I LOVE (and I mean LOVE) panels of many different forms. I specifically love listening to panels in which the people who are part of them are sort of the future "me." You know? There was a sense of hope, and lots of calming, reassuring, unspoken "it's ok"s, and it makes the control freak in me very, very happy.
Last week's panel, for me, was incredibly helpful in many ways. First, I absolutely appreciate that the teachers who came to talk with us were relatively newer teachers. And although they were rather new to the field, to me, it seemed as though they had been teaching for many, many years. They were rather confident in the way in which they spoke, but were also very knowledgeable (and when they didn't know something, they weren't afraid to say so, instead of trying to BS things).
I especially liked the Foreman teachers, and here's why: I often don't like working with people. I'm really good at it, though, but I don't like it. Sorry? But I think there's a lot of you who are in this category, too :) Anyway, they seemed like a really great team! I found myself wondering as to what factors can contribute to a great relationship with fellow teachers, especially teachers who are on the same team. It seems, to me, that often times rather than working for a common cause and outcome, some teachers fight one another. I wish I had asked them how they make things "work" because I'm sure that it's not all sunshine and rainbows 100% of the time, right?
The interview tips! Awesome :) I think so many of the tips really stood with me. I especially liked that they all were in agreement as to "you're in the longest interview of your life" when talking about student teaching. Tips that will linger in my head and I will refuse to forget: "find the best dressed person in the school, and then dress better than him or her." This just makes me gitty for Friday (if I wake up early or stay up late for the sales) to buy, and buy, and buy all these awesome outfits to look the part! As Deion Sanders would say, "If you look good, you feel good. If you feel good, you play good. If you play good, they pay good." And if you speak good . . . you are not ready to be an English teacher ;) But seriously, dressing the part is important. For me, at least.
Putting in extra hours when no one asks or expects you to do so is something I had thought about doing, and actually hearing these teachers encouraging to do it was nice to hear. It was also kind of a push and a "shut up" to the voice inside me that was doubting it a little bit.
Smile, don't say anything bad about anyone and stay out of the teacher's lounge (except for using the microwave). Definitely will do! I try to do that now. I try to keep my eye on the prize . . . whoa! I just had a Rachel Berry moment. But seriously . . . I truly believe that sometimes the best thing you can do for yourself (whether it's in relation to your career or personal life) is to simply nod and smile and shut the hell up. If you have nothing nice to say . . .
Anyway, I'm really appreciative for the opportunity to have heard these teachers. It was a great learning experience. And as I look out my window, and think about this being our last entry here, I want to leave you with this (brace yourself because it's going to be awfully corny):
It's snowing. I'm not too fond of the cold weather, but I am incredibly grateful for the chance to see the beautiful flurries (all of which are unique in their own way, like us, right?). They fall onto the ground, softly. And I think, "I'm so happy to be home." My journey into teaching has been a rather long one, but alas, I am near the end of the program and ready to actually begin my career. A year ago, I was away from home, getting ready to celebrate Thanksgiving in Camp Buehring Kuwait's Dining Facility 1 with my Soldier friends. A year can do so much. I hope you spend your Thanksgiving with people you love. I cannot wait to hear about your student teaching placement. Happy Thanksgiving! May you have plenty to be grateful for :)
B.
Last week's panel, for me, was incredibly helpful in many ways. First, I absolutely appreciate that the teachers who came to talk with us were relatively newer teachers. And although they were rather new to the field, to me, it seemed as though they had been teaching for many, many years. They were rather confident in the way in which they spoke, but were also very knowledgeable (and when they didn't know something, they weren't afraid to say so, instead of trying to BS things).
I especially liked the Foreman teachers, and here's why: I often don't like working with people. I'm really good at it, though, but I don't like it. Sorry? But I think there's a lot of you who are in this category, too :) Anyway, they seemed like a really great team! I found myself wondering as to what factors can contribute to a great relationship with fellow teachers, especially teachers who are on the same team. It seems, to me, that often times rather than working for a common cause and outcome, some teachers fight one another. I wish I had asked them how they make things "work" because I'm sure that it's not all sunshine and rainbows 100% of the time, right?
The interview tips! Awesome :) I think so many of the tips really stood with me. I especially liked that they all were in agreement as to "you're in the longest interview of your life" when talking about student teaching. Tips that will linger in my head and I will refuse to forget: "find the best dressed person in the school, and then dress better than him or her." This just makes me gitty for Friday (if I wake up early or stay up late for the sales) to buy, and buy, and buy all these awesome outfits to look the part! As Deion Sanders would say, "If you look good, you feel good. If you feel good, you play good. If you play good, they pay good." And if you speak good . . . you are not ready to be an English teacher ;) But seriously, dressing the part is important. For me, at least.
Putting in extra hours when no one asks or expects you to do so is something I had thought about doing, and actually hearing these teachers encouraging to do it was nice to hear. It was also kind of a push and a "shut up" to the voice inside me that was doubting it a little bit.
Smile, don't say anything bad about anyone and stay out of the teacher's lounge (except for using the microwave). Definitely will do! I try to do that now. I try to keep my eye on the prize . . . whoa! I just had a Rachel Berry moment. But seriously . . . I truly believe that sometimes the best thing you can do for yourself (whether it's in relation to your career or personal life) is to simply nod and smile and shut the hell up. If you have nothing nice to say . . .
Anyway, I'm really appreciative for the opportunity to have heard these teachers. It was a great learning experience. And as I look out my window, and think about this being our last entry here, I want to leave you with this (brace yourself because it's going to be awfully corny):
It's snowing. I'm not too fond of the cold weather, but I am incredibly grateful for the chance to see the beautiful flurries (all of which are unique in their own way, like us, right?). They fall onto the ground, softly. And I think, "I'm so happy to be home." My journey into teaching has been a rather long one, but alas, I am near the end of the program and ready to actually begin my career. A year ago, I was away from home, getting ready to celebrate Thanksgiving in Camp Buehring Kuwait's Dining Facility 1 with my Soldier friends. A year can do so much. I hope you spend your Thanksgiving with people you love. I cannot wait to hear about your student teaching placement. Happy Thanksgiving! May you have plenty to be grateful for :)
B.
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