Blog Post #3
Awareness & Desire
On pages 42-46, the authors explain their WHY. What is your WHY?
Blog Post #1
As author Julia Cameron points out in The Artist’s Way, “In order to do something well, we must first be willing to do it badly.” And as the authors of this book say, “Rookie mistakes lead to growth and mastery.” Describe a rookie mistake you’ve made as a teacher and the growth you experienced as a result. (This is an exercise in laying your inner Joker to rest.) In addition, please leave encouraging comments on at least two other participants’ posts.
I attended SDSU to pursue a career in the medical field. Life happened, and things changed very quickly. Years later, I married and took a job at our local school as a Para Professional(because of the hours and summers off). Loved having my summers off, no nights in the ER or on call hours anymore. After my first year as a Para-Pro, I felt that the path I was on was placed in front of me for a reason. I was in the Medical field to make a living and pay the bills, but quickly realized that I LOVED my job within the school system. School wasn't super easy for me, I had to work really hard at it. So those experiences helped me understand students and understand challenges and such. My why... I realized I LOVE to help people, and I am a fixer... so helping students and finding new ways to teach or introduce content in ways that support students in a positive way is my passion. I love watching and being a part of "light bulb" moments... and finding new ways to facilitate students to get to those "light bulb" moments.
ReplyDeleteMy WHY has changed throughout my career. I began in an elementary classroom where my WHY was to enjoy the back-and-forth learning in the classroom. I was learning and growing in my teaching as much as they were learning and growing throughout the school year and getting ready for the next step. There were lots of smiles and joy as learning was exciting for both the students and myself. After doing this for a couple of years, I moved into a MS Special Education classroom. My WHY changed to meeting each of my students where they were and growing them with their personal and educational goals in all areas of life. Special Education is so exciting-- the gains may not be apparent right away but after working with the same students for their four years- the growth was momentous and watching the excitement of my students and parents was amazing! Now I am in a role of administering standardized academic tests to kids from age 2-21 and my WHY has changed to impacting a student in the short amount of time. I get to watch them grow and mature as I only work with each student every three years. The excitement of talking to them and the gains that I have been able to witness are so great. I love seeing their faces light up when I talk with them about how far they've come since my last time working with each of them.
ReplyDeleteMy Why is that I want to make a difference in my students’ lives. I have always loved to be around children and see them succeed. In middle school, I was inspired by a couple teachers that I’ve had. They truly cared about me as a person but also made sure that I was exceeding as a learner. With having positive interactions with my teachers in the past, really inspired me to be a teacher.
ReplyDeleteMy why is based on my desire to make meaningful connections with students. Just like my high school art teacher did with me and my friends. I want students to feel they can be themselves, explore creating what they like, and at the end of the day feel comfortable to fail. Because art is all about failing and trying again and again and being okay with trying til you get it right.
ReplyDeleteMy why is that I wanted to make a difference in kids' lives. I didn't have a very good upbringing and school was the place I felt safe. I had one elementary teacher and one high school teacher that had such an impact on me. They made me feel seen and that they actually cared about me. They were the reason I went into teaching. I wanted to have the same impact on kids that they had on me.
ReplyDeleteMy why has changed because I went from a full time teacher to a substitute teacher. My why is because I want the students and teachers that I fill in for to be comfortable knowing that I will be a capable and knowledgeable teacher during the time I am filling in for that classroom. I want the students to know that when I am in their room they can trust me to teach and to know the rules and processes that they are used to in their daily lives. Even though I am a sub I am able to be a constant in some students lives because I have subbed in the same elementary school for 17 years. This means I get to teach the same students as they move through elementary school from Transitional Kindergarten-Fifth grade, music, art, pe, and special education. I may not be with them every day, but they know me and I know them and its comforting for them to see a familiar face when their daily teacher needs to be away. Having a substitute teacher in your room can be stressful for students and teachers. My why is to make my time in a classroom feel as close to a regular school day as possible for the students and for the teacher when they return the next day.
