1. How do people learn?
People learn in many different ways. Some learn by trial and error, some learn with instructions, some learn from others, and some learn through observation. Most learn through conversation and building upon another person's experience.
2. Given your answer to #1, how should teaching happen?
Teaching should happen to meet the needs of all learners. This means that when planning a lesson, the instructor should keep in mind his/her students. Present the information in a multitude of ways. This way as the teacher is going through his/her lesson, he/she can continuously assess the students and adjust accordingly. Along with the role of the teacher the student must take ownership in their learning. They have to want to be there at least most of the time. When students own their learning, it doesn't take much for the teacher to guide them through their learning process. It is like building a fire. The student brings the wood which may represent their foundations of prior learning. Other classmates are the newspapers which represents other life experiences and expertise. Then finally the teacher is the match. The match lights the wood and the paper to create a fire. This fire is the ultimate in the student's learning process because all of the pieces have come together to produce an energy that cannot be stopped. (okay enough already)
3. What is the nature of leadership?
Leadership, hmm...the nature of leadership is not just someone who takes charge and begins to delegate all of the miniscule duties. I believe that a true leader surrounds himself with others who are experts at things that he isn't good at. With this type of leadership, the leader is stronger because of the people who he can call on and learn from. Many times the best leaders are the ones who are the least vocal, but with humility they move people to and through change.
4. How have your ideas on 1-3 changed (if at all) in the past year?
Due to the "system" of testing and accountability, aka "No Child Left Behind", I am not the teacher that I truly want to be. I do not reach the needs of the students. I have begun to teach to the middle and higher achievers. This form of instruction comes usually through auditory and visual means. I do not engage them enough. One thing I do that I think is important is discussion. I see them making connections and helping one another. This has been helpful for this Virtcamp as well. As far as leadership goes, I used to think that a leader was someone who was the most vocal and the most politically correct. Now, I realize that a leader is someone who can become a better leader by putting themselves with better people.
5. What are the skills you bring to your workplace, and how have they changed in the last year?
The most important skill that I bring to my workplace is my inter-relational skills. I consider myself good with people and I build a rapport with my students as well as their families. Another skill that I offer my staff are my technological skills. Scary to say, but since I know how to turn on my computer and I check my email regularly, I am a real "guru". When I go home, I realize how far away I am from being called an expert. After this week I can start the year with more technical skills and I'll really blow them away. (just kidding). Ultimately, I have a strong work ethic and I don't do anything half-ass. I am respected and well liked and ultimately I am there for the good of the cause.
6. How would you characterize your identity within your workplace, and how has it changed in the last year?
My identity at work changed last year because I shared my teaching contract with another teacher. I worked 60% and she worked 40%. This was a real challenge for me because I felt out-of-the-loop and I didn't play as much as a key role as I usually do. There are only 14 teachers on our staff, so I felt a little left out because I wasn't at the staff meetings. Obviously, it didn't crush me too much because I didn't go in on my free time. Anyway, my identity at work would be described as a hard worker. I might be described as organized or at least more organized than the other fifth grade teacher. She tends to come to me because, "I know where everything is." My identity has changed slightly because now I am also viewed not only as a "teacher" but also a mom. Since we are a small school we know a lot about each other. We talk more about life than probably most k-5 teaching environments. I guess my role there has changed because my attention is now divided amongst my work and more importantly, my family. Everyone understands that and we try to encourage one another to, "have a life" outside the school. I would hope to have a different role but I don't think it will be on this campus.
