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Friday, January 6, 2012
Chapter 2- Introduction to Teaching-Kauchak ,Eggen Developing as a Professional/Teacher Licensure
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Ch 2 addresses some of the aspects of teaching that I most enjoy reading about, day dreaming about and practicing to what ever extent I can when I’m in the classroom. Namely, the routines, classroom management ideas, and organizational systems that make things go more smoothly for the students and teacher alike.
ReplyDeleteCh 2 also made me aware of some of the blind spots that I’ll need to address before day one. The biggie being that I need to gain a much better sense of the interplay between standards, curriculum, lesson planning, and assessment.
I also enjoyed the discussion of teacher evaluations as I’ve wondered what it would feel like to have someone who I would regularly interact with occasionally observe and critique my work. Of particular note is the list of key elements often looked for during an observation.(effective routines, student engagement, ability to address disruptive behavior). I find it interesting that the three elements listed have as much to do with effectively managing a classroom as they do disseminating information. I guess you just can’t do the later without being quite good at the former.
Jared,
DeleteI enjoyed reading your post. As an outsider looking in, I value your reflections in regards to your experiences in the classroom. Your post shows both genuine concern and aspiration to become a more effective teacher. I think the first most important step to improvement is to be able to acknowledge one's weakness. Without that, strengths cannot be gained.
I found Chapter 2 extremely educational. It provided a lot of information on what a new teacher can expect in the first year, as well as what a new teacher can do to improve his or her professional development. I was a bit surprised by the number of teachers that leave the profession by the end of the second year (1 of 4), and the number of teachers that leave the profession within the first five years (4 of 10). After reading the chapter, I learned that some of the challenges that new teachers face are unruly students and disorderly teaching environment, loneliness and alienation, as well as too much time spent on non teaching duties, having too little time for planning, and no time for themselves. Under these circumstances, who would last very long? The textbook did point out that teachers who use their time efficiently, have a classroom management plan in place, teach effectively, and get to know their students have an easier time “surviving” through the first year. I think that it is also extremely important to have a mentor so that beginning teachers are provided with vital guidance and support. In regards to career long professional development, based on what I read, learning never stops for teachers who are interested in being the best they can be. Joining a professional organization, becoming a teacher-leader, designing and conducting action research are some of the ways teachers can develop professionally in their field. These are all important areas of development I need to consider when entering the teaching profession.
ReplyDeleteI agree that chapter 2 was very educational. It provided a lot of insight into what the first year and even the first few will be like. I was surprised as well that so many teachers leave the proffession so early on. I enjoyed reading what you had to say and feel you had a great understanding of the reading.
DeleteVictoria and Alyssa, I enjoyed both of your posts and comments. I felt that chapter 2 was good in the aspect of pointing out different ways to better ensure a job in the teaching field by knowing what is expected of teachers. I think good preparation is good and needed for anything but especially when teaching to others. Thank you both for your insight to chapter 2. Sandy
DeleteTwo classic books that I think do a great job of addressing many of the topics that have found their way into our conversation are "The First Days of School" by Harry Wong and "Tools for Teaching" by Fred Jones. I wonder if we'll spend any time with these books/authors as we go along? Perhaps some of you have encountered them in other classes. If any of you have found other materials to be helpful, it'd be great to know. It's always nice to add to the resource list.
DeleteChapter 2 definitely went into a lot of details about the preservice of teachers that we, as future educators, need to be aware of. There is so much information to consider and decide. I, personally, never realized how many incentives there were to obtain educators in certain areas. I can fully understand and see how the first few years can be overwhelming and a little chaotic, seeing as most career fields can be. I just cannot believe how many educators give up and leave the profession so early on. I know many people dream of the fairy tale experience when becoming a teacher, but you have to be a realist when entering into such a career field. You are not always going to have those perfect students that do everything that is asked of them and have all the time in the world to complete everything that needs to be done. There is a lot to this career and it's not always going to be easy. It takes organization, time management, and a lot of effort. I can say that I did not know that there were so many ways that teachers can keep bettering themselves along the way, such as becoming nationally certified. I also didn't about other roles like becoming a mentor and a teacher-leader, or even the action research in the classroom. I, myself, am going to do everything I can to make sure I'm doing everything possible to get my students where they need to be. I may not have experience as a teacher persay, but I am a certified tutor and have dealt with many different situations in helping other students. It takes effort and a drive to help them. It also did help that I was well studied in what I was tutoring.