ReplyDeleteMy why has changed as I was attending DSU to become a teacher. In high school I enjoyed math and had a teacher that made math fun. But my first class of Calculus at DSU persuaded me to move in a different field of teaching. Besides math I also enjoyed computer programming and teaching kids sports, so I quickly changed my major to Computer ED with a minor in Health ED and Physical ED with a Coaching endorsement. The last and I think the most important why I became a teacher was that I loved working with kids.
ReplyDeleteI have always had a passion to help others in some way. I began my college career wanting to become a registered nurse, but switched my major to elementary and special education two years in. If I would have stuck with nursing, I would have loved to work in pediatrics because I love working with kids. Education is a passion of mine because I love being a life-long learner and I really enjoyed many of my teachers/professors I had in my own education journey. Being a special education teacher for two years, my “why” was to help students understand and achieve goals we set to help them in their own education journey as well as in life. Having a small impact on students’ lives truly was a blessing and I was very grateful how many students would return to my classroom once they moved up in grade-level. Even though I chose to step away from teaching for a bit, I still get to work with kiddos, as well as adults, in my new career and educate and help them in their smile journey.
ReplyDeleteMy 'Why" journey began in college as I started teaching art at a local art center. I realized that I had a natural affinity towards teaching: making hard things understandable in a fun and accessible way. I also recall getting a $20 tip after teaching a class. It was then that I thought, Wow, teacing is a great way to make money! (LOL). Since then, my "why" has evolved but not changed. I teach FOR THE KIDS. Not the admin. Not the accolades. And surely not for the high wages. I continue to strive to teach difficult and challenging content in ways that are welcoming to all and that everyone can have success with. As I teach, the demographics of the classrooms have changed - particulary with student ability levels. So my strategies have changed to meet them where they are. At times it is overwhelming - the task to differentiate. But then I get a card or comment from a student who is grateful and encouraging. These words mean more to me than they know. The students keep my "why" flame going.
ReplyDeleteMy "why" started with grading my sister's students' schoolwork. I loved to visit her and help her with her classroom and grading. When she was in college, I was always interested in what she was learning. She loved teaching and I also caught the teaching bug. I still remember playing teacher when I was a child growing up. As I got older and into my career my "why" is still the joy of teaching students what I know and getting them excited to be a lifelong learner.
ReplyDeleteMy why is to provide children with safety and consistency while making learning an engaging, hands-on experience. I also aim to bring resources to families and build a strong bridge between home and school, so students feel supported in every part of their lives.
ReplyDeleteMy why as a School Counselor is to help students recognize their potential, feel safe, valued and find their successes. Another why is helping students to build their confidence and set goals in making meaningful choices for their future, to help them not only realize, but follow their dreams and make them reality. I want every student to feel seen, supported, and equipped better to navigate academic, personal, social, post-high and career challenges. I also hope for my students to have an awareness of their strengths and desires and feel empowered to take ownership of their path and make informed decisions that align with their goals and passions. I want to make a difference for my students and see them believe in themselves and succeed.
ReplyDeleteMy why has always been to help students. I loved playing school ever since I can remember, and I remember putting myself in their shoes and thinking about how I would help certain students (including myself) understand what they were learning. I was a student who lacked confidence and struggled in certain academic areas as a child and didn't find the right strategies to be successful until I was a little older. I think having struggled myself, motivated me to want to help other students in similar situations. To help them understand and to help with their confidence. I think that still drives me today...Being a Special Education teacher, I see students struggle daily and lack confidence. I want them to feel that my classroom is a safe environment for making mistakes and learning from them. I want them to feel comfortable coming to me with questions. I feel that if a student has that type of learning environment to start, the learning will eventually come. They just need someone to help them find the tools to help with their individual needs to be most successful.
