tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post8035672155094709158..comments2024-03-25T22:38:39.934-07:00Comments on THERESA'S TALES: Space and WallsTheresa Milsteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03477761307315565259noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-64259074704546060122011-03-03T13:10:46.806-08:002011-03-03T13:10:46.806-08:00@ JL, it's so true. Sometimes I tell the more...@ JL, it's so true. Sometimes I tell the more difficult students, "I'm a teacher, not a babysitter. I can't watch you every 5 seconds to make sure you're doing the right thing.<br /><br />@ Jennifer, great analogy! Writing is like teaching. For both, we must develop a style all our own.<br /><br />@ LTM, not knowing our subject does make it more difficult to get a handle on discipline. Good point! 150 kids is A LOT.Theresa Milsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03477761307315565259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-7898173476460871862011-03-03T12:31:08.718-08:002011-03-03T12:31:08.718-08:00never taught MS, so I can't comment directly. ...never taught MS, so I can't comment directly. But I did teach 10th grade English and 12th grade yearbook. (It was an elective.)<br /><br />I LOVED teaching English, and all 150 of my 10th graders were total DOLLS for me. I took them seriously, we worked on problems, and they performed.<br /><br />I HATED doing yearbook, I'd never done it before, and I had no support so I was clueless. The seniors ran all over me. I was a total discipline FAIL. <br /><br />But we survived. Any help there? I do hope your gal hangs in there. IMO, subbing is the hardest teaching position of them all. Sounds like you do a great job~ ;o) <3LTMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05239077455322030275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-33684390427504410412011-03-02T03:18:21.652-08:002011-03-02T03:18:21.652-08:00This minor in comparison, but I teach VBS at our c...This minor in comparison, but I teach VBS at our church every summer. I always like the 5 year olds because they're fun and "easy" (they still respect you even if you're boring) LOL<br />But one year they gave me the 4th graders. <br />A yikes.<br />By far, that was THE hardest age to get interested and control. After I lost it with them, I finally figured them out and later actually was able to enjoy them. But I did have to think back on how my fourth grade teacher was with us. <br />I think you gave that teacher some excellent advice about observing other teachers and styles. It's like writing. If you read various styles and genres, you eventually develop a style that is your own. :)Jennifer Shirkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16970585847385511795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-48061044329958389462011-03-02T03:17:36.978-08:002011-03-02T03:17:36.978-08:00I'm not a teacher, but I suppose that student ...I'm not a teacher, but I suppose that student teacher will definitely have to observe others in action and see what will work for her. Being observant will help lots. Some kids do need more supervision than others.J.L. Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05666634455836834179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-29891788492704993942011-03-02T03:08:34.722-08:002011-03-02T03:08:34.722-08:00@ Deniz, some days I don't either! But I agre...@ Deniz, some days I don't either! But I agree, it's not for everyone.<br /><br />@ Joanne, I don't assign much homework, but that would be perfect for the student teacher because her class gets a lot more. I don't know if the main teacher would go for it though - state standards - tests to prepare for!<br /><br />@ Rachel, so true. I tow that fine line. I'm relaxed and will have regular conversations, but I keep my standards high. I'll call home, keep a kid for detention, and give my look.<br /><br />The team challenges sound brilliant!Theresa Milsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03477761307315565259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-59955065585295371272011-03-01T22:09:10.453-08:002011-03-01T22:09:10.453-08:00Hm... I haven't been teaching that long so I d...Hm... I haven't been teaching that long so I don't think I have any major pearls of wisdom yet! (except that you REALLY need to try and not get too familiar with them - because then when you try to be strict after that they don't take you seriously!)<br /><br />I'm trying to create FUN in the classroom by having the class arranged in "teams". They get "challenge" questions occasionally and win points for their team from that, and lose points for their team for not doing homework/making lots of noise. This way they try to get EACH OTHER to behave because no one wants their team to lose!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06181241692016438730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-91562640032124560202011-03-01T19:00:44.028-08:002011-03-01T19:00:44.028-08:00Hm, how about occasional homework passes issued to...Hm, how about occasional homework passes issued to reward good behavior, esp for a tough assignment? Announced in the beginning of class, or of a week, maybe it'll help? Would they settle down with the prospect of not doing an assignment?Joannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03972054718663959694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-86162483833145742032011-03-01T18:32:55.726-08:002011-03-01T18:32:55.726-08:00Oh my! I admire you guys a whole lot, I know I'...Oh my! I admire you guys a whole lot, I know I'd never have what it takes to be a teacher.Deniz Bevanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17134553551048836979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-2916443462910424162011-03-01T18:26:11.879-08:002011-03-01T18:26:11.879-08:00@ Ann, I hope she finds comfort level too.
