Being A Teacher

 

When I think of my future job, I see myself working with teenagers. Teenagers who's minds are open, always thinking, and still developing. Most people tell me I am nuts for wanting to teach middle and high school students. There is just something about them that I can't get enough of.  Getting an opportunity to shape and model these precious minds to me is such a blessing. I don't see a group of annoying, attention seeking kids; I see a group kids who want to be heard and want to learn. Nothing is more rewarding than possibly becoming their role model.

 

I started working with middle school kids when I was seventeen. I worked at an outdoor adventure camp as a lifeguard and activity instructor. It was awkward and uncomfortable at first working with kids who not that much younger than me. It was the first time I was in position of control and power.What helped me the most with working with the teenagers was creating a connection with them.

 

 Having that connection with the kids made the job much more enjoyable. The kids grew to respect me and see me not as just a figurehead but a friend.

As a student, nothing was more important to me than creating a connection with my teacher. Once a connection is established, I felt invincible. I felt secure and safe in my class when we had class discussions. So as a soon to be teacher, I would want make connections with my students. Someone to push and motivate them .   

 

Here are some helpful tips for working with middle school teens:

1. build a trusting relationship

2. be a good listener

3. get on their level - learn about the things that they feel are important

4. constructive feedback and always from a position of being helpful

5.Fitting in is one of their top priorities- doesn't mean that you tolerate bad choices or "unexpected" behaviors. It means that if you need to have a discussion with a student, it should be private

6.Get them involved or give responsibilities

7.Have a sense of humor

 

 

 

Starting teaching can be nerve-racking. You walk into your own classroom. All the kid are staring at you. You are in charge. Moment of truth; you have to educate them. However, don't stress. Every teacher at one point felt like they were going to be unsuccessful or fail. Everyday in class you will learn more and more. Trial and Error. Here is a video to give helpful tips when teaching on your first day:

                                        

Teaching is one of those careers that make you feel empowered. You are modeling these kids lives. Their brains. Education is one of the thing we can control and make it enjoyable for teens. I can't wait to be a teacher with my own class.

 

 

 

Source:

http://www.speechgadget.com/2012/03/tips-for-working-with-middle-school.html

http://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/middle-school-teachers.htm

To Be or Not to Be..

"All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages." - William Shakespeare
 

Throughout middle and high school it is important to be apart of some extra curricular. There are a lot of options to consider: sports, art, music, yoga, clubs, and theatre. It has been proven that participating in an extra curricular has kept students more well rounded. Participating in something they are interested in introduces them to new people who may have similar interest. One extraordinary and unique extra curricular that everyone should try in their life time is theatre. Theatre is unlike any other activity in so many ways.


I started getting into the performing arts when I started watching popular TV show Glee. I wanted my high school to be more okay with mixing sports, music and acting. When I was in high school, I was categorized as an athlete. I was a pretty good athlete but I definitely didn't want to limit myself (like everyone else) to just being one thing in high school.

 So my junior year, I decided to try out for the school play. I was nervous as hell being outside my element; however, I got a perfect small role for my first show. It got me hooked. After that, I couldn't get enough. I participated in another play the fall of my senior year. In the spring of my senior year, I ended up getting a led the musical Bye Bye Birdie.
There is this feeling one gets when being on stage. The light floods the stage blinding you; you see nothing but light. While on stage, fully embrace the character you are playing. One must act, think and feel the way the character is. Being on stage is the most extra ordinary feeling.

Fun Facts about Theatre:

Students involved in drama performance tend to outscored non-arts students on the SAT by an average of 65 points in the verbal component...

Drama activities tend to improve reading comprehension, and both verbal/non-verbal communication skills.

Drama helps to improve school attendance and reduce high school dropout rates.

A 2005 Harris Poll revealed that 93% of the public believes that arts, including theatre, are vital to a well-rounded education.

Drama can improve skills and academic performance in children and youth with learning disabilities.

Additionally, theatre is very beneficial for children and teenagers. It helps them with many different types of skills such as: motor skills, language development, decision making, visual learning, inventiveness, culture awareness, and improved academic performance.  This video shows how theatre can change lives:

Theatre is proven to be important for the development of teenagers. Additionally, is unique and draws in people who are extraordinary. Theatre will always be an important aspect in development. There are plenty of reason why theatre will always be important: Self Knowledge, Self Expression, Self Empowerment, Education, Creativity, Globalization, and Social Change.


Sources:
http://www.tcgcircle.org/2014/06/the-top-ten-reasons-why-theatre-is-still-important-in-the-twenty-first-century/
http://www.aate.com/?page=effects
http://www.pbs.org/parents/education/music-arts/the-importance-of-art-in-child-development/

When I'm older, I want to be...

When I was young, people asked me: what do you want to be when you grow up?  My answer at the time was a pirate. After just watching the Pirates of the Caribbean movie multiple times, it looked fun. For a while, I thought, if I was I pirate I obviously would be working with other pirates who looked exactly like Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom. I soon found out.. that is not the case.

 
Do you know what you want to do with the rest of your life? That is what guidance counselor ask you when you are usually a junior or senior. Most of my teachers throughout high school treated me like a kid, and now they want to think like an adult. Additionally, as an 18 year old, they expect me to know what I want to do for the rest of my life. Wow.


Deciding where to go for high school is hard; however, deciding where to go for college is even harder. There are more options and more opportunities. Deciding what major. Deciding whether you want to be in a rural, suburban or city. And we can't forget about Money. Definitely a lot to think about.

Picking a college or university is a major milestone. It where you are going to spend the next 4 years of your life. It will be the best and worst 4 years. Its important to pick the right school; however, it will not be the end of the world if it doesn't work out.

 

For example, when it came time for me to decide where to go to college, I made a list of what I loved and wanted to possibly pursue. I decided I wanted to play basketball in college, and major in outdoor education. After a lot of thinking and talking to my guidance counselor and parents, we decided the best fit for what I was looking for would probably be Johnson State College. However, that didn't work out.

I was involved in a lot at my first college. I was majoring in something that I loved. I was playing a sport I loved. I even had a job on campus I enjoyed. However, the turning point for me was definitely the atmosphere and lifestyle. I was not ready for the lifestyle change: coming from a suburb of Boston to the rural mountain range of Stowe, Vermont. Sometimes in life you just can't forecast things. Your fate will always reset you.

There are many people who pick a college or university not knowing what it is really going to be like. If you realize the place you picked isn't a good fit or doesn't work out, that's alright. If either or those are you case, follow these steps:
1. Don't Panic
2. Take a deep breathe
3. Say this out loud "Everything is going to be fine."

Picking what college or university you attend is just one part of a bigger picture. Another part of this bigger picture is deciding what you want to major in. What you major in is going to help you decide what job you want to do after you graduate. But Brooke, How am I supposed to know what I want to major in? Here are five helpful tips on how to pick your major:

All of this is can be intimidating. The idea of having to decide the rest of you life at age 18. But the truth is: you don't have to. You will realize throughout your college experience that everything is up in the air. Nothing is set in stone.

 

Sources:
- http://thriftylittlemom.com/2014/07/29/5-things-to-consider-picking-your-college-major/
- https://www.buzzfeed.com/megansweet57/the-harsh-truth-about-college-a0vf?utm_term=.ccXY4YrDR#.ev1R5RZBl