What I Have Learned This Year
In this blog a first year elementary school teacher shares what he feels are the top seven things
he has learned in his first year as a teacher.
How to Read the Crowd - Mr. McClung says "let your audience drive your instruction" Teachers should have student centered lessons. Don't forget it's not about you the teacher and how intelligent you sound teaching your lesson. It is about how much the students actually learn.
Be Flexible - "No lesson is always perfect. The lesson you teach and the one you plan are always different." He reminds us that things don't always go as we plan them. Don't beat yourself up when you make mistakes. Learn from them and continue on.
Communicate - Communication is the best way to resolve any issue in the workplace. Practice and build communication skills throughout your career as a teacher. Build a good communicate system with other teachers.
Be Reasonable - Remember that the expectations you are setting as a teacher are for children. Don't set them too high and be disappointed when the student fails. Do not scold a child for failing. Mr. McClung says it is our job as a teacher to pick the student up when they fail and help them recover and move on.
Don't Be Afraid of Technology - Technology is everywhere and we should use it in the classroom. Don't ecpect to learn everything in one day, but don't be scared to learn at all.
Listen to Your Students - Mr. McClung made a good point, you as a teacher may be the only one who truly listens to a student. Listen to what they have to say and get to know your students.
Never Stop Learning - We are not too old to learn. We are asking our students to learn everyday they come to class. Why can't we learn too. Learn from your workplace and well as your mistakes.
I enjoyed reading Mr. McClung's blog. You can tell form his blog post that he really has a passion for teaching and his students. These are the kind of teachers we need in today's world, especially in an elementary school. Mr. McClung made very good points and I hope I am able to follow his seven guidelines when I become a teacher.
Follow your excellent summary and you will do well.
ReplyDeleteLast week Mr. McClung posted his third annual reflection. I think they get better and better. It will take only 5 minutes or so to read the 2010-2011 What I Learned This Year I highly recommend it!
For anyone becoming a teacher following McClungs seven strategies will help them become the best teacher that they can be. His blog was very interesting and yet helpful. I also agree that we need more teachers that have a passion for their job! Great summarization:)
ReplyDeleteHey Krissy,
ReplyDeleteGood summary. I hope that you will take something out of Mr. McClung's post. He really is one of the best examples for first year teachers. Reflections like this are very helpful to future teachers.
Good job Krissy,
Stephen Akins
Thank you all for the comments. I really do hope to be like Mr. McClung and use self reflection when I become a teacher and be willing to change my ways to help my students. Also thanks Dr. Strange for the suggestion. I enjoyed reading it as well.
ReplyDelete