Substitute Teaching

30 Day Blogging Challenge

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As the new semester creeps ever-closer…

I have decided that I need to get a jump on my blogging! So far I’ve been vastly inconsistent with my posts, and so I’ve decided to try and discipline myself by attempting a blogging challenge. My hope is that I’ll be consistent with this challenge and, as a result, form a reflective blogging habit!

Challenge: Day 1

“Write your goals for the school year. Be as specific or abstract as you’d like to be!”

Strengthen my reflective practices by maintaining my blog.

I want to hold myself more accountable for my reflective practices. In the past, I have been lazy about this. Sure, I’d make time to pause and think about my methods; however, this year, I wish to make a much deeper, more thorough effort. I want to push myself to (and beyond) the limits of my current abilities as a teacher! I’m hoping that getting into the habit of blogging will better-stimulate my creative thinking and planning processes.

Improve my time management.

Between 3 math classes, a programming class, and a secondary education class, I’m going to be one verrryyyy busy girl. Throw part-time substitute teaching on top of all that and I have myself one hectic semester! There’s no way I’ll survive it all without carefully planning out a study routine and logging my workdays in a planner.

Maintain a work/school/life balance.

Having read the details within the above goal, I imagine this one is very self-explanatory. (:

Boost my teacher personality!

I am naturally more of an introvert but my absolute favorite kinds of teachers are those who aren’t afraid to be silly and boisterous! I wish to develop more of a playful nature as I teach rather than coming across as timid and quiet. I’ve already made a few strides in the right direction with this one, but I have many a mile yet to go!

Side-note:

Yesterday I found out something awesome! After months and months of absence, I returned to the school for which I substituted long-term. Everyone was excited to see me and told me I need to come back. Unfortunately, I am not currently planned as a long-term sub for them because of my busy school semester. Anyways, I stopped by the classroom of my favorite teacher. She was struggling with engagement last year, so I suggested she speak to my professor, who strongly emphasizes inquiry-based lesson design. I found out yesterday that she took my advice, ended up meeting with him for several hours to hash out her concerns, was sold on the methods behind inquiry-based lessons, signed up to be a mentor teacher (meaning she will host practicum students from my program), and is actively working towards integrating inquiry-based methods into her own classroom! I am stoked. I feel very proud that, although I have two years still left before I am a full-fledged teacher, I am already creating a ripple effect through sharing my pedagogy and ideas with other teachers!

Here’s to a great new semester!

Miss P. (:

Lessons Learned

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It’s been a couple of weeks, and boy has a lot happened in that time!

The UTeach National Conference was a blast! It was a very informative experience. I had the opportunity to network with many of my peers, plenty of whom have already taken the upper-level UTeach courses. It was so thrilling having the chance to hear about their experiences and testimonies of their growth. I am more excited than ever to become a teacher. I am learning more each day about how to establish a classroom culture of engagement and respect, with much gratitude due to all those who put together the conference in order that I may meet with others in my field.

Another exciting change that is in the works is what I’m currently most excited for! About two months ago, I applied to my local community college for a position tutoring college math. This would be a great opportunity for me to develop my abilities to break down and conceptualize higher-level mathematical concepts in ways that make them easier to understand for those who are still new to the concepts. Now, I have been pretty anxious about this. Roughly three weeks after submitting my resume, a friend who works for the tutoring center informed me that his boss spoke to him and mentioned that they received my application and would likely be asking me to come in on a Saturday for an interview. I was thrilled! After another couple of weeks, my hope started deflating; however, just last week my Calculus 3 professor spoke to me after class and mentioned that he spoke to the woman in charge of hiring and personally recommended me! I take this as a high level compliment, and I’m really proud of my skills so far. Anyways, she informed him that they will be contacting me any week now for an interview! I can’t wait to see what opportunities the near future will hold!

One bittersweet yet still refreshing change implied by my upcoming new work opportunity is that I’ll have to put my current job on hold. Although I love substitute teaching, it’ll be a breath of fresh air to not have to worry about jumping around to five different schools in a week. Instead, my job would be right on campus, allowing me significantly more time to focus on my studies. It also means not having to master classroom management while I still have about three years left in my program!

 

More updates to follow!

Miss Phillips

Getting Back to It..!

