How to be an effective teacher?

In this blog I am presenting questions that I have for my cooperating teacher, future students, and virtual mentor team. They are focused on being an effective teacher, not just an efficient teacher.

Identify three questions from reading:

1) For your future students and/or future school administrators

Students, what adaptions to the lesson make it easier to understand the content (i.e. real world examples, theory, and/or hands on activity)?

2) For your cooperating teacher and/or university supervisor

What are Solanco’s overarching objectives for the agricultural education department? What is the overall goal for completer students of the agricultural education program?

3) For one of your current virtual mentors (be specific!) and/or your cohort

Hannah Harris, did you go through an induction program at your school district?

Under Pressure: Creating and Teaching a Lesson in 48 hours

Let's set the stage. I walk up to the podium with confidence, set up all my papers, and then...instant technology malfunction. This is how my first teaching experience went on Wednesday. I was excited to begin my lesson that I prepared in 48 hours, but then my entire confidence dropped. I solved the technology malfunction, but my confidence did not restore completely. The lesson still went well, but there is plenty of room for improvement. 

I know as I continue to teach there will always be those times where technology will not work the way it is intended to. As the show business says, "The show must go on." I was ready to adapt my idea of a presentation with a slideshow and use the handout that I had with me. There will be times in the future where I will need to adapt and overcome issues that arise in the classroom. It may not be with technology. It could be figuring out how to manage a welding class of 15 students with only 8 welders. I have growing to do to become the best teacher I can be. There is always room for improvement

I learned that teaching is not an easy task. There will be problems that arise out of the blue. I do need to learn how to control my confidence and not feel defeated as easily. To live this out, I need to calm my nerves when something goes awry. This is only the beginning of my journey. I am ready to take this challenge and become the best teacher I can be for my students.