Tuesday, May 31, 2011
My first year as a teacher
Things I have learned about being a teacher:
1. You must have an infinite amount of patience...and sometimes, you will lose it. However, it always comes back. If it doesn't, you might want to get a new profession.
2. Most children do not fancy learning about the rules of grammar. Period.
3. Sometimes, what seems to be the impossible is in fact possible. All my eighth graders albeit only two classes passed their writing assessment for the state. While my outlooks were dim that all would pass, they surprised me. I think it wasn't my faith lacking in the students. As a first year teacher, I think it was faith lacking in myself. The day I read their scores, I cried. I cried out of pride for myself and mostly for them. It is a moment I shall never forget as long as are my days on this Earth.
4. You are often sometimes the only person who shows them warmth, care, and love. Sometimes, all they need to hear is I love you. Even when they are bratty 12 year olds who think they know everything. And sometimes, the grown ones like my 14 year olds need the same as well.
5. Don't give up even when you want to.
6. They will try to find mistakes in your powerpoints. AND, they WILL. Don't worry. It makes them feel special if they correct the teacher;) Proofread.
7. Always use proper grammar in the classroom regardless of the subject you teach. Even if you don't think students look up to you they do. I drove my kids crazy as I should being their English teacher about not using country or ghetto slang in my room. Often, I would hear double negatives, "I ain't go no pencil, Ms. Belle...Did you ask me to read number foe..."etc. I would always make them restate using proper grammar. Sometimes, you think Dear Lord above, is this doing any good? Are they even listening to me? And yet, they will surprise you. At our talent show at the end of the year, one of my students was helping host. He used a double negative, caught my glance, and said into the microphone, "Let me restate that." He corrected himself, and said aloud, "Aren't you proud, Ms. Belle?" You know what, if it sinks into one, that's progress. I know they tired of me correcting their double negatives, explaining that doe is a female deer not a door, mines are what miners mined not a possessive form of mine, foe is an enemy and not the number four, fixin' to does not mean "going to" because fix means to repair, and that brung is simply NOT a verb nor a word for that matter.
8. Somethings are worth using from grad school. One of my professors said classroom management (which I could attribute to parenting possibly as well?) is like driving a car. Having the foot on the brake from the start makes it easier for one ease up instead of having one's foot on the gas to start and then trying to slam on the brakes to stop it.
9. Did I say have lots of patience? Ha!
10. That having a summer off is such a treat.
My goal this summer is to learn to cook. Keyword: try
Don't worry! I'll update you on my endeavors for sure.
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11 comments:
Happy summer to you! I'm so proud of you for such a successful first year!
What a HUGE accomplishment! Enjoy your summer off!!
So sweet! Enjoy your break! I tried to post on your last entry but it wouldn't let me. I've seen mercury glass tutorials all over the internet... most of them are in silver, but I'm sure you'd just have to switch the paint to gold and its the same thing. Those votives are gorgeous!
Coming from a 10-year teacher, I so agree with all of this! I hope you enjoyed your 1st year honey! Hope you had a fabulous Memorial Day weekend honey!
I'm having an amazing giveaway! I'd love you to check it out and enter to win. Stop by and see. Have a great day! Kori xoxo
www.blondeepisodes.com
Congratulations on surviving your first year. I know it wasn't easy for you and I'm so happy and proud of you!
Yay happy summer!! This is so great to read. Teachers are a special breed!
Happy summer to you! Today was my first day of summer vacay too... until I start teaching summer school ..blah!
I do remember being proud correcting my teachers if I ever caught them slip up!
Have a great Summer!
Congrats on your first year of teaching! It gets easier as you go.
Your list is SO true! I'm glad I survived my first year teaching too :)
That sounds like a great first year of lessons! That is so exciting about your kid's test scores! Just last week my best friend called me almost in tears... 8 of her third graders scored perfect on their state math test!
Now enjoy your summer! (:
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