Book Reflections Part One: So You Think You Can Teach?



See Me After Class (Welcome to Year One)

This blog is a reflective blog on the reading of the book See Me After Class: Advice for Teachers by Teachers by Roxanna Elden. This reflection is meant to help formulate reflection on the overall telling and the lessons learning by reading the pages of the book. This is a reflection on the first seven chapters of the book.

When I started reading See Me After Class I couldn’t help but feel like the author was beginning it with a sort of “welcome to teaching, your first year you are going to want to quit,” mentality.  The book made me realize that teaching isn’t easy, its going to be hard there are going to be challenges, and more importantly I am going to make mistakes.  I am going to want to hand the towel in and just give up.  At least that’s how the first chapter begins.  

“This book is not chicken soup for the teacher’s soul.” (Chapter One)

This book is practical advice given practically to help young teachers figure out what they should do. The first piece of advice is very fitting in this book: a lot of the “advice” you get will make you feel worse, not better. This books advice is very different than other ways I have received advice. Hear it out, think about it, if you can use it then use it, if you can’t then ignore it. I remember going on the domestic study away trips and a majority of teachers we would visit would give us both practical advice which we could implement immediately or as they and Dr. Foster would remind us: later down the road which comes to my personal favorite piece of advice: you can’t change everything your first year, and you shouldn’t try to. 

Reading this book though also makes me nervous especially when I get to reading about how stressful year one could be. But then, I'm reminded by my cooperating teacher that  I won't be starting day one with a group of new students I'll be the only new guy in the classroom. So I don't get so nervous thinking about starting.  

"Tip 3- You can't change everything your first year, and you shouldn't try to." (Chapter Two)

I also am reminded that this classroom is my priority. My cooperating teacher put it very well, "I have to remind myself sometimes about what my administrators are evaluating me on -- my ability in the classroom. There is nothing on my teacher evaluation rubric about how many proficiency winners or state-winning teams I train -- these are cherries on the sundae, but not required." I have to remind myself this as well. In the end, I am student teaching to build my reputation as a great teacher, the FFA and SAE stuff should be included but it doesn't have to be a requirement (which I think is a good thing for me because I don't know a whole lot about being a good FFA Advisor or a good SAE coach, yet - I still have to take AEE 311). 

After the first four chapter the book starts really laying out some good advice. Its focuses here on three main ideas: Classroom Management, Teacher Identity, and Classroom Organization. I find myself probably going to try to use a lot of the advice in these chapters, especially the ways to stay organized.   I also have to remind myself that no two classes will be the same and in high school classes, I get to start fresh with new students every 40 minutes so if one class doesn't pan out I shouldn't let it bum me out to the point that I don't succeed the rest of the day.  

I also like the chapter on teacher identity because it wasn't about "This is how a teacher should act" but instead make me think internally about with my personality how can I be a successful teacher.  I think I am starting to realize that to be a great teacher isn't about the how you teach but more about how you use your skills to be the best teacher you can be.  So I think I will be reviewing chapter six before I really begin student teaching. And yes, I will be brushing up my teacher lines during the semester.

"7. Lineup your teacher lines." (Chapter Six)

I can't wait to continue reading this book but I also feel it is important to close with one last great quote I once heard, "You are going to make it (student-teaching)"

To Be Continued . . . 

Comments

  1. Daniel FosterJune 21, 2017 at 11:31 AM

    George, Thanks for sharing. Some tips:
    1) Never doubt the power of multimedia
    2) Share a direct link with your mentor team
    3) Share over social media!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Darla RombergerJuly 4, 2017 at 12:34 PM

    Hi George,

    I agree with your initial reaction to the book, but know that as a high school teacher, you get the chance to "start over" 8 times a day, 5 days a week. After describing the "First Daze" in Chapter 3, the author goes on to provide some great tips on managing paperwork, classroom management, and teacher identity that I would consider and reference often before you begin teaching in January. Taking the time to develop clear and concise classroom procedures will save you time in the "spur of the moment" while teaching and juggling other tasks.

    Another point I'd like you to consider from Chapter 6 is identifying your strengths and how they will help you as a teacher. Identifying your strengths early in your reading may help you reflect upon other pieces of advice the author provides--and decide if that advice is relevant to your skill set or concerns in the classroom.

    ReplyDelete

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