Blog Comparison

 
When comparing my personal obstacles and views with those found on the website, I was surprised at how similar my ideas were with those listed. I found some interesting points being made by the members' posts. For example, under What Obstacles MLEs face, I found it interesting someone listed teachers who are not teaching for the good of the student, just simply staying in the teaching profession for the pension benefits. It is sad, but a true reality-a lot of teachers simply do the job for the money and benefits, not because it is their PASSION. I find this extremely troubling and would not want any of my future children nor students, to encounter a teacher whom is only teaching for the benefits, not with the student's best interest in mind. Another obstacle mentioned under the same category that I found intriguing, was when they mentioned being persistent with encouraging the students. This was also something I mentioned in my list. All teachers need to be that encouragement for all of their students, because you, as the teacher, might be the only form of encouragement they ever get.

Reading through the list regarding young adolescents, I thought it was great how someone mentioned they need to have sufficient time for pondering. As teachers, we need to allow our students some critical and imaginary thinking time. This is essential for students so they are not always forced to focus on what is going on in the classroom, and can have a few moments to creatively escape and thing about what is going on. Something else that was mentioned, that I totally forgot about, was to inform our students about predatory adults. All too often we are too focused on the school work, neglecting to inform our students about the dangers lurking in the neighborhoods in which we may be teaching and that some people do not always have their best interest in mind.

I found the lists provided by the advisory board extremely interesting and helpful in thinking more critically into these things, as a future teacher.

My Views & Obstacles

My Views

 11) Kids go to school because it is in many ways, essential for not only their academic achievement, but also for their personal/peer development. Not only is it important to have students prosper academically, it is also equally important that students become aware of how to deal with real-life situations, and schools tend to build students’ character in regards to this matter, both inside and outside of the classroom. Schools should be a place where students are provided with both academic and developmentally appropriate situations and scenarios, and taught the proper manner in which to respond. Kids simply go to school to be shaped as a person and to be able to develop academically.

 15) It can be determined that something has been learned when students are able to execute a task at hand independently. When students are able to demonstrate their knowledge of a topic on their own, and talk through the steps as they are completing the task would be an indicator for me that the student(s) has learned the material/concept. When a student is able to explain to their peers or even the teacher how they came to a conclusion for a problem, that would mean to me that the student is understanding what is going on, and most importantly, is learning.

16) As stated in the previous question, one way for me to tell if others have learned, is typically when someone is able to state their solution to a problem/concept and describe their steps in coming to this conclusion. Most importantly, I believe when someone is able to re-work a problem and find a solution, they are also able to comprehend the material and what they are doing, which is a key component in learning.

19) To plan instruction for all children is a crucial part of effectively teaching and reaching all students. In my opinion, it should include multiple ways in teaching a lesson. Since students learn in many different ways, the teacher should always have different methods for teaching the lesson-differentiated instruction, reaching the array of students. Also, the lessons should include different methods of assessment. Some students do not do well on tests, so students being able to complete a test or assessment, say, orally, might portray the student’s full potential and demonstrate just how much they know, as opposed to a regular, sit-down test.

24) Media literacy as part of middle school curriculum can be a core component for creating more informed and technology savvy students. Students should without a doubt, be introduced to computers, smart boards, and other up and coming forms of useful technology, to better their understanding of the forms of technology and ultimately be able to incorporate these forms into their learning. The constant introduction and use of current technology will only benefit the students in the long run. Technology is, and will continue to be such a major aspect of our world and most importantly, our learning environments.

Obstacles

2) The top 10 obstacles facing young adolescent students, I would have to say are:                                               

Peer pressure 

Bullying

Fitting in/cliques  

Self perceptions vs. perception of peers                                                                                               

Stable home-life  

Poverty                                                                                                                                         

Academic success                                                                                                                      

High school soon approaching                                                                                                       

Violence                                                                                                                                          

Unrealistic expectations from media portrayal

3) The top 10 obstacles/things I think young adolescent students need to know are:

Your friends/clique may not always be the best thing for you.                                                        

Bullying is a serious issue- and not something to take lightly. Everyone should be educated on what to do/who to speak to if they are being bullied or know someone who is.                                            

You and your friends should not compare yourself to one another or people in the media-everyone is their own, unique person.                                                                                                                  

Everyone comes from a different background, which makes everyone’s income level different. You may be able to afford the newest pair of shoes, but your friends might not.                                            

Not all students get along with their parents/siblings, and not everyone has stable or even parents at all, who are present in their lives.                                                                                                            

Everyone is different in their academic abilities-not everyone can be the smartest, but everyone can always try their hardest.                                                                                                                           

With high school soon approaching, your friends who were once your best friends, may no longer be just that when the pressures of high school approach.                                                                    

Violence among peers and in certain students’ neighborhoods may be an ongoing thing, and students need an outlet in order to deal with this pressure, as well as their losses.                              

Not everyone portrayed in the media is realistic-as students get into their later years in middle school, they often tend to reference popular media figures and think looking or being like them is realistic, and cool.                                                                                                                                   

Everyone should embrace everyone/their peers and classmates for who they are. Bullying does nothing besides make people feel like they are less than others-just think, if the roles were reversed, would you want to be bullied?

6) The top 10 thing I think middle school educators need to know are:

Bullying is something that can be prevented, and with you as the educator, you are the higher voice that can end it, and prevent it, when it is going on.                                                                                 

Respecting your students is key. If you do not demonstrate respect for them, do not expect to be respected in return. It’s a give-give situation.                                                                                          

As teachers, especially during the tender middle school years, we must always believe in our students, even when they do not believe in themselves. Sometimes all it takes is for someone else to show they believe in you, for you to ultimately believe in yourself.                                                      

Middle school educators, and all teachers, especially new teachers should learn how to learn from one another. Experienced teachers would know the solutions to most of the problems new teachers might be facing. As students do, teachers should also learn from each other.                                        

It is a MUST to know that all students do not learn in the same way. Some students might be visual learners, others might be more hands-on learners. It is the teacher’s responsibility to accommodate the different learning styles of her students, and it is key for their success.                                                 

Like learning, not all students do well on the traditional sit-down assessment format. Some students may need additional modifications when it comes to assessments, and the teacher should eagerly and willingly provide these for the student(s).                                                                                                 

Teachers should take the time to get to know their students, how they learn, what their hobbies are, and so forth. A teacher taking the time to personally get to know their students shows that the teacher is interested in them and wants to know more about them.                                                                       

Teacher should get to know all of their students on a FIRST-NAME BASIS. Nothing is more discouraging then when a teacher, whom you spend the majority of your days and time with, does not take the time to remember your name.                                                                                                   

Encourage your students!                                                                                                                                                 

Not all teachers are perfect, and learning comes from experience. So, take your time when working with students and use the information, both positive and negative to learn from the situations and to better yourself for the future.