Goals: Not the Basketball or Football Kind

Yesterday my MT had her students define and set goals for themselves. She introduced the concept by asking them what a goal was: "What is a goal?" she asked. "And not the basketball or football kind." While my students are setting goals in the beginning of this year, I thought I should set some for myself as well. This year I want to get more comfortable teaching lessons that I design and plan for my students. I have substitute taught for the last two years, so I feel pretty good about being in front of students, but I'm not quite as confident teaching my own ideas. I'm excited to start doing that! Designing lesson plans seems like a daunting task right now, but I hope to get good at it! Designing meaningful instruction that my students are interested in is one of my long-term goals for this year. Some short term goals that I have are to learn all of my students' names, and something they like or like to do. I'm developing some goals for myself and certain students, like how to engage them and keep them interested in class. The class I am in most often right now is quite chatty. They talk to each other, my MT, me, and sometimes to themselves. Developing a classroom management plan that I can implement while I'm teaching is another one of my short-term goals. Keeping and managing that plan is one of my long-term goals. I'll keep you updated while these goals develop and change as I get to know my students! 

Teaching is An Adventure

Teaching is an adventure; an adventure that requires constant learning, curiosity, and courage. I'm embarking on a new adventure this year during my pre-student teaching and student teaching. I'm equal parts ecstatic and terrified. Hopefully the fearfulness will fade, and the excitement will build. I'm pretty sure that will be the case. Stay tuned for updates, questions, musings, and lots of fun stories! Down the rabbit hole we go.