As I sit here thinking about all that has gone on this semester, I truly cannot believe it is already the end of QUEST 2. I feel like I just received my confirmation e-mail stating I was accepted into QUEST 2. It is so surreal and I wish I had a video camera following me everywhere I went this semester so I would not forget a thing!
This semester has offered me so many different things that I can take in my journey in becoming an effective teacher. I started this semester not 100% sure of what to expect. But this semester was unlike any other. There were many struggles, but also so many victories. I have gained a stronger sense of who I am and who I want to become as an educator. I realized that who I am as a person will be emanated in my teaching, thus to my students. I realized how much I love working and simply being with students. In my first rotation I was placed with the most wonderful first graders. I was first intimidated by the difficulty since the students were so young and always in need- but I grew to really love each student. I loved working one on one with the students. I also loved simply getting to know them! They are absolutely such wonderful young minds that soak in so much. I really enjoyed just getting to know the first graders by talking to them and sharing with them and even having lunch with them. Getting to know them on a more personal basis has been so rewarding. I miss how they would run up to me and talk a mile a minute just about anything in their lives! In my second rotation, I was with wonderful fifth graders. The way they were so focused and determined to do well in everything they did. Being with them was so different than being with the first graders, but also a great experience. I overcame my fear of being with and teaching an older group of kids. I am more open to teaching an older age group. The students are independent and so eager to learn more. I absolutely loved both of my rotation teachers. One teacher has years of experience to offer. She was so sweet and we connected so well. She also was a huge help! She was very positive and helped me become more confident in my teaching. My other teacher offered such great ideas and organization! She did many various topics and ideas that were so fun. She was also so positive and was always so grateful for any help I offered- both of them were so wonderful! From them, I learned many great ideas that I can incorporate in my future classroom. From transitions to lesson plans- they are such great teachers. They reassured me that as a teacher, the learning continues.
The people that were in my cluster were absolutely awesome! I can say that my PLC and other people from the cluster really bonded through the journey of QUEST 2. Without their advice, encouragement, presence, support, collaboration, and kindness I would not have been able to go through this semester. They were all a great help! And so fun!
My methods classes helped ease and guide me through this semester. They were not what I was expecting to be, and in a good way. The classes and professors especially reassured me in my goal of wanting to be a teacher. All of them were so helpful and offered so many ideas. They really opened my mind and reminded me that I don't need to know everything in order to be a teacher. I especially loved my social education class. Debby and the class itself taught me to be more open and think outside of the box as a person and a teacher. She also challenged me to reflect more about who I am as a person. All of my professors encouraged me in this journey.
This journey continues on. I realized that in order to accomplish my goal of being an effective teacher, I had to sacrifice other aspects of my life to help me stay focused. I realized that the stress in my life affected my performance in my school life. I was not able to be an active officer in my church group as I usually am. I also had to pick studying over time with friends. This all seems like little lessons, but they all come together to helping me become a more effective teacher. And this semester, I really learned how I want to become an even more all around and knowledgeable teacher. I want to participate in other activities, read more books, and talk to more people to better myself as a teacher. I know there are many things I still need to improve on. My organization skills and punctuality have improved, but I know I can do even better. I also know I need to find my own way of keeping students more engaged and focused. I want to research more ways of keeping the classroom more manageable and efficient. I want to grow in an even more professional way as an educator. I also hope to get to know myself even more as a person in order to create more meaningful teaching for my future students. I hope through that, I will gain the greater confidence I need to grow in finding my style of teaching.
It has been an exciting semester! I look forward to what the next semester has to offer!
Friday, December 4, 2009
Inquiry #3- Module Responses
Module 1
I wonder why students seem to be off tasking at times during instruction. I decided to pursue this wondering because it is something that highly affects my teaching. If students are off task it can be because of multiple reasons and as their teacher, it is my job to find out why. Being off task may be because they are uninterested or they may find the lesson meaningless or perhaps the students may be off task because I do not implement a form of classroom management. What the cause of their behavior, it takes away time from instruction which is of course for their benefit. This is also so important to me because I want to be a more confident teacher as I am teaching and guiding them.
