Sunrises

I love sunrises! 

I love the thought of a new day, a new beginning. 

Each day is a fresh new start. 

I won’t worry about the past or the future. I won’t worry about obstacles or possible disappointments. Instead, I plan on enjoying today and I will start by enjoying the sunrise. 

Sunrises fill me with joy and contentment. I want to hold on to it as long as I can. 

Original photos by Pat Hensley

The Beginning of the School Year

The beginning of school

Is the best time of year.

It is filled with excitement

And anxiety and fear.

The first week of school is usually filled

With meetings and boring paperwork galore,

And greeting friends and colleagues we missed

As they gladly walk in the door.

It’s fun to plan on arranging the classroom

And moving the desks and the tables.

It’s even fun to hook up the computers

With the gazillion miles of cables.

Deciding how to decorate the classroom

With a room full of color and lots of great posters,

I can’t wait for the room to be filled

With a whole bunch of jokesters.

It is time for getting the new textbooks

And choosing what I should teach.

What is just right for my students

And what is out of reach?

Together we learn about new school policies

And relearn all the old school rules.

We are ready for the new school year

Armed with all the tools.

Each teacher and student

will each play their part.

And hope this new school year

Will bring a fresh new start!

Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash

Welcoming New Students

In Out of My Element from Informania by Fran Bullington, she asks,
“What else can we do to put our patrons at ease and help them feel not only welcomed, but at home in our media center?”
Our students will start in our district next week and teachers start this week. This had me thinking about what I could do to help students feel welcomed and at home in my classroom.
I think it is scary for anyone to start a new situation and new classes can overwhelm many students. I think by acknowledging this for the students can go a long way. Many teenagers would rather die than admit this but knowing that the teacher understands may help them feel better.
I think it is important for students to know who I am and a little of my background. This goes a long way to establishing a rapport with them. I let them know that I love hiking and many times throughout the year, I share my hiking adventures with them. In the same light, I show interest in what my students like to do. I had one student who loved skateboarding and he shared pictures and videos with me. By doing things like this, I was able to show my students that I cared about them and that being a teacher wasn’t all about the paycheck.
I like for students to tell me about any brothers or sisters they have and where in the line they are. Are they the youngest, oldest, or the only child? Sometimes that tells me a lot in how I will deal with them throughout the year.
I also go over the layout of the school. Even though some of the students don’t need this, the new ones do and some may need it but be too embarrassed to ask. I explain where the restrooms are in each hall as well as the library, cafeteria, main office, and administrators offices. I keep a map posted in the room so I can refer to it if necessary.
I talk about the different people and their names that the students may see frequently. If pictures are available, I even show them pictures from the yearbook. I remember going a whole year one time and not having any idea what the principal looked like!
I also go over routine procedures for everyone. This includes paying any school fees, cafeteria lines (I enlist the help of those who have attended previously). There are many things we take for granted that everyone knows and I remember when I was a 10^th grader at a new school and didn’t know a lot of these things. I didn’t want to ask anyone so I tried to watch what everyone else was doing and muddled through but it was an anxious time for me.
Usually the first week of school is very chaotic and the daily bell schedule is adjusted. Homerooms are longer and classes are shorter so I post the bell schedule on the board for students (and myself) to refer to often. I also encourage students to find me if they become confused and can’t figure out where to go. Knowing that I can be a safety net goes a long way into giving new students some comfort.
What do you do to welcome new students to your classroom? Please share!
Posted on the Successful Teaching Blog by loonyhiker (successfulteaching at gmail dot com).
Original image: 'India - Sights & Culture - 027 - Chalk & flower welcome drawings'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/56796376@N00/2225262197 by: McKay Savage

Step Up to the Plate

How many times have you heard the saying, “Step up to the plate? This applies to someone taking the initiative to make something happen. This is necessary for change to happen. If no one steps up to the plate, then the status quo will be the standard and most things cannot survive in eternal status quo.

In Without them

from Seth's Blog by Seth Godin, he states,

“In my experience, once it's clear you're willing (not just willing, but itching, moving, and yes, implementing) without them, things start to happen. People are rarely willing to step up and stop you, and often just waiting to follow someone crazy enough to actually do something.”