@ Mich...@ Ann, I hope she finds comfort level too.<br /><br />@ Michael, yeah, pay us more! Especially me because ETS pay isn't even as good as regular teacher pay. And don't even ask about daily sub pay. Can't live on it.<br /><br />@ Niki, thanks. I hope she does too.<br /><br />@ Len, I'm not sick anymore. Thanks!<br /><br />I think she's doing better. If I can offer any help before I leave at the end of next week, I will.<br /><br />@ Sari, it does require lots of patience. Thanks!Theresa Milsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03477761307315565259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-57861861727221697682011-03-01T18:13:03.426-08:002011-03-01T18:13:03.426-08:00I don't envy you! I would never have the patie...I don't envy you! I would never have the patience for being a teacher. Good on you for helping the student teacher out.Sari Webbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14157780034728554529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-41026801372535835062011-03-01T17:58:15.916-08:002011-03-01T17:58:15.916-08:00Sorry to hear you aren't feeling well. I hope ...Sorry to hear you aren't feeling well. I hope you feel better soon. I don't know why I've missed some of your posts! :(<br /><br />Theresa, you are very inspirational. I hope the student teacher sees that and I hope she sees that there's someone like you out there to help someone like her..and I hope that's enough reason for her not to give up.Len Lamberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13394563639136301725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-72600409973966667212011-03-01T16:15:23.270-08:002011-03-01T16:15:23.270-08:00Oh what a hard job. Good on you for giving her adv...Oh what a hard job. Good on you for giving her advice. I hope she listens.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-52940029582170076112011-03-01T09:20:54.797-08:002011-03-01T09:20:54.797-08:00Teaching is such a difficult job. I wish that teac...Teaching is such a difficult job. I wish that teachers as good as you would be rewarded with more pay because you really are influencing for the better, a future crop of kids.Michael Offutt, Phantom Readerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10557969104886174930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-15692165776463379932011-03-01T09:14:49.545-08:002011-03-01T09:14:49.545-08:00Teaching is one of the hardest jobs. My heart goe...Teaching is one of the hardest jobs. My heart goes out to that student teacher. I too hope she finds her level. Very good of you to lend her a hand and sound advice.Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07524878248746427258noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-25274371054000212802011-03-01T09:05:38.745-08:002011-03-01T09:05:38.745-08:00@ Jules, she's doing a bit better, but I wish ...@ Jules, she's doing a bit better, but I wish she'd stop making obvious incentives/punishments. I think there's a better way.<br /><br />@ Hilary, people are being way too generous. I don't think I'm the answer to her woes. But if she asks for advice, I'll be happy to offer it. I don't think the regular teacher will be out of the room again!<br /><br />@ Erica, I'm so impressed with teachers like your mother. It's not easy to be comfortable enough with yourself to command both fear and love. <br /><br />A death stare - ha! I know it well.Theresa Milsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03477761307315565259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-23097400797170747592011-03-01T04:53:08.979-08:002011-03-01T04:53:08.979-08:00A few of the women in my family are or have been t...A few of the women in my family are or have been teachers. Most of them have state in elementary school and my mom still teaches 3rd grade. She has some TOUGH students to deal with. I remember one who would blatently use his pants as a place to go to the bathroom just to get her attention. Many of her kids come from very broken homes and they tend to act out most of the time. <br />Each year she has to adjust to the new students in her class but for YEARS now she has been teacher of the year because she is both feared and loved. She demands respect and these students give it to her. Her kids get better grades, do better on the state exams all because she has learned the lesson in both being feared and loved by her kids.<br />She also has a death stare. She used it on me as a kid. I don't know what it is about this certain look but I swear it works. One sideways glance of ole' evil eye and we all corrected our behavior.Erica Mitchellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01047782756627025143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-34202179784088316402011-03-01T04:35:52.286-08:002011-03-01T04:35:52.286-08:00Hi Theresa .. sounds she missed out a bit during t...Hi Theresa .. sounds she missed out a bit during the student teacher phase .. but you're giving her that help now - if she's humble enough to realise she doesn't know it all and can learn more .. <br /><br />Hope you're both ok .. and have good weeks .. HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-75082402305864160142011-03-01T03:32:32.507-08:002011-03-01T03:32:32.507-08:00Sorry I'm late PC issues. Poor ST, sounds like...Sorry I'm late PC issues. Poor ST, sounds like the wolves are nipping at her heels. I sure hope she hangs in there, we need good teachers. :)<br /><a href="http://fragilemouse.