D&Z Ch 12

Here we are, at the finish line!!! D&Z provided some great strategies this past semester that I will keep in mind and refer to when I have my own classroom.  The "How Students See it" section was probably the most valuable to me in regards to the kind of teacher I want to be.  Take Hal's perspective for example, "I asked Mrs.Stoop, "What's the point in reading anyway?" "So she sat me down and she printed out an article that told all the different ways that reading could help me.  She really took the time for me." [Amy explained later that he had been on the verge of dropping out, but was now a very successful student.]  I think there was much more to that story that "saved" Hal's academic career, however, had she answered with a simple generic "because it's important," Hal would have probably rolled his eyes and not read. As a student, knowing that a teacher has faith in you. believes in you and is willing to take the extra step is incredibly motivating.  At least it was for me in high school.  I think that's what separates those who were meant to be teachers and those who teach for convenience.  There are teachers who cover content and their job is over at 3:00 when they walk out of the building.  And then there are teachers like the one i want to become.  Your work day is never finished. You go home and think of new ways to do something, better ways, how to improve and how to be there for your students.  Those were the teachers who had a substantial influence on my life and I feel as though I owe my success thus far in college to them.  They inspired me to become a teacher and instill in my students the motivation they instilled in me.......Even if that means I have to be a super senior and spend ridiculous amounts of money on multiple brutal Praxis tests!!!!! :)

D & Z Chapter 11

Chapter 11 connected well with my SPED 312 class.  My professor often stresses that by the time students enter high school many of them are unprepared or come with lower reading levels than we may expect. So what do we do? At that point RTI is irrelevant so we must come up with strategies to help these struggling readers. I agree with D & Z that creating a supportive relationships with our students is essential to the success of a student.  If a student trusts their teacher they are more likely to go to the teacher when they need help without feeling insecure about themselves or level of ability.   In the past students may not have established a form of trust with their teachers and felt as though they were failures.  Fostering motivation and determination and a "can do" attitude is much more encouraging and beneficent than having a student throw together a book report.  This has been more and more apparent in my observation at North Providence High.  The 11th grade American History inclusion class has many students who struggle with reading and writing.  From conversation with my teacher, many other teachers do not like working with her students, complain about them and essentially give up.  The students in this class have a great relationship with their teacher.  The kids were with her last year as well and there is a certain level of respect between both student and teacher.  The students are willing to try because they feel comfortable and they know it is acceptable to try again.