I feel that I’ve had to do this many times. I’ve had to take responsibility when no one else would do it, simply because it needed to be done. This happens a lot in my personal life. When the trash is full, I seem to be the only one that is bothered by this overflowing garbage pit so I take it out. When the dust on the furniture is thick enough to write messages on, I will dust and polish. If I don’t wash the bathrooms, they would never be done. Unfortunately no one wants to follow the yucky stuff. Yet when I’m feeling antsy to go traveling, my husband takes the responsibility for planning the trip and working out the fine details. Once he steps up to do this, I’m willing to follow and help make reservations or other things that need to be done.

Yet at school, the big joke is not to suggest any changes or you will be in charge. This causes many people to keep their mouths shut. But I think that if it is important enough to bring it up for discussion, then I should be willing to volunteer to help make the changes. Someone needs to be willing to start the change and when others see how it will benefit, hopefully they will follow.

Over the years, I’ve been cheerleader coach and over student council. I’ve also been advisor over an assortment of clubs. But it seems like every year, there is always someone who is willing to criticize my actions or ideas under the guise of “offering advice.” I want to pull my hair out and tell them that they should do the job first and then offer me this advice. Until they walk in my shoes, they don’t realize the time, the commitment and the frustrations that it entails. It is easy to be on the sidelines looking in and deciding that certain actions need to take place. Yet, on the field, it is a totally different ballgame.

I admit that I have been guilty of being the one on the sidelines offering advice. I have to keep reminding myself that it is different when you are the person in charge. There are a lot of things happening in the background that I don’t know about and probably never will. I need to remember how it feels to be the one willing to take the risks while others are discouraging.

I feel that it is so important to be willing to jump in and get involved. That is the only way that change will happen. For example, just this Sunday, I asked my pastor why the sermons weren’t uploaded on the church’s website. As a frequent traveler, it would be great to be able to go on the website and listen to that week’s sermon that I missed. She looked stunned and said that they hadn’t gotten to that point yet but it sounded good. Then I offered to help when they did get to that point. I’m not an expert but I am willing to help make it happen. I wonder if anyone else had thought about doing this or wished it would happen. Surely I’m not the only one who has thought of this. Yet, maybe my offer to help will be an impetus to make it happen. I don’t know but we will see.

Over the years I have listened, read, and watched education pundits discuss change but only a few of them are willing to take action. Just as in basketball, a player has to take the shot in order to make it. Sure, there will be some misses, but there also may be some three point successes. But if the attempt was never made, the success would never happen. People need to be willing not only to step up to the plate but also realize that some failures may occur. These do not need to end the process but need to be considered an opportunity to fine tune and improve the attempts. Eventually, with the support of all who step up to the plate, the attempts will be successful.

What have you done lately to step up to the plate? What would you like to see happen that you would be willing to step up to the plate?

Original image: 'Baseball Home Plate'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8981778@N06/3926653542 by: Keith Macke

Let the Fun Times Begin!

I have always disliked the first week of school, even though I was excited about school starting back. I’m not talking about the abundance of paperwork, learning new school procedures, assigned monitoring duties, getting textbooks, or organizing my classroom. I’m talking about the “Stepford Students.” Now, if you aren’t old enough to remember the movie “The Stepford Wives,” then let me tell you about the “Stepford Students.” These students are wearing their new clothes and tennis shoes, have brand new notebooks, pencils, book bags, and possibly hair styles. When these students arrive, they are usually on their best behavior, don’t have many friends, and may be a little timid about new changes happening in their lives. Most of these students are eager to follow my directions and try hard to follow every rule. Now maybe you are thinking this is an ideal situation but I don’t.

During that first week, I have so many “wants.” I want to see my real students. I want to know about their real personalities and what they think. I want to know about their lives, their background, and their motivations. I want to see how they react to situations and cope with the changes going on in their lives. I want to know what they can and can’t do and how they cope with frustration. I want them to believe that I can help them and I want them to believe in themselves too.

