Comments on Cal Teacher Blog: 100: A Working Classroom Teacher?

I would recommend that anyone interested in teachi...

2009-04-09T17:22:00.000-07:00

I would recommend that anyone interested in teaching get qualified to substitute, even as an aid and get a good look at what works and what doesn't. I was part of a workshop sponsored by my district where we had to observe our fellow teachers and take notes, including quoting the teachers reaction to distractions. I'd been teaching for years but it was a big eye opener. Sometimes I was amazed at their right on reactions, other times I winced at what they allowed themselves to say to a child. The most clarifying conclusion I reached was that those who brag about how effective they are often aren't--they're mean--and those admittedly struggling are much better then they, or their fellow teachers, realize. Go see for yourself and see if you have what it takes because what it takes is often far beyond what's ever taught--it's magical.

I appreciate your useful information. I am curren...

2009-04-09T11:06:00.000-07:00

I appreciate your useful information. I am currently going to school to be a special education teacher, and really I have no idea where to start. I have some experience with special education students, but none of it is working with them in a classroom. It is blogs like yours that make becoming a teacher much easier! thanks again!

Lawrence Ferlinghetti said, "I am awaiting - perpe...

2008-08-18T14:13:00.000-07:00

Lawrence Ferlinghetti said, "I am awaiting - perpetually and forever - a renaissance of wonder. That yearning for discovery is the essence of what makes a great teacher, and your post speaks to that quality. That is what makes our profession such "work" as well as pure joy and a raison d'etre. It is refreshing to hear other teachers speak of the desire to keep learning and keep offering the fruits of that labor to students. The other "profession" that does that well is parenting, and there is a little of the parent in all teachers. I wrote a piece of commentary for the Denver Post about this sense of wonder. If you're interested, you should be able to find it at http://www.denverpost.com/perspective/ci_6654176

Teachers work hard. I know I did and still do to s...

2008-07-25T19:50:00.000-07:00

Teachers work hard. I know I did and still do to support the efforts of instruction and students.

Love the blog! I teach 2nd grade, but your descri...

2008-07-11T12:53:00.000-07:00

Love the blog! I teach 2nd grade, but your description of your "evaluation" certainly rings true!

Thanks for the encouraging words. I certainly have...

2008-07-04T22:04:00.000-07:00

Thanks for the encouraging words. I certainly have a love of learning and live for the moment when the light turns on in a student's mind. But how do you keep going when everything feels so hard? It sounds like its the same for teachers the world over. We keep going because we know it's the right (and only) thing to do.

I enjoyed your posting and had to laugh about your...

2008-06-10T09:16:00.000-07:00

I enjoyed your posting and had to laugh about your being critiqued. I was a teacher of English for 25 years. Administrators observed me blindfolding kids while I was teaching them about Hellen Keller and he asked "What's the point of blindfolding your students". I was so astounded I didn't reply. They only have the time to come in for short periods and often forget to bring their heads. They can get the wrong impression or leave advice that is not relevant when you consider the entire lesson. Still I have had some good criticisms that have helped me be a more effective teacher.

I have been looking at blogs for at least 3 weeks ...

2008-06-09T15:25:00.000-07:00

I have been looking at blogs for at least 3 weeks now. I finally came across your blog and loved what you had to say. I agree with many of the things you put into your blogs, as well as, laugh out loud a little.

I am not a teacher yet, but I am working on my certificate and my bachelors in Literature.

I want to say thank you for creating a blog that I actually enjoy reading.

Mary

I'm currently finishing up my first semester as a ...

2008-05-29T08:14:00.000-07:00

I'm currently finishing up my first semester as a teacher on an emergency credential. I'm trying to land an internship next year, and I'm also in California.

I just found your blog here and I look forward to keeping up with it and learning from you.

I also started my own blog where I can jot down some thoughts and think about teaching. I'm not here to hock it, just to say I'll be keeping up on your writing here. If there's one thing I've learned in my short time teaching it's that I can learn a lot from other teachers and it's incredibly important to think through what we do and why we do it.

My teaching blog is at http://noobteacher.wordpress.com - there's nothing particularly wonderful there yet, just a couple thoughts.

I totally agree with you. Teachers are life long ...

2008-05-25T16:42:00.000-07:00

I totally agree with you. Teachers are life long learners and that is what we want our students to be. Education is not static. Strategies, methods and our students for that matter, are always changing. For a teacher to stay on top of their game, you have to read journals, take more classes and pursue another degree. The things that you learn about in your reading or in classes, may work for you or not. If you don't take the time to try, you will never know. I further agree with you that it is up to the classroom teacher to educate their student. If our students are not being successful, the student is not the one who has to do something different. That rests with the teacher. Although we would love to have students who came from supportive homes, with access to computers, books, positive life experiences, love, encouragement, and school supplies, and learn in a style that we are comfortable teaching to,we don't always get this. It not the norm. Those are variables that we can not change. The only thing that we can change is how we meet these challenges. Teaching is hard work!

Monica