Letting My Students Show Their Creative Side

Learning to express yourself creatively can be one of the hardest, but most important lessons to learn. Although, I am not yet fully able to say I have learned this valuable lesson, I can still appreciate its importance. As a high school educator, it will be necessary for me to allow my students to show their creative side. While a formal education is important, we have to find new ways of reaching our classes. By letting them explore something they have been taught to keep in, could very well be the answer we all are looking for. This could allow for an opportunity of discovery and fulfillment of themselves. In my opinion, teachers can learn more from their students than can be taught in a classroom effectively. With this said, my class will be an open door for creativity.

Classroom Blogging

At the beginning of this year, blogging was totally new to me. Now that I see just how far one can go with blogging, I love it. I have already been thinking of ways to introduce my students to blogging. It is a great way to enhance writing skills. It is also a great opportunity for students to express themselves and communicate with classmates. There is no telling how creative students could get with such a simple concept. Classroom blogging can expand learning networks and create new ones.

Parental Involvement

Many times teachers are left to pick up where parents dropped off at home. Not only is this not fair for both students and teachers, it is also a huge distraction from the education process. In my class parental involvement will play a major role. Parental involvement is one factor that will encourage student success and shape their view of education. A simple newsletter can be considered parental involvement. If at all possible, I will try my best to supply a weekly agenda of events and homework assignments. The best way, as a parent, to get involved is to help with daily homework assignments, but most complain they often times are not aware of them. This is the first step in changing this pattern.

Teaching Only What I Know And Learning What I Don't

At a glance most would be lead to believe that teachers only had one job, and is to teach. Along with this misconceived notion is also the belief that teachers know it all. Yes, they should know their their subject very well, it is also our job to be life long learners. This world is always changing, and along with it is the way in which we educate. As a teacher I will never proclaim to know it all, but I will also learn what I don't know.

Making Lifelong Connections

Making lifelong connections start in the classroom. We make connections with our fellow peers that can some times carry over into our adult life. But the most important time to make lifelong connections is a college student. We are so exposed to great opportunities, that we sometimes don't realize it. These connections could possibility be the same connections we will need in our classrooms. They can also introduce students to new perspectives and ideas. One never knows when they can sample from other educational experiences around the world. Having a network of professional educators can also help me grow as a teacher, and serve as a source of encouragement.

Why I Have Chosen to be a Teacher

As a third grader I knew exactly what it was that I wanted to do for the rest of my life. Helping people seem to come natural and it also gave me a good feeling. As I grew older I realized more and more how important an education was. History was also a subject I loved, and it could always hold my attention. More than ever we need educators who actually put their hearts into their profession. It seems as though as students lose interest, so does the teacher. This is exactly the opposed of what needs to happen. So as a young African-American woman, I strive to change this mind set.