By the second week, I’m usually more comfortable because the “Stepford Students” are disappearing. My students are wearing clothes they are comfortable in and have started to make new friends. The students who will challenge me have shown their true colors and the meek mild mannered students may really be withdrawn and depressed. Finally, these students begin to feel more comfortable and start to test limits. They want to know the boundaries and how far they can go. They have to feel that they are in a safe environment before they can trust me to teach them. When the “Stepford Students” finally disappear totally, I can be a teacher and really do my job.

When I get to know my real students, I am able to laugh with them and learn with them. I can’t teach the “Stepford Students” effectively but I can teach the real students. These are the students who may grasp a concept today but tomorrow will act like they never saw it before. These are the students who have real life issues that get in the way of their learning. These are the students who make me recognize that everyone can’t learn the same way and at the same speed. These are the students who make me feel like I really make a difference.

So, when I make it through the second week, I usually can tell that my year will be successful. It will have the usual uphill struggles but the journey is usually exciting and well worth the work!

Original image: 'Join us' http://www.flickr.com/photos/44124473190@N01/40830510 by: John Watson

Easing Teachers' Anxieties

Let’s face it. When school starts, we all face anxiety – the student, the parents, and the teacher. It is a stressful time because we are facing the unknown. The student usually doesn’t know the teacher or the new rules and may even be facing a new school. The parents don’t know what their child will be facing or if their child will be able to succeed. The teacher doesn’t really know the student or what motivates this child. Everyone wants to do their best and be successful so it is always good to start off on the right track.

In 5 Ideas to Ease "Back to School Anxiety" from School Psychologist Blog Files by Erin N. King, there are some great suggestions for easing a child’s anxiety.

“1. Keep your own anxiety in check.

2. Get Familiar.

3. Have a trial run.

4. Talk.

5. Get help if needed.”

These are great suggestions. But what can teachers do to ease their own anxiety in order to help their students? Here are my suggestions:

1. Call parents before school starts. Introduce yourself and give a little background. This will help you know the parent and the parent will have a great impression of you from the start.

2. Get organized. Plan your first week ahead of time. You may not know the kids yet but have a tentative plan of activities. Nothing is worse for you and the students if they get bored. You may have to adjust and modify but at least you won’t be starting from scratch.

3. Make a list and prioritize it. Sometimes I would be so overwhelmed by the beginning of school that I would have tons of things I needed and wanted to do. It helped me focus if I made a list and started doing the things that had to be done immediately. When I was able to cross them off the list when completed, it helped me feel like I accomplished something and kept me from feeling defeated.

4. Determine your rules and consequences before school starts. Find a way to post these in your classroom before the students show up.

5. If possible, set up your classroom before your first day of work. (My husband would kill me for saying this because he hates the thought of me working and not getting paid. I always felt like this extra effort helped me from going crazy so it was worth it!) The first week of work usually involved lots of meetings and paperwork. When I didn’t have to worry about setting up my classroom, it helped me focus on other things I needed to do.

6. Stop for lunch! This is a biggie in my book. I have seen too many teachers prepare for students and not stop for lunch. You need this down time in order to reenergize your body. This is a great time to network and bond with your coworkers. These are the people who will be in your support group when you need it. Don’t take it for granted that they will always be there for you just because you work together. You need to nurture this relationship. You also need to nurture your body. The first few weeks are exhausting and you do not need to get sick during this time. In fact, eating right will help you face these stressful times because stress wears down the immune system.

If you have any other suggestions to add, please let me know in the comments. I hope some of these will help teachers start off their year successfully. It really does help if you feel on top of the world rather than bulldozed by it.

Original image: 'happy birthday, baby mantis (hello, cruel world)' http://www.flickr.com/photos/73645804@N00/2313927146 by: woodley wonderworks

First Year Birthday

Last week was the first year birthday of this blog and I didn’t even realize it. It’s amazing how fast time slips away. I look back and think about how I felt when I started this and my reasons for starting this blog. I am amazed how this has all evolved over time.

I started it as a way to share my experiences with new teachers and struggling teachers because when I retired, I still felt like I had a lot of knowledge that I should share and not just let it go down the dream. Now I look back and see that through blogging, I was constantly learning new and exciting things. Just because I retired doesn’t mean that I stop learning!