ReplyDeleteAlyssa, nice post! I agree with you, there are a lot of things to think about prior to entering this career field. My organizational skills are not very strong, and after reading the chapter, I really need to think about how I can improve in that area. As much as the chapter made the teaching profession sound exhausting, it also provided excellent examples of exhilarating experiences from teachers who saw the light bulb turn on in their students' minds. I especially liked the story of a beginning Algebra teacher, who did not drive home, he flew!
DeleteI thought that chapter 2 offered a lot of insight into what a teacher can or should expect in his/her first year of teaching. Going through the licensure process as well as creating a credentials file along with finding a job are very important aspects that should be knowledgeable to those wanting to enter the field of education. The chapter offers factors that will ensure the best possible chance of obtaining a position. I think that the survival skills listed is also important and should not be overlooked. By expecting to somewhat of a degree during the first year of teaching will better ensure the chance of being prepared on a personal level. By the outlining in chapter 2 of what the NBPTS expects of teachers offers those seeking the profession to know what is expected of them to ensure the betterment of education among students.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteLicensing can be a very big part of teaching but it is hard to understand some of the procedures and why they are so important. I agree that this chapter did point out very good details on finding a job after you receive you degree.
DeleteSandy,
DeleteI really appreciated the insight into the first year teaching! It brought me down a little, to reality, in a good way. Knowing somewhat what to expect and how to approach it helps. I am starting now to plan for my class.
I think one of the highlights for me in chapter 2 is the fact that this chapter did state all the elements of teaching and why teaching can be very difficult. I personally think that I do very well with organization, and time management. I think of these as very important skills and strengths that I have in the classroom setting. I have worked very hard over the last few years on having a flow in the classroom. With the preschoolers that I teach, it is very important to have activities planned.
ReplyDeleteI believe that I did pick the right career path but sometimes I doubt myself. It is very hard to control and engage twelve preschoolers. I sometimes find myself getting overwhelmed. This chapter helped me recognize that there is effective ways in dealing with behavioral problems in the classroom. It scared me but also interested me, how many people follow through with teaching after their teaching degrees.
I agree, I think this chapter was very helpful. I was shocked when I read how many teachers actually quite the profession in such a short time. 15% is a staggering percentage rate to me. I'm glad this chapter helped you just as much as I'm sure it will help me.
DeleteChapter 2 partly talks about licenses that can be obtained to be able to teach. I found it interesting to see that there are different routes to becoming a teacher. I like that there is not just one way to become a teacher. The rest of the chapter talks about growing yourself professionally, which I found very helpful. This chapter will be extremely useful when trying to get a job but also throughout my career. This chapter also talks about what you can expect your first year of teaching. It is kind of staggering to see how many first year teachers leave the profession. To me, 15% is a huge percentage. At least this chapter helps you realize even further, if you want to become a teacher or not.
ReplyDeleteKelly,
DeleteI, too, was shocked at the 15% rate of dropout. However, after thinking about all the things you have to deal with, I understand it. Not all people were born to be teachers. Since we are just in school, we don't totally know all that we are going to have to deal with once in the classroom. Every classroom, school and grade level will be different.
I also liked reading about the different routes to become a teacher. One of my best friends is a teacher but she got her Bachelors in History and then got her teaching license through a MAT (Masters of Teaching) program. I was also surprised at the rate of 1st year teachers who left the profession. One of my cousins is an example of this, she was in her 2nd year of teaching and left the profession. She says that after being in the classroom for a little while, she decided that the profession just wasn't for her.
