Behavior Problems

These past few weeks I learned some valuable information to help with classroom management and behavior problems. I just finished reading my feedback from my professor over my first submitted Video Observation Assignment. I still remember over twenty years ago when I had my first evaluation. It came from my store manager when I was 17. I was taking a Marketing class in my Senior year of High School and employer evaluations were part of my grade. That day, my manager said the only improvement needed was for me to stop being defensive when corrected at work or shown new ways. I immediately snapped back at him, saying that I wasn't defensive. He immediately snapped back and said, "Perfect example." I ran in to him a few years later and told him that day changed my life. I now seek out feedback and guidance. One gives you authentic feedback because they care. You can't learn and grow until you become vulnerable and willing to listen to advice. I listened this past few weeks from feedback from two teacher mentors: my professor and on-site supervisor/teammate. My professor gave me great advice to keep my class engaged which would help with behavior management. She told me to ask "higher-order" questions instead of only telling the answers. Even better, she suggested spelling out a word associated with our lesson to get them to their seats quickly and quietly HELLO?! So simple, yet so genius! My on-site supervisor said to tackle behavior during my Library Guided Reading Station and to keep them on task, I should only allow them to choose books from a book bin collection of my own choosing. This way they are not just flipping through the same book day after day and only wasting time until the next rotation. Sound and solid advice that boosts my students' academic performance, but also maintains a positive, calmer classroom environment.

Self-fulfilling prophecy

When I first read my topic for this blog post, I immediately giggled and thought of all the superhero movies that my children love. It sounds so epic and mysterious. It doesn't sound like a real-life situation, but I know it is. I just haven't thought that hard about it until now. I started practicing yoga over ten years ago and always dreamed of becoming a yoga teacher. I envisioned my classes and how I would structure them. I would think of awesome playlists and think about how I could connect my real-life situations to a class "feel" or intention. Little did I know, but I would fulfill this dream but in a different way. Two years ago, I was deep into my Master's in Elementary Education program and a local studio offered a children's yoga teacher training weekend. I never thought about teaching yoga to children one day. My dream was to always teach yoga to adults in the future. When I was told about the training weekend, my prophecy flipped and ignited. I loved teaching children in a classroom setting. I loved practicing yoga. Why not combine the two?! I took the training and it changed my life. I was hooked. Last April, I began my 200 yoga teacher training and graduated in August. I took this to better equipped to teach teenagers. I also have found my way along this path with family yoga. This has become my "thing". I love every second of it. Yoga has transformed my classroom teaching philosophy and has opened new doors and passions. I started the very first public school yoga club in Berkeley County and have introduced calming strategies to my students. My prophecy to teach yoga to adults never was fulfilled, however, it led to another one that makes my life and career feel complete and right. As for my observation video, I have a very hard time watching myself. I get very insecure and tear myself apart. It wasn't easy and I hope to get better and more comfortable with this.