Comments on: Help A Struggling Teacher Out! http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/help-a-struggling-teacher-out/ Providing HOPE for educators since 2007 Fri, 30 Jul 2010 07:07:56 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Joel http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/help-a-struggling-teacher-out/#comment-5797 Joel Sat, 30 May 2009 06:11:46 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/?p=1137#comment-5797 Allen: Advice? Get started on the Total Teacher Transformation series (<a href="http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/the-total-teacher-transformation/" rel="nofollow">start here</a>) and begin working through each of the daily assignments. See if things start changing for you. I think they will...at least this was pretty much the situation I found myself in when I started implementing these things and it absolutely changed everything for me. Allen: Advice? Get started on the Total Teacher Transformation series (start here) and begin working through each of the daily assignments. See if things start changing for you. I think they will…at least this was pretty much the situation I found myself in when I started implementing these things and it absolutely changed everything for me.

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]]> By: allen http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/help-a-struggling-teacher-out/#comment-5789 allen Wed, 27 May 2009 03:36:56 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/?p=1137#comment-5789 I am in the same place she is, except I have been teaching for ten years and have my M. Ed. I just do not seem to be the kind of "team player" they want. I can't keep my mouth shut when I think we are going in the wrong direction. I am especially tired of being expected to get excited about the new silver bullet that is being pushed every year. I was in a one year position and doubt my district will pick me up again, a position a lot of people are in where I live. Thanks for letting me gripe and vent. "I think it is too late for me. In my 2nd year of teaching 5th grade - first year barely made it and this year is worse. I definitely have some helth issues that have just sucked away my creativity this year. I always struggled with lesson plans and being an engaging teacher. This year nothing is working and worst of all I did not get a good review this year. It is obvious the handwriting is on the wall. That would make me sad because when it did work, it was the best feeling in the world. If I had a second chance, things would be different, but I don’t think it will happen. I need a game plan to get through the next 8 weeks with an out of control class, an admin that is after me. Any advice?" I am in the same place she is, except I have been teaching for ten years and have my M. Ed. I just do not seem to be the kind of “team player” they want. I can’t keep my mouth shut when I think we are going in the wrong direction. I am especially tired of being expected to get excited about the new silver bullet that is being pushed every year. I was in a one year position and doubt my district will pick me up again, a position a lot of people are in where I live. Thanks for letting me gripe and vent.

“I think it is too late for me. In my 2nd year of teaching 5th grade – first year barely made it and this year is worse. I definitely have some helth issues that have just sucked away my creativity this year. I always struggled with lesson plans and being an engaging teacher. This year nothing is working and worst of all I did not get a good review this year. It is obvious the handwriting is on the wall. That would make me sad because when it did work, it was the best feeling in the world. If I had a second chance, things would be different, but I don’t think it will happen. I need a game plan to get through the next 8 weeks with an out of control class, an admin that is after me. Any advice?”

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]]> By: shizukana http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/help-a-struggling-teacher-out/#comment-5178 shizukana Thu, 30 Apr 2009 00:04:35 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/?p=1137#comment-5178 Thanks "siobhan curios:classroom as microcosm" for sharing the info. I'll find it out. Thanks “siobhan curios:classroom as microcosm” for sharing the info. I’ll find it out.

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]]> By: shizukana http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/help-a-struggling-teacher-out/#comment-5177 shizukana Thu, 30 Apr 2009 00:02:07 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/?p=1137#comment-5177 Before i became a teacher, i was a graphic designer working in industry of entertainment in my country. When i accept the offer to become a lecturer, I've got halfhearted feeling because i was forced to. I tried to motivate myself by watching movies that related to the teachers and students life and it works for me. One of the movies that works on me was "Gokusen", its a Japanese movie. Maybe it could helps u too. Before i became a teacher, i was a graphic designer working in industry of entertainment in my country. When i accept the offer to become a lecturer, I’ve got halfhearted feeling because i was forced to.
I tried to motivate myself by watching movies that related to the teachers and students life and it works for me. One of the movies that works on me was “Gokusen”, its a Japanese movie. Maybe it could helps u too.

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]]> By: siobhan curious: classroom as microcosm http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/help-a-struggling-teacher-out/#comment-5131 siobhan curious: classroom as microcosm Wed, 29 Apr 2009 16:08:22 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/?p=1137#comment-5131 I would suggest reading "The Reluctant Disciplinarian" by Gary Rubinstein. It chronicles his journey from being an out-of-control pushover to being a loved, respected and effective teacher. It is a quick read and contains strategies that you could start applying right away. I would suggest reading “The Reluctant Disciplinarian” by Gary Rubinstein. It chronicles his journey from being an out-of-control pushover to being a loved, respected and effective teacher. It is a quick read and contains strategies that you could start applying right away.

