So You Think You Can Teach?

April 16, 2016

Another Day as an Oklahoma Teacher

Since the school year is about to end, it's time to reflect about what has happened.

1. Being a teacher means trying new ideas, so what is a successful idea that I have tried and what were the results? Here's my answer.

Over the years, I have tried the newest fads that have invaded education. However, this idea is one that I created. To practice questioning skills, using the ACE strategy, and working with a group, I had may students create a board game for The Odyssey. The students had to design the board using a setting from the poem, and the game had to include game pieces, 50 cards, rules, and had to contain at least four obstacles just like Odysseus had to encounter. Everyone played the different games and filled out comment cards.

2. What is an idea that I used that ended up being a complete failure?

One of the requirements for the senior paper was to keep a log of what was accomplished and what needed to be finished. A lot of students didn't like this idea; they would rather not set goals, just throw something together and that would be good enough. They are missing the idea of reflection which they will need at the college level. I graded the logs the first semester, but I didn't have them complete the logs the second semester. For the next school year, I am going to require the logs for both semesters, but the students will have options: snapchat stories, blogs, or voice recordings. 

3. What is a major issue in education?

The major issue has been the negative talk about public education. This talk led to the decrease in school funding, which led to the teacher shortage, and now is leading to schools having to consider consolidating or closing. All of these problems have been caused by manipulative people with other agendas. They have never liked public schools or teachers and would do anything to destroy public education. This manipulation is nothing new; the agenda has been pushed for at least five years. Saying that all schools are failing is just as ridiculous as me insinuating that only some students can be successful. Teachers have the solutions; we just need to be respected for our opinions.

4. What is one idea that should be implemented in schools?

I will be implementing this idea next year. Every student should have an educational map that documents what they have accomplished and what they need to do to be college and career ready. We have to get out of the mindset that all students will go to college; I have several students who have learned a trade and will just start working after graduation. There are students who are ahead of their peers in academics, and those students who next extra help. Creating this map would help me as a teacher to see the individual needs of the students and also let the students see the big picture. They need to see what it will take to reach their goals, their dreams, and their destinations.

5.  What advice would I give someone going into education?

First, don't believe the idea that teachers get the summers off. Most of us are attending several workshops, teaching summer school, or planning for next year. I moved into a different building and attended five workshops last summer. Next, be ready to learn something new and adjust your lesson plans. What you think you will teach may change. Always reflect about your teaching. What can you do better? What are some ways to make your classroom instruction relevant to real-world ideas? Finally, never give up! People will say negative words about education to push their agendas. Just be ready to stand up for our students.

Now, you can just read my questions and answers, create your own questions and answers, or use the ones I have. It's your choice.