Gladys

Posted on 10/25/09

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On 10/24/09, Amelia Suhayda wrote:
> Teaching in today's schools is very difficult. I recently
> graduated from High School. I decided four years ago that I
> wanted to teach. I am in a teacher program in Nevada and am
> a Practicum student at two schools in the Reno area.
>
> I expected that getting and keeping the student's attention
> would be difficult, but I had no idea how difficult it
> would be. The student's do not offer answers or opinions
> when I ask for them and aren't even cooperative when I give
> them incentive to volunteer (extra credit points, etc).
> Cell phones and other technology is making my job harder.
> All the students seem to want to do is text message each
> other. They can’t write me a simple essay about how they
> feel about anything because they don’t even use real words
> anymore. It is only casual chat speak (u for you, ittul for
> I will talk to you later etc.) The students are basically
> illiterate.
>
> The students I teach are middle and high school special
> education students. I value class participation and do not
> often use the Pedagogy of strict memorization. I want the
> students to appreciate what education and teachers can give
> them. I also want them know what they are learning and how
> it effects them.
>
> How do I do all this, without it being boring?
>
> The drop out rate is way too high; teachers need to come up
> with new ways if they expect students to take interest
> because they aren’t interested now.
I feel your frustration. There are two books that I suggest
every new teacher read, "The First Days of School: How to Be
an Effective Teacher" by Harry K. Wong and "Teaching With
Love and Logic: Taking Control of the Classroom" by Jim Fay
and David Funk. Both of these books gives excellent advice
and are written by educators with lots of experience. Hang in
there, it will get better. We need good teachers who are
willing to teach and have the dedication to do well

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