Online+Class+Feb.+4,+2012

PLEASE POST YOUR OWN RESPONSE TO THE QUESTIONS BEFORE READING THOSE OF OTHERS!!!

1**. Palmer says, “Good teaching cannot be reduced to technique; good teaching comes from the identity and integrity of the teacher.” Identity and Integrity are closely related concepts. How do you understand their relationships and distinctions? What does each concept mean to you?** I perceive identity to be who you see yourself to be. Are you an arbiter of whom shall be judged as worthy of mastery? If so, how you conduct your class will be in such a way that only the very smartest, wiliest and persistent of __students__ will be successful. Do you see yourself as a kind of midwife, helping new wisdom and understandings be "born" in the minds of your __students__? Then your class is likely to contain many tools and activities to ease the "birthing" process, and you allow it to unfold at its own pace. The integrity of the teacher to me is how strongly they cleave to what methods are most natural to them, and how completely they give themselves over to their subjects and their __students__. I am not saying that a teacher with integrity must give their entire life over to their teaching, rather, that how they teach should flow naturally from their personality and not be stilted or unnatural. People pick up disingenuousness, and it will all but defeat the efforts of teaching to come off as false. If you are formal, trying to be casual won't __work__. As an educator, you must trust in who you are and your inherent worth, to be able to teach with integrity.~ Cheryl

**Identity means to me who you are as a person (ex your name, age, __race__,etc). Integrity is who you are as far as if your honest, fair and trustworthly. I understand their relationships when looking at person as far as who they are from the outside and how you conduct yourself. ~TIAA**

Identity refers to “who I am” as a person, how I can enhance and make __learning__ fun for my __students__. It also __deals__ with how my students perceive me. Integrity is about the ethics and having to do what’s correct for my students. ~Juli

**Identity is who you are and all of the events that have taken place to make you who you are. Your "stepping stones" in life. Your journey to where you are today. I believe integrity is how you live your life. It is more your actions and your interactions that reflect who you are. I think that sometimes it is very hard to teach and hold on to your integrity. Especially in light of all the extra "crap" (for lack of a better word) that we have to __deal__ with on a day-to-day basis. But most teachers teach with their heart and so we constantly __deal__ with the "crap" with integrity because we love our kids and want to make a difference. ~Christen**
 * Who you are defines your way of doing things.Your identity is who you are and is forged by your upbringing, your beliefs and character. Integrity is a part of your character instilled in you while growing up through __education__ and social interactions in an environment. Your environment plays an important role in your identity and integrity. you teach what you know best and do it with care.--Mamadou **

** Teaching with "good technique" and not integrating your identity and integrity is being a "robot" teacher. Where do your feelings and humanism come in to play to connect with your students? Your identity is who you are as a person and all of your past experiences that shape your vision of your life. The way you were raised: morales taught and learned, how you treat others, your worth ethic, and your values shape how you carry yourself. A "good teacher" draws from their identity and integrity when they teach by the way they interact with students, how they show concern for their learning, and how they support positive socialization between their students. These three parts are like the caramel, pecans, and whipped cream on vanilla ice cream to make a delicious sundae. ~Caryn. **

**Nicely said Caryn. A good teacher does pull from both their identity and their integrity. They allow their students to see them and learn from them. They don't portray themselves as being perfect or flawless. A good teacher teaches with imperfection and helps the kids learn from mistakes both that they make and the teacher makes. They are approachable and understanding. ~Christen**

**Well said Caryn and Christen, nobody is perfect. Teach your best. --Mamadou**


 * Identity** is the ability to know yourself, your worth, strength and weakness. I begin and become aware to understand the “Serenity Prayer”, know what you can change and the ability to know the difference. I make choices I am willing to live with and endure the consequences of my actions. I am to being responsible for my actions including words.

As a teacher I guide many students, affect their souls and minds, I impart many frameworks for their lives. What and how I do or say is internalized by pure innocent minds and I recognize I want their reflections to be positive.

I**ntegrity** is character, moral fiber and values I possess that make me who I am.

This internalizes my parental teaching, religious belief and understanding of life experiences as I project or interpret them.

I thought I had integrity, stood for right, honesty affirmatively. I wanted a job with MPS as a teacher, I was a substitute teacher and in a beginning teacher program, the principal of the school I had worked at long term for two years spoke with me and said, “ work with me and I will get you in a teaching position.” At this time placements and interviews were going on with in the system, I was anxious to have a position. In the program I had to have a letter of recommendation. The principal wrote one with great accolades. I said to him I would not use it for anything else.

