Blog Assignment 9

What I've Learned This Year (2008-2009)

Mr. Joe McClung shares his experience as a first year teacher in this post. He gives a few pointers for new teachers to help them through the unexpected challenges they will face their first year. Mr. McClung states that it is important that teachers are aware of their audience (the students), are flexible, able to communicate, have reasonable expectations of their students, open to technology, respect their students voices and be lifelong learners. These tips are what have gotten Mr. McClung through his first year and plan to implement in his future as teacher.

Mr. McClung says that, as educators, we may plan what we think are perfect lesson plans, but we have to be mindful of our students'comprehension and that problems may arise but we must go on with a smile. I also learned from his post that the relationships that we build with our students and other professionals are very important. Communication helps resolve conflict, build respect and rapport. We must also expect that there may be times that our students do not meet our expectations but it still is important to set those expectations. It is our jobs as educators to provide the encouragement to succeed and consolation if they don't. As educators, it is important to be open to technology and it's developments. The educator and the students benefit from the use of technology. Lasting impressions are built when students feel like their teachers really care and to do that Mr. McClung says that listening to them is the answer. Finally, as educators we should lead by example and constantly try to learn new things. We can and should benefit from the environment we will be in and constantly seek new information to share with our students. Like Mr. McClung says, it is not about all us, the educators. We should strive to be the best we can be so that we can provide them with the best education that we can.


What I've Learned This Year (2009-2010)

In this post, Mr. McClung shares his experiences as a second year teacher and challenges that he faces when he has to teach 8th grade students in multiple subjects, as opposed to 6th grade students. He states, that initially, the transition to teaching science to 8th graders was not so hard but teaching social studies and history in the state of Arkansas(of which he is not a native) was difficult. Another challenge that came for Mr. McClung was the independent attitude of the 8th graders and how he could adjust his way of teaching to accommodate that attitude.

As a teacher of social studies, he had to initiate class discussions, which were difficult for him because his students were not thinking independently or analytically but were looking for his answers and opinions. He states that he solved this by encouraging them to think analytically. Mr. McClung suggests having a mentor at your school to help you learn routines and help you out on bad days. It is important to not be too "cool" to make a fool of ourselves sometime. In order to make memorable lessons or engage students, we may have to do things that make us feel silly but the satisfaction of our students learning the lesson is the feeling that will stay with us. Mr. McClung suggests that we delegate some of the class work (like passing out papers) to our students. This gives responsibility to the students and makes them feel important and like they are contributing. He says that is not only important to teach in depth, the subjects that you are interested in but all subjects because they are important to the development of your students education. I also learned that assessing that the students understand the information is just as important as teaching it because it a pointless lesson if your students did not comprehend what you think you taught. I agree with Mr. McClung on the point that no matter what is going on with you personally it is important to realize that if you let it affect your performance, then your students unfairly suffer. Overall, it is important to always listen to those who know more than but remember your own philosophy and remind yourself that you are always growing.