DeleteAfter reading through Chapter 2, I realized that there is more to teaching than meets the eye. I do believe, as the book stated, that beginning teachers are naive or idealistic. There is so much more than just teaching like filling out reports, doing surveys, getting along with coworkers and dealing with parents. This, then, leaves little time for planning during the workday. I understand that most people that get a new job have anticipation, but they would also think they would be capable and competent. I think once you get in the actual classroom setting you’re going to have to remember to incorporate ALL the things you’ve learned, which might be kind of difficult.
ReplyDeleteI agree, there is more to teaching than meets the eye. And we must try to remember everything we've learned to incorporate it all into teaching. I feel like ch.2 has lots of resources to further help us in our teaching careers.
DeleteAfter reading chapter two I see that is discusses the many ways of teaching styles. The different ways we would and should teach our classrooms. It talks about our routines as a teacher like organizational skills and daily routines. This chapter also discusses teacher student standards, how to plan your curriculum and lesson planning and how teachers get assessed. Chapter two also discusses the how to obtain your certification and what you to do keep your certification. Chapter two also talks about first year teachers and the biggest down fall is time management, organizational skills, and effective management strategies.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this chapter it makes me very nervous and makes me wonder what type of teacher will I be. This chapter makes me question if I can do it and or will I get discouraged. I really want to succeed to succeed and make a difference in a child’s life and help them succeed and become a productive citizen.
Brandy,
DeleteWe all can get nervous when the unexpected is in front of us, I agree. Having a good veteran teacher can help ease some of that anxiety. A good support system from the school you work for makes such a big difference. I have witness teachers who have great classroom management systems in place and those who do not and I feel that it is of major importance to have good classroom management. Kagan is a wonderful program we use. It has several days of training but I just love it!
Chapter2- I found the beliefs section eye opening. We do have a rose colored view of what teaching may be like and this cleared up some misconceptions I had. The idea of giving a concrete example and asking several questions was a great way to break the monotony of lecturing students who need more interaction. The section on developing as a profession is now and will prove to be very beneficial as I near graduating and going out into the workforce. This will most certainly be a section of the book I come back to. Starting now is a great thing to do when thinking about the interview questions. I found the percentages of teacher that stay in the profession rather alarming until I looked over the confidence chart more. As with most things you have some rough times and things get better as you gain more experience and become more seasoned. Some years will be easier than others so to plan for some obstacles and look to that support system in my school will be the way to go.
ReplyDeleteHi Kyna,
DeleteI also found this chapter very informative. I think it is important to warn future teachers of possible stumbling blocks and also to portray a realistic picture of what the profession actually looks like. I hope to learn more about how to reach students and help them understand what is being taught. Good post!
In chapter 2, professionalism, and how to survive your first year of teaching were two key components for me. As a student going into the field of teaching it is important that we establish a good reputation while we are students. We do this by being in class as well as participating, submitting high quality work and bringing a positive attitude with us to class as well. We so this so that we have great references when it comes time to find a job in teaching! It is also important that we put a portfolio together to show our past work/ideas to show what we are capable of when it comes to the teaching profession.
ReplyDeleteThe first year of teaching it is important that we are organized, use classroom management, teach effectively, and know your student. Getting to know your students and gaining their trust as well as their parents trust in very important the first year! Establishing rules and boundaries are just as important and can make for smoother transitions. This also helps children to adapt to their environment in a more positive way!
Hi Stef,
DeleteI agree, I think if we are ready as far having our classroom management organized and prepared our first year will be more effective, and "hopefully" a bit less stressful. I also think our student teaching will of great education to us when developing our personal classroom style and management. Personally for me this is my biggest fear that I will not be able to manage my classroom and it will be a zoo and I will want to pull out my hair. I definitely do not want to go to all this work and expense to become a teacher to become part of the group that quits after the first year from stress and I am hoping that going into with a plan will help.
Yes, management it a fear as well as stressful. Especially for Kindergartners who may have never been in a classroom setting before. This is where I think we need to ask for help from other teachers for ideas. I think it is crucial that we know how to ask for help when we need it!!!