By blogging, I started to read other blogs which broadened my whole point of view. In my teaching career, my life revolved around my family, my school, and my life in the community. Now with blogging, I am communicating with people all around the world. Through blogging, I found out about Twitter. This helped my professional learning network grow exponentially. Through Twitter, I found out about Plurk and again my network continues to grow.

By reading other blogs, I am finding out about free online conferences that are extremely informative. I am learning about new ideas and points of views that had never crossed my mind. I realize how egocentric my point of view is and this has helped to open my eyes. I am learning about other cultures and educational systems that really amaze me.

When I first started, I wondered if anyone would even be interested in what I had to write. I kept it low key but then when I got my first comment I was hooked. So, for all you veteran bloggers, I truly thank you for motivating me to continue blogging. Then I was so afraid I would offend someone or have someone disagree with me that I was a little tentative about sharing my opinions. When someone first disagreed with me, I realized that this was a great way to have a conversation with others. I might be able to change their minds or they might be able to change mine but either way, this conversation was important to me.

I put a counter on my blog because I was really curious to see if anyone was interested in reading my blog. I am thrilled to report that I have had over 26,000 visitors with over 38,000 page views. I appreciate all of you who come back to see what I’ve written and I hope you don’t ever feel it is a waste of your time.

For those of you who are just beginning, I’d like to share what I’ve learned this past year:
· I like putting in words what I think because it helps clarify my thoughts and beliefs.
· I enjoy getting comments and having a conversation with others.
· Don’t be afraid to ask for advice because there are so many others out there willing to help you.
· Bloggers are really supportive of one another.
· I like to keep a schedule and write regularly, just like you would practice for a sport.
· Adding pictures and links makes it more interesting.
· The “edit” button is my friend! I don’t care how many times I proofread it, it seems like I have to constantly go back and fix things.
· At first it is hard, but the more you do it, the easier it gets and it is fun.
· In the summer course I will be teaching, blogging will be one of the requirements. I feel it is important for teachers to know how to do this and encourage their students to do this.

Thank you for reading my blog and making me feel needed and wanted!

Happy Teaching Memory

I was asked by TJ Shay from TJ On a Journey: It has been one year since your retirement... Looking back, is there one happy teaching memory that rises to the top of the list? (also crossposted on my Life of Loonyhiker blog)

I had a boy come to my ninth grade learning disabilities self contained classroom who didn’t even know the alphabet. He looked disgusted with school the first time I saw him and refused to do any reading or writing work. Of course I didn’t know how little he could do because the achievement test he took the previous year was a multiple choice test and he had a lot of lucky guesses, which elevated his scores. I suspected that the scores weren’t accurate and called home to brag about how I enjoyed having this boy in my class because he contributed so much to class discussions. This mother was so relieved that he wasn’t in trouble and shared with me that the student didn’t even know the alphabet. She went so far as to say the previous teacher had told her not to help her son because as a parent, she had no educational background and was confusing him. I was horrified and came up with a plan of action so we both could help him in school and at home. In fact, I had lessons for him to work on in the summers too. I didn’t see this as doing anything extraordinary because I felt this is why I became a teacher. By the time he graduated, he could read on a second grade level and fill out job applications. At graduation, he came up to me with a dozen long stem red roses and with tears in his eyes, thanked me for teaching him to read. His mother said that this was all his own idea and he bought them with his own money. I was floored by this because I never expected it. Since I had this boy for four years, I developed a strong bond with the whole family over time and we are still friends 25 years later. After graduation he enrolled in the literacy program in our county to continue working on his reading. He found a good job and even brought his first pickup truck to my house to show us. I was so proud of him. I have been thrilled to see his son go through school and graduate. My student told me that because I didn’t let him give up in school, he was able to encourage his son when times got tough. I will never forget the lesson that this family taught me: that I can make a difference by teaching and it doesn’t have to be anything spectacular or extraordinary and it is so important to work together to achieve success. (When I write this, I realize how much I miss the classroom and now live vicariously through other teacher’s lives by reading their blogs!)

