This past week, I received not one, but two of the same challenge...the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Challenge. In this challenge, I am to reflect on different aspects of my teaching.
What has been your ONE biggest struggle during this school year?
One of my biggest struggles this year, well let’s be real...every year...is my time management/prioritizing. There is so much I want to teach, introduce, share and allow my students to experience in the school day. Allowing students to interact with manipulatives, collaborate, investigate and to make discoveries on their own takes time. Then there is recess, lunch, and more recess. I’m struggling with prioritizing what is most important because I feel it’s all very valuable. This may always be a struggle for me.
Share TWO accomplishments that you are proud of from this school year.
It really is hard to pick just TWO. I’ve had some pretty neat things happen this school year from co-teaching an after school enrichment class with a former student to being a presenter at the the #FallCUE with my teaching partner. Those are not my top 2 accomplishments this year. My top 2 both involve a change in MINDSET....my personal mindset and helping a student change his.
Michael HATED math!! He could turn my math lesson into a disaster within seconds (no descriptions needed). I know he really struggled with it and I knew I had to build him up to be this amazing mathematician, and if HE believed it, he would actually give math a chance. Well, that’s exactly what happened! It didn’t happen overnight, in fact it took several months, but it happened! He now sees himself as a mathematician. He participates, listens, and learns during the math lesson. He now tells me, “You know Mrs. Torres, I’m really good at math now”. Changing Michael’s mindset about math was a great accomplishment this year.
Trying new things and allowing students to take more of a leadership role in the classroom is another accomplishment. You see, I have been teaching for 20 years and I guess you can say I come from a different generation of teaching. This year, I decided to “Let it Go”! Fostering a student-centered learning environment has been great for the kids and for myself!
What are THREE things you wish to accomplish before the end of the school year?
- Network-I want to grow my professional network so that I can grow as an educator. I have been on Twitter for about a year but haven’t joined any twitter chats.
- BLOG more! I’m not a blogger. Writing has never been a strength of mine so putting my writing “out there” for public view makes me uncomfortable...practically gives me anxiety. As you are reading this, you should probably know that it has taken me hours and several drafts before this post was actually published! #absolutetruth
- GLAD Unit-I had official GLAD training this year from two wonderful and beautiful trainers, Regina Rosenzweig & Jocelyn Rockman Mitchelmore. I have been implementing so many strategies that I learned in the training. Each new unit I teach, I have added one more GLAD strategy. My next strategy to try-Process Grid :)
Give FOUR reasons why you remain in education in today's rough culture.
I stay in teaching because of the kids. I am making a difference in their young lives. I love building a relationship with my students. The feeling I get when I see them excited about learning is amazing. I feel so lucky to be part of their lives and to make a positive impact.
I choose to stay in teaching not because it’s easy, but because it’s hard. I am challenged daily and I’m up for the challenge..most days!
I stay in teaching because I love the act of learning. I constantly learn from my colleagues and have no qualms about asking for help when I don’t know something. My colleagues are an amazing group of teachers who don’t hesitate to drop what they are doing to answer my questions or to demonstrate their best practices. I also love learning from my students. They are the ones who are often teaching me about a new app or something with technology. I love learning new tips, strategies, best practices at PD’s and conference. Sometimes I may only come away with ONE new ideas and I’m totally excited to try it on Monday!
I stay in teaching because, well, the bottom line is I LOVE IT! I have a career that brings me happiness. It’s not always easy, but it’s so worth all my effort. I changed districts 10 years into my teaching career and then I was given a pink slip after teaching in the new district for 4 years. I felt completely lost, hopeless,..like I was losing my identity! I couldn’t think of anything else that I wanted to do with my life besides teaching. The day I was hired for a new teaching position is a day I will never forget. That is how much I love teaching. I can honestly say I wake up feeling happy about going to school and excited about teaching a really cool lesson to my kiddos.
Which FIVE people do you hope will take the challenge of answering these questions?
@buckeyeatheart - Maria Evans
@KellyJohnson - Kelly Johnson
@KTKinder1 - Karen Duley
@SusieSteinlein - Susie Steinlein
Paula Renazco
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