School is definitely helpful with teaching kids how to socially interact. School helps us to define ourselves; as well as help us to learn independence from our parents. Most of us learn our own way of learning and thinking from school.
Most children learn from watching others, following directions, listening when we want them to and when we don't want them to, interacting with others, using their senses, asking questions, and watching their parents' and caretaker's behavior. The adults in a child's life plays a huge role in a child's learning. I had the great oppurtunity to work as a Developmental Specialist/Play Therapist for about 6 months. It was a great job. (I only switch jobs because of not having enough hours and because of gas prices at the time. I conducted visits at the home or daycare.) I worked with children ages 6 months-3 yrs old who were developmentally delayed. Children at this age learn best through play. (Yep, that's right, I had a job where I played on the floor with kids for $25 per hour.) Awesome! I learned so many things about how they learn.
I'm not sure what type of learner I am. I have different styles. It all depends on the subject and the professor. I'm definitely not much of a reader. If I have to read it, I don't always get it. I do really well in classes where it's set up as kind of a seminar type of class; where the students teach themselves basically. We read the material and then the next day in class we get in groups and really talk it out. I do know that I like to see things done before I do it. That's how I've learned to be a good mommy and a good cook. I guess you could say I'm a visual learner.
A little over a year ago I was tutoring a student in Math. He just didn't get it. We were working with algebraic expressions. I love Math; but you have to have someone who knows how to teach it in different ways. Everyone doesn't get it the same way. I am excellent with nunmbers. I can figure out all kinds of math problems in my head when other people will spend 10 minutes on a sheet of paper trying to figure out. However, Math is difficult to teach. When you are working with someone who doesn't get it the way you do, you have to figure out a way to break it down to their level for them to get it. Once you do, they'll respond, "Oh okay, I get it!" That's exactly what happened with this kid. He actually added, "Nobody has ever tried to break it down for me." I felt really bad for this kid, because he was in the 6th grade, in EC classes, and still had difficulty with his multiplication tables. The kid had no mental illness, no developmental disability, and not one person in his life to give him that push to help him succeed. I know he actually learned something, because he was able to complete the math problems by the end of the tutoring session without my help.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Why do I want to be a teacher? Module 1(Late)
I know this blog is late, but I've been dealing with some things for the last couple of weeks and it has interfered with my classes. Hopefully, my trial is over and I can get back on track.
I want to be a teacher, because in the past year I have experienced some poor teaching first hand. I have witnessed some terrible situations with teachers. I feel there are so many who just don't have the desire to really make a difference in students' lives. I know that we can't save them all and we won't be able to make a difference in everyone's lives; however I feel as though when we accept the job of being a teacher it is our duty to give it our best. I know teachers face many challenges with the students, school administration, parents, and financial technicalities with the school system. Teachers used to get paid much less than they do now, but it seemed they had more heart and passion for their job. I feel that we have lost that in many of our schools. I don't know that I'll be a very good teacher, but I do know that I'm going to give it my all and if my all isn't good enough; I will find another job. I won't stay miserable in a job only to make the lives of those I work with miserable as well.
My best teacher was also my worst teacher; if that makes any sense. Her teaching was excellent. Her social interaction and disciplinary actions were a little not so good. I done really well in her class; I made straight A's. This was my 4th grade class. She was dedicated to having her students actually learn many things in her class. She worked with her students until they truly understood the subject.
As far as her disciplinary actions; she used to make us sit straight up in our seats with our knees togther and our hands together on top of our desks. We couldn't move; not even to scratch our nose. We would sit like this for 30-45 minutes. Sounds like much of nothing, but try it. It becomes painful. We also had to get on our knees at the chalkboard at times, sit on the heels of our feet on our tiptoes, unable to move. This was also painful. These tactics felt like torture. Her tactics were effective and she ended up being my favorite teacher, but even she had flaws.
I want to be a teacher, because in the past year I have experienced some poor teaching first hand. I have witnessed some terrible situations with teachers. I feel there are so many who just don't have the desire to really make a difference in students' lives. I know that we can't save them all and we won't be able to make a difference in everyone's lives; however I feel as though when we accept the job of being a teacher it is our duty to give it our best. I know teachers face many challenges with the students, school administration, parents, and financial technicalities with the school system. Teachers used to get paid much less than they do now, but it seemed they had more heart and passion for their job. I feel that we have lost that in many of our schools. I don't know that I'll be a very good teacher, but I do know that I'm going to give it my all and if my all isn't good enough; I will find another job. I won't stay miserable in a job only to make the lives of those I work with miserable as well.
My best teacher was also my worst teacher; if that makes any sense. Her teaching was excellent. Her social interaction and disciplinary actions were a little not so good. I done really well in her class; I made straight A's. This was my 4th grade class. She was dedicated to having her students actually learn many things in her class. She worked with her students until they truly understood the subject.
As far as her disciplinary actions; she used to make us sit straight up in our seats with our knees togther and our hands together on top of our desks. We couldn't move; not even to scratch our nose. We would sit like this for 30-45 minutes. Sounds like much of nothing, but try it. It becomes painful. We also had to get on our knees at the chalkboard at times, sit on the heels of our feet on our tiptoes, unable to move. This was also painful. These tactics felt like torture. Her tactics were effective and she ended up being my favorite teacher, but even she had flaws.
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