DeleteI found Chapter 2 very enlightening. This text has been refreshing in the way that it delivers information. I liked how honest the text was in Chapter 2 about the profession of teaching. Although I feel fairly certain of my decision to teach, and I am aware of a lot the issues discussed in the chapter, it was a bit unsettling when I read the statistics for the amount of teachers leaving the profession. I can see why there is such a shortage. I was reminded of my good friend who is a high school math teacher. Her sister spent the last 2 years getting a K-6 degree so she could teach. She ended up teaching 6th grade science and has had a terrible, stressful, and tiring first year so far. My friend is not certain that her sister will teach next year. When my friend told me that my jaw dropped! She cited that her sister just didn’t expect it to be so stressful and so much work staying on top of her lessons.
ReplyDeleteThere was excellent information on the alternative licensure vs. traditional licensure. When I first started this journey, I looked into alternative licensure as I have a business degree. I would be qualified to teach high school business classes while in the alternative licensure program. In the end, I decided to go the k-6 route for many reasons. At our school there is a good mix of traditional teachers and alternative licensure teachers. I cannot say that one group is better at teaching over the other; it seems to depend on the individual. I appreciated the information that the text gave about the licensure process for both.
Chapter 2 was also bountiful on information for getting a job and knowing the things that future districts and principals will be looking for. In table 2.1 they gave a list of things you can do to make yourself more marketable. I will also be looking more into creating a professional portfolio.
The “Taking a Stand in an Era of Reform” was informative. I found this article on merit pay something I should keep my eye on as a future educator. The article gave pros and cons for merit pay. I am not sure where I stand on this. I see daily that collaboration is an important key to success for teachers and students, and I am personally concerned that merit pay might impede that vital process. But I do see the merit in rewarding truly dedicated and outstanding teachers who go the extra mile to work for their students.
I'll agree with you, this text is an interesting and easy read. I like how it presents the material using real life scenarios, the questions they ask at the beginning of each chapter. I have had no troubles reading these chapters because they are insightful and draws me in wanting to read more. Always looking forward to the next chapter and what it will bring.
DeleteProfessionalism is key in the field of teaching. Being professional is about more than just being organized; it’s about how you present yourself, how you continue your education, and how you deal with situations in your classroom. As a student, we need to practice being professional. We can start showing this side of ourselves by the quality of work we turn in, how much and well we participate in the class, and how we present ourselves to our teachers.
ReplyDeleteI agree I think professionalism is very important to being a successful teacher and I like you suggestion that we as students should start acting in this professional way now to establish the habit. Being a professional is not only the quality of work you turn in, but it is also the quality of your personality and the way you treat people in your everyday life not just when you are in school. Also, when you are a professional in the classroom it rubs off on your students and they tend to respect you more.
DeleteThis chapter was very insightful about what to expect during the first year of teaching and how you can prepare now to prepare for some of the challenges that first year teachers have. When I was reading through the "This I Believe" questions on pg 35. I would have to say that I feel that when I begin teaching that I won't feel that I am a better teacher then those already in the profession because I am just starting out and the teachers who have been at it for a while will know more because they have had experience already in the classroom. I plan to use of the tips given in the chapter to prepare myself now for the first year teaching experience. First I am going to start by starting my professional portfolio by placing my resume in it. I am also planning on becoming a student member of one of an organization. I am considering the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), since I am planning on teaching children at the Early Childhood level. This would be a great organization and they have a student membership option. I need to also work on some of the survival skills listed on pg 50. For right now I can work on my organization skills. I have very bad organizational skills, so now would be a great time for me to improve those skills. There is no doubt in my mind that my first year of teaching is going to be stressful and I will feel like going insane at times, but that comes with pretty much any job/career you choose. I won't be able to eliminate all of the stress during my first year of teaching, but the good news is that I have a few years to learn as much information as I can on how to make my first year to make it at least a little easier (hopefully). I can do this by possibly talking to people who are teachers and have been the first year teacher already, so they can give me some pointers. I can also find workshops, seminars and do some other research to get more insight on the teaching profession and the struggles that can come with it.