Reading the blogs of my PLC members as well as speaking to them, most of them were able to successfully convey their thought process when deciding their wondering. A couple of members were still unsure of what to do exactly- what to focus on, what to look for, etc. But after talking and sharing our wonderings, members who were confused were able to gain a better idea of what exactly they had to focus on. And with that, were able to find their wondering.
Module 2
I didn't realize the multiple ways one can gather data within the classroom until performing different assignments within the classroom. There are so many ways and with so many benefits! Some of the mediums that can be used to gather information within the classroom are student interviews, reading interest inventories, classroom pictures, observing them, running records, student examples of their work, meeting with fellow teachers in the same grade or experience, asking for other feedback and assistance from other peers- the list can go on! And what is the purpose of these forms of collecting data? All of these ways of gathering data enables the educator become more prepared, skilled, and aware of how to better teach his/her students. For example, pictures or video of the students during instruction time can help show parents how the student is performing at school or in a particular subject. Another example is talking to fellow peers. Teaching is not a field of work that can be done by one person. It is so important to learn and ask questions and advice from other teachers and professionals. Gaining information and advice from other professionals helps the teacher become a more effective teacher.
Module 3
As I reflect back to my wondering, I realize that I have many forms of data that I can use in my research plan. I can talk to my cooperating teachers, read over evaluation forms filled out by my cooperating teachers from previous lessons, look over student work, reflect over the lesson itself, talk to PLC member who was videotaping me as I taught the lesson, and of course watching the video of my lesson. All of these ways of gathering data are available to me. It is simply up to me to use my resources their full advantage. Gathering these pieces of data can be done over a period of time so it is not so overwhelming.
Module 4
After looking over my data, I have created my theory. For students to remain on task during an activity or lesson, the content of the lesson must be meaningful and engaging to the students. If behavior becomes inconsistent, I believe it is because they have lost interesting in participating because of the lack of purpose within the assignment itself.
Module 5
My Inquiry #3 can be found on my portfolio. My PLC members and I have also shared feedback and thoughts during our meeting.
Josephine's Working Portfolio
I wonder why students seem to be off tasking at times during instruction. I decided to pursue this wondering because it is something that highly affects my teaching. If students are off task it can be because of multiple reasons and as their teacher, it is my job to find out why. Being off task may be because they are uninterested or they may find the lesson meaningless or perhaps the students may be off task because I do not implement a form of classroom management. What the cause of their behavior, it takes away time from instruction which is of course for their benefit. This is also so important to me because I want to be a more confident teacher as I am teaching and guiding them.
Reading the blogs of my PLC members as well as speaking to them, most of them were able to successfully convey their thought process when deciding their wondering. A couple of members were still unsure of what to do exactly- what to focus on, what to look for, etc. But after talking and sharing our wonderings, members who were confused were able to gain a better idea of what exactly they had to focus on. And with that, were able to find their wondering.
Module 2
I didn't realize the multiple ways one can gather data within the classroom until performing different assignments within the classroom. There are so many ways and with so many benefits! Some of the mediums that can be used to gather information within the classroom are student interviews, reading interest inventories, classroom pictures, observing them, running records, student examples of their work, meeting with fellow teachers in the same grade or experience, asking for other feedback and assistance from other peers- the list can go on! And what is the purpose of these forms of collecting data? All of these ways of gathering data enables the educator become more prepared, skilled, and aware of how to better teach his/her students. For example, pictures or video of the students during instruction time can help show parents how the student is performing at school or in a particular subject. Another example is talking to fellow peers. Teaching is not a field of work that can be done by one person. It is so important to learn and ask questions and advice from other teachers and professionals. Gaining information and advice from other professionals helps the teacher become a more effective teacher.
