We all have ideal fantasies about what we would like out of teaching. "I want my students to love reading and writing!" "All of my students will leave inspired after each class!" These idealistic goals are good stems for what goals I would love to complete for myself this year.
My first professional goal for myself is to learn how to make grammar lessons interesting for students and how to incorporate grammar into units. The sixth graders I observed last year dreaded the grammar sheets they would get as homework once a week. At some point this year I will ask my mentor teacher how she thinks grammar should be taught. It is important to find a new way to incorporate grammar because some students do not pick up grammar rules through worksheets.
My second professional goal is to learn how to discipline effectively. My mentor teacher told me that when I take over the classroom I need to nip any bad behaviors in the bud so the rest of the classroom does not walk over me. I think disciplining will be one of my biggest challenges because I hate when people do not like me. I plan to talk to my mentor teacher about techniques that work best for her when discipline issues arise. Achieving this goal will be important because I need to get through my head that students do not need to always like me because I am there to teach them as much as I can.
My academic goal for myself this year is NOT to procrastinate as much. This bad habit has only gotten worse throughout my collegiate career. I need to practice working on assignments earlier because I know that when I am a teacher I do not want to procrastinate grading. In order to work on this goal I need to use my planner and work on assignments the day that I wrote them down for.
I am excited for the school year and for my first time taking over a classroom. I have been waiting so long to become a teacher that it almost does not feel real. I cannot wait to start my first steps to complete my goals.
I admire the optimism and excitement you exhibit in class and I am sure that is something that your students will love about you as well. I have found that there is a way to balance both the displinary side that comes with being a teacher and the fun loving side and hopefully through your observations and teachings this year, you will find it.
ReplyDeleteI also have a problem with procrastination that I am determined to get past this year. I'll have to take your ideas into consideration, I have actually purchased a planner that I have been pretty good about using/following so far, hopefully it sticks!
Thank you for sharing, I cant wait to see how your educational journey turns out! Good luck!
I am completely with you when it comes to distributing discipline effectively! I spoke in my blog about how establishing a connection with my students will be key so they take me seriously as a teacher so I am hoping that I can learn techniques from my placement teacher as well about how she prefers to discipline. Also, USE THAT PLANNER! If I could give a piece of advice to anyone it is to buy a planner and stick to it. It may seems tedious and hard to do but it has truly saved me from a lot of headaches because I was able to do things when I needed to do them. I am so excited to hear more about you adventures in teaching! You sounds like you are read to go and are comfortable with your placement teacher, which is so awesome! Good luck this semester!
ReplyDeleteI am like you! I am so worried about discipline, I'm constantly worrying that I won't have the back bone to accomplish classroom management successfully because I want my students to like me and respect me. I'm hoping my mentor teacher has some great examples and advice when it comes to my learning to be an educator.
ReplyDeleteI love how specific your goals are, Madison! Each goal seems like it will be attainable, but they also seem like goals you can continue to work toward and refine throughout your career. Regarding your goal to stay on top of grading (not procrastinate), I have found that with longer assignments, I break down the grading (e.g., grade 5 unit plans on one day; grade 5 the next day, and so on). You might even have to adjust the goal based upon other work you have that day (e.g., grade 5 one day; grade only 2 the next day). With shorter assignments, you can plow through the grading faster—in one sitting, perhaps. But with longer assignments, I’d recommend chunking the grading over several days.
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