Put to the Test

I’ve wanted to be a teacher all my life but I did not realize the role of teachers. Finally, I was put to the test. Earlier this semester I had the opportunity to teach a 1^st grade and 4^th grade Social Studies class. These were two completely different atmospheres.

Teaching the 1^st grade class on the map of Georgia was a good experience. I was able to show the class a video on maps and together we talked about and drew the different places in Georgia. This lesson was simple but allowed the students to learn. Being that the students interacted with me and met the objective goal of 85% accuracy, I think the lesson went great. The students enjoyed it as well. If I could change anything, I would have allowed the students to come up to the smart board to point out the things on the map.

Teaching the 4^th grade class didn’t go as well as I wanted it to. I was doing a review lesson with them on 6 explorers, the 7 continents, and timelines. The lesson didn’t go well because of the activity I had for them. The students were supposed to walk around the classroom and answer the “who am I?” and “what am I?” questions that were placed on the students backs. It was too advanced for them. The entire class ran around like they were outside and only a handful of students followed the instructions.  Therefore, I had to reevaluate that lesson and change it up for the next period. For 2^nd period, I decided to allow the students to play “All Around the World.” This gave the class more organization. At the end of both lessons I realized that the students didn’t know the information like they needed to. Therefore, as a class we read over the notes after the activities.

Strategies for Teaching

While making observations in a First Grade classroom at a Middle Georgia Elementary school, I focus on the teacher’s strategies for teaching. The one that stood out to me most was the teacher strategy for test-taking.

Typically when a teacher prepares his or her students for a test they stress how important it is for them to pass it. Next, they give them a few encouraging words-“Do your best!” They also tell their students how to answer the questions, whether they have to bubble the letter or circle the answer. Lastly, the teacher will give the students the directions- keep your eyes on your own paper, read the questions first, and take your time but be mindful of the time. Then the students take the test.

This teacher did things differently. In order to prepare the students for their first test while in first grade, the teacher decides to play the students a video. The video is called Heaths Test Taking Song. The song was a fun way to tell the students what test are and how to approach them. Showing this gave the students the chance to get rid of their test jitters or anxieties. It allow them to have a since of relaxation before the test. After the video was over, the teacher went over the procedures for taking the test. Then the students were able to take the test.

The author of Beating the Kid Trickers: Getting Students Ready for Test Week made a great point  when teachers approach testing as a scary thing the students can tell and will also approach it in a scary manner. Whereas if the students are relaxed and are in a somewhat relaxed environment , the students would not look at testing as scary thing but as something that is natural.

Physical Disability vs. a Handicap

According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a handicap is when someone is put at a disadvantage. While a disability is a disqualification, restriction, or disadvantage clue to a physical or mental impairment. The difference is that disabilities are functional impairments and handicaps are disadvantages impaired on individuals. Someone could be disabled without being handicapped. I have had experience with both.

At the age of four I had a stroke which weakened the entire left side of my body. It also made me loose most of my memory and made my ability to learn difficult. Growing up with these disabilities was very difficult but I did not allow it to handicap me. Any activity I had the opportunity to try I tried it, no matter how many people told me I wouldn’t be able to. For instance, I was told that I would not be able to cheer due to my left hand being slower than my right. I tried out multiple times and made the team each time. As far as learning is concerned, I had to work hard to issue success in school. Through I didn’t allow these disabilities to handicap, others always tried to. I think that was and still is the hardest thing I have to deal with when it comes to my disabilities.

At the age of 18 I became wheelchair bound. This was due to having pins in my feet, both of them but at separate times. Being handicap was bittersweet. At times I wanted to be treated as if I was actually handicap. I enjoyed people opening doors for me and being nice to me just because I was in a wheelchair. Other times I was upset that the handicap handicapped me. In other words, I wanted to do things for myself and by myself but was unable to. Someone was always trying to help me because he/she felt sorry for me.  The main thing that I did not like about being handicap was all of the extra attention that was given to me. During the time I was in the wheelchair people would just stare out of curiosity for me having pins coming out of my feet. I respected those who would ask, “What happened?” opposed to those who would just stare and stare and stare.

Even though disabilities and handicaps are different, my experience with the two sure was, there is one thing that was similar. The support from my family was very strong. When I was in the hospital they would come visit me and even stay the night. They would keep in much with me and remind me that everything would be alright. Outside of the hospital my family did any and everything that I could not do for myself. The support from them made my experience with the disability and handicap a lot easier.

I Am Who I Say I Am

I am a beautiful black strong woman that is loving, caring, and kind.
I wonder where my I will end up in life.
I hear God directing me in the right direction.
I see positive people on a day to day basis.
I want to be a great teacher.
I am a beautiful black strong woman that is loving, caring, and kind.

