To "Mr. and Mrs./Ms. or not to Mr. or Mrs./Ms."

I'm wondering how everyone feels about enforcing the rule that students must call us (their teachers) by Mr./Ms./Mrs.(?).

Did you go to a school where students used first names for all or some teachers instead?

For the year following highschool graduation, I lived in Norway and was amazed to hear first names being used, in class, out loud, for teachers. At the time (age 17/18) I remarked at how different it made a class environment feel--more personable, and respectful in that by calling a teacher by their first name it made them seem more human...like they could be your neighbour...someone you could know outside of school. It also made me, as a young person, feel more grown up to be using the teacher's first name. I felt more responsible, somehow.

It also made me notice that the Norwegian teachers in that school never had to deal with correcting out-of-line/angry students who would try to take cheap shots at the teacher by not using Mr./Mrs/Ms.

I guess my own uneasy feeling about being called my my title may have to do with the fact that as a student in highschool I noticed that some kids just needed to rebel against authority. The Title just seemed like an easy target. Also, in our English-speaking culture, to call someone by their Mr?Mrs/Ms. title is to show respect. Should we demand respect as teachers? Isn't respect something that should be earned? Don't we respect someone more when they don't put themselves on a pedastal first?

What is in a title...??

I personally have mixed feelings on the issue.

What's important in a resume?

With the discussion we had today in our little outcast group (just kidding), the topic of resume content was involved. So what do you think is important in a resume, the first impression you would make to an employer?
The basic common topic was relevancy. Any education, skills, experience, volunteering, etc. that are relevant should be included and incorporated into the resume for the specific job you are applying for. There was some difficulty in determining that relevancy. What if you only have job experience in fields that aren't relevant to teaching, such as retail, food and beverage service, etc.?
"Other skills" was also a topic we discussed. These are skills that aren't already included in your education, experience, volunteer work. Skills such as speaking a second language and First Aid certificate. Again, if it applies to teaching or whatever job is at hand, then it should be mentioned.
Another aspect was including interests on the resume. I always thought that if it wasn't relevant to the job I was applying for, then it was unnecessary. But Sara made the point that this can spark conversation as a common interest between yourself and the employer. This could potentially be important for forming a relationship and possibly solidifying the job position for you. You want an employer to remember you and even if it's something such as "Oh right Joe, the guy who scuba dives." then its better than nothing. So should an interest section be incorporated into a professional resume?

I wasn't here so that's why I didn't do it

How do I deal with a student not bringing an assignment when that day's lesson is contingent on everyone having completed his or her homework?

In university, I have learned to take responsibility for my own education. As a teacher I will be the one responsible when a student does not complete an assignment. Should I be flexible and give him or her time to finish it. Maybe this student cannot tell me why he or she missed class. For instance, a student had to take their mother to the hospital because she was severely beaten. What should the student do while the others are working with their homework? Can I attach him or her to another group?

Here is a funny poem:
http://www.loc.gov/poetry/180/013.html

Once Upon a School

Goodmorning Everyone!

I am not sure about how many of you have listened to TED talks online, but I am always impressed by the breadth of their scope - from Imogen Heap to Schools Killing Creativity, to Aid and Global Poverty. Anyways, here is a talk that I recently listened to by Dave Eggers because I have become slightly obsessive about reading/listening to anything that involves teaching, where is happens, and how we do it. I love how Dave built a bridge between 2 communities, and that relation has transformed people on both sides to give and invest and grow. It's about 24 mins long, so get comfy and press play!

Enjoy,
Alysson

Cyberbullying

Hi Everyone,

I brought up a point in the first welcome thread (before we knew how to start our own threads), about Cyberbullying. We didn't really get a chance to discuss it, and I'd like to start a conversation about how our increased reliance on technology is opening up more avenues for kids to be bullied at school, and at home where they in past would have been "safe".

In my past note, I mentioned the book "Nineteen Minutes" by Jodi Picoult, and I encourage anyone who is interested in the topic of cyberbullying, or bullying in general to read it. It covers the bullying topic from many people's persepectives, and how it affects each person. Again, here's the link to a synopsis and some questions for us to think about.

What does everyone think about cyberbullying? Do we, as educators need to address the issue even, or should it be left to police?

Which is best? In the book by J.P. Miller and W.Seller, Curriculum: perspective and practice, three different methods of teaching are identified as; transmission, transaction and transformation. Transmission is the traditional method of one-way transfer of knowledge, from teacher to student; transaction teaching focuses on problem solving through dialog between student and teacher; and the transformation process is holistic and humanistic, taking in account the students all around attributes and maintaining a commitment to social and political change, which they maintain will create a better more democratic society. Which one of these models do you all think best suites our school system?

How to dress as a teacher?

