My Style of Teaching

When becoming a teacher, one must think about what teaching strategies he/she believes will benefit the students the most. There is the ever classic textbook-type teaching and the lecture style of teaching, but I have become very interested in the project-based learning style of teaching. Sure, a good balance of every style must be presented to the students, as each student learns differently, but I believe a project-based style of teaching would really benefit students. I believe so, because for each project, a student must do his/her research on their own instead of me just reciting them the information (which I would have to do first, then they would have to research more info for their projects). If they have to look up information, usually the information would stick with them more. The students have the opportunity to dig deeper in whatever we are learning about at that time. It is also beneficial in that projects typically encourage creativity and individuality. It seems like in today's society, we are not encouraging creativity as much as we should. The students might be able to do something they are passionate about and go above and beyond with their project.

 My mentor, Mr. Cantrell, uses this strategy in his classroom. They do a project for every standard. For example, they are beginning to work on a project Mr. Cantrell dubbed "The Mammoth Project"(which it truly is); the students have to look more into the lives of soldiers and events of the Civil War. They can make a North Star quilt (quilt to indicate a safe house of the Underground Railroad), make a regiment flag, create a diorama of a battle, and basically anything they would like to do (with the approval of Mr. Cantrell) that they are passionate about to learn more about the Civil War. I remember doing this project when I was in his class (an odd 3 years ago) and I learned so much more than I would have reading a textbook or taking notes about it. I really enjoyed this project, and I am looking forward to be able to help the current students with their projects.

On a somewhat different note, our big Honors Mentorship final project is coming up. We are required to come up with an essential question that is related to our choice of career and our mentorship and present it to a big group of people at the end of the year (doesn't it sound scary?). What I would really like to discuss, is project based learning. Distinguish and evaluate the pros and cons of project based learning and comparing and contrasting project-based learning techniques with other strategies would be my "essential question/statement". It is something that I am really passionate about and fully believe in this idea. I would be able to go in depth with this topic. Is it wrong that I am beginning to become excited for this project?


~Sarah

Mentorship So Far...

My mentorship in an 8th grade classroom has been interesting so far. Most of my time is just observing how Mr. Cantrell teaches. After every class, I take notes on some of the strategies and activities he does that I might use in my future classroom. Mr. Cantrell encourages me to not only take notes on the activities he does with his students, but to take notes on how I would do things differently. While the students are working on their assignments or projects, I always walk around the classroom to help students and ask them questions about whatever standard they are learning about. Mr. Cantrell is always encouraging me to interact with the students as much as possible. He has even mentioned to me recently, that I could have a special day within the week and take the last 10-15 minutes of class and talk to the students. I could talk about whatever they are learning about , I could answer any questions they have about high school (as they will be freshmen next year!), or I could ask the students questions on what kind of activities and teaching strategies they like. This time can end up being really beneficial for me! Also, as I have been mentioning a lot, I will be able to teach a lesson this year!! It's almost like I am teaching my own class!

Both surprisingly and unsurprisingly, the U.S. History class I am taking this year is really helping me with my mentorship. We are learning almost the same thing and we are almost in sync. Mr. Cantrell's class is basically one standard behind with what I am learning. For example, I am currently learning about the Civil War in my U.S. History class and the 8th graders are learning about the Antebellum Period (pre-Civil War period). I am sure that when they are on the Civil War unit, I will be learning about Reconstruction.  My U.S. History class goes in a little more in depth than Mr. Cantrell's class, so I am able to help the students with any questions they have or if they wish to know more, I would be able to teach them more.

It's kind of funny how one needs to be taught how to teach. Mr. Cantrell is teaching me all that he can to help me prepare for this career. This mentorship is giving me extra experience that I can use as I begin taking teacher classes in college and in my own classroom in the future. 

~Sarah

  

Having "Social Intelligence"

I am not sure if I am the only person that thinks this, but some of the younger generations (mine included) have/are becoming more and more disrespectful and arrogant. These are not the qualities that future employers want. I have recently read an interesting article by Growing Leaders called "The First Soft Set Skill to Develop in Students". This article is about how first impressions are extremely important and how having "social intelligence" is something employers look for. Going back to being disrespectful and arrogant, no employer wants these kinds of people in the workplace, and unfortunately, more people are becoming so. It's not just our generation too, we may encounter a coworker who does not really treat us like they should, or treat us like we are inferior or below them (which is a really mean thing to do). We could encounter these people on a day to day basis in the workplace. The key is know how to personally deal with these kinds of people. You could politely ask them to not treat you in that manner, or even ignore their behavior all together.

 The article defines "social intelligence" as "the capacity to effectively negotiate complex social relationships and environments"(Growing Leaders). The article states that having social intelligence includes:

• Empathy
• Attunement
• Social Cognition
• Concern
• Self-presentation
• Influence

I agree with all of these. You definitely need these attributes in order to create relationships in the workplace, which is very important. Also, because social intelligence is becoming a rare quality to have, many employers are looking for this, especially in a first impression. Employers tend to know whether or not they want to hire you within the first minute of meeting you, so having "social intelligence" or learning how to have these qualities will definitely make a positive impact.

~Sarah  

My Mentorship Profile

 My Profile: My name is Sarah. I am currently a junior at Flowery Branch High School.  This year, I was able to be a part of the Honors Mentorship Program. For as long as I can remember, teaching has always been a career that has interested me. Each year, seeing what all of my teachers do, has inspired me to pursue teaching as a career. Now that I am in this program, I am able to experience what it is really like to be a teacher. I love it!

