What I Learned From 2008 – Tracy Rosen
[Note from the Proprietor: In case you're wondering what it's all about, well, we're smack in the middle of BLOGAPALOOZA! Hey, you're welcome to join in the fun if you like! All ya gotta do is click that cute little link and read all about it!]
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Guest post by Tracy Rosen who writes over at Leading From the Heart
January – Wishes, Hopes, and Dreams Where I dream about courage, strength, structure, and fun for the year.
February – Creative Writing Quicky Our class blog was on the fritz so I posted a backup of the day’s writing assignment on my personal blog. I love re-reading the little stories. They remind me of my students from last year, and how each were such individuals.
March – Shout Out – Glenn Moses Not really a post, but a reminder. It was a re-post, a citation. Glenn Moses is definitely worth citing and I like to look back at this post to re-read his words. They keep me focused on my purpose.
April – History, Oh History Last year a former colleague of mine asked if I had any tips for a friend of hers who had a child who was struggling with the History of Quebec and Canada, as many students do in Quebec. That request led me to create a blog with resources for the course and this year I taught the course again after a long hiatus. In fact, tomorrow (Jan. 15) we are writing the supplemental exam for the course. I’m as nervous as the kids!
May – Mr. Wasserman Redirects Some of my favourite posts are the ones that are inspired by the posts of other teachers. In this post give props to Mr. Wasserman who, instead of complaining about his students, looks for ways to become the teacher they need. Hot stuff right there.
June – Ouch… Important Feedback Where I am reminded that students are always watching.
July – By Any Means Human – What are yours? Where I ask teachers to share the #1 human gift they bring to the classroom.
August – What It Takes. You know, so many of my favourite posts happened in response to the words of others, in particular of Michael Doyle. He has a way with them, those words. This post explores what it takes for me to do what I do. It’s all about the light, baby.
September – How Do You Still Love Teaching? Probably my favourite post of all time. A friend asked me the question during a particularly bad experience at the school where she works. The conversation that took place in the comments is worth gold to me.
October – 24 Hours in the Life of Me – Oh, and BlogHer 08 Just an insane day in the life of a teacher. Wow. It’s hard to believe there are days like that.
November – How is this Normal? Reflecting on our obsession with evaluation. I like this post because it started some thinking I needed to do about Professional Development and I love the quality of the comments that go with it.
December – Doubt I round off the year with a deeply introspective post, wondering on if I am doing what I need to do. There are times when I have doubts. Looking through the posts on my blog though, I am reminded that there are also times when I have such clarity that teaching is what I need to be doing.
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I’m Tracy Rosen, author of the blog at Leading From the Heart. I’m currently teaching Grades 10 and 11 at an alternative school near Montreal. I’m also a PhD student in Educational Technology, though that may change soon. What else…I learned how to knit a few weeks ago and have since discovered the joy of knitting scarves and jewelry while listening to audio books. I’m also currently trying to keep warm in Montreal.
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[Further note from the Proprietor: Hey, if you're interested in having your own "best of 2008" posts highlighted right here at the Middle Zone, then by all means, click on this link: (BLOGAPALOOZA: What I Learned From 2008) and read all about it! BLOGAPALOOZA will be open for entries from now until Sunday, January 25.]
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Thought I’d give you a little update – 12 of the 18 students who wrote the history exam that day passed it and two others were close enough that, once the government moderates the marks, they just may pass it as well. For one girl it was the 5th time she wrote the beast! (and it’s really a beast, huge multi-part exam that is required for graduation from high school, partially marked by the teacher, partially by the government of Quebec, with moderated marking a la bell curve) When I told her she passed with a 64 she broke down in tears, which of course brought tears to my eyes as well! A rich moment.
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