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow</a>Juleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02136045025997662057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-5457645595664183722011-03-01T03:22:56.161-08:002011-03-01T03:22:56.161-08:00@ Saumya, thanks. I never thought I'd teach t...@ Saumya, thanks. I never thought I'd teach this age-group either. But working in a 5th-grade class so many years made it easier to get them. <br /><br />@ Elembee, I've heard the same no-smile advice, and it didn't work for me either. <br /><br />Great advice. You've learned a lot in a short time.<br /><br />Middle schoolers are the WORST at lines. It's like they rebel from all they learned in elementary school.<br /><br />@ Brigid, I've decorated the front of my trolley. I have a picture of Bella and Hermoine, with the question "Role Mode?" and about how each woman dealt when the loves of their lives left them. Then I have a bunch of pictures of the protestors in Egypt. <br /><br />@ Missed Periods, I thought you taught in high school. That makes all the grammar mistakes on your blog even worse!Theresa Milsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03477761307315565259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-30859635389364876182011-03-01T00:23:12.793-08:002011-03-01T00:23:12.793-08:00I imagine that middle school is a whole different ...I imagine that middle school is a whole different beast than college, so I have no idea about classroom management advice. But I do know that I wanted to quit teaching at first too. (It's hard, damnit!) I hope she sticks with it too.Missed Periodshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10343265071637032284noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-91629934572076725272011-02-28T23:33:09.717-08:002011-02-28T23:33:09.717-08:00That is a tough learning curve for the student tea...That is a tough learning curve for the student teacher. How great she had you there to help her out.<br />I still can't believe you have to walk around with a trolley. I hope something comes up for you before you finish your contract.Brigid O'Connorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08646687391409208367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-73060875091728425942011-02-28T22:17:15.269-08:002011-02-28T22:17:15.269-08:00In my first teaching contract last year, I went in...In my first teaching contract last year, I went in, guns blazing. I had been given advice that you don't smile for at least 6 weeks!!! Then you can let go a bit. It totally DID NOT work with the group of kids I had. Some of the super defiant ones just got more super defiant. And such a horrible way to spend 6 weeks!!! Anyway... my contract this year started out differently.<br /><br /><br />We discussed expectations as a class. I reward consisently for the positive behaviour. I have very rarely got too cranky with this lot but when I have ... THEY LISTEN. Last year was good for me to know what NOT to do .. or at least what not to do FOR ME. I much prefer to focus on all the good stuff they do ... they love it as well.<br /><br />I am a stickler for walking in 2 quiet lines however throughout the school. We've had a few practice runs. They soon learnt to be quiet.Ms Belsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16197041851945577842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-85186214409310856982011-02-28T20:15:14.330-08:002011-02-28T20:15:14.330-08:00Wow, teaching middle school has got to be incredib...Wow, teaching middle school has got to be incredibly challenging. I know I couldn't do it so I really admire that you're doing it (and doing it well)! This girl is still continuing to figure herself out and middle school is when many people reach their lowest points. She's so lucky she's got you.Saumyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08517289532769906489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-42114087347624117912011-02-28T18:08:55.552-08:002011-02-28T18:08:55.552-08:00@ Jai, I don't know how I do it either. Today...@ Jai, I don't know how I do it either. Today was stellar. Other days I think I've lost my mind or they've made me lose my mind or something.<br /><br />@ WritingNut, thank you. That's sweet. I was lucky my student teaching was all positive except for one day. And that one day made me a better teacher because I gave it to them the next day, and they were great after that.<br /><br />@ Nas, that's such a nice thing to say. Thanks!<br /><br />@ Liz, traveling is a pain. But the upside is I don't have a homeroom so I don't have to hand things out and collect them signed, do attendance, find out who's eating school lunch, do activities with them for 20 minutes, and make sure they're quiet during the pledge. At least, that's what I say to myself when I'm dragging my cart around.Theresa Milsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03477761307315565259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-33676559359251626132011-02-28T17:54:11.826-08:002011-02-28T17:54:11.826-08:00You're travelling? I'm so sorry. (I've...You're travelling? I'm so sorry. (I've seen the teachers who have to do this. I've subbed for teachers who have to do this. And it just sucks!)<br /><br />As for a tip...Yeah, got none. I'm still trying to figure out classroom control myself.Liz A.https://www.blogger.com/profile/16531953467834426316noreply@blogger.com