My Mentorship: This year in Honors Mentorship, I am working in an Eighth Grade Georgia Studies classroom at C.W. Davis Middle School. I am working with my amazing mentor, Mr. Cantrell, who is always encouraging me to be as interactive as possible. He is teaching me about the everyday tasks of a teacher. Later this year, he is going to teach me how to use the technology that a teacher must use on a day-to-day basis. He will also teach me how to use some technology that can help my future students to better understand the material I will be teaching. In the classroom, I am observing how Mr. Cantrell is teaching and interacting with students (to see what helps students learn and how it is best to teach). I am walking around the classroom while his students are working on their assignments and helping them. Later this year, Mr. Cantrell will allow me to teach a lesson to his class! Lastly, I must mention my favorite task of the day, helping stacking up the chairs at the end of the day.

My Future: Next year, I hope to be a part of the Honors Mentorship Program again. However, I would be working in a different classroom to learn more techniques of teaching. This mentorship is really helping me because I will already have a good understanding on ways to easily connect with and teach different types of students. This is helping me prepare for my own classroom in the future and making me more passionate about teaching as my future career.

~Sarah

The Old Fashioned Ways

Growing up, my dad was a teacher. He was and still is working in education (I guess you can tell what sparked my interest in becoming a teacher). Because of this, I know the ins and outs of teachers's duties and I already had a perception of what a teacher does, before I began my mentorship. It is surprising to me to say that not much has changed from my dad's teaching experience from ten years ago. Sure, teachers have new gadgets and gizmos, but they are still teaching and doing the same things. Most jobs these days are changing rapidly and new tasks are being added to each job. For teaching, you are still making and giving tests, grading assignments, and teaching the same curriculum, and that is really comforting to me. They might do these tasks in a different way, but it is still the same as it has been this past decade. Even the very tedious and routine task of grading work or grading a project is mostly done with the always classic, red pen, like always. These tasks can take hours to do, but it is nice to see how important it is by taking the time to complete it. Sometimes, the old fashioned ways of completing tasks is always the best way.

~Sarah

A Partner In Your Education

Internships are truly a learning experience to the interns. You learn so many aspects of your desired job that you would have not expected. This is really beneficial because to those who do not have the opportunity to intern, may go into their job blind-sided and learn later that the job is not what they may have thought it to be. It's almost like you are back in a classroom, a very hands-on classroom. In classrooms, you may learn what you like and dislike. That's why when we were in high school, we usually knew what we wanted to do when we became older or at least knew what we did not want to do. For example, say a person named Billy disliked math (like I do). Billy would probably not want to be an engineer, an accountant, or a mathematician. Internships are the same way! We learn what we like and dislike about the job.

Internships also show people other careers they might be interested in. You may start an internship as a graphic designer only to see a computer designer doing his/her job, and you think, "Wow, that seems like something I would enjoy". In my case, I am beginning to be interested in becoming a school counselor, just in case I learned that teaching was not for me. 

Internships are not only beneficial to the interns, but for the mentors also. Interns can help the mentor complete routine tasks or less important tasks. Also, if the mentor has a huge workload, the intern can help that mentor complete the task quickly. In my internship, I try to help my mentor by going around the classroom and helping students. There is probably nothing more stressful for a teacher than to have twenty hands in the air with a question (probably the same question too). I can tell that my mentor is a little thankful to be able to take a little more time with each student while I take time with another. 

Internships are really beneficial to everyone involved. We all learn from each other and help each other. Internships are truly a "partner in your education".

The Art of Being a Teacher

The first month of my mentorship, a very exciting experience for me. When I walked in the classroom for the first time, I felt like I was at home.  I have learned so much about being a teacher simply just by observing. Teaching and interacting with coworkers is truly an art that needs to be mastered.

 For example, I have learned that a teacher must know what to do in every situation, whether it be a fire, a school lockdown, and even knowing what to do when a kid becomes sick in the classroom. They need to stay calm and know every protocol the school provides them as well as preparing for situations that are not included in the school’s protocols. Also, I have observed that newer teachers tend to teach more regular classes than the more experienced teachers. This is not always the case, however, many experienced teachers like teaching the regular level classes and tend to either teach only regular classes, or have a majority of regular classes and a few advanced classes. Finally, teachers ALWAYS communicate with their coworkers through email and face-to-face conversations. There is rarely texting among coworkers (who are not even supposed to have their phones out unless for educational purposes). Professional communication is very important in the world of teaching.

Once a person becomes a teacher, they are set to a different standard from the rest of the community. Teachers must be very professional in their attitudes, interactions, and especially in the way they dress. Every teacher must act like their students are watching them. There is a reason why we do not see any teachers posting pictures of them bikini-clad with alcohol in their hands. Again, teachers must present themselves professionally. Dressing in the workplace is both simple and tricky. Women must dress professionally and most importantly, MODESTLY. Sorry, but the truth is, teenage boys will be teenage boys. It is important to cover the cleavage, ladies, and to not wear skin-tight pants or mini-skirts. When in doubt, cover it up! For men, all that really need to be said is dress professionally. There is a reason why I am stressing the professional look: as a teacher, you want to taken very seriously and look like you know what you are talking about. Unfortunately, teachers can come across an unruly parent and you want to look like a professional. I cannot stress looking professional enough.

Luckily, I have been able to learn some of these elements of teaching during my mentorship. Also, thankfully, I am a fast learner, and I believe that is a quality that all teachers need. I am truly learning something everyday and I am amazed at the complexity of the everyday things that once seemed so simple. I am truly thankful to be doing this mentorship. 

-Sarah