Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Blog Post #9

teachers who love teach children to love to learn.


Joe McClung's Reflections

Joe McClung's post What I've learned this Year is reflective of what he learned his first year of teaching. McClung notes that during his first year he often became so concerned with what his superiors thought of him that he lost touch with his students upon delivering a lesson. He says this cannot be the case. The students should drive instruction, and the lessons should be centered on the students. I agree with him, but I can certainly understand the role superiors can play in making such a goal difficult for a first year teacher to achieve.

McClung notes that being flexible and reasonable is imperative. This is true in life in general but especially true for a teacher who is required to meet certain objectives during a limited time under standardized goals. McClung also says teachers should communicate effectively and listen to their students. A student needs to know the teacher cares about him or her as a person. Listening is a way to show them they are valued and cared for. In addition to listening because it shows value and interest in students, teachers can learn from their students. Teachers should be aware of their students' needs and environment as it will help teachers interact with the students which will in turn promote an enjoyable learning experience for everyone.

McClung's post Version 4 Post (2011-2012) reflects on what he has learned in his 4th year of teaching. McClung notes this 4th year reflection is based on a time in his profession when change is welcomed.

He says "You Gotta Dance With Who You Come to Dance With." During his 4th year, McClung was stricken with a desire to please his peers. He mentions that it took him most of the school year to deal with the anxiety and to cope with the idea of pleasing his peers. Upon reflection, he says worrying about what his peers thought of him as an educator done nothing positive for him, and his main concern is "are the kids having fun?" While worrying about peer approval did not get him very far, taking care of his students and enjoying class has. His goal is to stick to that rule and not divert down the wrong path again.

I believe McClung is on the right track. As long as he is fulfilling the curriculum guidelines and his students are succeeding, peer approval is not needed. When others judge you chances are it is because you are different. Different is not necessarily a bad thing. It takes being different to make a difference, which is something teachers should strive for. It is natural to want to be accepted and approved of, but like McClung, I will place that in the hands of my superiors and my students.

McClung suggests challenging yourself. For three years, he has taught essentially the same course at the same school. After three years, it has become routine for him. He suggests mixing things up by possibly teaching a different course once the course you are teaching becomes too routine. He says teachers can become comfortable and lazy when repeatedly teaching the same course, resulting in lessons that "suck" and unenjoyable lessons for the students.

Teachers often reuse the same lesson plans, tests, and teaching techniques year after year when teaching the same course. Though the course material and objectives may be the same, every classroom full of students has a different set of dynamics. Teachers must adjust their teaching techniques in order to fit each particular class. Though the material covered may remain the same, classroom instruction and lesson plans need to change from class to class. This is not only to benefit the students but the teacher as well. A teacher can always better themselves, as you never stop learning. Learning new ways to present the material and new ways to test the material will help keep the teacher interested and make the class more enjoyable for students by preventing the teacher from becoming too routine as McClung mentions.

2 comments:

  1. I loved Joe McClung! Your post was very well written and I agree with all your opinions in your blog. Good Job.

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