I pretend to be a famous singer.
I feel my cheek bones cry from constant smiling.
I touch the hearts of other.
I worry about disappointing others.
I cry when I fail
I am a beautiful black strong woman that is loving, caring, and kind.

I understand that anything is possible if I put God first.
I say "Failure is not an option."
I dream success.
I try my best at everything I do.
I hope to become a Proficient Educator.
I am a beautiful black strong woman that is loving, caring, and kind.

For the Love of Teaching

Every week Dr. Miller gives the students a spelling test over 10 words. I would grade the spelling test. Doing so, I noticed that there were three students making a 30% or less on the test. So I worked with those three. I gave them homework instructing them to write each spelling word 10 times and to study them. Also, I told them that if they passed their test with a 100% then I would get them something. The next week, I found out that Nora passed the test with an 80%, and Tyrome made a 10%. Therefore, even though Nora did not make a 100% I decided to give a mechanical pencil for doing so well. As for Tyrome, I continued to work with him on his spelling test. The next week I made him a homework packet for him to say, spell, and write each word 10 times. I was disappointed when Friday came and the homework packet was empty, but I was pleased that he improved by making a 60% on his test. So it was time to step it up a notch. The next week, I gave him another homework packet and he was required to do the same thing, say, spell, and write each word 10 times. Also, when he got into the classroom we work on the spelling words. Eventually, we had to take a walk in the hallway so that he would get distracted by what was going on in the classroom. That helped a lot. I decided to continue to work with him until he knew how to spell each word. I was not present when Dr. Miller gave the students there spelling test so I was excited to go back to the school to see how Tyrome did. Tyrome made an 80% on his test. I am extremely proud of him.

Still Waiting... for Superman!

On October 3, 2011 THE Fort Valley State University College of Education (CoE) showed the screaming of "Waiting for Superman". Following the movie there was a panel discussion about it.

"Waiting for Superman" was an interesting documentary. There were both good points and some over the top ones. One of the biggest points being made in the film was that public schools are not successful. Therefore, instead of improving the public school system, more charter schools and boarding schools are coming to existence. Now the public schools are being shut down. So instead of giving students an equal opportunity to get an education, in the public school system, they have to depend on a lottery type system to try to get into these charter and boarding school; failing to realize that the way out of poverty is not by chance. The horrific thing is that the public schools are being shut down because there are so many bad teachers in the system. But why are all these "bad" teachers being hired? Why not eliminate these "bad" teachers and put the competent ones that are being sent to these charter and boarding school back in the public school.

            Another thing that stood out to me was the issue on pay. Why pay teachers more for their greatness, doing what they are suppose to be doing in the first place? Having the understanding that educators do not get paid a huge salary should make teachers do their job for the love of teaching and not for money. At the same time, teachers who are not doing their job correctly should not be getting the same salary as the ones who are taking their job seriously and for the love of teaching.
            I appreciated the fact that there were so many parents that showed concern in their children lives. To see the passion and hope that these parents had for their children was just amazing. I did not agree with those parents who were trying to get their sons and daughters into a boarding school. Younger children should not have to be sent off to go to school, they are not attending college.

A great point that was made by the panelist was that diversity is essential in the schools. It is important for students to see what they will see in the outside world. For instance, in the outside business world there will not be only women, only African American, or only Caucasian in the business world. Therefore, students need to be able to interact with a diverse group of teachers.

Why I Want to be a Teacher

In 1997, I experienced my first career day. It was then when I realized that I wanted be an Early Childhood Education Teacher. A baby wanting to teach babies; how paradoxical. During that time, I did not have an understanding of why I wanted to become a teacher except for the fact that I enjoyed being around children younger than I was. As I got older my decision to pursue a career in education became a lot stronger and understandable.

When I think about what actually influenced my decision to become a teacher, all I can really think about is the fact that I love children. I also enjoy their presence. When I am around them my heart is filled with joy, no matter what the circumstance. Therefore, I wanted to make teaching my profession.

On top of my love for children, I have realized that teachers are very powerful. They have the power and strength to teach kids everyday of their life, no matter how much of a hard time a child may give them. I have also realized that teachers are so knowledgeable, whether they are teaching toddlers or college students. Do you understand how wonderful it is for a teacher to teach a 4 year old how to count to 100 or a student that 3x+1 =7? What is greater than that is how a teacher could mold their students from being bad children to becoming better ones.

It is amazing how children quickly imitate what they see. With that being the case, in this day in time how often do you hear children say thank you, excuse me, or my favorite: yes ma’am, no ma’am, yes sir, or no sir? Not very often. And a lot of times it is not their fault; it is just not being demonstrated to them. Therefore, the more I see the disrespect from children the more I want to teach them how to respect other, especially their elders. I agree with Proverbs 22:6 which states, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” How would you feel if more children told you thank you every time you did something for them? That is why I would like to follow in the footsteps of a teacher by becoming one.