Addressing the Issues

After today's discussion in class about dealing with crisis's or sensitive subjects in the class I began to really think about how I would approach these subjects in my own classroom. How does one even begin to approach these topics? As a teacher your job description doesn't necessarily include being a counselor or a support system. But as a teacher one has to be able to be prepared to cope and help others cope with the worst,

Following the discussion I did some research into the subject and the classroom becomes an important part of coping. The classroom and the school system is a place where an educator or student can receive support when a crisis occurs. When a crisis does occur students should be informed right away to prevent rumors and students should be able to talk openly to a counselor or in a safe classroom where no judgement will be made. I also think its the job of a teacher to acknowledge the situation, not necessarily speak openly or candidly but at least draw some attention to the elephant in the room.

Further examination into the subject of specifically dealing with death in the classroom led me to The Compassionate Friends where they discussed how to deal with death as a teacher. The website mentioned how its okay for a teacher to cry and exhibit the signs of grief. Its actually okay and encouraged for a teacher to tell their students how he/she is feeling. Students will be better able to grieve if they feel supported and safe in the environment.

You can never prepare for tragedy because some things just happen unexpectedly. Even with experience as a teacher it will also be hard to deal with crisis situations. Some things will always be tough but as teachers its important to be there for the students. 

Embracing the Differences in the Classroom

I started reading the book Reading, Writing and Rising Up, and even in the first few chapters alone I feel in some sense more aware and prepared for the life of being a teacher. Even though actually becoming a teacher is many, many years away I still feel as though this book pus an excellent prospective on classroom environment.

The book focuses on the student population and the assignments used by a particular English teacher to get them to open up and be engaged in their education. Based on the school environment its understandable that some students don't particularly take well to school and the subject. And as teachers I think its important to understand that no two students are the same. By forming connections with her students through the assignments this particular English teacher was able to get through to her students and to impact their education. 

One assignment utilized was a Where I'm From poem. I have experience with this poem because I had to write one a few years ago for an English class and it was quite enjoyable to construct a complex way to describe my life and all of its influences. I think sure an assignment can really positively impact a classroom environment. Such an assignment allows students to understand where not only they came from but also where their classmates came from. 

Overall I think in a classroom catering assignments to students is not a bad thing and it should be done because they can make the difference in the environment of the classroom for the entire year together.  

I'm now excited to continue further into this book because the experiences of this on teacher alone inspires new ideas within me as well as inspires me to keep pursuing teaching because any teacher can make an impact. 

Addressing My Fears of Curriculum

Becoming a English teacher is something completely different then being an math or science teacher. Teaching English, more specifically determining what to teach is part of the struggle after being hired into a school system. As I pursue my education I always think forward to my future classroom picturing the desks and then in my head I make up the whole layout of the room. But also looking forward I begin to think about what I will actually be teaching. More specifically how will I tackle and then teach the intended curriculum.

I also find myself planning mini lessons in my head, which is a little lame, but I like to come up with creative ways to explore readings and writing. But after reading the chapter in Early Career English Teachers in Action, I have a few fears about being a first year English teacher down the road. Reading the introduction to the chapter alone made me wonder what my experience will be like, blindly planning weeks before the first day, unsure if the assignments will fit the criteria or the students. Because blindly preparing lesson plans seems intimidating because the students are the most important part, and that first year I won't know what to expect. But I agree with the book when it states "Making sure that the curriculum is actually useful to students and how they learn." Having the curriculum fit the students is a big deal and I think the best way to ensure this is too get help from other teachers and wait to do some planning till you are adjusted to the classroom environment.

These fears of curriculum also are from this fear that as a teacher I will over or under plan, but these issues can be address as the experience of actually being a teacher begins, Later on in chapter an essay about the determination of importance is brought up, whether or not something should be taught and who should make that decision. I think that as an English teacher they should have the most say regarding what is taught because as an English teacher  you have to expose students to new material and new styles whether in reading or writing. Planning a curriculum should include what is important, even if certain subjects are sensitive, like the whole issue of banned books, certain material should be explored because of content and the impact it can have.

Curriculum is something that needs to be discussed by not only English teachers a collective but also with students and administration because it is such an important and fluid subject.

Managing the Classroom

All teachers have to learn how to manage a classroom efficiently. It becomes a worry for all new teachers entering a new classroom, how to manage students and how to keep classes under control. "Effective classroom management has less to do with strategies and more to do with substance." When it come to managing a classroom experienced teachers have a combination of "authority and expertise" that aides in containing the conflict. 

This combination of "authority and expertise" is known as "gravitas"  according to Early Career English Teachers in Action. Gravitas is expressed in the body language, words, and interactions with students. Gravitas could be consider a process, and it is something that all teachers should work to developing as a skill. A teacher needs to be able to have a strong presence in the classroom. 

Top 10 Secrets of Successful Classroom Management  puts a better perspective on classroom management and also how to be successful as a teacher. 

1. Effective classroom management is based on a learn able set of skills.
2.  Establish a positive relationship with the class.
3. Praise is a powerful tool.
4. Welcome feedback from your students.
5. Create a safe learning environment.
6. Variety is the key to engaging students.
7. Establish the expectation that everyone must participate in class every day.
8. Assessments should look forward, not back.
9. Parents have expectations of teachers. 
10. Indicate to parents the potential for growth in their child.

These secrets actually put a good perspective on the classroom and how certain things can be solved and handled. But controlling a teacher that is able to control a classroom comes with experience on the job as well, so its good to develop relationships with students and colleagues to help the learning process along.