Hi everyone,
My name is Laura and I am, of course, studying to be a teacher! I currently work in an elementary school as a T.A. I enjoy this job immensely and I have even given thought to becoming an elementary school teacher instead. I am however in my last semester so there is noooooo way I will change my major. I love kids of all ages and my job has helped me to get experience for the future. I've learned that you must be passionate, understanding, energetic, humorous and careful when you are around kids. You just never know what to expect from them and I have soon found out that I am more than an assistant to their academic learning, but also a doctor, therapist, advocate, psychologist, and the list goes on forever! It is fun and also hard work.
As a teacher, I hope my students really enjoy the literature that I teach them and learn how it can apply to their own lives to make it better. In other words, literature is about lessons in life, written by people who want to share things with the reader that could save them from making the same mistakes, or to take the opportunity when it comes, etc. Now of course a book alone cannot do this and it will not do this. We all read stories, get inspired, and then forget about it a day later and go do our own thing. That is my fear of teaching. That it will fly right out the window as my students move on to something else. However just by being aware of the power of literature, their own power to express themselves and by their own experiences, I hope my that students will learn invaluable lessons in life and be more wiser for the ware. And maybe there is that one story out there that will touch their lives , that they will seriously connect with.
Another fear I have as a teacher is dealing with students' issues. I know how their own personal lives can interfere with school and how many don't work to their potential. Many people also tell me I would be too nice for junior high! With the young kids I work with now, people agree that I am nice but firm with them, which is a good balance. Kids going through that transition from elementary to junior high go through all sorts of adjustments and many times need tough love and yeah it will be an adjustment for me too.
My reason for becoming a teacher is simple. I care about people. I want them to succeed. I know I have the ability to make this happen for my students, if they want it. I also want to make sure my students are given the opportunitiy to be prepared for the next level of their lives. I will work with them and try different ways to help them comprehend and learn the material whether it be group work, class discussion, self reflections, etc. Also, what's the point of going to school, if kids don't enjoy at least something about it? My seventh grade teacher used to give my advanced English class awesome projects that relate to the literature and allowed us to use our own imaginations and creativity, which I will be sure to keep in mind. To this day, I can remember almost every book we read in that class and many of the themes and lessons.
Technology- good one. I don't own an ipod, my cell is five years old, I ride my bike to school (Okay, I do drive to work and parties baby!) what else- oh my last video game up-grade is a super nintendo. Yet I do love technology when I get it and I am looking forward to learning blogs and power point so my kids don't think i'm some kind of freak ( that actually might work though)and so I can give pretty neat-o lectures! Neat-o!
My concern for the teaching profession lies in the misunderstanding of a partnership between parents, kids and teachers. Not one of these elements alone will help the student succeed. As an employee of LAUSD and a first hand witness to the classroom, I see that this concept is not stressed enough. Several times child's success is left up to the teacher to handle alone. Sometimes it's the students lack of motivation from the teacher. Whatever it is, if all three elements are working together as a team the student's chances are much brighter, as my observations show me.
Well this has actually been fun to write and reflect and if you actually read this all, congratulations, and thanks for listenting!
- Laura
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4 comments:
Laura,
It sounds like you are excited about your future as a teacher. The fact that you are already working as a T.A. and enjoying it gives me confidence that you will fill the role successfully. I was slightly confused by what you said in your blog. You mentioned that you were a T.A. and have given thought to becoming an elementary school teacher instead, but can’t because this is your last semester. What exactly are you on the road to becoming? Will you continue as a T.A., teach junior high, high school, or become a college professor?
As a teacher, you will be impacting a lot of lives, and your understanding of how it feels to be in their shoes will help you impact them in a positive way. Reading your blog made me want to sit in on one of your classes! As for being too nice, just balance it with enough firmness to keep them from taking advantage of you. I have more respect for teachers who are able to do their job without being mean. It’s a good thing you had teachers you respected enough to look up to. Your opinion of your seventh grade teacher will hopefully be another student’s opinion of you one day. As for technology, I didn’t even get a cell phone until one year ago, so you are leaps and bounds ahead of me. Together, we will overcome our technology hurdles!
Laura Scott
Hi Laura,
Isn't there a way you can teach elementary school with a single subject credential? Maybe you could get a master's in English instead and take that to elementary. Just a thought. I hate to see someone settle for less that what she really wants. I, too, am a technological dinosaur. NOt only is this my first experience with blogging, I didn't even know what a blog was until Lucas explained it to me. I'm glad we're being force to become more comfortable with it, because our students will be unbelieveably efficient at it. We must keep up with our students, mustn't we? The first time I had to do a PowerPoint presentation I panicked. My nine-year-old sister said, "I'll do it for you." Right then, I decided to bite the bullet and make myself become more acquainted with my computer. Seriously, if you want to teach elementary school, make it happen.
Hey Laura-
By any chance, were you the girl sitting next to me?! :) Hehe, sorry I didnt get your name then. I think I recognize your layout though. Wow, there are a lot of people in this class that have experience being out there. Thats really awesome that you are a T.A.
I am thinking that I should start getting in there so I can get more of a feel for the job. Hmm, well we will be doing lesson plans in this class. It will be fun.
I think the Liberal Studies Major students get to write more lesson plans is because they might be in that 4 year integrated program where they get their credentials along with their B.A.
I love helping people too! I do believe that the written word has a power beyond many have understood yet. I want to make my students realize that as well. I guess I do have SoME experience with students, but only on the tutor level and these students are college freshmen. I really like the moments when the lightbulbs in their heads light up and they actually understand what I am talking about. Its a truly amazing experience.
Well, I hope to see you in class and if you are sitting next to me, you will see loads of me. :) BYE!
Wow!! That was long...=) Well, I would have to agree to most of what you say. Literature should be something that is fun and exciting for all ages and getting students when they're young is important. Good luck with the technology thing because I'm having so much trouble as it is with my own blog page...=P Talk to you later
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