Later, I learned I could circumvent the structure of the interviewing process. I did two acts of violation, a bit unconsciously; one was against the MPS system rules and one of not keeping my word. I sent letters to all the schools with elementary teacher openings, to each principal through the inter-office mail. It was caught and kindly they contacted me and allowed me to pick up all the letters, so I could mail them myself.

I forget the principal was in charge of the principal’s meetings and had a great relationship with his colleague. He was contacted and yet spoke highly of me. He kindly let me know he was aware I was perusing a position and stated he gave me a great referral. He wished me well on my endeavor.

I was embarrassed initially, over the weekend I realized I had compromised my integrity, I made up my mind I would go and speak to the principal. On Monday, I saw him and asked if I could speak to him personally, he welcomed me and immediately allowed me to express my anxiousness for an assignment. He expressed a personal story and let me know he was still willing to work with me for a teaching position if I would wait. He explained the process and I agreed to wait and work with his method and knowledge. The next day he was informed I got the position for which I had interviewed. He gladly notified me. I felt the fatherhood in him. I really appreciate his I**ntegrity**; he was a man of his word. I saw him a week ago, he still remembers me. Denise

Tiaa, I agree with your definitions of identity, being the characte and intregrity, the moral fiber of a person. Denise

== ** I believe that your identity is who you see yourself as. People identify with what they know, how they grew up, the types of people that they interacted with. Integrity is related to identity in a way, that you will function or make decisions based on who you are or who you see yourself to be. The difference between the two is simply that integrity involves your course of action whereas identity is simply your self mirro ** r. Tamika ==

== I believe identity is knowing who you are as a Teacher. It is saying teaching is my passion and craft. This something I have been gifted to do. I know how to engage my students. I have the ability to manage my classroom, without any problems. When I tell people my profession I am proud to say I AM A Teacher. ==

== Integrity - Is saying I have stanards I will live by. For instance, I will not allow the standardize testing cause me to cheat on tests. The are morals and values I will follow no matter what. - Tajuanna ==


 * 2. Palmer says, “The inner teacher acts as a guard at the gate of our selfhood, warding off what insults our integrity and welcoming whatever affirms it.” He distinguishes the inner teacher from conscience, which speaks to us of the “oughts” and “ought nots.” Is this a useful distinction for you? If so, tell a story that illustrates the difference between the two. If not, why?**

My "inner teacher" does not __agree__ with calling parents or principals on high school students unless the student is acting in a manner that is dangerous to themselves or others. I'd rather __work__ the problem out with them- they're almost adults for goodness sake! We don't call spouses in the work place, or parents in college. So my biggest failing as a teacher in the current system is I don't kick kids out of my class for misbehaving or being disruptive. Rather, I make the student analyze //why// they are being disruptive/ or inappropriate. I've had kids say, "can't you just kick me out?" but I see writing referral slips as a failure in the development of the relationship between student and teacher. Don't get me wrong, there are kids that I never get through to, and some whom I wish would conveniently drop my class, and I //have// written referral slips when all else fails, but most kids I can get along with. Most kids can find a way, with help, to fit in and I would rather __work at__ that than to simply kick a kid out everyday. It may make teaching easier, it may make my life easier, but it doesn't fit "who I am" so I seldom kick kids out.~ Cheryl

Mamadou- I agree with you I think that these children learn or want to learn when they feel like they are one of our own. Some of these kids come from homes that we would never imagine living in. Some of them get abused daily so that is why they come to school and act up.~Tiaa
 * My"inner teacher" tells me to consider the student as a member of my extended family. I do home visits and make phone calls to understand how my students and who my students live with. I take such approach when my student is failing or refuses instruction by chronically disrupting my class. I want to help my students during this particular troubling time(teen years) by counseling instead of asking for a suspension as much as possible. I try my best to channel knowledge to my students who want to learn and motivate those who resist with a constant message full of Hope. I tell them about my experience and how lucky they are to live in the USA.Teaching to inner city students is becoming harder, because of poor parenting, disabled students due to birth defects from drug and alcohol abuse from their mothers. Sometime I get discouraged and want to leave the profession because of the daunting task and the blame game coming from people who don't know much about education. Talking to friends and colleagues make you continue doing the hard work.-- Mamadou **