ReplyDeleteI thought Ch. 2 was very interesting and helpful. It made me start thinking about my future and how difficult it might be to find a job and be an effective teacher. This chapter provided lots of great tips. I thought the section written from a students perspective in the making yourself marketable was interesting. He talks about how one of his professors will not write him a letter of recommendations because he doesn't know him well enough. That part makes since to me, however, I got my bachelors degree from KU in 2009 and all my classes I took were in person. Taking online classes now is somewhat worrisome because I feel like to don't have the same connection to my teachers as I did when I was going to a psychical classroom and seeing them weekly. I will have to make more of an effort to get to know my teachers so they would feel comfortable writing me a letter of recommendation if needed. I also thought the table 2.1 about Broadening Your Professional Experiences was interesting and helpful. This gave me some great tips about things I can do now that might potentially help me get a teaching job in the future, such as volunteering or becoming an aide. There are a lot of things to think about, but I think chapter 2 is a great resource.
ReplyDeleteHi Lisa!
DeleteI also love the students perspective sections. As I was reading it, I also thought about how hard it would be for a teacher to write a recommendation for me because I'm taking online classes. I think it would be a good idea to try to be "live" while Mrs. Stoppel teaches!
I too have wondered about getting recommendations from instructors when you take online classes. I am going to school 100% online so I will not have face to face interaction. I guess I will need to prove myself and market myself not only for a job but also for recommendations. Chapter two was a great chapter for additional insight to what we can look forward to, a lot like Chapter 1, it still has me thinking if this is the right move.
DeleteOne of the best things you can do is be a substitute teacher. Choose which grades you want to sub in according to the grade you want to teach. You will get to know the schools and the staff, but realize subbing is nothing like having your own classroom, as it is harder to sub and the kids always like to take advantage of you. One of the most successful subs I've seen is taking this online class and he has control of the class from the minute he walks in. He expects respect and he gets it.
ReplyDeletethat is a great idea madgej. What better way to not only feel out the class but the school and administration. This would also test a person to see if you can cut in the real world of teaching. I get so excited reading about teaching and just wish I could be done, get out there and start.
DeleteI worked in Career Services at the largest university in New Mexico. The counselors would do mock interviews with students, videoing it so the students could view mistakes. Dressing appropriately was always high on the list of items that needed to be addressed.I remember one of the things they used to tell students was to dress for the position they wanted. If they wanted to be a teacher, then dress like one for the interview. My oldest daughter is in her second year of teaching second graders. She had been a long term sub before she got her first position last year. Fortunately, her dad is a math teacher and was able to help her set up her classroom and give her many helpful tips for getting through her first year. Since she has no children of her own yet, her expectations for her students her first year were high and she quickly had to adjust for "reality". I have the experience of being a parent of five, yet, some things I see in the classroom are a little surprising. You have to be prepared for the unexpected even though you might not have a clue what it could be. I see the hardest thing for a new teacher is to let the students know that YOU are in charge from that first minute of that first day! It may not be your personality to be assertive and you may have to practice to learn this,but it's essential!
ReplyDeleteFirst off, I love the quote at the beginning of the chapter. "I want to be the one who makes children believe that they can be anything they want. I teach because long after I'm gone, I want my life to count for something. I want it to matter" -Denise Cannon. This quote is so true. I hope that it is everyone's goal to be the best teacher anyone can be.
ReplyDeleteThis Chapter was another good chapter to learn from. Everything from teacher licensing to What to expect in a job interview, it was all very interesting! The paragraphs from other teachers help a lot. It always puts what the text is saying in perspective. My favorite part of the texts was the survival skills for the 1st year. I highlighted it, to make sure I have it for future reference. This was probably the most interesting chapter for me!
I really like that quote also and want to a teacher to help kids purse there dreams and to be there for them when they need someone. I also liked reading about the job interview and what all it will intake. The survival skills in this chapter for your first year of teaching I think are important to remember and for you to try and follow.
DeleteI agree with you wholeheartedly about that starting quote. I really liked it myself. Teacher licensing was something I had never thought of until I read it here. The survival skills for the first year is right on for what to expect. Then again, it could apply to any year of teaching. I highlighted it to, but sometimes I feel like I highlight the whole book. Good job!!!
