice of veteran teachers. Why reinvent wheels that work?
My largest area of professional growth has been getting to know my kids, my co-teachers and resources, and the kid's parents. These relationships have proven invaluable to surviving and becoming a more effectvie teacher. I have learned the lesson plan may not be perfect and kids may misbehave, but as long as you have trust and care about the kids, it all works out in the end.
ReplyDeleteMy weakest area is preparing labs. The kids think that labs are a fun day and its hard to monitor 30 kids in another teacher's room that has a lab (no lab setup in my room). I struggle to hit the 40% mark and the kids think that lab means we are disecting something. So, they seem disappointed to use skittles as radiometric dating and coloring countless nucleotides to make a paper strand of dna. I am just gonna have to dig deeper into my shallow pockets (since I am still paying a career in teaching tuition)and buy some technology for my room. Resourcfullness is the key.
As far as advice, put your head down, wrap both arms around the ball, and drive right up the middle. lol. Seriously, its a lot like running full speed into a brick wall. Plan your day, try to plan your week, and don't take anything (and I mean anything) personal whether its a parent, a crappy kid, or even your dean of academics. You are a professional and large and in-charge of your room and whether or not you think so, your kids love you more than you know. They look to you for thier answers to life and if you can show a little compasion, you will earn their trust. Do your thing and before long, the rollercoaster ride will be over, your first year will be done with, and you can adjust and keep getting better. And, you will have some great stories to tell other newbies.
(Letty Perez)
ReplyDelete1.)My largest area of growth is lesson planning, ease of teaching, classroom management.
2.)Weakest is time management-I feel like I do not enough time in the day to complete all my tasks.
3.)Advice-Breath, speak slow, learn from your mistakes, get to know your kids, show you care. Set your expectations and follow them. Never be afraid to ask for help.
1. I did not have any experience as a public speaker, at the beginning of the year I had issues with confidence in my delivery and i think it affected how much the kids learned greatly. However I am very confident in my delivery and I can see the progress in the children.
ReplyDelete2. My weakest would be time management, I could do a better job of going to the wire. Also the kids are good at getting me off task.
3. Some people got it and some people don't!
well my biggest improvment from the begining of the year to now would have to be getting the kids to understand me more and be open to my points of views. when i started they were closed off becuase they felt i was trying to change everything they knew but i was just improving what they knew already. My classes are getting better , but we still have a couple of guys that dont bother to even try or have any motivation to better themselves.
ReplyDeletethe weekest point that i have would have to be procrastinating on all my grades and paper work, with baseball practice and the taks blocks that we have to do the day slips away sometimes to were im in a rush at the last minute putting grades in. all in all im getting better
if i had to pass some knowledge i would have to say that dont go in expecting one thing and trying to make them fit a certain mold you thought up in your head. Be open minded and change with the times flow like water
1. The largest area of growths would have to be writing my lesson plans. At the beginning of the year I was spending countless of hours doing my lesson plans. I have a better understand towards my lesson plans know and I try to put my heart and soul in them when I write them.
ReplyDelete2.My weakest would be answering all the e-mails that I get in a day. If feel that I have more important things to do than to be answering everyones e-mail. Another words I need help to fine enough time in a day to do all my work.
3.My advice to a new teacher, would be don't get involved in all activities that a school has the first year.
1. Reflect for a moment on your current teaching practice. What do you think is your largest area of professional growth since the beginning of your school year?
ReplyDeleteSince the beginning of the school year, my largest growth is classroom management and detailed lesson planning. Classroom management takes time and practicing it everyday. As for the lesson plans, at the beginning of the year my PreK teachers take turns to plan the lesson per six weeks. Well, the first and second six weeks lesson plans were so general that no specifications were provided. For example, the Texas guidelines to help select appropriate activities for the objective taught.
2. What do you think is your weakest area in your teaching practice? What are you planning to do to strengthen that area?
I feel that my weakness is the feedback. I worry about hurting a student’s feelings if the given answer or product is incorrect. So, I need to strengthen the area in feedback.
3. If you had one piece of advice for a new teacher based on your experience to date what would that advice be? Oh, boy! When teaching PreK be sure to have different types of transition signals. For example, hand signals, chants, rhymes, counting, etc.
1
ReplyDeleteThe area I feel the most professional growth. Is I am more confident while I am teaching. I feel like I know what to expect and know my material and can be confident in my teaching. And my lessons seem to flow and transition from one to the next. So overall I have to say I am more confident in what I am doing.
2.
My weakest area is probably utilizing my planning period to get stuff done. I plan to work on that by making a list of what I need to do during my planning time. Therefore I wont forget what all I need to get done.