I apologize everyone, however I have ordered my books but they haven’t came yet. ~Juli :( You can buy a downloadable book from Barnes.--Mamadou

My "inner teacher" tells me to start everyday as a new day. I go to work and forget about the behavior issues that occurred the day before. I treat each of my students as if they were my own. Some of my students do not get the love and care that I give them at school. Lots of my children are kinda scared to share their feelings. They love hugs and praises. Some of my children get so excited to hear me praise them. I have to think about where these children are coming from. Some of them come from homes that are disfuntional so therefore I talk to them to teach them the right way and the wrong way. ~Tiaa

My "inner teacher" wants to reach every student in some way everyday, either through academics or on a personal level. Many of my students are starving for attention so I make sure that I connect with each one is some way. I am blessed not to have many behavior issues in my class, but students who came into the class who were told they were very smart and others who were told that they they don't Know much- "learned helplessness". My "inner teacher" wants all of my students to feel that they are smart and have a strength and something that they could improve upon.~Caryn

My "inner teacher" gets very excited when I find a new way to approach something. I am ALWAYS on the look out to change and find new things to do/ways to do them. I get bored very easily and I need things to keep me excited b/c my inner teacher needs to exude excitement when I teach something b/c that is half the battle right there. If I am excited about something and can sell it for being wonderful, mykids are going to jump on board and want to learn with enthusiasm and excitement. My innter teacher also wants to teach and reach the "unreachables". My passion is working with the kids that have emotional/behavioral needs. The "cast aways". I enjoy the challenge of finding a way to establish a relationship and teach them when most people just push them aside. My principal and special ed staff know that I love working with those kids. It's almost like the worse they are the more I love em. I find it extremely rewarding to give them that love and acceptance that I know most people don't give them. Most of the time, it doesn't take them long to realize once they've tested you and figure out that you aren't going anywhere b/c you care. It's amazing the transformation that can happen. But my inner teacher also gets very angry and possessive of my kids that leave me to go to the next grade and are treated poorly by their next teacher. I take it very personally and get very angry when all that gets pushed aside. It doesn't take much for those kids to revert back to their old behaviors. It's usually a coping/defense mechanism. ~Christen

Yes, this is a useful distinction of the inner teacher because there are ethics we are taught in the school of education and on the job you learn professional codes and ethics as well as institutional guidelines. I acknowledge them but I choose to work with the students as humans providing respect, but recognizing the technicallities to maintain a job. I believe to teach is to love and be willing to share.

Once you acquire a position, you have a training session and they instruct you on some initial guidelines and provide you with a book, or web site to retrieve all the information you are expected to know and follow to work for and within the company, where as not to violate or cause litigation for the company and yourself. Such as mandated reporting,

A previous company I worked for provided training surrounding the employment procedures, codes of ethics which discussed items like not being in a closed room with only one student. You must leave the do ajar, so someone else may hear and or see the instruction and be able to be a witness in the event of any accusation. As a teacher we are not to handle the students in a harmful manner. We are to use positive reinforcement to direct the learning environment. Denise

I note most of us disagree with the wording,but I know there are formal procedures and acknowledge them to maintain the job. As a teacher we have a silent code- once I close my door I do it my way, which in our case is to be creative,human, caring and extend the students skill "by all means neccessary." ( As Malcolmn X coined the phrase) Denise.

I think Palmer should have added another important factor the pedagogy of teaching. People can learn how to teacher and also learn to teach at any cost. For example some teachers do make sacrifices and dedicate their life for the greater good. Some said it's their calling. It's a lonely profession when you got no support from your institution and leaders.--Mamadou

=** For me, my inner teacher goes hand in hand with my conscience. I am in this profession because I support the system of advancement by helping one another. As a student myself, I can understand and empathize with what my students go through. Therefore my conscience helps me to fully cultivate my inner teacher and treat my students according to how I want to be treated in the classroom. As many of you have stated, our students go through things in their home and community environments that many of us probably couldn't even fathom. Therefore when we are working with difficult students, or trying to get certain concepts across we must take time to recognize where students needs lie and allow our inner teacher to satisfy the most important priorities before we get to academic priorities. Tamika **= = = = **My inner teacher has me focusing on the needs of my students. I have a little boy in my class who is very challenging. He was recently diagnosed with ODD, Oppositional Defiance Disorder. He has a problem with authority figures, such as parents, teachers, etc. I have worried about him for such a long time. I spend hours on the phone with his mother daily notifying her of his behavior for the day. I notice he has become like my child. I would say this my identity of who I am as a teacher by nature.** = = = = **The lead teacher in the classrooms tells me she is not going to call parents to let them know what is going on with the children. She will handle them in the classroom on her own. Going into the integrity of being a teacher, we have to be willing to work the parents to assist the children. - Tajuanna** =


