Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but
set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love,
in faith and in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12
set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love,
in faith and in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12
As you continue your educational journey (which you must continue throughout the rest of your life!) you have been given a rare opportunity. Believe it or not, shared professional blogs are not common. You are on the frontier of personal learning networks.
What makes a shared professional blog so powerful? I find At the Teacher's Desk a wonderful place to write something that I have been thinking about. It is a place where I know at least a few people will read it. There is nothing worse than writing in a vacuum.
Even though you are at the very beginning of your professional journey, you are not new to education. As a matter of fact, you are experts; experts at being students. You must constantly reflect on your student careers to help guide you in your teaching career. You remember the teachers that cared and the teachers that didn't You remember the classes that you learned a lot from and those that were a waste of time (college health? seriously?) You must learn your lessons from these experiences and use them in your own classroom.
Do not be afraid to be honest, share your experiences especially your failures. You will not only help everyone that reads the post, you will also prove yourself to be an honest, reflective teacher. When you are willing to share your experiences, everyone benefits (most of all your students!)
Finally, if you choose to write for this blog you need to commit to being supportive of the others that write here. Leave them comments. Tell them what you think. Share with them what you have learned.
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remembered-
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother;
Shakespeare's HENRY V
But we in it shall be remembered-
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother;
Shakespeare's HENRY V
Having a strong support system in place may be the difference between your success and failure as a teacher. Lean on each other, push each other, empathize with each other. Always remember, you have decided on a career that forces you to think of yourself second, the students must always come first.
Thank you VERY much for riding with us and providing inspiration, Mr. C. Beautifully, and memorably said. Again, thanks!
ReplyDeleteJackie
And I thank you as well. Others do not know that this would never have happened but for you. But I do! I can never express my appreciation for what you have taught me and how you have shaped these late moments of my teaching career. But I can say "Thank You Mr. Chamberlain" from the deepest reaches of my heart!
ReplyDeleteMr. Chamberlain,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for all that you do. I have learned a great deal from you, and I appreciate your effort in helping us become the teachers we desire to be. I am so excited that you will be contributing to our blog. I look forward to all that you share. Thanks again!
Thank you for your inspirational advice! You have just said some things that I have never really thought of and thank you for bringing up to my attention!
ReplyDelete@Everyone, Thanks for your kind words.
ReplyDelete