3.
My advice would be it does it easier. And if you are coming out of an alternative certification program to sub at different schools to find where you feel comfortable. Or tutor to get that teaching experience so you know what to expect when you step into the classroom.
1. I think the largest area of my professional growth since the beginning of my school year is my Lesson Planning. Things are starting to get a little easier with and make more sense to me as I plan a lesson. When teaching my students, probing and evaluating questions, on the spot, flow as I keep in mind Madeline Hunters 7 steps (8 closure).
ReplyDelete2. My weakest area is my time management. It's been do all now and that is impossible. Things have and do get by passed if I do not prioritize. I have been forcing my self to prioritize.
3. My advice to a new teacher, based on my experience to date is if you have time in your teaching journey and can afford a great pay cut, work as a teacher aide shadowing one or two children to class everyday. Stay with the students in class. Observe the Teachers first class day in all 8 periods of the day. Remain as a teacher aide for one school year helping students, teachers and observing their different styles. All is priceless. This will help you get an idea of where you stand as a starting teacher and where you would like to improve and build upon in your future teaching career.
1) I believe I have more confidence in myself since the beginning of the year. I am not as nervous and am creating meaningful lessons.
ReplyDelete2) I feel I can improve on my organizational skills. There is always so much paperwork on my desk. I need to get organized and put everytjing in a binder. Hopefully I can get with it soon.
3)My advice to a new teacher would be find a good mentor and stick with teaching. In the beginning it is hard but It does get easier with time.
1. My largest area of professional growth are my lesson designs. In the beginning, I was depending on the TEKSing for TAKS Math program, but then I started to stray away slowly. I still use it, but I mostly come up with my own lessons now.
ReplyDelete2. My weakest area would have to be keeping in contact with parents. I definately have improved, but I find it so hard to find the time to call parents. I plan to make a list each week of parents that I need to contact...sort of like a "to-do list" and check off as I go.
3. Don't feel overwhelmed, it may seem like a lot at first, but give yourself time to adjust and settle in.
1.Communicating with the students. In the beginning of school, I didn't know how to communicate or bring the lesson across to them. Now I find it really easy to talk to them.
ReplyDelete2. My weakest area is planning my lessons. I never knew how to plan, but now I have gotten better at it. I also was not organized with my lessons, but now I am slowly getting organized and I find it much easier to teach.
3. My advice would be to always be on time. Always stick to your rules no matter what. And most importantly always be prepared before class with your lessons.
1) Since the beginning of the year, I think I have improved my classroom management skills. I tend to be on the "smiley" side and I used to be a little too nice to the kids. Don't get me wrong, I am not mean now, but I have refined my "firm & stern" voice & look.
ReplyDelete2) I think my weakest area is incorporating hands-on activities for my math students. My learning style is visual, so I tend to teach that way. I am going to stretch myself and go outside my comfort level so I can try to reach those kinesthetic learners.
3) Don't sweat the small stuff. There is wayyy too much you have to get done to get all bent out of shape when one thing doesn't go your way. Also, start each day fresh. The kids do, so we need to as well!
1.)My largest area of growth is classroom management.
ReplyDelete2.)Weakest is time management-I feel like I do not enough time in the day to complete all my tasks.
3.)Advice-Do your best we will do it better next year and next year even better. One Day we will be exceptional teachers. You have to but in the time and the devotion.
I feel that I have grown into being a teacher....I now and comfortable and understand the ropes, I do not always feel like I am doing something worng and need to ask to make sure. I feel that I have figured out how things work and that is encouraging.
ReplyDeleteThe one place that I am the weakest at is organization....others say that I am the most organized traveling teacher they know, but I do not feel that way. It is a work in progress.
I would tell that person to don't fuss over every little detail. They do not expect you to be a magician and work your magic over night so relax calm down and find your pace....
1. My largest area of professional growth is definitely in classroom management and discipline.
ReplyDelete2. I think my weakest area is in grading papers on time and providing them to the students in a quick and efficient manner so that they can learn from their mistakes. I’ve tried allotting the last 5 min of class for grading (I let the students grade their own), shortening assessments, and giving more informal assessments.
3. My advice would be to not freak out, and to just try your best because no matter what, you will mess up at least once. When that happens, brush it off, learn from your mistakes, and try your best to do your job.
1. My largest area of growth would be my organizational skills.
ReplyDelete2. My weakest area would be definetly be lesson planning. I wait for the last minute, I will provide myself with more planning time.
3. Do not put things off...grades, lessong plans.