Module 3
As I reflect back to my wondering, I realize that I have many forms of data that I can use in my research plan. I can talk to my cooperating teachers, read over evaluation forms filled out by my cooperating teachers from previous lessons, look over student work, reflect over the lesson itself, talk to PLC member who was videotaping me as I taught the lesson, and of course watching the video of my lesson. All of these ways of gathering data are available to me. It is simply up to me to use my resources their full advantage. Gathering these pieces of data can be done over a period of time so it is not so overwhelming.
Module 4
After looking over my data, I have created my theory. For students to remain on task during an activity or lesson, the content of the lesson must be meaningful and engaging to the students. If behavior becomes inconsistent, I believe it is because they have lost interesting in participating because of the lack of purpose within the assignment itself.
Module 5
My Inquiry #3 can be found on my portfolio. My PLC members and I have also shared feedback and thoughts during our meeting.
Josephine's Working Portfolio
Assignment: Edited Teaching Video Reflections
Pre-Reflection- November 9, 2009
In this lesson, I hope for the students to be very interested and excited about the topic. I will be teaching a lesson on landfills and the importance of the 3 R's- reduce, reuse, and recycle. I have been talking with my cooperating teacher, making sure that all the supplies will be ready. She informed me that she would take care of buying all of the supplies. The lesson involves an activity having the students create their own landfill in small groups. I am feeling nervous though. This lesson was suggested and provided to me by my cooperating teacher, so I hope that I deliver this lesson effectively.
In preparing for the lesson, I want to make sure that during the lesson I keep a close track of time. This lesson should take about an hour, but there are so many steps involved. I hope that I keep a strong grip on keeping within the time frame. I know the students will be excited about making this landfill (and later eating it!), so I do expect that they will be more loud than usual.
I expect that the students will have an enjoyable time learning about landfills by doing this interactive activity.
Post-Reflection- November 12, 2009
Wow! That was quite an experience! Earlier this afternoon, I taught my observed and video taped lesson over landfills. I was so nervous! The idea of me being video taped is dreadful enough, but I was also nervous about the lesson going just right. There are many different steps during the activity portion and I wanted it to go smoothly.
After teaching the lesson, I felt relieved. I think it went well. I feel good about what and how I taught, but I also feel like there are so many things I could have done better on. For example, there were many instances when the students got too loud. I found myself being a little flustered on how to get them to quiet down. The excitement of having so many different visitors in there, as well as being video taped, and the activity got them all very excited- which was great! The enthusiasm encouraged me. But I feel like I let my nerves get the best of me. But there were many great things as well. The students were so interested in the topic. I think they have gained a better understanding of what exactly a landfill is. I especially enjoyed how the lesson was so interactive and hands on, and I think the students really enjoyed that as well. Their participation was great and they all had their own role in making their group's landfill.
Even though I feel I could have done a better job in some areas, overall, I feel really great with the way I taught this lesson. And I think the students did as well.
Post-Editing- Reflection- December 4, 2009
I have finished viewing, editing, and reflecting on my observed lesson video. It was quite interesting! It took me awhile to gather the courage to watch the video. But I did so and watched the different clips of my lesson over and over in order to edit it just right. The video allowed me to really see how the classroom really was during my lesson. The video demonstrated my lack of having consistent control of the classroom. At times the students were off task when I thought they were completing a portion of the activity. Also, my methods of keeping students engaged lack firmness and confidence. The video helped me realize that I need to become more confident in myself and when I teach. Remembering back to the day I taught the lesson, I remember feeling a bit overwhelmed and flustered when trying to get the class back on track. I realize now that I need to find some way that works for me. Prior to the video, I thought that I had a strong way of keeping students engaged and on task, but it seems like it is not as consistent as I would like for it to be. So editing and watching this video has pushed me more in trying to find a better way of managing the classroom in such a way that goes along with my teaching style. Whether it is positive discipline or being more firm- I really am determined to find ways that works for me and ways I am confident in.
