Spark and Life Long Learning
I believe that teachers can have something I like to call a spark. Most teachers have it when they start but often times more experienced teachers lose their spark or their spark dims. The reasons for this may vary. It can be because of daily classroom challenges or the influences of others surrounding attitudes within a classroom community. It is important that we remember what gave us those sparks in the first place and actively keep that spark glowing. To do this, teachers need to be life long learners themselves. Teachers need to have openness to new opportunities and possibilities. Life is always changing and the education world is no exception. There are constantly new strategies to be learned and every teacher should be open to trying to things. If teachers do the same things year after year the classroom will stagnate. We also must keep in mind that just because we are teaching does not always mean there is learning happening. In order to maintain a classroom of active learners, teachers must be up to date on strategies that work and differentiate instruction for every child.
A lot of the PLC reminds me of the CT Common Core of Teaching. The CTCCT was developed to exemplify what an accomplished teacher would look like. It is important for teachers to know the points of the CTCCT and be sure to continue to uphold the values and professionalism presented in this document. Some of the more important points of the CTCCT are points that we have talked about over the past few weeks in class. Examples are:
Teachers should:
• establish appropriate standards of behavior and create a positive learning environment
• seek out opportunities to grow professionally
• demonstrate a commitment to their students and a passion for improving their profession
Here is a link to the CT Common Core of Teaching:
http://www.sde.ct.gov/sde/cwp/view.asp?a=2618&q=320862
I believe that teachers can have something I like to call a spark. Most teachers have it when they start but often times more experienced teachers lose their spark or their spark dims. The reasons for this may vary. It can be because of daily classroom challenges or the influences of others surrounding attitudes within a classroom community. It is important that we remember what gave us those sparks in the first place and actively keep that spark glowing. To do this, teachers need to be life long learners themselves. Teachers need to have openness to new opportunities and possibilities. Life is always changing and the education world is no exception. There are constantly new strategies to be learned and every teacher should be open to trying to things. If teachers do the same things year after year the classroom will stagnate. We also must keep in mind that just because we are teaching does not always mean there is learning happening. In order to maintain a classroom of active learners, teachers must be up to date on strategies that work and differentiate instruction for every child.
A lot of the PLC reminds me of the CT Common Core of Teaching. The CTCCT was developed to exemplify what an accomplished teacher would look like. It is important for teachers to know the points of the CTCCT and be sure to continue to uphold the values and professionalism presented in this document. Some of the more important points of the CTCCT are points that we have talked about over the past few weeks in class. Examples are:
Teachers should:
• establish appropriate standards of behavior and create a positive learning environment
• seek out opportunities to grow professionally
• demonstrate a commitment to their students and a passion for improving their profession
Here is a link to the CT Common Core of Teaching:
http://www.sde.ct.gov/sde/cwp/view.asp?a=2618&q=320862
The Spark
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