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]]> By: J. Pisano http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/help-a-struggling-teacher-out/#comment-5130 J. Pisano Wed, 29 Apr 2009 16:05:12 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/?p=1137#comment-5130 Joel, Great conversaton going on here about this topic. I am very excited to continue to see your audience grow! While, I'm here I just wanted to double check to make sure that you are o.k. with hosting the 1 year anivesary edition of the Music Education Blog Carnival. It will be July's edition... Also, what do you have any thoughts about moving to Disqus as a comment platform? I tried a year ago an didn't like it because, I could not re-integrate the comments if I decided against it.... They changed it about 3-4 months ago (and you it is now integrated) and I tried it again and am very enthusiastic about the comment community possibilities... Best Regards! Joel,

Great conversaton going on here about this topic. I am very excited to continue to see your audience grow! While, I’m here I just wanted to double check to make sure that you are o.k. with hosting the 1 year anivesary edition of the Music Education Blog Carnival. It will be July’s edition…

Also, what do you have any thoughts about moving to Disqus as a comment platform? I tried a year ago an didn’t like it because, I could not re-integrate the comments if I decided against it…. They changed it about 3-4 months ago (and you it is now integrated) and I tried it again and am very enthusiastic about the comment community possibilities…

Best Regards!

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]]> By: shizukana http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/help-a-struggling-teacher-out/#comment-5052 shizukana Tue, 28 Apr 2009 01:18:12 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/?p=1137#comment-5052 Hye, all of the ideas gave me a mix up feeling in a way. I am new in teaching(less than a year), being a teacher for degree level is much more easier i guess. but sometimes i did go outside the class, sit under the tree and have informal lesson with my students. they like it at the first place.as long as there s a value in a lesson, i think it should be ok..:) Hye, all of the ideas gave me a mix up feeling in a way. I am new in teaching(less than a year), being a teacher for degree level is much more easier i guess. but sometimes i did go outside the class, sit under the tree and have informal lesson with my students. they like it at the first place.as long as there s a value in a lesson, i think it should be ok..:)

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]]> By: Scribbler http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/help-a-struggling-teacher-out/#comment-4485 Scribbler Fri, 17 Apr 2009 03:47:38 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/?p=1137#comment-4485 I mostly agree. Compassion is essential. It also prevents the classroom becoming an 'us vs them' battleground. A smile too goes a long way. If I walk into the classroom all Mr Grumpy Pants then the students will often respond in kind. A smile can lift the mood and enthusiasm of students instantly too. Also real life activities can be great motivators. I worry about the 'going outside' bit. Establishing routine with an unruly class is important. Disrupting this routine and taking unruly and disruptive children outside and into an environment without routine and clear boundaries could be playing with fire - especially for an inexperienced teacher. I guess It depends on why the kids are playing up. Are they playing up because of a lack of routine and expectations or are they bored? I should really be taking notes because all of these comments have given me great ideas :) I mostly agree. Compassion is essential. It also prevents the classroom becoming an ‘us vs them’ battleground. A smile too goes a long way. If I walk into the classroom all Mr Grumpy Pants then the students will often respond in kind. A smile can lift the mood and enthusiasm of students instantly too. Also real life activities can be great motivators. I worry about the ‘going outside’ bit. Establishing routine with an unruly class is important. Disrupting this routine and taking unruly and disruptive children outside and into an environment without routine and clear boundaries could be playing with fire – especially for an inexperienced teacher. I guess It depends on why the kids are playing up. Are they playing up because of a lack of routine and expectations or are they bored? I should really be taking notes because all of these comments have given me great ideas :)

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]]> By: Joel http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/help-a-struggling-teacher-out/#comment-4484 Joel Fri, 17 Apr 2009 03:32:46 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/?p=1137#comment-4484 Wow, outstanding job bringing it back to the real world with the compassion there, gYM334. When we get into what Drew called "survival mode" it's so easy to just focus on our needs (hopes/desires/wishes?) instead of the students. They are the reason we went into teaching after all, right? Wow, outstanding job bringing it back to the real world with the compassion there, gYM334. When we get into what Drew called “survival mode” it’s so easy to just focus on our needs (hopes/desires/wishes?) instead of the students. They are the reason we went into teaching after all, right?

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]]> By: Joel http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/help-a-struggling-teacher-out/#comment-4483 Joel Fri, 17 Apr 2009 03:31:05 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/?p=1137#comment-4483 Great stuff so far, guys! My response is here: http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/teaching-transition-survival-kit/ Great stuff so far, guys! My response is here: http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/teaching-transition-survival-kit/

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