I realized that I really have to believe in myself and what I am teaching. If I lack confidence, that affects the way I carry myself and the way I handle any mishaps during the classroom. It has been a beneficial and insightful assignment.
In this lesson, I hope for the students to be very interested and excited about the topic. I will be teaching a lesson on landfills and the importance of the 3 R's- reduce, reuse, and recycle. I have been talking with my cooperating teacher, making sure that all the supplies will be ready. She informed me that she would take care of buying all of the supplies. The lesson involves an activity having the students create their own landfill in small groups. I am feeling nervous though. This lesson was suggested and provided to me by my cooperating teacher, so I hope that I deliver this lesson effectively.
In preparing for the lesson, I want to make sure that during the lesson I keep a close track of time. This lesson should take about an hour, but there are so many steps involved. I hope that I keep a strong grip on keeping within the time frame. I know the students will be excited about making this landfill (and later eating it!), so I do expect that they will be more loud than usual.
I expect that the students will have an enjoyable time learning about landfills by doing this interactive activity.
Post-Reflection- November 12, 2009
Wow! That was quite an experience! Earlier this afternoon, I taught my observed and video taped lesson over landfills. I was so nervous! The idea of me being video taped is dreadful enough, but I was also nervous about the lesson going just right. There are many different steps during the activity portion and I wanted it to go smoothly.
After teaching the lesson, I felt relieved. I think it went well. I feel good about what and how I taught, but I also feel like there are so many things I could have done better on. For example, there were many instances when the students got too loud. I found myself being a little flustered on how to get them to quiet down. The excitement of having so many different visitors in there, as well as being video taped, and the activity got them all very excited- which was great! The enthusiasm encouraged me. But I feel like I let my nerves get the best of me. But there were many great things as well. The students were so interested in the topic. I think they have gained a better understanding of what exactly a landfill is. I especially enjoyed how the lesson was so interactive and hands on, and I think the students really enjoyed that as well. Their participation was great and they all had their own role in making their group's landfill.
Even though I feel I could have done a better job in some areas, overall, I feel really great with the way I taught this lesson. And I think the students did as well.
Post-Editing- Reflection- December 4, 2009
I have finished viewing, editing, and reflecting on my observed lesson video. It was quite interesting! It took me awhile to gather the courage to watch the video. But I did so and watched the different clips of my lesson over and over in order to edit it just right. The video allowed me to really see how the classroom really was during my lesson. The video demonstrated my lack of having consistent control of the classroom. At times the students were off task when I thought they were completing a portion of the activity. Also, my methods of keeping students engaged lack firmness and confidence. The video helped me realize that I need to become more confident in myself and when I teach. Remembering back to the day I taught the lesson, I remember feeling a bit overwhelmed and flustered when trying to get the class back on track. I realize now that I need to find some way that works for me. Prior to the video, I thought that I had a strong way of keeping students engaged and on task, but it seems like it is not as consistent as I would like for it to be. So editing and watching this video has pushed me more in trying to find a better way of managing the classroom in such a way that goes along with my teaching style. Whether it is positive discipline or being more firm- I really am determined to find ways that works for me and ways I am confident in.
I realized that I really have to believe in myself and what I am teaching. If I lack confidence, that affects the way I carry myself and the way I handle any mishaps during the classroom. It has been a beneficial and insightful assignment.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Midterm... already?!
As I begin to reflect and write this entry, I cannot believe it is already reflection week, thus the midterm part of the semester. I looked over my first entry and it feels so long ago since I have written that.