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Wow, have I been gone a long time.

Fortunately, I’m finally back. I have been going through some pretty big life changes and have needed some time to nurture myself and become the best possible version of myself.

I’m still substitute teaching at the same local middle school; however, my position has changed a lot. I am now primarily a small-group resource teacher. This means that, while the classroom teacher guides their lesson, I quietly work with individuals and groups who need that something extra to further aid in their understanding. I love it because it allows me to accomplish so much more, and with the students who likely need it most no less!

I’m also neck-deep in my college courses, namely Calculus 2. I am absolutely struggling with this one, but not for lack of effort (except, perhaps, very recently). It is my hope that, by keeping myself reflecting on this blog, I’ll also be keeping my eyes on the finish line: Completing my math education major and becoming a highly progressive teacher.

My second major course is primarily focused on inquiry-based learning and lesson-planning for the middle school level. One thing I already know for sure: Planning an engaging  math lesson for middle school students with a mere 43-minute class-period is the ultimate challenge!

I’m learning more every day, and I will continue throughout the entirety of my life.

5E Model Graphic 2

The 5E Model, which is the foundation upon which I am building my future career as an educator.

 

 

Cheers!

Miss Phillips

Looking Back

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Although my time teaching 7th Grade Life Science has come to an end, my journey teaching continues on!

The past two months were quite the adventure. There was much hair-pulling and late-night worrying, but it was ultimately worth it. Not only am I developing my skills professionally, but I am also learning how to let myself shine through as a teacher. My personality will no longer be shoved to the gutter! Certainly, this will be a refreshing change for my students just as much as it is for me.

One skill I’ve improved on by leaps and bounds is giving clear, firm instruction to my students. Instead of timidly asking them things such as “I need you to please do this…” I have learned to maintain friendly authority by choosing my words more carefully, such as calmly instructing my students to “Get started on this activity now.” I maintain a friendly persona, demonstrating that I have respect for my students; however, I also make it clear that following my directions is an expectation, not a choice.

I’m learning more and more every day that confidence in myself is essential to my successful classroom management. If the students observe that I’m unsure, they are more likely to test my boundaries. I know this is one of the most fundamental concepts behind classroom management; however, since I have always been an introvert, it is an area of controversial growth for me and I wear this new skill with pride!

To many more adventures to come,

Miss Phillips

Controlled Chaos and 7th Grade

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As I await the new college semester, I have been busying myself with substitute teaching a 7th grade Life Science class. They will be “mine” all the way through the first week of October. Wow!

Now, I have plenty to say about teaching 7th grade science…

First and foremost, I had no idea just how unprepared these kiddos would be for a light independent research project! In retrospect, I completely understand; however, it certainly surprised me when I first introduced our research project on atoms! I only hope my kids are learning as much from me as I am from them! I was unaware of just how much I could hone my improvisational skills in a mere three days. Color me impressed!

Essentially, the lesson I was given was to have my kids research either Oxygen, Hydrogen, or Carbon. This research requires them to identify the correct number of protons, neutrons, and electrons for the atomic forms of their respective elements. In addition to this, they need to create an information tag in the same format with which their element is presented on the periodic table. So far, only a few particularly bright, science-minded students made this visual connection. With this research, they will be building small models of their given atoms. Let me pause to say that Monday (build day) is undoubtedly going to be chaotic!

So, why is this project such a challenge? Well, as a daily warm-up, I asked my students to write out everything they know about atoms. The second they were given this prompt, they met my eyes with the blankest stares ever given. They all tried their best to try and think of some possibilities, but one answer I saw several times was “I think an atom is a type of rock.” You can see why this would be problematic.

To make things more challenging, my kids really struggled to follow directions. Perhaps it was the flurry of a completely new learning environment, or perhaps it was my own shortcomings; however, a million times later my kids still needed me to strongly re-emphasize that “If you have a question, wait patiently in your seat with your hand raised, and I will make my way over shortly.” Nope, I had crowds at my ankles! Fortunately, I took this as an opportunity to learn more effective methods, and have been tackling this issue more and more each day!

With all of that said and done, I’d like to finish by saying that this is the most gratifying position I’ve taken so far. Although I’m increasingly nervous as build day creeps closer and closer, I love my classes and look forward to learning more from them each new day of school!