Things You Learn Your First Year Teaching
I chose this video specifically because we will all be going into our first year teaching. It’s interesting to see, from the perspective of newer teachers, what they learned within their first year. These are some things that I will keep in mind during my first year:
One:
I’m not going to come into the classroom as an amazing teacher. I’m young. I’m new. I’m inexperienced. Every teacher wants to make a difference. I want to make a difference. But this is going to take some time. I have so much to learn still!
Two: Every student is unique
Of course...every individual PERSON is unique. Students come in with personalities, life experiences, learning styles - these make them unique. As teachers, we must learn how each student is different, and plan based on the differences.
Three: You have to be TOUGH
Now this one is a toughie for me, because I can be a softie. Sometimes, as is normal because we are HUMAN, I let things get to me. I have had students not like me for whatever reason, and that bothered me. I know that I will have to come to realization that I need to be TOUGH so that the little things do not get to me.
Four: Students WANT to learn
Sometimes it is difficult think that students want to learn, because there seems to be a lack of motivation within the classroom now. But it is so important to have a mindset that students are in the classroom to learn, and to plan on helping them do so.
“You are going to have your ups and downs. But as long as your heart and soul are for your kids, you will never let them down.”
One:
I’m not going to come into the classroom as an amazing teacher. I’m young. I’m new. I’m inexperienced. Every teacher wants to make a difference. I want to make a difference. But this is going to take some time. I have so much to learn still!
Two: Every student is unique
Of course...every individual PERSON is unique. Students come in with personalities, life experiences, learning styles - these make them unique. As teachers, we must learn how each student is different, and plan based on the differences.
Three: You have to be TOUGH
Now this one is a toughie for me, because I can be a softie. Sometimes, as is normal because we are HUMAN, I let things get to me. I have had students not like me for whatever reason, and that bothered me. I know that I will have to come to realization that I need to be TOUGH so that the little things do not get to me.
Four: Students WANT to learn
Sometimes it is difficult think that students want to learn, because there seems to be a lack of motivation within the classroom now. But it is so important to have a mindset that students are in the classroom to learn, and to plan on helping them do so.
“You are going to have your ups and downs. But as long as your heart and soul are for your kids, you will never let them down.”
Hackschooling Makes Me Happy
Kids want to learn about what they’re “stoked on” and what they have experience with. In the video “Hackschooling Makes Me Happy,” Logan LaPlante discusses his schooling experience and what he wants to be when he grows up. At the young age of 13 years old, Logan admits that he grows up, he wants to be happy. That is a huge thing to want at the age of 13... usually kids around this age want to be an actor, some sort of professional athlete, or a firefighter, doctor, etc.. So how do we teach students to be HAPPY?
Logan gives eight areas that he participates in during his school days that promote a happy and healthy lifestyle:
Exercise
Diet and Nutrition
Time in Nature
Contribution & Service
Relationships
Recreation
Relaxation & Stress Management
Religious & Spiritual (this one is difficult in public schools)
It would be awesome to be able to incorporate each one of these areas into the school days of each student...
Exercise & Diet and Nutrition:
These two things are usually incorporated into a PE class and I know that some schools have a nutrition class (I took nutrition my freshman year of high school). I believe giving students CHOICE when it comes to what kind of exercise classes to take would be totally beneficial. I LOATHED PE when I was in high school, but when I had the choice to take softball PE, I loved it!
Time in Nature:
Students literally sit inside for half of their day. I think that it is important to get them out and about. I love the idea of taking my students outside to write about nature, or to write about sensory details.
Contribution & Service:
Giving the students opportunity to feel connected to their community is great! Finding a service learning project that could connect to the community and to their learning would be so beneficial for the students!
Relationships:
Teaching students about healthy relationships with their families, friends, and acquaintances is so important. Students are really beginning to build bonds with people starting in middle school, and it is essential to teach them how to have positive relationships.
Recreation:
When I think of recreation, I think of camping for whatever reason! I think it would be so fun for students to go on camping trips for their science classes - they can build relationships, get out of the classroom, and learn in nature.
Relaxation & Stress Management:
Students face so much stress specifically during their high school years. They are worrying about relationships, grades, college, sports, family... Teaching them how to deal with their stress is so important! I know that the school that I am at now, they offer yoga PE. I think this is awesome, because yoga is extremely relaxing.
Logan gives eight areas that he participates in during his school days that promote a happy and healthy lifestyle:
Exercise
Diet and Nutrition
Time in Nature
Contribution & Service
Relationships
Recreation
Relaxation & Stress Management
Religious & Spiritual (this one is difficult in public schools)
It would be awesome to be able to incorporate each one of these areas into the school days of each student...
Exercise & Diet and Nutrition:
These two things are usually incorporated into a PE class and I know that some schools have a nutrition class (I took nutrition my freshman year of high school). I believe giving students CHOICE when it comes to what kind of exercise classes to take would be totally beneficial. I LOATHED PE when I was in high school, but when I had the choice to take softball PE, I loved it!
Time in Nature:
Students literally sit inside for half of their day. I think that it is important to get them out and about. I love the idea of taking my students outside to write about nature, or to write about sensory details.
Contribution & Service:
Giving the students opportunity to feel connected to their community is great! Finding a service learning project that could connect to the community and to their learning would be so beneficial for the students!
Relationships:
Teaching students about healthy relationships with their families, friends, and acquaintances is so important. Students are really beginning to build bonds with people starting in middle school, and it is essential to teach them how to have positive relationships.
Recreation:
When I think of recreation, I think of camping for whatever reason! I think it would be so fun for students to go on camping trips for their science classes - they can build relationships, get out of the classroom, and learn in nature.
Relaxation & Stress Management:
Students face so much stress specifically during their high school years. They are worrying about relationships, grades, college, sports, family... Teaching them how to deal with their stress is so important! I know that the school that I am at now, they offer yoga PE. I think this is awesome, because yoga is extremely relaxing.