Teachers never stop learning. At least, they should not. According to NCTCS Standard 5: "Teachers reflect on their practice", it is integral to take a step back and evaluate your pedagogical methods. If you are learning, this certainly helps your students learn. I am looking forward to joining this professional community as I have progressed in the Gardner-Webb University Teacher Education program.
Our students are constantly changing to accustom themselves to a constantly changing world. Five years ago, every student is whole school districts did not have steady access to technology. Today, some districts are providing ALL students with top of the line Macbooks, rendering themselves 100% reliant on technology. How could teachers prepare for this switch without first educating themselves?
This week, I have been preparing myself for my first professional conference. I will be attending Gardner-Webb University School of Education's Keeping Learning Alive! conference on Saturday, February 6th. I am excited to participate in this event and learn from my present and future colleagues. We will be hearing from the current North Carolina Teacher of the Year, Mr. Steve Lassiter, as well as engage in several breakout sessions and edCamp.
Had I known all that being a teacher entailed when I was in EDUC 250, I might have cried a bit and had a few panic sessions. But here I am, in my Junior year, having learned what it means to be a professional teacher. I'm sure all pre-service teachers have also come to this wonderful realization.
I think that overall, the greatest aspect of the field of education is that as educators, we have the type of community that accepts collaboration and discussion as a means of achieving a common goal. This goal would be to better the education that our students are receiving, and preparing them to become global citizens! It is not about who can be the best teacher...it is about what we can do for our students.
Yay Olivia! It is true that teachers should not stop learning. We need to learns something new to better our students every single day. I am also going to be attending the Keeping Learning Alive conference, and I am so excited and eager to see what I will learn. There is so much out there that we have yet to learn about, and that is exciting and scary all at the same time.
ReplyDeleteOlivia,
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy reading your blogs! I like how you said, "Teachers never stop learning. At least, they should not." I completely agree! As a teacher, there are so many opportunities to learn more because we aren't supposed to know everything. I attended the Keep Learning Alive event here at Gardner-Webb on Saturday and I absolutely loved it. I was unable to stay for the full length of time but I learned a lot for the amount of time that I was there. I loved listening to Steve Lassiter speak. He was very informing and passionate about what he was talking about. I truly enjoyed my experience at the conference.
Lastly, I like what you said, "It's not about who can be the best teacher… it is about what we can do for our students." This should be a famous quote, because you are completely right! A teachers job is to help students, not to compete to be the better teacher. Great job, Olivia!
Olivia,
ReplyDeleteI am excited for you that you get to attend such a great conference. I am sure that you will gain so much valuable information that you will hopefully share on your next blog. We as teachers expect our students to learn and continue throughout their lives and it is important that we continue to do the same. That is the only way that we can remain relevant to our students. I cant wait to hear about your weekend... Enjoy!
Olivia,
ReplyDeleteYou hit the nail on the head! Teachers must # 1 see the value of continuous learning and # 2 - seek out relevant and intentional opportunities for to better themselves. It is crucial for teachers to put into practice things they have learned to demonstrate they are keeping their instruction current.
Keep Learning Alive! - Sorry...had to throw that in there.