Graduating from university as a Psychology & Sociology double major with a minor in Social Work I never thought teaching was in my future. I filled my schedule with classes about counseling. How to interact with people in a one-on-one or small group setting. I remember walking into my first class with forty students staring at me, I was terrified. I was standing there thinking "what did I sign up for?"
My first semester teaching was full of tribulations, many of them. Often times I felt stranded in my classroom, no curriculum, no textbook, and no idea what to do. At first I dramatically underestimated my students' knowledge, I also found myself doing a lot of things that I thought I "should" do but were also the things I always hated teachers doing. Needless to say my first semester teaching wasn't my best. I didn't post about teaching because I didn't have many positive things to say.
That has since changed.
I thought long and hard about my favorite classes throughout my educational career, why my favorite teachers are my favorite, and what I liked/disliked about my own educational history. It was through these long reflections that I finally started to find my ground.
For the teachers, instructors, and professors who's classes and instruction helped me to become the person I am today, I thank you. Without having the honor of being one of your students I wouldn't be the teacher I've become. Without the knowledge you imparted through your lessons and your actions I wouldn't have been able to have my reflection. So I thank you.
I also apologize to you. I never realized how much effort must go into creating lesson plans, and assignments that are both educational and interesting. I'm sorry I spent so much time looking out the window. It wasn't until I saw some of my own "awesome" lesson plans crash and burn before my eyes that I realized I was once that student who would zone out and stare longingly towards the window. I'm sorry that I thought your lessons on ancient Chinese history would never impact my life (really wish I paid attention to that unit). I wish I could have appreciated how great you were when you were still my teacher.
This semester is full of positive things I want to blog about.
I've spent more time listening to the advice of seasoned teachers. Instead of spending time wishing someone would hand me a curriculum, I took the initiative and made a curriculum. I spent more time listening to my students, I found ways to incorporate grammar lessons with lessons on American culture. I remembered a lesson from a Social Work professor and I became comfortable with the silence as my students thought about their answers. I used Mother's Day and making cards to send to their Mothers as a way to teach complex adjectives.
As my time in China begins to draw to a close I feel confident that I have taught my students well. With all my lessons planned and final exam prepared it seems like I'm starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. However the closer I get to the light the more I wish for extra time. My students have impacted me as much as I've impacted them and it saddens me to know in a few short weeks we will have to say goodbye.
My first semester teaching was full of tribulations, many of them. Often times I felt stranded in my classroom, no curriculum, no textbook, and no idea what to do. At first I dramatically underestimated my students' knowledge, I also found myself doing a lot of things that I thought I "should" do but were also the things I always hated teachers doing. Needless to say my first semester teaching wasn't my best. I didn't post about teaching because I didn't have many positive things to say.
That has since changed.
I thought long and hard about my favorite classes throughout my educational career, why my favorite teachers are my favorite, and what I liked/disliked about my own educational history. It was through these long reflections that I finally started to find my ground.
For the teachers, instructors, and professors who's classes and instruction helped me to become the person I am today, I thank you. Without having the honor of being one of your students I wouldn't be the teacher I've become. Without the knowledge you imparted through your lessons and your actions I wouldn't have been able to have my reflection. So I thank you.
I also apologize to you. I never realized how much effort must go into creating lesson plans, and assignments that are both educational and interesting. I'm sorry I spent so much time looking out the window. It wasn't until I saw some of my own "awesome" lesson plans crash and burn before my eyes that I realized I was once that student who would zone out and stare longingly towards the window. I'm sorry that I thought your lessons on ancient Chinese history would never impact my life (really wish I paid attention to that unit). I wish I could have appreciated how great you were when you were still my teacher.
This semester is full of positive things I want to blog about.
I've spent more time listening to the advice of seasoned teachers. Instead of spending time wishing someone would hand me a curriculum, I took the initiative and made a curriculum. I spent more time listening to my students, I found ways to incorporate grammar lessons with lessons on American culture. I remembered a lesson from a Social Work professor and I became comfortable with the silence as my students thought about their answers. I used Mother's Day and making cards to send to their Mothers as a way to teach complex adjectives.
As my time in China begins to draw to a close I feel confident that I have taught my students well. With all my lessons planned and final exam prepared it seems like I'm starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. However the closer I get to the light the more I wish for extra time. My students have impacted me as much as I've impacted them and it saddens me to know in a few short weeks we will have to say goodbye.
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