Photo credit: Original image: 'Roses 20' by: Karl Eschenbach

Cooking is a lot like Learning

The other day on Plurk I was telling people that I was cooking something for dinner and I realized that I actually enjoyed cooking. I never did before but now I did and I didn’t even know it until I started to think about it. When I was growing up I was told by family members how incompetent I was in the kitchen and I believed them so I never made an effort to cook. I made some mistakes and everyone laughed about it and told me I was a disaster. Then when I got married, I was had been teaching for only one year and so my life was consumed by my career. When I fed my family, it became out of necessity and not out of fun. I was usually so exhausted when I got home that anything for dinner was usually fast and easy (and I was not too proud to open a can of Chef Boyardee for the kids). Then when they became teens, it was easier for my husband and me to go out for dinner so I never made the effort. All of sudden I’m retired and now I have the time. I told my husband that I wanted to experiment with recipes and he encouraged me to do so. Now I try 2-3 recipes a week and he is enjoying this.

Is this the way students feel when they are learning? When they make mistakes do adults and peers laugh at them so they just give up trying? Have they been told by people who are charge that they can’t do something so they don’t even try? I have seen this with my students and have fought on a daily basis to change their mindset. They believe this so much that even their parents have fallen into this false belief.

Then are our students so exhausted from daily tasks that it takes too much effort to even try to learn something new? Sometimes I look at all the stuff my students had to do and was overwhelmed by the busy work they were sometimes given. My students had trouble reading and writing so many times I helped them with their homework for other classes. A lot of the homework entailed just spitting back something on paper that was in the textbook but they had no idea what any of it meant. There wasn’t any application of knowledge so I’m not sure they learned anything other than writing better.

This makes me wonder if there is a way to help students step back and learn how to enjoy learning. They need time and space to do so. With all the pressure teachers are under to meet standards and then pass standardized testing that I think we have taken the joy of learning away from our students. I remember a third grade teacher telling me that if I wanted to learn anything, all I had to do was find the right book and I would succeed. We may not be able to teach our students everything but we can teach them that anything is possible if they want to learn it and then show them the tools to find out how to meet their objective.

As the school year begins in South Carolina, I have talked to a friend who is stressing out about all that is required of her right now even though only one week of classes has passed. She doesn’t have time to worry about what the students need because she has all the regular paperwork to turn in plus benchmarks to develop for future testing plus new paperwork that is required. She is having to spend personal time to prepare for class and get her room in shape. She doesn’t have time to enjoy the art of teaching or help students enjoy the art of learning. I hope we don’t get consumed by the fears and regulations of the rule makers to forget about the needs of our students. Helping them succeed in school and life should be a priority for everyone.

New Teachers and Dancing

In Five Things That Fred Astaire and Great Teachers Have In Common, Vicki Davis talks about how Fred Astaire and Teachers have a lot in common. She makes great points and I wanted to expand more about how these points, as great as they are, could scare new teachers and how they shouldn’t be afraid.

First she says, “They Make It Look Easy… It takes a long time. Lots of knowhow, experience and practice.” If you are new to teaching, don’t let this scare you but it is worth it all. In fact, it may never actually be easy but in time you will be able to make it look easy. You will know it paid off when you see the “lightbulb” go on in a child’s head as their faces light up when they grasp a concept. You will know it the first time a student or parent lets you know that you made a difference in their life. You will know it the first time that a colleague comes up to YOU for advice or to talk over a problem.

Both have “Deep Knowledge of Their Subject.” In the field of education, I feel it is a constantly evolving subject so teachers need to constantly seek a deeper knowledge of their subject. Don’t think that once you become a teacher that the learning ends. It is only the beginning. There will always be new techniques or strategies that someone is refining to enhance learning. Some you will agree with and some you won’t. But that doesn’t mean you should not learn what is out there being discussed about your subject. For many years I just read information but didn’t really internalize it or form an opinion about it. This is just as bad as not bothering to read it. By forming an opinion about something, you have to ask yourself why you agree or disagree with something. This may lead to further searching. I found out that I was a better teacher when I knew the current issues in education, what possible solutions or discussions were happening, and then decide how I felt about it. I became more aware of my own teaching and why I used certain strategies. I streamlined my teaching and stopped doing things that were not effective in helping the students.

