Blog Post #9

(May 27, 2009) What I've Learned This Year (2008-09) by Joe McClung are pointers that I will utilize as I go in to my first year of teaching. Mr. McClung's experiences will definitely foster me in my teaching career. For example, Mr. McClung wrote about topics, in particular, which I feel that are all essential. At the Teacher's Desk, the main focus is to get the reader to understand just how critical it is to bring positive energy around students. I also learned from this topic, in order to become experienced, it will be extremely time-consuming. The paragraph, How to Read the Crowd is very important,as well. To know your audience will make it easier to relate and teach successfully. Mr. McClung reminds us to not have the lesson centered around us,teachers, but rather the students. He made a wise suggestion that I will hold on to,"Let the audience drive the instructor". It takes common sense to want your audience/students to be able to easily follow you, and can ask questions, to get caught up in case they miss interpret a section. The next paragraph explains how Mr. McClung had to learn how to be flexible through experience. He also elaborates on how there is no such thing as a perfect lesson plan. This simply mean that your audience will be different, and in essence you can never predict the time limit or sequence of events, perfectly. Your lesson plan is simply a guide, and not necessary to stress over, if there is mistakes. The most important concept to grasp as a teacher is to know how to improvise well, and know how to stay on track. In addition, Mr. McClung expresses his reactions on communication in his first year. He states, "communication is the hardest skill to develop". I actually agree with this quote because sometimes as a student, it is difficult to ask questions openly, first I'm extremely shy, secondly I don't want to interrupt, and lastly I attempt to ask well thought of questions. However, I have developed and evolved into a professional inquirer, because now I know how important it is to ask questions. The other topics discussed were quite significant as well, Don't Be Afraid of Technology, and Listen to your students. In summary, Mr. McClung's quest is definitely a learning experience that can help all teachers...in fact, I will incorporate some of his skills, and apply it in to my teaching. There were two comments that were especially distinctive. Threatt and Amanda's comments were inspirational. Amanda wrote Mr. McClung about the importance of adapting to your environment which was exceptional, considering what would happen that next year.

From 2009 to 2010 Mr. McClung posted, June 15, 2010 What I Learned This Year (2009-10). In 09' he describes that year as a success. Contrary, in the year 2010 he remained focused on his students, but he had many problems with the school administration. However, Mr. McClung did not let this distract him, in turn he adapted to his challenges. He also explained how he felt as though he step out of his comfort zone. My favorite quote, "Change makes you better". This is true! Facing difficult situations help you grow. Mr.McClung also elaborates on how to check your ego at the door. This simply means do what ever it takes to get your student's to learn (engaged)...that means if you have to act like a clown, don't be afraid of looking silly. The point is showing your students you are eager to teach, and learn, and you want them to be the same. Don't be a control freak, is another one of Mr.McClung's various topics. This paragraph is so critical,in my opinion, because no child can learn in a manipulating environment. I certainly learned a lot of pertinent information from Mr. McClung's posts, from year to year. In fact, his post motivated me to read more teachers' blogs,in general. I admire that he took his mistakes,turned them in to positive learning experiences, and shared them with the world.