"An effective teacher creates a positive effect on student achievement as well as other important outcomes that have positive and lasting effects on the lives of students."
--James Stronge
Those who become teachers do so because they care about others and have a passion for helping students succeed. Teaching is a very rewarding job, but it doesn't come without its difficulties and frustrations.
- Some students are as easy to care about as others. There will be the students who ruins the feeling of classroom community, who is a constant disruptment, who has an unpleasant demeanor, etc. In the book it says "It's hard to care because we don't know how to see through someone else's eyes, to speak someone else's language, to make the world better for a child whose world is out of control.
- Some times teacher feel overwhelmed because there are too many students to connect with or they feel that there just isn't enough time.
- Its hard to teach well when you have 30 children with all different needs, requiring so much from you, all at the same time.
Teaching is hard, but it is rewarding. All teachers can do is try their best.
- Start by making meaningful relationships with your students.
- Be willing to take the necessary risks to help your students succeed and have a more fulfilling life.
- Trust and respect.
"We simply have to decide the shape we want our teaching careers to take, and begin moving in that direction."
--Carol Ann Tomlinson
After this past field experience I can absolutely see and understand why teachers get to discouraged and frusturated. They love and care for their students and want them all to succeed, but sometimes that is exhasting. They want to differentiate and give students all that they need to be successful, but with all of the other demands on the teacher that isn't always possible.
I feel the biggest thing i need to remember is to take each day one at a time. Some days will be better than others. Some days I might feel disappointed in my lack of differenation. Some days I might be barely hanging one. I just need to pick myself up and remind myself that tomorrow is another day. I can try again. I can differentiate in a different way until I am able to find what works for each student. I understand that this is something that takes practice... all I can do is keep trying!
Photo: http://absolutraining.com/atwp/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Dont-give-up.jpg
Book Reference: Fulfilling the Promise of the Differentiated Classroom, By: Carol Ann Tomlinson