Tuesday, January 24, 2012

1 Peter 2:4-10

How will your life as a teacher honor God’s love for you and all that He has given you? I believe that God is the one who has blessed me with the gift of teaching, but I am the one who needs to do something about it. I can glorify God and show him honor by becoming an effective teacher. I can work hard to learn new teaching strategies and even continuing to leaner more content. My goal is to be a servant of God, doing what he has called me to do. I must earnestly desire to also see my students excel both academically and socially. God places a high standard for those in authority, so I must demonstrate that in more than just my time in the classroom. One thing that that I can do to show how I honor God's love is to show that love to my students so that they know that I respect and care for them. Though I can't actually Explain God's love to my students but I can demonstrate it through mu actions. I can also show God's love to my colleagues and administrators by being patient and respectful. I must find the higher ground and walk that path so that I will not only honor god but be a witness to those I am around.  9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Trust in Educational Setting

How can you create relational trust in an educational setting?


Trust can be created sometimes with a simple smile, a kind word, a helpful hand. A teacher has the ability to set the mode for trust in his or her classroom. "Actions speak louder than words" can still be words to live by for teachers. In my own classroom, I desire my students to feel safe and welcome. I show that by waiting at the door for them and greeting them by their name when they enter. I also show that to them by updating them on their progress in class-whether declining or improving. I want my students to know that I really do care about their success so I make it a habit to point out what they do well and what they need to do to excel. When I explain how they are doing, I let them know that they are intelligent and that they are capable of succeeding. I encourage them to try harder or keep trying because I know that they can do it and I do not want them to give up. I think that caring also provides an atmosphere of trust because the students know that if I care then I am probably a trust worthy person. In addition, I always make myself available to answer questions and assist the students with what they need help on. I think this also provides an element of trust, knowing that they can rely on me to be there to help them. I also like to share my experiences with the class as it pertains to history (or even school). I believe that students feel more comfortable around someone who is willing to share with them-once again, creating trust. Finally, students also trust teachers who they respect. I think a teacher must be able to properly manage her/his class in order to be an effective teacher. The teacher needs to know when to pause for discipline (or when to wait to discipline privately) and when to teach (present yourself as an authoritative figure). Students will respect that and it will also encourage them to trust that you know how to handle a class and provide for their safety as well as education. Trust in education is absolutely crucial for the students to succeed. If there is not trust then students become anxious instead of attentive and studious. 

Monday, January 9, 2012

Undivided Self

How can we use our undivided self to reform education so that all are honored?


Teaching is can be challenging and sometimes draining for teachers. This is not necessarily because the teachers lack passion for teaching or for their students, but it could also be because teachers put all their effort and so much of their time into helping each student. Good teachers come to truly care about each student and desire each one to succeed. Sometimes that desire can become consuming and it can be devastating to see a student fail or failing (or going through difficult times). First, it is always important that teachers remember to balance out their teaching and their lives so that they do not get "drained" out. Yet, at the same time, teachers who do have this passion, who are connected with their students, and are devoted to helping each student are the people who are meant to be in the educational field. For me, teaching has been such a great experience and I am excited to keep teaching. It has been in those little moments when students have said something positive about learning, or given a warm smile, or even asking a probing question on the topic that I have come to realize that this occupation is what I am meant to be in. I really care for every one of my students and I wish that they could understand how much I want each one to do well and succeed. I think that is what gives me motivation to continue teaching, to continue working and trying hard so that I will not stop working to develop ways to help my students learn. I think it is this motivation and this passion that come from deep inside me (maybe like a gift) that will contribute to educational reform so that all are honored. I think that true teachers have this same belief and are the ones that can really bring about a change.