Education Blog

                        This past week our class was asked to close our eyes, and just imagine ourselves on our first day of school, when we get our first teaching job.  We were then asked to answer the sentence “I want to be the kind of teacher who. . . ” My response was:

I want to be the kind of teacher who. . . .

Can make students smile and want to learn without them feeling like they are forced to be there.  Is fun, homourous, and always remembers what it was like to be in grades 7, 8, or 9.  The students trust, so they feel they can come to me with any problem, question, or even just a story.  Allows students to explore new ideas, while doing so in a way that best suits their unique learning styles.  Knows every student’s first and last name, as well as their interests and strengths and weaknesses.  Overhears in the hallway how great my class was that day.  Guides a student in getting from point A to point B, no matter what point they start at. . .as long as I am able to see progress is some area.  Can’t wait to come to school, and has tears when the school year is over, not because I am happy to be done, but because I am so proud of all my students and will miss them in my classes.  Possesses a great wealth of knowledge, but also enough common sense to know when the class is gaining knowledge or has lost interest.  Can manage a classroom without ever having to raise my voice.  Tries my best to develop my own, as well as my student’s, abilities, intelligences, and potentials. 

          I know that it will take time to master everything I want to be, but I need to start somewhere, and if I can start with some ideas, it gives me a better chance to work towards achieving the kind of teacher I want to be. 

          This past week we were in our schools. It was a wonderful experience! I was able to do some hands-on stuff, which I really enjoyed! I supervised 2 exams and marked them afterwards. It really helped me to see where some of the student’s skill levels were, and also helped me get to know them a little better. I also was able to begin some classes, as well as end them. It allowed me to see how I commanded a class’ attention when they were all in groups and very loud, or just coming in to class after a break.  I can see how some teachers can lose their voices!  I also observed some teaching techniques from my sponser that I will be using as my own once I begin.  Overall, I got to know a lot of the kids pretty well in the one week, and am already wondering how they are doing on their next units!   I can’t wait to get started planning my units on “The Outsiders,” “Daniel’s Story,” and The Holocaust, as well as some Literary Circles and the Medieval times!! I have so many ideas!