some websites I discovered that will be helpful in the future for my teaching career...
Education Needs New Ideas
13 years ago
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Our Book: Freedom Writers
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And I also watched the actual Freedom Writers Movie...
My Reaction to the Movie:
Our Words, Our Voice.
In the movie, Freedom Writers, Ms. Erin Gruwell is forced to think on her feet as she faces her first days of being a teacher dealing with inner city kids who have never been known to have much potential. Ms. Gruwell is the first teacher who stands behind these “throw away students” to give them power over their lives. Through simple life lessons she empowers her students with a voice to change their world-reading for knowledge, writing to free themselves, and using education to control their own destinies. She gives her students the one thing they have never had: a voice of their own.
In the movie, Freedom Writers, Ms. Erin Gruwell is forced to think on her feet as she faces her first days of being a teacher dealing with inner city kids who have never been known to have much potential. Ms. Gruwell is the first teacher who stands behind these “throw away students” to give them power over their lives. Through simple life lessons she empowers her students with a voice to change their world-reading for knowledge, writing to free themselves, and using education to control their own destinies. She gives her students the one thing they have never had: a voice of their own.
Freedom Writers is a movie with a very powerful message. Ms. Gruwell starts her first teaching career in a school of inner city kids whose normal days consist of drive-by shootings, drugs, and gangs. As her meticulously planned lessons are thrown out when she finds none of her students have heard of the Holocaust, Ms. Gruwell is forced to think on her feet. Through methods of adaptation, Ms. Gruwell battles for her students and against the school system and fights to make the classroom matter to her students.
So how did she do it? There were many different strategies Ms. Gruwell used in her teaching. She went above and beyond simple teaching styles to impact the kids of her classroom. She worked jobs outside of her job as a teacher just to have extra money to buy her kids news books and provide opportunities outside the classroom. She personally got to know each one of her students, took a cognitive style to learning, with hands on connections and experiences. She adapted her teaching to fit into her classroom and made changes when necessary. She stood up for what she believed in, and her students. She gave them respect and expected the same back from them along with the promise of succeeding.
In Woolfolk’s text a good teacher is defined as having three central qualities. Good teachers care about their students and establish positive interpersonal relationships. They also keep classroom organization under control without being mean, and lastly are good motivators by making learning fun with creativity. Ms. Gruwell was the definition of a good teacher for all these reasons and more.
First off, Ms. Gruwell worked very hard to establish positive interpersonal relationships with her students from the first day of class. She started this by establishing a base: their composition notebooks, or diaries. Here, she really got to know her students and understand their backgrounds. She could manipulate the lessons to reach out to things that could apply to them. Once the students understood she was there to support them a stronger bond was established, and much more learning was accomplished. It was through her personal caring that her students learned to trust her.
Secondly, Ms. Gruwell kept the classroom under control without having to be strict or rude. She set an expectation of her students and they learned to respect her through the respect she gave them. She acted as an authoritative figure to them. She took their learned helplessness and turned it around into achieving and believing students. She set the bar high and taught them to have a voice for themselves. During a time of self evaluation Ms. Gruwell asked the students to evaluate their progress and give themselves a grade. After one student gave himself an F Ms. Gruwell was very upset. She retorted, “You know what this is? This is a Fuck You to me and everyone in this class. I don't want excuses. I know what you're up against. We're all of us up against something. So you better make up your mind, because until you have the balls to look me straight in the eye and tell me this is all you deserve, I am not letting you fail. Even if that means coming to your house every night until you finish the work. I see who you are. Do you understand me? I can see you. And you are not failing.”
And lastly, but not least, Ms. Gruwell took a very creative approach to teaching. Coming into the classroom Ms. Gruwell started motivating her students through extrinsic motivation. She did this by first purchasing them brand new books, something teachers had never done for them before. She also took them on educational field trips to places that tied in with the books they were reading. Slowly these extrinsic motivations became intrinsic motivations for the students. These students began doing their schoolwork, not simply for the rewards Ms. Gruwell gave them, but because they enjoyed the satisfaction of succeeding. Self efficacy was also a huge part of Ms. G's teaching strategy. Through believing that she could reach these "throw away students" Ms. G always made sure that each student knew they had the potential to succeed. She set the bar higher than it had ever been set before forcing the students to excel to the best of their abilities. In her toast for change speech, Ms. G tells her students that all the voices that have told them can't succeed will be silenced. The toast, creatively impacts the students to start on a new beginning.