I remember being so afraid and nervous of what the semester would have to offer. Now when I look back at the past few weeks, it went by so quickly! But, I have learned so much. My first rotation I was placed with a wonderful group of first graders. Specifically, I learned at that young age, it is so important to be stern and firm, but still loving with them. They are still craving that attention, however they need to reminded of their tasks as first graders. During class times, I often recorded notes, ideas, and advice my cooperating teacher had to offer me. She is so thoughtful and helped me realize how important a first grade teacher is. Being a first grade teacher is tough! There is so much pressure for the students to learn and for you as a teacher to teach them so much. I know that the students I have been with have learned from me simply because of the different assessments I have done with them. While teaching my lessons, I did my best to let the students' responses help guide the flow of the lesson. I learned that with first graders, you need to explain yourself very well and in parts. I think I may have given them too much at once to do, but I learned after some time that they're learning is best in parts. Also, simply working one on one with them, I practice scaffolding with them, allowing them to find the answer with the proper guidance. With the first graders, I think they sometimes expect answers and help to fall right into their laps, but I know I have helped them learn as young students because I did not give in and simply produce an answer. I sat with them and helped them to break down the question and helped guide them to the right answer.
It is a great grade to teach, but I think I may be a more effective teacher with older levels. I only say this because I don't think I want the pressure of teaching students how to write or the other very essential how to skills that is taught in first grade. For my second rotation, I will be with 5th grade. Wow, what a jump! Again, I have that nervous feeling. I am excited for the challenge, but I think I am lacking that confidence in working with older kids. Teaching younger kids, I feel the pressure of making sure they are all equipped with the vital basic skills of writing, reading, and math. Although the curriculum for higher level students does intimidate me a bit, I am looking forward to the challenge of working with the older students. I am interested in learning how classroom management is for them. For first graders, I felt I had to repeat myself over and over and it did get tiring. But I also learned so many fun and effective ways to help get their attention (different types of claps, rhymes, wiggle song). One of the biggest things I was worried about during this rotation was classroom management. It was hard for me at first to be tough with them, but I eventually got the hang of it. Instead of getting frustrated right away, I learned to model after my cooperating teacher and use the different claps and attention getters as well as incentives to help the students remain on task. I know that I learned this because once I started doing this with confidence, the students responded to me better. Also, when teaching one of my later lessons, I practiced better classroom management, the students were more engaged and on task. My cooperating teacher's comments on my observation forms were always positive and often said how I kept them engaged. My cooperating teacher always reassured me how developing classroom management is always a work in progress. I think in some of my lessons I could have gotten the students more involved instead of being afraid of handling their behavior if they got off task. But after this rotation, I definitely feel more confident in being firm with students. I learned that in holding back in correcting the students' behavior, the only thing that suffers is them. If the students are handled more properly and are reminded of what is expected of them, there can be more time for instruction, thus benefiting them as learners. I realized that you do not always have to be "the nice one" in order for students to listen and respect you. They will respect you if you do what is best for them. And doing what is best for them usually means having to get tough and being the not so nice one.
Thankfully, there has not been so many challenges within my cooperating teachers classroom. The students are so wonderful. They do drain you, simply because the day is non-stop. But I really loved it and am going to miss them. The challenges I mainly faced and still do is being able balance out everything. The work load added with the stress of everything often takes the energy right out of me. As I mentioned in my previous blog, a big vice of mine is time management and being punctual. This has been my big weakness so far in QUEST 2. I did not realize how much I would struggle with this. I think it has been very hard on my just getting used to the routine of everything. Although my tardiness has been many, it is a HUGE goal of mine for the rest of QUEST 2. I realized I need to take a more active and conscience effort in taking on my weaknesses. Half the battle is recognizing the problem, now I just need to push myself and take responsibility for what I need to do. At first, I let myself slip by. But I am learning quickly that in order to be an effective teacher, I need to give it my all. I learned that I won't be perfect and I will make mistakes. But I need to remember to be optimistic and to not let my weakness get the best of me, but rather acknowledge them and see how I can improve.
My goal is to no longer be tardy and to just take better care of myself (less late nights, more sleep, eating healthy) so that I can perform better as a teacher.