Hello everyone. I've really enjoyed reading the blog so far and everyone's thoughtful comments.

With our observational practicums fast approaching my question is about how we should dress in the classroom. As young teachers we need to dress in a professional manner if we want to be treated as professionals by our host school and our students. The last thing I want is for some students to mistake me for a new student! I grew up in Northern BC, and the dress code was very casual for teachers at my schools. What is it like in Victoria? How should we dress to impress? What is appropriate clothing for the classroom and what is not?

Any comments or questions would be appreciated. Maybe people who went to high school in the area can share their knowledge from their time in school. Maybe Chris can help us to answer some of the trickier questions regarding protocol. Thanks!

Why a teacher?

With our next little assignment coming up (the intro letter) we are gonna have to write a quick little blurb on why we all want to be teachers. This is a great question, what is that makes us all want to teach other people. Now i'm curious about why everyone else has decided to teach, and since im asking the question it's probaly only fair if I tell first. For me, and this may be selfish, it's the feeling you get when you see someone have that light bulb flick on in their head, showing you helped them understand. It's being able to to be there for someone when they feel completely overwhelmed and help them sort it all out. It's the ability to encourage someones curiosity and show them a few tricks along the way. Now I could probably go on but these are a few things that appeal to me and have made me want to be a teacher. So now I ask everyone as a warm-up to our introduction letters what makes you want to be a teacher?

Lab Tomorrow

Hi Guys,

Hope the lab time goes well. Unless things improve drastically, I most likely will not be joining you tomorrow with Al in the lab. A nasty cold/flu is making it's way through our house, and it seems to be my turn. Doctor's orders are to stay home and rest. Although I would normally push through and come to work regardless, all the talk of H1N1 and being considerate to my class and others and all, it really got me thinking different this time around. Taking a break, sacrificing the short term loss for the long term gain, is not something that comes easy to most teachers.

This time I'm fortunate because we have a lab time with Al as support, however, under normal circumstances, a teacher must be able to pass off their classes so that another can step in easily. That means being organized. Please keep an eye on the blog for further directions for Friday's lab time.

See you then,

Chris

Yesterday's Debate

After the debate yesterday I got to thinking about classes for students that are smarter (like AP and pace) and vocational/regular classes for the "stupid kids," and how those types of classes made me feel when I was in high school. When I graduated from UVic last June with my BA I never ever once thought in my high school career that I would have ever graduated from UVic; I would never be smart enough for a school like that! Looking back I don't think I was dumb or stupid, I was just never "smart" like my friends and I therefore felt one step below them. I felt in my "normal" classes I worked harder than any of my friends who were in AP classes or pace and never got the recognition I figured I deserved. My friends spent most of their English classes spitting spit balls and watching movies....why? Because they were smarter and not being challenged in a "normal" classroom. Granted going to a high school with a grad class of over 1,300 students there are bound to be a ton of kids smarter than you. I remember in my grade 12 year they asked me to be a part of a pace class that met during our lunch break. So I went the first day and was basically told that those of us in the class could finally make it to pace (aka we were smart enough) but they still did not have room in the regular classroom and therefore we had to meet during our lunch hour. I thought how rude is that because you (the teacher) are essentially telling us that we are almost smart enough but not quite, so meet at lunch! Needless to say I continued with CAPP 12!
Anyways after the debate I really started to think do specialized classes really work: Classes for the exceptionally smart, classes for "normal" kids and vocational classes for the "stupid" kids? Or is it up to the teacher to take on the challenges within the classroom and try to facilitate and accommodate all types of learners. I am not quite sure if I believe in separate classes depending on intelligence, however I am quite sure of how I felt in high school and perhaps that means more?!

If You Could Turn Back Time...

Here's a picture I took this morning of my daughter's first day at preschool. She's 3 years old and today is her first day of a very long (and hopefully fruitful) journey into formal education. This provided me with some pause to think about if I could go back, and as Cher so eloquently put it, 'turn back time' to when I first started preschool (and I'm still going over 3 decades later!!!), knowing what I know now about schools and how they function as a system, would I do anything different?

Would you?

What advice would you give Tia as she begins...

See you tomorrow morning,
Chris

The Generalist

One thing that struck me during Phil's talk was the notion of the 'generalist' teacher who would be hired by the district as a 'warm body' to teach or do whatever was asked of them by their principal, regardless of their experience in a particular area. Is that right? In other words, should you only teach what you've been trained to teach? And therefore should math only be taught by someone with a math teachable? Why or why not?
Chris

Welcome!

after reading the comments re. technology this image struck a cord.

Looking forward to meeting you all and reading your thoughtful conversations.

This is a great space to share thoughts, resources and feelings in general with your classmates. I will comment on conversations when and where necessary or helpful.

Feel free to experiment with the all the technology has to offer.

Chris