As the definition of a good teacher, Ms. Gruwell excelled beyond her job description to make an impact on the lives of these previously recognized “throw away students”. Through simple lessons she empowered her students with a voice to change their world. She handed them the power of education to have control over their own destinies.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Teacher of the Year Award...
The Scenario: Winning teacher of the year award and the letter I would write...
Residents of the Community,
It is with great appreciation that I accept this teacher of the year award in my community. First off, I would like to thank everyone who came to recognize me for such an honor, and for all the support I’ve always had from many people in this wonderful community.
Long ago, while still preparing for my job in college, I observed a teacher at a surrounding district. She came to be one of my greatest role models after my first observation experience. I’ll never forget one day as we talked before class, she told me, “Always be the person you think you are. In teaching it will show if you can’t be yourself, and if you can’t be yourself you can’t be true to the kids.” This quote resonates in my head today, it is solely the lesson I strive to live by in my classroom. I don’t know a better way to put it, than my observing teaching put it herself.
I truly believe this quote. There is no way I would be where I am today without these words of wisdom. It is true to say since I’ve started teaching I’ve grown and learned a lot. But who I am has never changed. The person I think I am has defined who I really am, and that is something the kids have come to know very well. With hope in keeping myself constant, I have seen my students develop into their own people as well, and this is one of my many goals for them. When they know my expectations for them, they feel comfortable to adjust to a new environment and surroundings. My first and foremost goal in my career is the kids, and is it because of them that I do what I do.
Another belief I’ve had in my classroom from day one is that you must catch kids being good. It is one of the most rewarding experiences to catch the bully befriending. Not only does it force the student to know they are being good, but gives them a reason to keep excelling. I like to see kids pushed beyond what they think they can achieve. I would love to see them go the extra 110%, because not only does that apply to their school work, but to all aspects of their lives. I pray that the teaching I do for them, not only improves them in their school setting, but for their future and current life lessons.
With this, I also believe there are certain ways to go about teaching. Research shows, hands on learning seems to help the majority of kids in their schoolwork. Not only does it let kids handle life like examples it helps them remember the concept. I feel in doing this in a classroom it intrigues the students and helps a student reach success. More kids get into the lesson and want to participate. Having an active mind creates openings to teach so much more! Interaction is key in my classroom, I want to be there for the kids, to let them ask questions, get involved, and be excited just like I am! Passion is something you can’t teach, but only draw into.
Flexibility is also a key component to a good teacher. I am willing to try new ideas, adapt completely, or even slightly change a lesson plan in order for improvement in my classroom. Lesson plans differently affect students and I believe as an educator it is my goal to reach out to all of them. Every child is different, comes from a different background, and therefore requires different attention.
While there are rights and wrongs in teaching, I know no teacher can ever be perfect. I don’t believe that there is any certain way to achieve perfection, but we can keep working towards it. I know my career is ever changing, ever learning, and ever developing. There is something we all can do to improve ourselves each day. And that is what teaching is really about to me. There are no black and white instructions, only a vibrant pallet of colors waiting to be unleashed.
I feel teaching goes along with one of my favorite sayings, “Dance like no one is watching.” It’s not the things that you do to deserve recognition, it’s the things that you when you don’t want to be noticed: the little things that count. And I truly believe that in this community I’ve had that chance, the chance to make a small difference in one child’s life, that goes on to someday make a big difference in the lives of many. Through community involvement, extracurricular activities, and other functions I believe teaching isn’t my only job, it’s my title. Teaching doesn’t end when the bell rings, but rings throughout all aspects of my life forever. Thank you so much for this honor, I couldn’t be more appreciative.
Sincerely,
Katie Trewartha
Residents of the Community,
It is with great appreciation that I accept this teacher of the year award in my community. First off, I would like to thank everyone who came to recognize me for such an honor, and for all the support I’ve always had from many people in this wonderful community.
Long ago, while still preparing for my job in college, I observed a teacher at a surrounding district. She came to be one of my greatest role models after my first observation experience. I’ll never forget one day as we talked before class, she told me, “Always be the person you think you are. In teaching it will show if you can’t be yourself, and if you can’t be yourself you can’t be true to the kids.” This quote resonates in my head today, it is solely the lesson I strive to live by in my classroom. I don’t know a better way to put it, than my observing teaching put it herself.