My personal goals are to take on my weaknesses head on instead of letting them defeat and get the best of me. Also, my personal goals are to get even more organized! I think my organization skills have gotten better, but I want to improve on them even more. So, another goal is to finish assignments a couple of days ahead of time instead of procrastination. Being in the school environment, I have also realized how much I love working with students one on one. I would eventually like to be a school counselor, but I put that in the back of my mind. The thought has come up more in my head and with talking with other teachers. So my other personal goal is to not go through the motions. I want to do something and know why I am doing it. If sometime does not feel right, I want to be okay and know I can explor my options. I know I want to teach, but something a couple of weeks ago was reminding me of being a counselor. I definitely want to make it a goal to take the time and look at the steps I need to take to help accomplish the goal of being a counselor. Another personal goal is to be more confident and put myself out there more. This goal applies to my PLC, my SBTE, and simply in class- whomever! I think I hold back sometimes when I teach because I am afraid if it is going to be effective or if is good enough. But, for the rest of QUEST 2, I hope to become more of my own as a teacher and to stop holding back!
Here's to the rest of QUEST 2! I'm taking ownership of what is to come!
I remember being so afraid and nervous of what the semester would have to offer. Now when I look back at the past few weeks, it went by so quickly! But, I have learned so much. My first rotation I was placed with a wonderful group of first graders. Specifically, I learned at that young age, it is so important to be stern and firm, but still loving with them. They are still craving that attention, however they need to reminded of their tasks as first graders. During class times, I often recorded notes, ideas, and advice my cooperating teacher had to offer me. She is so thoughtful and helped me realize how important a first grade teacher is. Being a first grade teacher is tough! There is so much pressure for the students to learn and for you as a teacher to teach them so much. I know that the students I have been with have learned from me simply because of the different assessments I have done with them. While teaching my lessons, I did my best to let the students' responses help guide the flow of the lesson. I learned that with first graders, you need to explain yourself very well and in parts. I think I may have given them too much at once to do, but I learned after some time that they're learning is best in parts. Also, simply working one on one with them, I practice scaffolding with them, allowing them to find the answer with the proper guidance. With the first graders, I think they sometimes expect answers and help to fall right into their laps, but I know I have helped them learn as young students because I did not give in and simply produce an answer. I sat with them and helped them to break down the question and helped guide them to the right answer.
It is a great grade to teach, but I think I may be a more effective teacher with older levels. I only say this because I don't think I want the pressure of teaching students how to write or the other very essential how to skills that is taught in first grade. For my second rotation, I will be with 5th grade. Wow, what a jump! Again, I have that nervous feeling. I am excited for the challenge, but I think I am lacking that confidence in working with older kids. Teaching younger kids, I feel the pressure of making sure they are all equipped with the vital basic skills of writing, reading, and math. Although the curriculum for higher level students does intimidate me a bit, I am looking forward to the challenge of working with the older students. I am interested in learning how classroom management is for them. For first graders, I felt I had to repeat myself over and over and it did get tiring. But I also learned so many fun and effective ways to help get their attention (different types of claps, rhymes, wiggle song). One of the biggest things I was worried about during this rotation was classroom management. It was hard for me at first to be tough with them, but I eventually got the hang of it. Instead of getting frustrated right away, I learned to model after my cooperating teacher and use the different claps and attention getters as well as incentives to help the students remain on task. I know that I learned this because once I started doing this with confidence, the students responded to me better. Also, when teaching one of my later lessons, I practiced better classroom management, the students were more engaged and on task. My cooperating teacher's comments on my observation forms were always positive and often said how I kept them engaged. My cooperating teacher always reassured me how developing classroom management is always a work in progress. I think in some of my lessons I could have gotten the students more involved instead of being afraid of handling their behavior if they got off task. But after this rotation, I definitely feel more confident in being firm with students. I learned that in holding back in correcting the students' behavior, the only thing that suffers is them. If the students are handled more properly and are reminded of what is expected of them, there can be more time for instruction, thus benefiting them as learners. I realized that you do not always have to be "the nice one" in order for students to listen and respect you. They will respect you if you do what is best for them. And doing what is best for them usually means having to get tough and being the not so nice one.
