Week 11 Old Quarry

Week 11


The last week before spring break is a tough one to teach. I was able to instruct a little bit at the end of the week as well as take attendance. My cooperating had been giving me more freedom with the class but it can be difficult because I am trying to hold students to expectations but other staff members do the opposite. It seems to be difficult to keep everything in working order when you have different expectations or certain teachers give breaks. I find it hard to enforce rules or expectations. The students like to play the teachers just as a child would do to their parents to get what they want. It has been a daily occurrence, students did not like my answer they go to another teacher or vice versa. It puts someone in an awkward position. I have been in many meeting and heard little things here and there about how the students do not care about punishment. Or they get to do whatever they want, this is hard to hear because this is a moral battle for me. I have found that I give respect to the students and they should give respect back. (2A) I was starting to see it at the end of the 2nd week. They started acknowledging me or asking me questions about what to do about certain situations, instead of going to their lead teacher. I see some progress but it will be difficult to come back after having a full week off for spring break. My cooperating teacher has given me so many tools to teach 6-8th graders, I have found that I come to him for many questions daily. He also showed me how their grading system works and how to input grades. (2I)) During our lunches and breaks he fills me in about past students and situations to give me some insight on the staff and student of that district. It is great information to keep in the back of my head. I am making great connections with the rest of the staff. (8H) Today I spoke with the health teacher and her and I spoke for a good half hour about school, classroom management, resumes, teaching jobs, and many more topics. 


I have been at this school and has seen more detentions written up for the smallest things it can be difficult to wrap my head around it. I am a big believer in setting an expectation and holding students to that expectation. (4K) I have spoken with my cooperating teacher about this topic and him and I are on the same page of you build a good report with the students and they will behave the way you want them to. (4B) But if you do the smallest thing to aggravate them or they do not agree with it, just leave it be. I have seen things escalate because of power struggles not only in a school setting but in life. I have learned also that showing sometimes when you are incorrect you need to apologize for the situation, this tactic has worked out well for me and my cooperating teacher believe in this tactic as well. I have learned many different approaches to help students in need but I didn't realize that I would be diving back into my social work background to help students out. I used some social work tactics in high school but I see my self using more and more tools in middle school.



This upcoming week is our Spring break. I hope to learn that decompression is a very useful tool for becoming a good teacher. I have also been looking forward to concentrating on my self and my health. You always hear that you need to take care of your self before caring for others, I am feeling the side effects of just helping others. I look forward to the rest this upcoming week and I hope to return to PE bright eyed and bushy tailed. (1F)