Learning to Teach

Crazy how fast 30 days go by. I am extremely glad that I started this blog challenge. Today's question: What kind of teacher do you want to be in 10 years?

I really can't believe that it is day 29, wow! Today's question is: What is your preferred learning style and how does it affect how you teach?

Today's question was: How do you create a classroom where every student feels included and valuable? I can't tell you how important building relationships are in education.

Today's question was: What is one thing you want to accomplish before you are done teaching?  My answer has been a private goal of mine for quite some time now.  I guess it isn't so private anymore.

It is crazy to think that it is already Day 26... where did the month go?  Today I get to talk about Professional Development.  I thought it was neat that it was the topic for #edchat on twitter tonight as well. 

Today I was able to reflect on how I was taught in middle school.  It is so weird that I can remember certain aspects so clearly while others I don't recall at all.

Today's question is: What is easiest about teaching?  My answer was all about my students, what would your answer be?

Today's question is about what I am excited for in education.  I am not sure why the video is kind of blurry, but you will see that my yellow lab, Haddie, wanted to be in the video so she is hanging out in the background.

Today's question was about things that I didn't expect from my career.  There are a few that are obvious and one that was way out of the blue.  I live in Wisconsin and in the last month and a half education has been a big political issue.  I am not saying what side I am on or not on, but I was shocked by what came of all of it.

Today's question: What was your most enjoyable moment as a teacher?  I didn't have to think twice about this one.  I really hope that I answer this question the same way for the rest of my career.

Today's question has me reflecting on what I was like during my first year of teaching and how I have grown since then.

I can't believe it is already day 19.  Weird how time flies.  Well today's question is "How would your co-workers describe you."

I am pretty sure that we all have something that frustrates us about education.  My answer came to me very easy and I am posititve that I wouldn't be the only one with this answer.

Today's question is about the most important thing I learned in school... funny how my answer was not content based. 

What is my biggest regret as an educator? I have learned from all of my experiences as a teacher and my one quick answer to this question is that I didn't trust my gut. 

I can't believe that I am half way done with my challenge.  When I started this (15 days ago), I wanted to get into blogging and sharing with other educators.  I didn't expect to grow throughout this process.  This is my fifth year teaching and I know that I have grown so much during that time, but I am amazed to see how writing this blog has changed me.  I have gained confidence that I didn't have before, I am reflecting more, and I am realizing that I really want to help others and be an active member in the "global education community".  Thank you very much for watching and I can't wait to do the last fifteen videos.

I think it is pretty funny that today's question is "Who do you turn to for teaching advice?" and I just (10 minutes ago) got advice about teaching and everything that goes along with it.  We should all be thankful for the ones that help us when we need it. 

I don't think teachers are trained on how to build relationships with parents.  I would like to have taken a class on the importance of a good relationship between teacher and parent.  I view parents are my partners in their students' education.  I rely on them to help me get to know their student.  No one knows you better than your parents. I also need them to be on the same page with me when it is regarding expectations in education.  I have made many mistakes in this area, but I have learned from every one of them.

Today's question asked what strategies I use to keep up with grading.  I have recently been researching standards based grading and I think it is the right direction to head in.  I could also talk for hours on how teachers should look at all of their assignments and toss the ones that are not meaningful.  I am guilty of this, but I have been reflecting and tossing a lot of things as well.  Hey... we are all learning.

Today is about my thoughts on always teaching like you are being observed.