Thankfully, there has not been so many challenges within my cooperating teachers classroom. The students are so wonderful. They do drain you, simply because the day is non-stop. But I really loved it and am going to miss them. The challenges I mainly faced and still do is being able balance out everything. The work load added with the stress of everything often takes the energy right out of me. As I mentioned in my previous blog, a big vice of mine is time management and being punctual. This has been my big weakness so far in QUEST 2. I did not realize how much I would struggle with this. I think it has been very hard on my just getting used to the routine of everything. Although my tardiness has been many, it is a HUGE goal of mine for the rest of QUEST 2. I realized I need to take a more active and conscience effort in taking on my weaknesses. Half the battle is recognizing the problem, now I just need to push myself and take responsibility for what I need to do. At first, I let myself slip by. But I am learning quickly that in order to be an effective teacher, I need to give it my all. I learned that I won't be perfect and I will make mistakes. But I need to remember to be optimistic and to not let my weakness get the best of me, but rather acknowledge them and see how I can improve.
My goal is to no longer be tardy and to just take better care of myself (less late nights, more sleep, eating healthy) so that I can perform better as a teacher.
My personal goals are to take on my weaknesses head on instead of letting them defeat and get the best of me. Also, my personal goals are to get even more organized! I think my organization skills have gotten better, but I want to improve on them even more. So, another goal is to finish assignments a couple of days ahead of time instead of procrastination. Being in the school environment, I have also realized how much I love working with students one on one. I would eventually like to be a school counselor, but I put that in the back of my mind. The thought has come up more in my head and with talking with other teachers. So my other personal goal is to not go through the motions. I want to do something and know why I am doing it. If sometime does not feel right, I want to be okay and know I can explor my options. I know I want to teach, but something a couple of weeks ago was reminding me of being a counselor. I definitely want to make it a goal to take the time and look at the steps I need to take to help accomplish the goal of being a counselor. Another personal goal is to be more confident and put myself out there more. This goal applies to my PLC, my SBTE, and simply in class- whomever! I think I hold back sometimes when I teach because I am afraid if it is going to be effective or if is good enough. But, for the rest of QUEST 2, I hope to become more of my own as a teacher and to stop holding back!
Here's to the rest of QUEST 2! I'm taking ownership of what is to come!
Friday, September 4, 2009
The Beginning
The first real week of being a QUEST 2 student is over. And as I look and read over the familiar professional attributes, it becomes more apparent how necessary all of these characteristics are in working in a school and simply working with fellow students. I have a different view of these attributes because its taking these qualities and placing them in a real scenario. These attributes can make you or really break you. And even before looking at them, I know the many I need to improve on. One of the attributes I would consider one of my weaknesses to "Organization". Over the course of my school years, I really think I've improved. Comparing high school to present day college years, I went from memorizing assignments in my head to buying and writing in a planner. The thing I need to work on now is to be a consistent and more organized "planner user". I feel like one of the cool, organized girls whenever I pull out my planner. But looking at it, it looks like a big mess! I have scribbles and incoherent writing all over. And the worst part is that I forget to even look back at my planner! I do well with memorizing dates and deadlines, but that does not help when I lose track of what the date is! I know that this all ties in with organization and this is a huge thing I need to work on. But I also know that this is something I am getting better at. I realize that I need more discipline as well as simplicity as I plan.
Another weakness of mine is "Flexibility". I think I am an easy going person, but I have not grown confident enough in myself as a teacher to trust my instinct consistently. At times I feel so confident, thus willing to be more flexible and willing to adjustments. However, I am presently struggling with taking better ownership for my role as a teacher. I want to be confident in myself and trust my gut enough to be more willing and open to what may come. Thinking of a classroom full of twenty or so first graders reminds me how vital this attribute is!
