1 post tagged “required”

So, like one of my fellow roommates, I decided to do something at the last minute.  I read the entire Reluctant Disciplinarian book the day this blog about it was due.  I am actually very surprised at this feat.  This is only the second time in many years I can actually remember myself finishing any book.  This includes something as small as a magazine to the fictional novel David Copperfield.  Although many people will scoff at this, I believe it is a step in the right direction for me.  But this is a topic for a completely different blog session.
Now, on to more important matters.  While reading this book I became surprisingly relieved at many of the subjects Rubinstein discussed.  I may seem cocky or just plain dumb to say that this book did not make me at all scared of the school year ahead.  Instead I was thoroughly encouraged.  Throughout most of the book I found myself thinking that my teaching program if preparing me far better than what he is describing.  Most of the times we meet we go over many of the things that Rubinstein mentions.  Our classes aren't useless like the organizing bulletin board class he makes fun of.  Not only do we get to observe good teachers in our second years, but some failed lessons taught by my fellow first years(I'm not saying they're bad teachers, just that it is good to watch some of the same mistakes that I make or would make if I didn't learn better).  Even though we haven't been through it yet, the role playing we will be doing seems as though it will be more helpful than anything yet.  Bringing in actual students who will react to situations as if it were a real classroom should be a priceless exercise.  I love the fact that the experienced teachers have to reflect on their failures and successes in a public forum.  This allows all of us to learn what to do and maybe more importantly, what not to do.
In his chapter about what "real" teachers do he describes all things that have been told to and/or demonstrated to us since we have been here.  It's great to read phrases in the book that are exactly what I've heard in class.  Things like "develop a 'teacher look'" or "don't smile until Christmas."  Fortunately for me I developed a "teacher look" a long time ago.  First my mom is a teacher, so I have experience with it first hand.  Secondly, my dad uses a very similar look we like to call the "evil eye."  Both have worked very effectively.
Just to be clear, I am not saying that I am perfectly prepared for teaching and that my first year will be a breeze.  I just think that of all first year teachers in the country, ours seem to have the best preparation of any.  It's going to be a challenge and many of us will see our first year as a failure(Not all of us can win teacher of the year in our first year like some people with initials JR).  I just know that even if things go wrong and stuff seems out of control, many successful teachers were in my shoes in the beginning of their careers.  I also know that I have people there for me who will have advice to give or can just be there for me.  Well, this is the end of this.  I just want to say thank you for making us read this book.  I think it is very helpful in my development as a first year teacher.