I truly believe this quote. There is no way I would be where I am today without these words of wisdom. It is true to say since I’ve started teaching I’ve grown and learned a lot. But who I am has never changed. The person I think I am has defined who I really am, and that is something the kids have come to know very well. With hope in keeping myself constant, I have seen my students develop into their own people as well, and this is one of my many goals for them. When they know my expectations for them, they feel comfortable to adjust to a new environment and surroundings. My first and foremost goal in my career is the kids, and is it because of them that I do what I do.
Another belief I’ve had in my classroom from day one is that you must catch kids being good. It is one of the most rewarding experiences to catch the bully befriending. Not only does it force the student to know they are being good, but gives them a reason to keep excelling. I like to see kids pushed beyond what they think they can achieve. I would love to see them go the extra 110%, because not only does that apply to their school work, but to all aspects of their lives. I pray that the teaching I do for them, not only improves them in their school setting, but for their future and current life lessons.
With this, I also believe there are certain ways to go about teaching. Research shows, hands on learning seems to help the majority of kids in their schoolwork. Not only does it let kids handle life like examples it helps them remember the concept. I feel in doing this in a classroom it intrigues the students and helps a student reach success. More kids get into the lesson and want to participate. Having an active mind creates openings to teach so much more! Interaction is key in my classroom, I want to be there for the kids, to let them ask questions, get involved, and be excited just like I am! Passion is something you can’t teach, but only draw into.
Flexibility is also a key component to a good teacher. I am willing to try new ideas, adapt completely, or even slightly change a lesson plan in order for improvement in my classroom. Lesson plans differently affect students and I believe as an educator it is my goal to reach out to all of them. Every child is different, comes from a different background, and therefore requires different attention.
While there are rights and wrongs in teaching, I know no teacher can ever be perfect. I don’t believe that there is any certain way to achieve perfection, but we can keep working towards it. I know my career is ever changing, ever learning, and ever developing. There is something we all can do to improve ourselves each day. And that is what teaching is really about to me. There are no black and white instructions, only a vibrant pallet of colors waiting to be unleashed.
I feel teaching goes along with one of my favorite sayings, “Dance like no one is watching.” It’s not the things that you do to deserve recognition, it’s the things that you when you don’t want to be noticed: the little things that count. And I truly believe that in this community I’ve had that chance, the chance to make a small difference in one child’s life, that goes on to someday make a big difference in the lives of many. Through community involvement, extracurricular activities, and other functions I believe teaching isn’t my only job, it’s my title. Teaching doesn’t end when the bell rings, but rings throughout all aspects of my life forever. Thank you so much for this honor, I couldn’t be more appreciative.
Sincerely,
Katie Trewartha
Self-Reminders...
Thus far, on my educational path to become a teacher I have had many inspirations of what I would like my model classroom to look like someday! There have been so many great opportunities already and important pieces of information I never want to forget. So today I decided I NEED to write them all down! These are just little tidbits and (random) pieces of things I've picked up so far... I'm sure it will get updated often! But I honestly think one of the most important things for my future is to build upon the advice of others. So here goes!
Communication: This has got to be by far the most important things I've heard over and over again from MANY sources! I know that I won't have too much trouble with this, however I just need to remember to always keep communication lines open to all parents. Be open with them, and not just when their kids are struggling. Start off with a positive aspect, or maybe even just catch their child being good! Make yourself available and establish a trusting bond with the parents because of course they would love to know every detail of their child!
Technology: If there's one thing that hasn't been more iterated in this class it's keeping up with technology! After watching the video on youtube about "Shift Happens" I feel like this is something very important for us as future educators to focus on, especially going into dealing with this generation. It's a very positive thing and we need to be aware of the capabilities of this generation and the impact of technology. It can be a very useful tool when used correctly. I also found a neat website that talks about the implementation of technology in the classroom and how it's going to be the future. Click Here!
Passion: Of course! Passion is key in teaching! You gotta love what you are doing, every single inch of it, and if you don't love it the kids will know! You must be in teaching for the right reasons, which I believe I am. But like Mr. Riley said teaching can't be about you, it's gotta be about the kids. It was a great reminder than you can't just love the kids, but you must love working with kids. You must be the person in their lives that wants to make the difference. And with that attitude going into teaching I feel like there's be so many lives to reach. I can remember my math high school teacher was such a dork because he loved math so much, but it really made us love it too! In fact he would use all sorts of different things to get us to like math. Check out the youtube clip on the video bar..."What you know about Math?"
