Blog Post #9

Mr. McClung's Post- What I've Learned This Year (2008-2009)

     In Mr. McClung's post, he discusses different things that he has learned over the year teaching. Many of the things that he mentioned in his post are things that I have taken time to think about as a future educator. Mr. McClung discusses the fact that the classroom is not all about him, the teacher. I am humbled that as a teacher, I have the duty to help, guide, and mentor my students. I see that every student comes to the classroom with prior experiences and knowledge, and I am to guide them to think deeper.
     Perfection is something that Mr. McClung says that all teachers want to achieve with lessons and overall classroom time. I think about my future classroom, and how I will execute discussions and lessons. Let me put it this way....I know that I will never be perfect. The perfect teacher is Christ, and through him I will be the best educator I can be.
     Being a student and part-time worker, I can relate to Mr. McClung's mention of work tension. He says that communication is key. That is right! I see time and time again that communicating and talking the issue out can relieve stress and solve the problem quicker. He also talks about how teachers set the bar of expectations high for students. I know that as a future educator and parent (one day), I will set expectations that my students and children will not always achieve. Encouragement and care when those expectations are not met are important. I will never belittle a student or child, I will always encourage hard work and perseverance.
     I was wondering when Mr. McClung would mention something about my old friend, technology! (Or should I say, new friend..ha ha) He explains not to be afraid of technology! I am warming up to all of the cool and exciting things that technology does and will continue to do in the classroom.
     Throughout his school year, he has learned to listen to his students. Doesn't every student have a different view and opinion? Doesn't every student learn in a different way? In order to understand our students, we need to listen to them. The last point that he talks about is to never stop learning. We have to be a sponge in this word, soak up all we can!
     I really enjoyed reading what Mr. McClung learned that year of his teaching career. It was neat to read the thoughts of a teacher in the beginning years of his career.

Mr. McClung's Post-  What I Have Learned This Year (2009-2010)




     This year is Mr. McClung's second full year of teaching, and his refection is as interesting as the last! The first point that he discusses is to adapt to situations. He explains that he was forced out of his comfort zone this particular year because he was teaching junior high, and on top of that- Social Studies and History classes. He saw that the junior high students were more independent compared to the 6th graders that he taught the year before. Mr. McClung mentions to never get comfortable, and that change makes teachers better. I see that as a future educator I will be faced with many things. I know that I will have to adapt to the school I work in, and be able to adapt to the subjects and students that I will be teaching. Change is a good thing!
     He realized this year that his students had never been taught to "think for themselves". I look back at my passive high school experience, and see that I was not encouraged to think for myself. I will encourage my students to see a problem or issue, and THINK through it! School moms....I believe that my mom would be considered one of those. He says to become good friends with a school mom, they can really help you out. I see this play out in my husband's work situation. My husband teaches and coaches at a high school, and he has become great friends with some of the cute little old ladies in the front office. They take care of him! I will keep this advice in mind!
     Don't be afraid to be passionate about a subject! Back to my husband... he is VERY passionate about Math- and his students know it. He is a handsome, crazy, Math nerd. Mr. McClung says that he is "willing to do anything to make the sell". I must let my students know that I am excited and care about what I am teaching them.
     I am not much of a control freak, but who knows what will happen when I step into my classroom. I am taking this nice man's advice- seeing what is important and deciding what is not so important will save me time and headache. Also, I need to be consistent. It is important to be consistent with everything in life, I feel. I am a work in progress, just like Mr. McClung, and I always will be!