Blog Post #9

New Kid on the Block

Teaching is a complex job with huge responsibilities.  Studies show that nearly fifty percent of all educators quit the profession within their first five years due to the many struggles associated with the classroom. Whether it is struggles with the students, faculty, administration, parents or curriculum.  This is often called burnout.   New teachers begin the school year full of excitement, certain that you they're going to change the world. They have worked hard to earn their teaching credentials and are ready to make a difference. Alot of new teacher are blinded to the fact that alot of lessons will be learned and alot of mistakes will be made.  All teachers have different experiences their first years.   Mr. McClung describes, in these posts, the roller-coaster ride in his first-years teaching.   

Quotes from Mr. McClung....

"NO LESSON IS EVER PERFECT. THE LESSON YOU TEACH AND THE ONE YOU PLAN ARE ALWAYS DIFFERENT."

"COMMUNICATION IS THE BEST MEDICINE."

"AS TEACHERS WE HOLD VERY HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDENTS....SOMETIMES THEY LIVE UP TO THOSE EXPECTATIONS, AND SOMETIMES THEY DON'T."

"IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO CHANGE YOUR WAY OF THINKING, LEARNING, OR STYLE."

"IN ORDER TO BUILD THE RESPECT THAT WE ALL SEEK IN A STUDENT TEACHER RELATIONSHIP, IT IS IMPORTANT TO TAKE INTEREST  THEIR THE LIVES OF STUDENTS."

"NEVER GET TOO COMFORTABLE, CHANGE IS GOOD AND ULTIMATELY IT MAKES US BETTER TEACHER."

"CHECK YOUR EGO AT THE DOOR."

"OUR DECISION MAKING PROCESS SHOULD ALWAYS BE STUDENT CENTERED AND NOT CENTERED AROUND PLEASING ADULTS."

"DON'T EXPECT OTHERS TO BE AS EXCITED ABOUT CHANGE AS YOU ARE."

"WHILE ROUTINES ARE GOOD IN THE SENSE THEY ALLOW TO BE MORE EFFECTIVE, THEY CAN ALSO BE BAD BECAUSE THEY CAN FOSTER APATHY." 

"DON'T BE AFRAID TO BE AN OUTSIDER."