“Enjoyment of the Dance…It’s what we are born to do.” At the beginning, you actually may not enjoy yourself but that doesn’t mean that you are in the wrong profession. In fact, the first six months after I moved to a new school, I would wonder if I had made the wrong decision to be there. There is an adjustment period that you will go through in every new situation (the amount of time is dependent on your environment, your support system, and yourself). The first few years of teaching you will still be finding your sea legs and learning the school procedures as well as learning the best way to teach so it will be tough. Don’t give up. Don’t throw away all that you have worked for to get to this point. I have seen too many teachers give up after a year or two and I want to tell them it is like going to a movie and missing turning point. They don’t get to the good part that makes it worth sitting through the whole movie.

“A Few Good Tricks” is important for all teachers. Your bag of tricks will grow as you gain experience. Sometimes you have to be patient with yourself and not expect to know all of the tricks at the very beginning. You will even surprise yourself when you find yourself doing a “trick” that you didn’t realize you were able to do. I would get so frustrated when I couldn’t be just like the experienced teachers! I still watch some teachers and wish I could teach just like them. Then I realize that this would be impossible because I have a different personality with different strengths. So I accept the way I am and teach the way I’m comfortable with since I know I am making a difference.

“Desire to Innovate” is important to a successful career. Don’t think that because you are new that you shouldn’t try new things. New teachers are what keep our profession alive. In fact, I have learned many neat things from my student teachers and teachers who are first year teachers. In discussions, feel free to mention neat things you are doing and how successful it was because teachers like me want to know more about this and see how we can adapt it to our class.
I really love Vicki’s last comment which really hits home for me, “You've got the most noble calling on earth -- live like it!” In order for the community to take teachers seriously and treat us the way we should be treated, teachers need to start acting the way teachers should act: with honesty, integrity, and nobility.

photo credit: Original image: '039_64199' http://www.flickr.com/photos/27624703@N02/2574872941

Finding Your Wings in the Classroom

In Finding your wings, Biology professor Burton Guttman has written a book called Finding Your Wings: A Workbook for Beginning Bird Watchers (NYC: Houghton Mifflin; 2008). He talks about learning two major concepts from his students about learning: “first, people learn best by actively participating in the learning process and second; people often try to learn at the wrong time.” He decided to use his teaching experiences to design a workbook that teaches beginners how to watch birds in the field. He first teaches beginning birders to learn how to see and observe wild birds. He teaches students to look for specific features. After learning basic features, he suggests you learn common birds first and then more details before moving to learning birdsongs.

There are other important chapters included in this book. One chapter discusses proper birding techniques and etiquette. Another chapter describes how to properly use your binoculars. The last half of the book focuses on "problematic groups”…all of which I have described as those birds that teach us all a little humility when we get somewhat uppity because of our growing knowledge base.”

I’m sure by now you are wondering what this has to do with teaching. When I read this article, I wondered if this is the process we should be going through when we teach a new class. I also read a new teacher’s blog tonight: Confessions of a Rookie Teacher and was thrilled to find out that I have been able to help this person in some way after meeting many months ago. Of course with this thrill came a sense of responsibility that I feel to support this person and hope those of you who read my blog will find time to go by and encourage her too. I began to think of something I could say that might help her and ran across this article. Since Andrea is also into nature (we met on a local hiking trail as we did trail maintenance together), I thought I could relate this article to teaching.

Before we can best meet the needs of our students, we need to take a moment and learn how to see and observe students. We need to look for basic features like:
· Which students are more productive early in the day? Later in the day?
· Do the students prefer to work alone or in groups? If in groups, is it just social or are they also productive?
· What is their home life like? How many siblings? Both parents at home? Are they the oldest? Youngest?
· What is this student’s strengths? Weaknesses?
· What motivates the student?
· Which students are the leaders?
· Which students use avoidance behaviors to keep from doing work? Why?
· Which students have personality conflicts?
· Which students complement each other when paired up by strengths?

Once you have this information, you might be able to use strategies that work for those with common features. Students who prefer to work in groups might work better together. You also might be able to pair students up by looking at strengths and weaknesses, which could complement each other and focus on each student’s strength. Leaders could also be used to help others. If you know why a student is trying to avoid an assignment (by possibly acting out), you might be able to get past the behavior and adapt the assignment in order for them to be more successful.