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ReplyDeleteMy why has always been to help students. I loved playing school ever since I can remember, and I remember putting myself in their shoes and thinking about how I would help certain students (including myself) understand what they were learning. I was a student who lacked confidence and struggled in certain academic areas as a child and didn't find the right strategies to be successful until I was a little older. I think having struggled myself, motivated me to want to help other students in similar situations. To help them understand and to help with their confidence. I think that still drives me today...Being a Special Education teacher, I see students struggle daily and lack confidence. I want them to feel that my classroom is a safe environment for making mistakes and learning from them. I want them to feel comfortable coming to me with questions. I feel that if a student has that type of learning environment to start, the learning will eventually come. They just need someone to help them find the tools to help with their individual needs to be most successful.
DeleteI have always enjoyed working with kids. Coming from a big family it has been natural to include and make decisions with everyone's best interest at heart. I really enjoy having fun and try to be upbeat and joyful, so I have tried to implement that into my teaching. I had an amazing 4th/5th grade teacher that made learning so fun in the classroom. It was a time that I loved school. When I decided to become a teacher, the goal to teach similar to my 4th/5th grade teacher was in the forefront of my mind. I feel for those reasons, my why is to make kids want to come to school and make learning fun and exciting. As a kindergarten teacher, we held weekly parties to celebrate the week of our focus letter/number/ words. It was a stretch to call it a party but, by using that term and with a little song and dance, kids looked forward to Friday parties!
ReplyDeletey why has always been to help students. I loved playing school ever since I can remember, and I remember putting myself in their shoes and thinking about how I would help certain students (including myself) understand what they were learning. I was a student who lacked confidence and struggled in certain academic areas as a child and didn't find the right strategies to be successful until I was a little older. I think having struggled myself, motivated me to want to help other students in similar situations. To help them understand and to help with their confidence. I think that still drives me today...Being a Special Education teacher, I see students struggle daily and lack confidence. I want them to feel that my classroom is a safe environment for making mistakes and learning from them. I want them to feel comfortable coming to me with questions. I feel that if a student has that type of learning environment to start, the learning will eventually come. They just need someone to help them find the tools to help with their individual needs to be most successful.
ReplyDeleteMy why is quite similar to Hope's. I grew up always playing classroom with my dolls and stuffed animals. I would spend ours writing and drawing papers and tests for my 'students' to have and take. I even had a small whiteboard that I used to 'teach' my lessons. Going beyond this, I have always simply enjoyed teaching. I used to help other kids learn how to dive into the swimming pool by showing them and explaining what to do. I had fun showing the younger kids in my Bible Study how to do various activities, and I always made sure to guide them along. In short, I love kids, and I love helping them learn and grow. The 'lightbulb' moment has always been one of my favorite things about teaching. That moment when you see the information finally click for the students.
ReplyDeleteI always knew I wanted to work with children in one way or another. I used to think it was in the form of daycare or preschool, but when I started my classes in college, I realized that I really enjoyed working with the older elementary students. Like all teachers, I love seeing the lightbulb moments and those moments when the students really connect with the lessons. One of the teachers that I had in elementary school was a great inspiration for me. She made her relationships with the students a priority, not just about the lessons. She knew so much about each of us and made our interests part of class. She also did a few room transformations and made certain lessons come to life. I strive to be a teacher like she was for me.
ReplyDeleteGrowing up through elementary and middle school I really enjoyed school and learning. During high school things went south and that carried over into college. My mother is the reason I stayed in school, and in fact I just thanked her for that fact a couple of days ago. During college I drifted without a solid major. One day something in side of me clicked. I started getting very good grades in my college courses and I simply had a calling within me to share the knowledge I was gaining and to try to help others, especially others that may be struggling with school.
ReplyDeleteMy "why" has changed throughout the years. When I first started teaching, I was passionate about the content that I was teaching. When I had my kids and they were young, I showed up every day because I wanted to have the same schedule as my husband (who also teaches) and kids, with time in the summer to spend with them. Once my kids got a little older, though, my focus in teaching changed to my students. I was being told more and more often by former students that I made a difference in their lives in some way, and that started to become very important and impactful to me. Now my "why" is to make connections with my students and try to guide them to make decisions that are good for their own lives.
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