Saturday, January 14, 2012

Teaching and Learning...my point of view

I am glad to say that I think I have made the right choice in my profession. I am a firm believer that we are lifelong learners, and these past two weeks I have learned so much!

My biggest lesson, inside and outside the classroom:
Expectations should be on an individual basis. Some are actually giving all they possibly can, and some are giving just what they can get by on. A good teacher, friend, or listener will be looking for the answer. My expectations of each individual is based on what I would be willing to do for them (student, friend, coworker, relative...). Realizing that some are doing all they can has been a lesson learned. I know..."everyone is fighting their own battles", is the old saying. Remembering this daily --is the lesson!

High School...
If you give them an inch....they will take a mile, if given the opportunity!
If I am only catching 1/10 of what they are doing...what are they actually getting away with??
Testing boundaries is going to happen, but it goes both ways!

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Times have Changed

I stepped back into the classroom as a teacher this week. This experience, along with all of the things I hear out of my own children has given me a perspective on change.

Do you remember when....

hunters had gun racks in their trucks?

the school did not have a group of people dedicated to technology?

the teachers used chalk and erasers?

police officers on campus meant something BIG was happening!

there were classrooms without air conditioning?

shorts were not even an option for school (so how short was not an issue)?

there was no gum chewing or food/drink in the classroom?

PDA meant a trip to see the principal?

everyone stood for the pledge of allegiance AUTOMATICALLY?

Well, times have changed! Some for good, some not so much. I am sometimes amazed at what I hear and see in school today. I am certain that much of it was going on back when I was in high school, I just was not paying attention. Technology has certainly opened up a new way of life and has also crippled us to a point. I know that this post is showing my age, but with age comes experience. I will take wisdom from experience over being a teenager again--everyday of the week!

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Bring on 2012

I have high expectations of this year. I have never been one to make resolutions, because I never keep them. We are going to call these things I want to happen...and we will see how it goes from there.
1) Journal more regularly. I want my kids to be able to read about the things they did and as my memory starts to fade...and it already comes and goes...it is much more sensible to write it down.
2) Blog...lets shoot for weekly!
3) Be more positive--LOOK for the upside.
4) Be a better friend--remember everyone is fighting their own battles
5) Graduate College! Speaks for itself!
6) Make a difference-Because you can-Where you can.
7) Finish! I am terrible about starting projects and getting bored with it and moving on.
8) Listen more, talk less. This is hard for me. I like to talk, but I am sure there is a reason why we have two ears and one mouth.
9) Pray and talk with God. He is listening, but I must work on the connection.
10) LIVE LIFE! Don't put off till tomorrow, who knows if you'll get one.