blog #9

What I've Learned This Year (2008-09)

(May 27, 2009) What I've Learned This Year (2008-09) by Joe McClung contains pointers that I will utilize as I go into my first year of teaching. Mr. McClung shared a few helpful things that he learned his first year of teaching. A few things that he shared with us is: How to Read the Crowd,Be Flexible,Communicate,Be Reasonable,do not be Afraid of Technology,Listen to Your Students, and never stop learning.
How to read to the crowd helped me understand how important it is to focus on the student when you read to make sure that they are comprehending what you are reading. Mr. McClung says not to focus on yourself and how you read. Our lessons should be student-centered. Another lesson he learned that year was to be flexible with his students. He learned that things don't always go as planned. I agree with him when he said, "there is no perfect lesson". I find this to be true for a lot of other things as well. No matter how much I plan an event something different always seem to happen. Mr. McClung learned that he couldn't always control things.He had to learn to accept that he couldn't control everything and to just do the best that he could with a smile on his face. I think this is a good way to look at things that you can't control.My motto is to do the best that you can and don't worry about the rest.
Mr.McClung learned that the best way to solve workplace drama or feuds is to communicate with others. Many issue can be worked out if people simply talked with each other in an adult manner. He also learned that communication helps you build strong relationships with other teachers. He learned to be responsible when he set goals for his students.He also informs us not to set our expectations too high when it comes to our students.I agree with his reason for not doing this.We don't want to get mad when our students fail and lash out at them.Teachers are supposed to help guild students in the right direction and not fuss at them when they don't meet our set goals.
He explains that technology is something that has to be learned over time.He also encourages us not to get mad and give up when we don't understand something. Technology can be helpful once we learn how to use it. There is no reason to be afraid of it. He learned that teachers can build respect in student-teacher relationships by listing to their students.I believe that students are more willing to learn and behave when they feel like the teacher listens to their ideals.
Last but not least Mr.McClung learned that if he wanted to be a good teacher that he must never stop learning. He believes it is never to late to change or learn new things.

What I Learned This Year – Volume 4

In the 2011-2012 school year, Mr. McClung learned two themes about teaching.In the 2011 school year he learned not to be concerned with what his peers thought of him. The only thing that mattered to him was that his students liked him and were having a good time in his class.People's opinions shouldn't worry you.Everyone needs to take advice from Mr.McClung and forget what others have to say about the way that you are doing something. The only thing a teacher should worry about is their students.He also learned to not get to comfortable with the way that you teach because it will show. Always try to learn new things and introduce them to your students.Learning new things will keep you from losing your touch and falling into a boring routine.