Blogpost #9

"What I've Learned This Year" by Mr. McClung
Mr. McClung is a first year teacher and he wrote a self reflection about his first year teaching.

Reading his blog post brought back memories of my first year as a teacher.  I remember writing out my lesson plans and wanting them to be perfect.  A few would go well and then there were those that just flopped. Then I realized OKAY things happen and there is not much I can do about it. There is never one perfect lesson. There is always room to improve.  As a teacher you do need to know how to just go with the flow and make the best out of everyday.  Like he said keep a smile on your face!

He brought up the point of communication. The school I first taught at had a big problem with this. It could have been because the grade levels were so big and most of the teachers had been there for years and were set in their ways. I started out as an aide half way through the school year. After two months of getting to know all the second grade teachers, one second grade teacher left. I received the opportunity to take over her class. I finished out the year. Over the summer I was offered the second grade position and I accepted.  I knew all the teachers and they were very helpful.  Two weeks before school started, I was asked to teach 1st grade instead. I said "Sure!" No way was I going to say no. I wanted to teach and I was on board for anything. Well, I did not realize what I was getting in to. It had nothing to do with my class or teaching 1st grade it all had to do with lack of communication between the 1st grade teachers. There was 12 of them and none of them got along. None of them were willing to help me out if I had a question. They all did their own thing and there were some well established clicks. I was never really sure if I was on track and we had five readers to go through. I finally said this is enough and started to ask the 1st grade teacher next door to me if I was doing the right things.I wanted to make sure I was on track. I did not want to get half way through the year and only be in the second reader, when maybe I was suppose to be in the third reader. It turned out that this teacher was new to this school too. She did her own thing only because the other teachers did not talk to her. We bonded that year and had a really good year. My advice to you as a first year teacher, if the teachers are not communicating with you or taking interest in you then make them! You need to have a good rapport with them, even if it is just one of them.  The first year is a tough one but you will survive, but you do not want to go it alone.

Julia and her finger painted crab. Lila (my youngest) in the background.

Mr. McClung also mentions for us to be reasonable. He just says not to set your expectations too high and to remember we are dealing with children.  This is so true. Recently, I went in and did an art activity with my daughter's kindergarten class. I got the idea from my Art class I am taking this semester. We met a blind artist,Ricky Trione and he drew sea life for us to finger paint. Well, I decided to draw sea life for her class and let them finger paint. I gave them a dot of red, blue, and yellow and explained to them the directions. Do not mix the colors together on your plate (you can blend them on your picture), only paint with one finger and use the baby wipe to clean your finger before you dip into another color. Two simple rules...well REMEMBER this is kindergarten. My daughter knew the rules, we practiced the lesson at home. By, the end of the lesson we had some who were at their tables mixing all three colors and making black sea life. Some were painting other things besides their sea life and there were some who just enjoyed putting every single finger in the paint and really making a mess. Well, this is art. It is suppose to be messy. Their sea life turned out beautiful, even the black ones. Even though it took forever to clean up there mess, I was proud every time I walked down their hallway and saw their pictures. I wish I would have thought to bring a camera and take a picture of all of them.

Mr. McClung also mentions not to be afraid of technology. Even though I survived my first year teaching, I also had my first child that year. I decided to stay at home and raise him. I have not taught in 11 years. I took this class to reinstate my teacher certificate. I was told that I should take this class that it was one of the best at South. Well, I was a little nervous but I am really enjoying it. I am learning a lot about technology.  I have a laptop with a camera on it and never new about Skype. I love Skype. I will have to buy my parents a camera this Christmas for their computer so they can see my children everyday. They live two hours away and we do not see them often. Skype is a great way for them to see the children and talk to them.
I really enjoyed reading Mr. McClung's reflection.