Felt like starting out with a laugh so here we go:
An English teacher asked her class to write an essay on what they'd do if they had a million dollars. Alec handed in a blank sheet of paper. "Alec?" questioned the teacher, "you've done nothing. Why?"
"Because if I had a million dollars, that's exactly what I would do!"
Ok so if you got no humor outta that...you're laaaaame. NO offense, just my opinion, and this is my blog which states my opinions so I find it completely appropriate to have said so. Today's topic...the many roles of a teacher. I could get on my soapbox and rant and rave about how teachers are under appreciated and don't get a lot of credit to which they are due, but I won't. When it comes down to it I think for any REAL teacher, teaching is not a job; it's a calling. And I think that the most effective teachers are those who view teaching as such. Because though rewarding more times than not the work of a teacher is continuous. Even if you could find yourself to be perfect in 10 roles (highly, highly unlikely), there is role 11 to improve on. The majority labels us as teachers, which is true, but the depth that lies within that word is so much more than most imagine. We are much more than lectures that have pretty handwriting on the board. We are organizers, facilitators, participants, instructors, models, managers, diagnosticians, evaluators, coordinators, and communicators...just to name a few. Most days trying to embody all these practices inside one human being makes one feel as though they are about to literally explode, but it is what's asked of us. So each day we will go into to our classroom, grit our teeth, and square our shoulders to walk side by side with and reach the children we have been trusted with that day. Being a teahcer is not about being a big flashy star, nor is it about being invincible and in charge. Being a teacher is about being an inspiration and working with a team. A team that includes our students, fellow teachers, adminstrators, parents, counselors, and the local community. Our mission to ensure the bright futures of today's youth by providing them with a solid foundation to stand on. It's never easy and it was never promised to be. But things in life most meaningful are those you work hard and sacrifice for. Just some food for thought. Til next time...love, laugh, dance, and dream.
Melissa
September 28, 2009
September 21, 2009
The Effect Affect Has On Us
Quote for the day: "In order to have an affect on someone, you must first allow them to effect you." I think that this insightful statement has a major impact on how I run my future classroom in that my dream teaching job at the moment would be to work in a school who serves a student population with a high percentage of at-risk students. When I envision working with this type of student, I forsee trust as being a major building block for a positive working environment in my classroom. Therefore, being an open book with my students and not putting up callouses or walls to shelter myself from their hurts and pains, I believe will make them feel more comfortable with being real and open and not sheltered with me. And when they are more open with me, I will then have a better opportunity to have an affect in their lives. Some may see this as a huge burden upon me as a teacher, and more than likely it will be challenging. However, I feel as though they and their lives will always be worth it, even if I can only bring about the smallest change. Also knowing how privelged I have been, it makes me feel as though I have been purposfully prepared for this role throughout my life circumstances.
September 14, 2009
To All the Writers Out There....This Blog's For Yoooouuuu! For You and You and You
I know you all (the writers) have been sitting up late at night pondering the age old question, "What do I have to do to make my writing worthy of Melissa reading it?". So I have decided, being the kind person that I am and understanding the importance of a good night's rest, to stop the madness and just come out and tell you. Gather your paper and writing utensils and prepare to take notes...yes, I'm serious. In the true style of a future teacher, there will be a quiz to follow.
As I thought about my response, I was trying to decide which would be the best type of writing to focus on-informational, ficiton, fantasy, biographical, etc. I couldn't pick one so I am going to try my best to give qualities that I find valuable in any sort of writing. First of all, it should be audience appropriate. This means if you as an author plan to write a children's book for 3-5 year olds, avoid words such as ethnocentric, plethera, antidis...yeah super big words. If you are writing a letter to the college admissions board probably antiproductive to address them as, "Yo homies". Second, ENTERTAIN me! There is nothing worse...OK I take that back there is something worse, actually a lot of things come to mind, but I digress...I hate reading dry, boring material. I get through two sentences and I'm like, "Can I pause and take a nap, please?". So whatever you are writing make me laugh, use humor and wit, be exciting, tell stories, add pictures, etc. Finally, make it relateable. If you can make me feel as though I've been through the same or similar experience as the one you are explaining, I'm more interested in reading your piece. If this isn't possible, try to use analogies or situations that I can relate to.
The quiz is forthcoming...study hard!
Ciao!
Melissa
As I thought about my response, I was trying to decide which would be the best type of writing to focus on-informational, ficiton, fantasy, biographical, etc. I couldn't pick one so I am going to try my best to give qualities that I find valuable in any sort of writing. First of all, it should be audience appropriate. This means if you as an author plan to write a children's book for 3-5 year olds, avoid words such as ethnocentric, plethera, antidis...yeah super big words. If you are writing a letter to the college admissions board probably antiproductive to address them as, "Yo homies". Second, ENTERTAIN me! There is nothing worse...OK I take that back there is something worse, actually a lot of things come to mind, but I digress...I hate reading dry, boring material. I get through two sentences and I'm like, "Can I pause and take a nap, please?". So whatever you are writing make me laugh, use humor and wit, be exciting, tell stories, add pictures, etc. Finally, make it relateable. If you can make me feel as though I've been through the same or similar experience as the one you are explaining, I'm more interested in reading your piece. If this isn't possible, try to use analogies or situations that I can relate to.
The quiz is forthcoming...study hard!
Ciao!
