It is definitely a scary thought to be isolated. When starting out in any job one may feel like the outsider. Often times, unless someone reaches out to you, most people are hesitant about asking for help. Personally, I know that I hate the feeling of being the "low man on the totem pole" and having people look down at you because you are young, inexperienced, or new. It makes it hard not to isolate yourself.
When starting out in the teaching field, not only can this leave someone lonely, but it can cause them to feel lost. One of the main things that I fear in becoming a new teacher isn't being up against 34 students in a classroom, rather it's the preparation outside of the classroom. I may have been taught the style of how to prepare lessons, but creating good lessons, projects, and tests, and being able to cover all the material expected of me I am apprehensive about. One thing I do know is that when I do get a job, I will be one to swallow my pride and ask for help, because I know I'm going to need it and I am not one to enjoy isolation.
Blogs are definitely a good way to reach out to others in the field. Although I will try to reach out to other teachers in my school, not all teachers are interested in sharing their material, giving advice, or collaborating. When connecting with "Edubloggers", at least you know that these teachers want to reach out to others. This can help aid teachers in connecting with others teachers with different styles of teaching, ideas, and advice. Some teachers may even want to collaborate across the globe. Finding other teachers to reach out to and collaborate with is a great resource to enhance one's own teaching and classroom environment.
I think what you've hit on is there will always be a learning curve when you are reflective and seek to improve your lessons, assessments, etc. Finding people to speak with in a school, social network or a professional organization are all good ways to learn from others...and others can learn from you. You don't want to get caught in the "parallel play" that is described at the end of the article.
ReplyDeleteBeing in front of a whole room of children is probably one of the most frightful things out there. However as you mentioned when you ask for help and guidance from people who have been there before and have been in your shoes it makes the transition for yourself that much easier. One can never ask a person with experience to many questions.
ReplyDeleteI never understood why teachers aren't willing to share their materials or advice with other teachers, its apparent in my school too. By getting involved with blogging and other discussion boards for teachers you are able to avoid being isolated by your co-workers and find the information you are looking for from someone else who is willing to share and help you.
ReplyDeleteI too am often stuck on the thought of will i be able to make sense of the curriculum while engaging students at a high level everyday and it should help if teachers are willing to share ideas which is where the communication between the school community is key.
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