Confidence: In my amazing J Term experience of Ed 185 I had the chance to work with a really great cooperative teacher. There was one thing she told me that will never leave my head, "Always be the person you think you are because in teaching it will show if you can’t be yourself, and then you can’t be true to the kids." It's so true! You must have your own self-confidence and know what tasks and goals you want them to accomplish before they can even begin their self-discovery. Elementary teachers are a vital part of young kids' lives and they must start by being confident and trusting themselves in order for anyone else to trust in them. With this confidence, letting your kids to know you is a good thing! Make it personal, and let them know they know you too! They want to be a part of your lives as much as you want to be a part of theirs.
Use Your Resources: I don't think I heard this enough from my cooperating teacher and other teachers of the building as well. There are so many resources available to teachers and we must utilize them to our full potential! So many hands on learning kits and tools have been created to assist in a child's learning and enhance the fun of learning! It's so important to use these available to us. It's not always necessary, but can be a very effective teaching strategy. It helps get the kids motivated and wanting to learn!
Little Pieces: And lastly but not least, work at things in chunks! Take everything one step at a time and applaud even small improvement! Every little step matters...and encouragement is the key to motivating students as well. My cooperating teacher once told me it's not how much you accomplish but if you learned it along the way. She wouldn't try to rush through things when a day of school was missed for a snow day or something, but just try to get back on track with where her class was at. Always being on her feet ready for everything! Note the small things :)
So... these are just some of my ideas so far! I want to remember all these useful tidbits of advice for when I start to teach! I'm sure they will come in handy! There is so many more, and I'm sure there will be some to add as well! Can't wait to use it soon!!!
Communication: This has got to be by far the most important things I've heard over and over again from MANY sources! I know that I won't have too much trouble with this, however I just need to remember to always keep communication lines open to all parents. Be open with them, and not just when their kids are struggling. Start off with a positive aspect, or maybe even just catch their child being good! Make yourself available and establish a trusting bond with the parents because of course they would love to know every detail of their child!Technology: If there's one thing that hasn't been more iterated in this class it's keeping up with technology! After watching the video on youtube about "Shift Happens" I feel like this is something very important for us as future educators to focus on, especially going into dealing with this generation. It's a very positive thing and we need to be aware of the capabilities of this generation and the impact of technology. It can be a very useful tool when used correctly. I also found a neat website that talks about the implementation of technology in the classroom and how it's going to be the future. Click Here!
Passion: Of course! Passion is key in teaching! You gotta love what you are doing, every single inch of it, and if you don't love it the kids will know! You must be in teaching for the right reasons, which I believe I am. But like Mr. Riley said teaching can't be about you, it's gotta be about the kids. It was a great reminder than you can't just love the kids, but you must love working with kids. You must be the person in their lives that wants to make the difference. And with that attitude going into teaching I feel like there's be so many lives to reach. I can remember my math high school teacher was such a dork because he loved math so much, but it really made us love it too! In fact he would use all sorts of different things to get us to like math. Check out the youtube clip on the video bar..."What you know about Math?"
Confidence: In my amazing J Term experience of Ed 185 I had the chance to work with a really great cooperative teacher. There was one thing she told me that will never leave my head, "Always be the person you think you are because in teaching it will show if you can’t be yourself, and then you can’t be true to the kids." It's so true! You must have your own self-confidence and know what tasks and goals you want them to accomplish before they can even begin their self-discovery. Elementary teachers are a vital part of young kids' lives and they must start by being confident and trusting themselves in order for anyone else to trust in them. With this confidence, letting your kids to know you is a good thing! Make it personal, and let them know they know you too! They want to be a part of your lives as much as you want to be a part of theirs.
Use Your Resources: I don't think I heard this enough from my cooperating teacher and other teachers of the building as well. There are so many resources available to teachers and we must utilize them to our full potential! So many hands on learning kits and tools have been created to assist in a child's learning and enhance the fun of learning! It's so important to use these available to us. It's not always necessary, but can be a very effective teaching strategy. It helps get the kids motivated and wanting to learn!
Little Pieces: And lastly but not least, work at things in chunks! Take everything one step at a time and applaud even small improvement! Every little step matters...and encouragement is the key to motivating students as well. My cooperating teacher once told me it's not how much you accomplish but if you learned it along the way. She wouldn't try to rush through things when a day of school was missed for a snow day or something, but just try to get back on track with where her class was at. Always being on her feet ready for everything! Note the small things :)
So... these are just some of my ideas so far! I want to remember all these useful tidbits of advice for when I start to teach! I'm sure they will come in handy! There is so many more, and I'm sure there will be some to add as well! Can't wait to use it soon!!!
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