Melissa
September 7, 2009
From simple beginnings
Hello everyone,
As I reflect upon myself as a young learner, I remeber very little about what method was used to teach me to language. I know in school we used to do blend ladders and go over letter sounds and at home my parents didn't do much beyond reading to me and letting me help them sound out the words. I know that I was eager to read which probably helped my progress a lot. And I know once I learned you couldn't keep books away from me. My brother and I checked out The Giant Jam Sandwich everytime we went to the library when we were little, and It Looked Like Spilt Milk was another one of our favorites. All throughout elementary I participated in the Book It Club to earn my free personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut at the end of the month. Being the picky eater that I am, my one topping was always hamburger. In fourth grade, the first assigned book report got me hooked on a young girls' mystery series, The Mandie Books. I've read and own all of the normal series, and I still rush to get the new ones in Her College Years today. These will be passed on to my daughter one day I hope to enjoy as much as I did. Finally I entered fifth grade where we hit hard core grammar lessons. I had an excellent teacher that gave me a great core foundation. This was followed by a sixth grade teacher who skipped teaching us diagramming sentences "because [he] didn't feel like doing it". Thank God for Mrs. Tate.
Now backtracking a little, I was taught to speak "proper" as I am often told. Though I am bi-racial with a caucasian mother and African American father, my appearance can lead to the assumption that when I open my mouth ebonics should come flowing out. I was also raised not to curse which is also a topic of interest among some of my friends. But there jokes or whatever else don't bother me, I am not ashamed of and take pride in sounding educated as well as being able to eloquently express myself. I do in some moments relax from "properness" to speak slang and ebonics; there is a time and a place for everything after all. But that time was never with my late grandmother. To her, I attribute my large vocabulary. She was a English professor at Virginia State College for a time. Whenever you used large words around her that sounded like they may be outside of your knowledge base, she would ask "well what does that actually mean, Melissa?" If I didn't know, she would challenge me to look it up. She was an amazing woman and I miss her dearly. "But of course"
As a student in grade school, learning came quite easily and sometimes I was definitely spoon-fed more than I should have been. This made transitioning into college level work a learning experience in how to study and self teach. Taking a lot of math in my school career has taughtme that in any subject, a teacher can be to smart for their own good sometimes. It's great that I know the information like the back of my hand, but if I can't break it down again and explain it at a beginner's level, I am of no use to my students. It has also taught me that comprehension is not gained at the same time as furiously copying lecture notes. I am all about multi-tasking, but those are two things that my brain just cannot handle simultaneously. But most importantly, I've learned that teaching is not just a "paycheck" job. YOUR STUDENTS CAN TELL IF YOU ARE THERE FOR THEM OR NOT. It is my challenge to all the future teachers to make sure that the classroom is truly where you want to be. Our children deserve teachers who cares about them as individuals, and are dedicated to helping them reach beyond their horizons.
Ciao for now,
Melissa
As I reflect upon myself as a young learner, I remeber very little about what method was used to teach me to language. I know in school we used to do blend ladders and go over letter sounds and at home my parents didn't do much beyond reading to me and letting me help them sound out the words. I know that I was eager to read which probably helped my progress a lot. And I know once I learned you couldn't keep books away from me. My brother and I checked out The Giant Jam Sandwich everytime we went to the library when we were little, and It Looked Like Spilt Milk was another one of our favorites. All throughout elementary I participated in the Book It Club to earn my free personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut at the end of the month. Being the picky eater that I am, my one topping was always hamburger. In fourth grade, the first assigned book report got me hooked on a young girls' mystery series, The Mandie Books. I've read and own all of the normal series, and I still rush to get the new ones in Her College Years today. These will be passed on to my daughter one day I hope to enjoy as much as I did. Finally I entered fifth grade where we hit hard core grammar lessons. I had an excellent teacher that gave me a great core foundation. This was followed by a sixth grade teacher who skipped teaching us diagramming sentences "because [he] didn't feel like doing it". Thank God for Mrs. Tate.
Now backtracking a little, I was taught to speak "proper" as I am often told. Though I am bi-racial with a caucasian mother and African American father, my appearance can lead to the assumption that when I open my mouth ebonics should come flowing out. I was also raised not to curse which is also a topic of interest among some of my friends. But there jokes or whatever else don't bother me, I am not ashamed of and take pride in sounding educated as well as being able to eloquently express myself. I do in some moments relax from "properness" to speak slang and ebonics; there is a time and a place for everything after all. But that time was never with my late grandmother. To her, I attribute my large vocabulary. She was a English professor at Virginia State College for a time. Whenever you used large words around her that sounded like they may be outside of your knowledge base, she would ask "well what does that actually mean, Melissa?" If I didn't know, she would challenge me to look it up. She was an amazing woman and I miss her dearly. "But of course"
As a student in grade school, learning came quite easily and sometimes I was definitely spoon-fed more than I should have been. This made transitioning into college level work a learning experience in how to study and self teach. Taking a lot of math in my school career has taughtme that in any subject, a teacher can be to smart for their own good sometimes. It's great that I know the information like the back of my hand, but if I can't break it down again and explain it at a beginner's level, I am of no use to my students. It has also taught me that comprehension is not gained at the same time as furiously copying lecture notes. I am all about multi-tasking, but those are two things that my brain just cannot handle simultaneously. But most importantly, I've learned that teaching is not just a "paycheck" job. YOUR STUDENTS CAN TELL IF YOU ARE THERE FOR THEM OR NOT. It is my challenge to all the future teachers to make sure that the classroom is truly where you want to be. Our children deserve teachers who cares about them as individuals, and are dedicated to helping them reach beyond their horizons.
Ciao for now,
Melissa
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