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Subject: Re: Just dreaming Author: Victor (Vic) [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] Date Posted: 09:37:12 02/03/08 Sun In reply to: Paula 's message, "Just dreaming" on 12:21:50 04/02/07 Mon I am a parent and a regular classroom volunteer. Here is my point of view on your problem. First, work to minimize your mistakes. Second, realize that your errors provide an excellent teaching opportunity. Kids love when grown-ups make mistakes. It makes them feel powerful and confident. This helps them to learn. Does it take away from your power or control in the classroom? Not if you handle it properly. It is an invaluable opportunity for them to see how a grown-up handles adversity. The long explanation can go something like this: explain that no “body” is perfect. Everyone in there life will experience difficulty whether it is in learning, sickness, or change. The key to life is to use thinking and people skills to find ways to improve, compensate, and overcome adversity. Then correct the mistake in front of them - have an electronic spell checker ready for action or better yet ask the kids to help you figure out the spelling by using the methods that they are suppose to use. Go through the steps with them. The short explanation can be simply “oops - let’s fix that.” Third, safeguard their education by insuring that the spelling instruction in your classroom is very strong. Put into place a good solid system for improving the spelling of each student in your class. Explain to them that everyone (even you) can and will improve by the end of the year. Learn to spell the words that the kids must spell (ie mandatory spelling lists). Nothing inspires kids more than someone who has been there. Somehow kids seem to know who cares and who doesn’t. Many will sense instantly that you truly believe that people with issues of any kind can find success in life. In this way you are well-positioned to serve them. My child has had teachers that openly admit that they “can’t spell.” My child’s response was “oh my mommy can’t spell either.” He respect for this teacher wasn’t any less. However, this teacher had excellent classroom control skills. Here are some ways that may help you to be in control of your class from the start: 1. Get experience organizing and controlling a group of kids (especially if you do not have your own children). It does not have to be classroom teaching experience. It may even better if it isn’t so that you get to know the culture of kids. Kids can sense someone who is inexperience. You will only be able to pull this off if you are very confident. 2. Attend lectures on how to best teach and reach hard-to-teach children. The methods and principles of instruction that work for hard-to-teach children also tend to work extremely well for others. You need to appear confident. Hard to teach kids can shake up both your class room and your confidence as a new teacher. Knowing the systems and methods for extinguishing bad behavours as well as systems of positive re-inforcements will help assure that your class stays on track. 3. Organize: Have an organized class. The classroom should be neat, clean and orderly (parents notice this). Parents will complain about this first and foremost. 4. Communicate with parents: Make absolutely sure that your e-mails/communications to them have no spelling or grammar errors. Respond to the needs of parents. Parents can and do complain about new teachers. Some parents even feel slighted because they got a “new teacher.” You must make sure that the parents feel “heard.” Find something that you like about each child and communicate this to the parent. Make sure that your homework (if any) is not burdensome on the parents. Make assignments/tests on a predictable schedule. 5. Follow the Curriculum: make sure your kids do as well as possible on standerdized tests. People will not argue with results. 6. Support Your Principal: If the principal gives you a list of things that must be done or taught, do them in good spirits (even if they seem ridiculous to you). Make your effort visible in your classroom. The road that you have chosen will not be an easy one. You will have to face your disability every day. This will cause stress. You may find it satisfying. If teaching is your calling do not give up. If on the other hand your calling is more general such as working with others to overcome adversity, or helping others to improve, or perhaps teaching life skills or something not academic then perhaps you could take a less stressful route and pursue a career where there will be less of this kind of stress. I would suggest looking through the career books one last time (especially in the area of health care) just to make sure that there is nothing that you want more than teaching. I would suggest this only because (contrary to popular belief) changing careers can be difficult as you accumulate personal and financial responsibilities. I would also suggest this because an understanding of careers will enrich your teaching and your understanding of what your students may need. If you are sure that teaching is what you want, then be confident and positive because you can offer your students an excellent opportunity for learning. P.S. One of the best ways to get a teaching position is to start as a paid classroom aid or volunteer. Many positions are filled before they are advertised because principals want someone that they know already. [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Replies:

Subject Author Date Re: Just dreaming Tammy Wright 20:27:28 04/01/08 Tue