Teaching & frustrations

[Cascadia]

I am 100% frustrated with myself. My work sample (teaching units) are on amphibians & reptiles. It has been quite awhile since I studied either class...the last time that I had learned about either one was in the 7th grade. I never got a chance to study them in college. I still remember some info about them. But, I am so nervous with these two units.

[Jo Dawn]

Aww... I'm sure you'll do fine, SciFreak!! *hugs* Good luck!

[Cascadia]

Thank you so much. :) It will be a long 4 weeks ahead of me. Mutant variety are not in my lesson plan. :P

[Ra]

Mutant variety are not in my lesson plan. :P
Well there goes my idea :P

I'm sure you will be fine. Reptiles and amphibians are easy enough to understand (at least for me). I'm sure after a quick recap of the two of them you'll be fine :) Good luck! :D

[Mr. Snackpants]

Hey Scientific Freak, I go to Central Michigan University and I'm majoring in education. I'm interested in computer science and math, I can't decided.

But anyways, good luck with that.

[Cascadia]

Thank you everyone for your support and kind words. It means much to me. Mr. Snackpants, I wanted to be a research scientist....I changed my mind to be an educator. It is a tough job. It is tougher than it looks, believe me. You will eventually decide on which one. But personally I would go for the math because you might have a better opportunity to get a teaching job in math.

[Mr. Snackpants]

Thank you everyone for your support. Mr. Snackpants, I wanted to be a research scientist....I changed my mind to be an educator. It is a tough job. It is tougher than it looks, believe me. You will eventually decide on which one. But personally I would go for the math because you might have a better opportunity to get a teaching job in math.
Yeah thats true, it'd be easier to get a job teaching math. But the geek inside me wants to study computers after taking a tour through the computer science building :P . It definetly is tougher than it looks. I took 2 teaching classes in high school. The second of the 2 had much more actual teaching. Boy was it frustrating, and I only did it for 30 mins every week!

[Katie]

well, for what it's worth I have been an avid herpetoculturist for more than a few years.....and my several assorted, (and often times breeding happily)reptile pets think I know a thing or two.....if you need some wisdom ;) ((and don't forget that Buslady is the queen of turtleology))

[Cascadia]

Snackpants...I teach 90 minutes everyday..2 periods back to back. As for my lesson plans, I am slightly more worried about dissections (frogs) because I have not done it in awhile. Katie & Buslady, you are welcome to PM me and offer some herpetology wisdom. I have had 7 turtles and 4 newts (kept on escaping my aquarium) while I was growing up.

[Cascadia]

after 2 weeks of working on it, I am still frustrated. There is lots to remember when I am in front of the class.

[JetsAndHeels]

Well even though I am not a science teacher as yourself, I do teach so I can relate when things get frustrating. Its times like these (planning period) where I can relax and breathe a bit...
Don't worry you are not alone in your frustration. best of luck to you. :)

[OA]

You know, I've been thinking about a career change lately...and teaching is right up on the list...I've already completed the certification process to teach high school Biology...I just havent gotten the nerve yet to go through with it and see if its what I like...i have ZERO teaching experience but feel that I could be an effective teacher...guess we'll see...

[JetsAndHeels]

You know, I've been thinking about a career change lately...and teaching is right up on the list...I've already completed the certification process to teach high school Biology...I just havent gotten the nerve yet to go through with it and see if its what I like...i have ZERO teaching experience but feel that I could be an effective teacher...guess we'll see...

That's a great idea, and it won't be hard for you to do.

Currently I teach but at the same time I am completing what they call a Lateral Entry program where you get your certification and training while you are on the job. It is very convenient.

I owe it all to having my 4 year degree when I started...if you have that they will more often than not let you in and being teaching.

[OA]

Yep, got my BS degree in Biology from the greatest college sports town in America, Gator Country (had to throw that in there :P ; and wassup with the Heels man? Sometimes they look great, and then...)

So yea, it seems that all I need to do is apply for a job at this point....its just that im a little overwhelmed by the idea of walking in completely cold...besides that, I honestly cant see how someone would hire me with no experience, even though i got the degree and the certification...

[JetsAndHeels]

So yea, it seems that all I need to do is apply for a job at this point....its just that im a little overwhelmed by the idea of walking in completely cold...besides that, I honestly cant see how someone would hire me with no experience, even though i got the degree and the certification...

Alot of it depends on if you know someone who can help you get your foot in the door. My mother is in guidance so she put in a good word for me and next thing I know I am sitting in the principal's office doing an interview.

About the heels, well they are like Jeckyl and Hyde sometimes. Beat their rival duke, then lose in overtime by a point. This Saturday will be a true test for them at BC.

[Cascadia]

I have my content down pat...it is the classroom management part of teaching that gets frustrating. I am almost done with one of the units....moving onto #2. Teaching is harder than it looks but it can be enjoyable. Just curious, how did you get a certification, TMNTterminator? I am in the middle of a certification process and it is tough as nails.

But what is nice right now....one of my students gave me a Valentine's Day gift....an old brass bell.