Proper teaching techniques and (teacher/student) etiquette is also important. As for techniques, keeping in mind that what you are asking students to do is relevant to learning and not just busy work is important. Techniques will be refined as a new teacher gains more and more experience and is in constant evolution throughout a teaching career. Making sure that students see a clear line between the teacher/student relationship is essential to a long successful career. Too many times I have seen a new teacher try to be the students’ friend. Remember that students have enough friends, but not enough good teachers.

Proper use of equipment is also essential to a successful teaching experience. Learn what new tools are out there and learn how to use them. More than likely the students already know how and would be thrilled to help you learn how to use it. Build a professional learning network (PLN) that can help you keep abreast of new technology, strategies, and techniques that are effective in the classroom.

“Problematic groups” could be described as those students “that teach us all a little humility when we get somewhat uppity because of our growing knowledge base.” I remember as a beginning teacher, I thought I could change the world! Now I look back and I’m almost embarrassed at my simplistic way of thinking. Don’t fall in the trap that I did. It is good to dream and have big dreams for your students, but don’t think you know it all just because you have learned the newest things. Many of the experienced teachers have survived (and possibly even flourished) in their career by finding effective ways to deal with problematic groups. Don’t be afraid to go to them for advice and suggestions (no one said you had to follow the advice but it will help you look at the situation from a different perspective which could open up possible solutions you never thought of).

I hope some of these suggestions will help new teachers find their wings in the classroom and have a successful teaching experience!

Photo credit: Bird of Prey by Oliver Scott

My First Day of Teaching

I remember that I was going to change the world! I started out teaching in an elementary school and I was equipped with great new strategies and ideas fresh from college.

The first student I met was Jim, a 5th grader who had his leg amputated that summer because of bone cancer. His previous teacher promised him that she would be there when he returned to school. With a huge welcoming smile on my face, I watched him as he approached me, a little unsteady on his new prosthesis. Scowling, he asked me where the other teacher was and I announced happily that I was his new teacher. The next thing I know, he whips off the prosthesis and is hopping on one foot chasing me with this artificial leg trying to hit me! Of course I was running! Then it hit me...wait a minute...I'm the one in charge here and I need to do what I came here to do. This boy needs me!

That moment changed my life and was the inspiration for a long time career in teaching. I realized that I had the knowledge and the ability to make a difference in the lives of many young people and that is what my purpose in life was all about. I never regretted going into the teaching field and feel that I accomplished my goals throughout my career. Many former students have kept in touch and remind me often how much I helped them and made a difference in their life.

If you are a teacher, be proud of what you do and do it well.

The Starting Point

Where do I start?

I was asked to rank these in importance and explain why: Planning, discipline, methods, evaluation.

Discipline should be the first thing to work on. Once you have your students in order, you can teach them anything. If they learn the classroom procedures and your rules, you will be able to work with individual students in order to find out what their needs are. You will not be wasting time dealing with classroom behavior.

Evaluation comes next because you need to know what the students' needs are. Your evaluation can be through formal or informal techniques. I first determine what skills are important for a student to know and see if they are proficient in them. This can be done by making a test asking sample questions for each skill. You need to decide how many the student needs to answer correctly in order to be considered proficient. Another informal survey that I take, which I feel is very important, is to ask a student what the best way he/she learns new material. You need to find out if the student is a visual, auditory, or kinesthetic-tactile learner so you can plan your lessons to be most effective.

From your evaluation you would need to plan the best way to teach the necessary skills. Once you determine your goals and objectives, coming up with alternate assignments can be interesting and fun. I sometimes asked the students for suggestions of projects. If they feel they have some input, they tend to put more effort into the final results.

Once you have your plan, it is time to think of the methods you will use. Realistically, you will not be able to do all your lessons the same way because it would be impossible to accommodate all of the students at the same time but it is important for them to see that you are willing to try. Teach lessons using a variety of techniques so that you touch all different learning styles. You can offer choices so students can choose the assignment that best meets their needs.

You might say that all of this takes a lot of time, but if you put the time in, you will be more effective in the classroom.