The Last Blog of the Semester... *sheds tear*

WHAT A SEMESTER!!! It is so weird to think that this is the last blog of the semester. It's crazy how fast it has flown by. There have been a lot of highs and lows this semester but I am so relieved that the end is here. It is going to be nice to have a break for a little bit before it is the real deal!

This week I went to my school for four full days and oh my goodness... It has been exhausting! I have taught Phonics, Math and Guided Reading each day which is A LOT!!! But, I have loved every minute of it! It puts it into perspective about how semester is going to be... exhausting but totally worth it.

I found an article that give 4 Strategies to Energize and Focus your Students.

1. Engage student Leadership ing the Classroom

2. Involve as Many Students as Possible

3. Give the Students an Urgent Reason to Learn

4. Help Students Feel Success

These four tips are things that can help any student at any age. I think that it is very important to make students are energized, focused and learning at all times in your classroom. Giving students a leadership role will help with those who have behavior issues and also those who struggle with attention. Make sure that all students feel this way and that they are all involved at some point. Lastly, I feel like it is most important to help students fell like they are successful. Make sure you praise them and make them feel welcomed and important. 

This relates to the NC Professional Teaching standards by standard 2. Giving students a respectful environment for a diverse population is very important when making sure all students feel energized and focused.

There's a Light at the End of the Tunnel!

After turning in LE 6, 7 and 13, I feel like a monkey just jumped off my back and I can finally breathe again. Although the semester is not over, I can finally start to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Each week I have a moment of reality and shock when I write this blog and think about how much closer I am to student teaching... Oh my!

Going off of last weeks blog about stress, I found an article that talks about 4 Powerful Mindsets for Turing Stress into a Positive Force. Yes, this semester, next semester and the rest of our lives are going to have stressful times, but there are ways to turn those into positives. I really enjoyed this article because at times I always let stress get the best of me and bring out the worst in me. I think it is very important to stay positive and not get overwhelmed by the little things.

The article started with this statistic. "In a 2015 survey of 31,342 teachers, 73 percent said they often felt stressed. Only 3 percent said stress was rare—and frankly, I’m wondering if they filled in the wrong bubble. While 89 percent had been highly enthusiastic about teaching when they started, only 15 percent felt the same way at the time of the survey."After I read this I was beginning to think about my decision as a teacher and if was was really going to be worth it. I continued to read the article and began to remember the reason I want to be a teacher and my passion for children. 

These are four ways that you can turn your stress into a positive force. 

See the meaning in your stress When you feel discouraged by the realities of teaching, think about why you teach and what matters most. Recall this motivation before you enter a stressful situation, such as a difficult conversation with an administrator or parent. Doing so can bring out your best self and help you connect with others, while keeping your stress response in check.

Try a growth mindset When you find yourself dwelling on a negative situation, ask yourself how it can contribute to your personal goals. What lessons can you take from what happened? Can it be a starting point for positive change in your classroom or your school?

Practice vicarious resilience We all vent about difficult situations or students—and this can get you the moral support you need. But balance this habit by remembering to reflect on what is most elevating about your work. Make a ritual of ending the school day by thinking about a student who demonstrated character, courage, or kindness. Share your favorite stories with others.

Think about our common humanity When you feel stressed, remember that you are not alone. Remind yourself that teachers all over are frustrated by the same stressor. Think about colleagues close by who are dealing with the same situation. Let this mindset propel you to connect with others so that you might share ideas, strategies for change, and much-needed self-compassion.

I would relate this to Standard 1 of the NC Professional Teaching Standards. Being able to turn stress into a positive force requires being a teacher leader. It is very important be able to lead your classroom and push through during a tough time. Leading your student even when you are discouraged and forget the reason why you are teaching.

Week Eleven!!

Have you ever reached the point of so much stress and work that you feel like giving up and not caring anymore? I have reached that point several times this week. With all of the work that is due this week in 435 and all of my other education classes, not to mention getting as much time in my placement as possible, I feel like I am drowning. I am beginning to run out of energy and motivation to finish any of it. They say that college is the best years of your life, but right now I completely disagree. This is getting a bit overwhelming.

Having all of these emotions, I feel that it is only right to look up tips to help with stress. I found a website that gives ways of reducing and managing stress for college students. Some of these tips I have tried before and they have helped. 

1.Learning how to manage your responsibilities, accomplish your goals and still have time for rest and relaxation requires that you practice time management skills. 

2. Try setting a specific goal for yourself that will improve your mood and help you reduce stress.

3. Avoid procrastination

4. Exercise regularly

5. Practice good sleeping habits

6. Try meditation

7. Pace yourself throughout the day, taking regular breaks from work or other structured activities. During breaks from class, studying, or work, spend time walking outdoors, listen to music or just sit quietly, to clear and calm your mind.

I know that we all have had more stressful times than others but I think that these are tips that we can use anytime for the rest of our profession. Dealing with children everyday isn't going to be easy neither is all of the other stress that comes with teaching. However, it is all worth it and we can try these tips to help us get through it.

Looking at the North Carolina Professional Teaching Standards, this would relate to standard one. Managing stress and being able to handle tough situations relate to being a teacher leader and being able to lead the classroom and handle the profession.