Finally, I think my biggest weakness would be "Attendance and Punctuality". My trouble has to do with the latter. Preparing to come into QUEST 2, my biggest worry was being able to wake up on time. I am not a morning person- but I definitely want to be! I know this is my biggest weakness and I realize this is something I have to take a more active role in. I'm not sure why this is such a challenge for me. I do know that being on time is something I have always struggled with. But being in this program requires and forces me to get up early- which is great! I really am hoping this is the training and the push I need to become more disciplined in this area. I see how something as simple as being on time can affect me in a good way (getting class information, not getting behind) and how it can also affect me in a bad way (being behind and even lost in class). The quality of being late is not something I want to bring into my teaching career so I am really hoping that being punctual is something I can master this semester.
Thankfully, there are some qualities that I feel I am strong in. I feel that my personality is friendly and positive and I feel this makes "Demeanor". I may not know everyone, but I think my personality helps me to be more open and friendly to others. I also feel that "Cooperation" and "Patience" are two other attributes that are my strong points. I enjoy working and learning with others and I am open to others' ideas. Cooperation is great especially in times of group projects or working in groups during methods classes. Cooperation is needed to work together to bring out the potential of the group. At times, personalities may cause conflict, but that is where patience plays a huge role. The QUEST program is all about Collaboration and I have been blessed to have difficult group mates as well as very cooperative ones. The times in which the groups have been more difficult, I needed to practice my patience. It is not always easy and I do give in, (especially in times of stress) but I am realizing from here in the beginning think it is so important to not let the stress make you into a mess! Practicing patience can make all the difference and this is a strength that I do not want to lose, and definitely would love to improve more on!
I am curious and excited to see how the semester unfolds. I wonder if these attributes will remain my vices and if the others remain my strengths, or perhaps they will switch! I do know that I have many things to work on.
Another weakness of mine is "Flexibility". I think I am an easy going person, but I have not grown confident enough in myself as a teacher to trust my instinct consistently. At times I feel so confident, thus willing to be more flexible and willing to adjustments. However, I am presently struggling with taking better ownership for my role as a teacher. I want to be confident in myself and trust my gut enough to be more willing and open to what may come. Thinking of a classroom full of twenty or so first graders reminds me how vital this attribute is!
Finally, I think my biggest weakness would be "Attendance and Punctuality". My trouble has to do with the latter. Preparing to come into QUEST 2, my biggest worry was being able to wake up on time. I am not a morning person- but I definitely want to be! I know this is my biggest weakness and I realize this is something I have to take a more active role in. I'm not sure why this is such a challenge for me. I do know that being on time is something I have always struggled with. But being in this program requires and forces me to get up early- which is great! I really am hoping this is the training and the push I need to become more disciplined in this area. I see how something as simple as being on time can affect me in a good way (getting class information, not getting behind) and how it can also affect me in a bad way (being behind and even lost in class). The quality of being late is not something I want to bring into my teaching career so I am really hoping that being punctual is something I can master this semester.
Thankfully, there are some qualities that I feel I am strong in. I feel that my personality is friendly and positive and I feel this makes "Demeanor". I may not know everyone, but I think my personality helps me to be more open and friendly to others. I also feel that "Cooperation" and "Patience" are two other attributes that are my strong points. I enjoy working and learning with others and I am open to others' ideas. Cooperation is great especially in times of group projects or working in groups during methods classes. Cooperation is needed to work together to bring out the potential of the group. At times, personalities may cause conflict, but that is where patience plays a huge role. The QUEST program is all about Collaboration and I have been blessed to have difficult group mates as well as very cooperative ones. The times in which the groups have been more difficult, I needed to practice my patience. It is not always easy and I do give in, (especially in times of stress) but I am realizing from here in the beginning think it is so important to not let the stress make you into a mess! Practicing patience can make all the difference and this is a strength that I do not want to lose, and definitely would love to improve more on!
I am curious and excited to see how the semester unfolds. I wonder if these attributes will remain my vices and if the others remain my strengths, or perhaps they will switch! I do know that I have many things to work on.
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