Setting the Bar High

Given that we've started a new school year, I find it fitting to share the goals that I have set for myself.  It is said that once you write down a task, you are more likely to complete that task.  So, here we go ...

Goal #1 - Make geography fun for my students!

When I think back to my first year of teaching, I cringe.  Due to state-mandated tests, my insecurities, and a plethora of additional factors, my classes really didn't get to enjoy the field of geography.  The fundamental workings of the class were so robotic - lecture, notes, quiz and assessment.  Occasionally, I found ways to embed materials that I acquired in my grad courses within the curriculum, but it was far and few between.

Each year that I've taught, I made changes to the way I approached the field of geography.  I began to love all the sub-fields as well as the connections of real-life examples to the classroom.  I was able to take more risks, and ultimately I found my rhythm.  I've been dancing to this uptempo beat since.  However, I feel that I need to make more of an effort to share this enthusiasm with my students.  So this year, I'm going to push myself to find new approaches to teaching geography and setting up my classroom...

I've taken my classroom design to another level by merely borrowing from the classrooms where students have the most fun - an elementary class!  I've set up zones in the classroom so students can focus on a specific goal - writing, creating, teaching, and personal reflection.  I look forward to sharing more in a couple of days (pics will be included).  I'm also looking forward to using an EdCamp style of learning with my students, creating tests that have students moving around, and ultimately developing a Community Outreach program for my students.

Goal #2 - Create a PBL-based geography curriculum model.

I sort of had a head start on this goal for the past of couple of years.  I've been creating various plans that would allow for this format, but I'm finally going to attempt it!  I love the way students eyes light up when they finally see that geography is all around them ... there is no way a student can leave my class asking, "When are we going to use geography in the future?"

My goal is to have students work on everything from designing/creating storm preparedness plans (including tested shelters), to an interactive retrospective of media and social movements, to green designed homes, to even creating food trucks.  All these inclusive projects have students collaborating in teams, critically thinking about various geographic themes, and ultimately presenting to adults aside from their teacher.

Goal #3 - Learn to listen ...

This is going to be one of the hardest goals to achieve this year.  I'm going to admit it right now, I'm the type of person that is listening solely for the purpose of being able to respond to someone.  I have difficulty "just listening."  It may be due to my inclination of wanting to help everyone, or maybe it's because I just love to talk.  However, I think that it's necessary for me to sit back and just listen to what people have to say.

Goal #4 - Take care of myself and enjoy the little things!

The demands of the teaching field can take a large toll on the well-being of any individual who makes the decisions to step in front of students and teach.  We become so immersed in planning, meetings, grades, and so much more, that we often feel overwhelmed.  I know that I've felt broken down several times because of the demanding nature of my path.

I'll admit it right now, I'm a workaholic ... I'm usually one of the first ones to arrive at school and one of the last ones to leave, but even when I leave, I find myself still thinking about my class.  I've annoyed my parents (who are both veteran teachers) with my continuous discussion of daily happenings to questions.  They've instituted "no talking about work" rules for when we eat or go out as a family.

It's about time that I learn to balance my work-life relationship.  I realize that I want to spend more time blogging/writing about various topics (education included, ha!), reading through the huge pile of books sitting beside my bed, volunteering more at my church, and just spending time with those that I love.  I really don't want to miss out all the things life has to offer outside of the four walls of a classroom/school.  Now, it's just a matter of being able to let go when I leave school.

Well ... here's to a new school year and the start of a new journey!

-A

Weekly Recap #1

The first week of classes is officially in the books!  This year's group of students have such an eclectic mix of personalities and skills (more so than ever) ... I can't wait until we get to uncover all of them throughout the term.  These students and I spent the first couple of days building up our classroom culture.  The students were able to share with me what they want out of the class and me (as their teacher) before I told discussed my expectations for them.  They were so honest with their responses - which ranged from fun to engaging, to someone who was willing to relate to them.  

My students' ability to be so frank the first day of school before they even knew me told me a lot about them.  Truthfully though, I had to tell them that it was okay to be honest with what they needed (even if it meant writing down something that went against their classmates).  The trust that we have begun this year's journey with means that I feel comfortable taking the several risks that I had hoped to try out this year ... I mean, you should have seen the Tech Academy's students' eyes light up when I told them that they were going to design scaled models of green-designed homes.  They are bright-eyed and full of wonder, and I intend to keep that sense of awe and wonder alive in our class!