DeleteScott Shepard
Chapter two was an interesting read and as a student of education could really relate to what was being said. I too am (still a little at this point) very idealistic and optimistic about what I am expecting the classroom to be. In addition, there are many times I have said “I am going to change children’s lives better than teachers today”. Yes, I have said that only because by comparing teachers I currently know in the system. I guess you could say I thought I was going to be “the one”. This chapter has knocked me down a peg or two.
ReplyDeleteThe section I found most interesting was the section on the licensure. I was not aware of the alternative licensing. In one way I think this is great because there is a shortage of teachers however it concerns me a little to think there are individuals teaching who have not had the education as we are doing it now. A student in my office recently graduated with a bachelor’s degree, not in education and went to work with Teach for America. We had talked about Teach for America a little bit but this chapter explained it a little better. It sounds like a great program. It surprised me to read that 1 in 4 new teachers enters through an alternative certification program.
I enjoyed reading the “Your first year of teaching” on page 49. It was a little comical yet I cannot help but wonder is that what it’s really like? Needless to say I have not given up on the idea of being a teacher. I still believe I can make a difference and this is what I was called to do, especially since I waited so long to figure out my calling.
There are many organizations available for teachers. This is good as it allows teachers to develop professionally and it is good to read there are financial rewards for those who complete the National Board certification, since the salaries are not all that great. But I won't be doing it for the money but the satisfaction I am making a difference. . or hope to.
The one concept that stood out to me regarding chapter two was the section that talked about survival skills for your first your of teaching. These include organization, classroom management, teaching effectively, and knowing your students. One must be first organized in everything they do. A good teacher must be very organized with their lesson plans and the different things that have to do every day. If they are not than your first year of teaching is going to be very challenging. I believe being organized is one of the most important skills for any job, and even more important for a first year teacher. The next skill, classroom management, goes hand in hand with being organized. If a teacher does not have control of his or her class they are not going to be able to teach the students much of anything and they are going to have a miserable time trying to. Once you have your classroom management skills down, you can then move onto the skill of teaching effectively. Being able to teach your students the skills they need effectively requires you to be mastered in the previous two skills listed. Once this happens a teacher must be able to reach their students effectively by creating a learning environment that is not boring, but at the same time is geared towards learning efficiently the content required. Lastly, a first year teacher must know his or her students. They must be able to communicate with them effectively in order for them to learn and for the teacher to know when they are not learning. Overall I thought chapter two really explained in detail what it takes to become a professional teacher. And I really enjoyed the section that explained how to survive your first year of teaching knowing these important four skills.
ReplyDeleteIn reading Chapter 2 I liked when it talked about the most important aspects of teaching you will learn once you are in the class room. I agree with this and think you learn the most when you are in the environment, and when you become a teacher. It was interesting reading the survival skills they give you for your first year. I think knowing your students is the most important. Reading about how writing a successful application and resume and how it is very important. Also, going over what a interview could be like was good because you don't think of all the things you could be asked just off the top of your head.
ReplyDeleteI think after reading this chapter I really stopped and thought about how I want my class room to operate. I want to make sure I have control over my students and that I stick to my rules. When I am at the schools for my job now I look at how sometimes when a kid acts up or aren't listening some teachers just ignore it or don't punish them like they should. I think when you don't stick to your guns is when kids take advantage. This chapter will better prepare you for what is to come as a teacher.
Chapter 2 addressed something I hadn't thought of until now. Namely getting a license to teach. It makes sense though, because people have to get licenses for everything these days. It makes sense that you would have to get one for such an important thing as teaching. A teacher should have to prove that they are educated enough to pass on what they are teaching in a proper way. Remembering back on my learning path teachers were always having someone evaluate them in the class room while they teach. Somethings that they watch for are student engagement, effective routines, and how you handle students disruptive behavior. That last one would be hard for me. There is only so much a teacher can do for discipline. Lack of time and classroom management are the most common problems teachers face. I remember my military schools where they cram way to much information into way to little time. Even boot camp was that way. Time management is extremely important.
ReplyDeleteScott Shepard