Whether you are a teacher, a fellow C2C student, a C2C alum, or another fan of C2C reading this blog, please consider responding in the comments section below to one of the following prompts:
- What's the best/worst piece of advice you were given about teaching?
- Describe a humbling moment you've had as a teacher. What happened and what did you learn from the experience?
- How did you feel before you taught your first lesson?
- What's your favorite song to get you pumped up and feeling good about yourself?
Thank you for taking time to create a supportive community for C2C!
Ariela and Audra
(Photo: Erika Rees in the classroom of Mr. Scot Seitz, 2012)
This is my favorite "you can do it" song right now:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mk48xRzuNvA
Be a champion!!
Remember to show your students that you care. Children and teens are willing to invest in the lessons of teachers who are invested in them. At the end of the day, remember to reflect on what you can do different. You'll never be perfect but you can improve a little each time.
ReplyDeleteBest advice: Don't be afraid of pauses. When you ask a question to the class.... wait. And then wait some more. Make eye contact, smile, and don't make your question a challenge-- make it an invitation. When you're ready, rephrase your question. Wait. Wait. Wait.
ReplyDeleteEven though you'll feel like those silent seconds are inching by, they're important to give students the time to think and get comfortable with speaking out. If waiting doesn't work, ask the students to talk about it with a partner (but make sure you give them a cut-off time so they don't keep talking! Use a timer!). This may give them the confidence they need to speak up.
Finally, remember that pauses probably just feel reeaaallly long to you (especially when you're nervous).
Good luck! You'll do great!
Gaelle, 2012 Alumna