[OA]

Alot of it depends on if you know someone who can help you get your foot in the door. My mother is in guidance so she put in a good word for me and next thing I know I am sitting in the principal's office doing an interview.

About the heels, well they are like Jeckyl and Hyde sometimes. Beat their rival duke, then lose in overtime by a point. This Saturday will be a true test for them at BC.

Yea, thats the thing...i don't know abybody in the field, which would be a BIG help...well see I guess...

[Cascadia]

well, as of today, I put my student teaching on hold until a later date. I was not feeling much success in the classroom. Today, I broke down during my 3rd period class. I have 35 students and they were being quite noisy because it was snowing outside plus I am very ill...I came down with a cold or flu even though I got my flu shot in December. :cry:

Tonight, I had to give a presentation with very little voice left due to yelling at my students and my illness. I am not entirely quitting the program....it is a very good one. I delayed my graduation for a later date...I was suppose to graduate in 4 months.

I will not finish my unit on reptiles...I have one more day in the classroom to say goodbye to my students. :cry: :cry:

[Ra]

Oh! That's just horrible! :cry: *hugs you* That is definately not good. You were getting close to graduating too. But it's just not right when you have 35 kids in a class where about only a quater of them want to learn and there is a single teacher or student teacher trying to yell over everyone to just help them learn. I'm in a similar situation in most of my classes at school, and all of my teachers have been great so far with putting up with the idiots who don't want to learn... *sighs*

Anyways, I hope all goes well with you in the future SF. Get better as soon as you can, okay? I'm sure everything will work out eventually :( *gives you some honey and water to sooth your throat*

[Cascadia]

Thank you Ra...even my cooperating teacher has said 3rd is a piece of work. Sometimes he has a hard time getting them to quiet down. Here is another part of the puzzle, my cooperating teacher is a coach and going through the administrative program. As a result, I have a sub about half of the term, which is not good.

[Ra]

Yeowch. Well, I guess you were given too much to handle. Student teachers shouldn't really be babied, but they should be given a class where the kids want to learn, I guess. At least you don't have to teach for half of the term now...

Well, while you are out of the field teaching area, you could try your hand at the whip. Then you can bring it to class and show the kids that you know how to use it and can whip their tounges if you catch them talking :P

[Cascadia]

You are right, I do not want to be babied...but I wish that my cooperating teacher was around to help me when I needed him. I am the quarter system so I would only miss 2 weeks. Next term, I wonder if I could tutor Sulivan (sp?) learning centers.

[Cascadia]

Hi everyone

my last day was a memorable one. My anticipatory hook was the following question: If you could be a reptile, what would it be? Some of my female students indicated that they wanted to be a ninja turtle. Even my mentor teacher got into the act. :lol: :lol: I said goodbye to my students and each of them a Crane that represents good luck.

[JetsAndHeels]

Hey Scientific Freak, I hope you don't mind me using this thread to voice something that frustrated me this week.

The school I teach at is on a community college campus. I would say 90% of the cc people do not mind having us on the premises, but there are still a certain few who want to whine and complain.
Anyway on Tuesday I am in my 3rd period class (which is on the same hallway as some of the cc classes) and one of their professors sticks her head in to tell me that my class is being disruptive. I disagreed with her but I did not say anything and simply thanked her for bringing that to my attention. From there on out I made sure nobody in the room spoke until the period was over.
Well the next day I run into our principal on campus and she tells me she had received an email from the dean and 2 different professors about how disruptive and loud my class was. She understood that it was mostly done out of spite, but still she had to talk to me about it and I took the necessary actions with my class.
I understand we are guests on their campus, but still the fact remains that I control my classes and my students very well. Just because someone wanted to complain out of spite I ended up having to make apologies and discipline my students.

SIGH....See Scientific Freak, you are not the only one with issues in 3rd period. :)

Rant over, thanks for letting me use this forum here.

[Cascadia]

On tuesday, my students in my 3rd period class were nutty because it was snowing outside. I told them that it would be there when they get out of school. At noon, chaos went from bad to worse, the dean of the middle school indicated that school would let out at 12:15 due to snow. I am pretty sure that you know what happened next...

And Jets....I do not mind if you use this thread to let out frustrations from teaching. It is the 3rd most stressful job.

[Jo Dawn]

Man, I'm glad I stopped going to school for teaching, hehe.

No offense. You guys have more patience than I.

[JetsAndHeels]

And Jets....I do not mind if you use this thread to let out frustrations from teaching. It is the 3rd most stressful job.

Perhaps we can be of support to each other in this thread. After all we will need it from time to time. :)

Jo Dawn, I don't think I have the patience for it either. The thing that keeps me going is seeing a smile or hearing an encouraging word from a student. It can be pretty rewarding.

[Cascadia]

I have tons of patience for the students. I have not quit the teaching profession entirely....I love teaching even though it is tough. Kind words, the imaginary light bulb goes on over their heads or even a smile keeps me going.

Jets, I am happy to support you in any way that I can.