 * 3. Are there policies/ rules in your building that you don't agree with? How do you deal with them, do you ignore them or enforce them but complain?~ Cheryl **

Response to Cheryl: One rule that I really don’t force with my students is the use of electronic devices. I mean, a lot of my kids used it as a focusing tool, and I actually get more completed work for them. They are not allowed to use during instructional time or partnering time, however if it’s an independent type of assignment…I don’t see the harm in it. With kids or even adult nowadays, you have to pick your battles. Why would I cut something out that the students enjoy AND I’m receiving work? ~Juli **Response to Cheryl: Yes there are rules in the building that I do not agree with. I do not agree with the rule of sitting kids in the hallway when they are miss behaving. The reason that I do not agree with this is because I feel as though they are not being supervised and they are sometimes loud and distract other classes. Due to this issue at our school I tend to keep my classroom door closed because my kids will pay attention to wherever there is noise. I do not send my kids in the hallway when they are miss behaving. I put them on a time out in the room. When other teachers put their students out in the hallway I will go and tell the teacher that they need to bring their student back to class because they are distubing my class. ~Tiaa**

**Response to Cheryl: There are some assessments that I don't necessarily agree with. I touched on that at our last face to face. Like for math for instance...I don't feel the need to give the common assessment and a unit assessment. That's silly and studpid in my opinion. I feel thought that there is this "fear" building among teachers to cover their butts. I think that's where the over assessing is coming from. There are a couple members of my team that think more is better. I strongly disagree and I feel like it is a huge waste of time and the kids don't get anything out of it. :) ~Christen**

Response to Cheryl: There are rules in my building that I do not agree with. I do not agree with __not__ suspending children who are chronic disrupters. There are students who are very disrespectful to teachers on a daily basis. Instead of suspending kids and conferencing with their parents, we have what is called a "buddy system" where children are placed in another classroom for the day. Those children then disrupt other classrooms that may be running smoothly. In the past two weeks, I have had three students from other classrooms who were placed in my room for the day that disrupted my classroom, which I work very hard to keep a calm and confortable atmosphere.~Caryn

Yes, there are some policies or rules in the building I do not agree with. For example, I have received comments from the teacher I work with that people have complained about me just sitting at my desk while the teacher would be up instructing the students. I know it my have or seems as if I am not doing any work, I would be getting homework together or listening to the teacher instruct the children. People should understand some times people are doing work. Just because you do not know what they are doing it is not good to judge someone. - Tajuanna


 * 4. Does your "inner teacher" ever contemplate leaving the profession? What circumstances might cause you to leave teaching? ~ Cheryl **

**Response to Cheryl: No my "inner teacher" has not made me want to leave the profession permently but maybe for the day and hope for a better tomorrow. I really love what I do so im not sure what would cause me to leaving teaching~Tiaa**

In response to Cheryl: No. I love my job way too much. (Even when I hate it if that makes any sense). I get soo excited at the beginning of the year to set up my classroom. (might be a primary thing) I love my kids like my own. I'm hard on them. I have high expectations but it's because I care and there are too many kids out there that need us. I think that if I were to take a different path later in life it would be to be a professor. I would love to share my excitement and experiences with kids that are wanting to come into the profession. I am also looking forward to getting ready to have a student teacher. (Although that would require me to really have good lesson plans and be more organized) ~Christen Christen- I understand the love it even when I hate it feeling. I look forward to the beginning of every school year, and even when people "warn" me about incoming I look forward to getting to know them- I've made some terrific "friends" among students! ~Cheryl

Response to Cheryl: No. I haven't thought about leaving the teaching profession. I love my students. I love watching them learn and grow and seeing their "AH HA" moments when they catch on to a skill or concept. I interact very well with children. Children don't have hangups and they don't judge a book by it's cover. If I have a bad day- I try to make the next day a better one. Plus with the salaries we make, we have to love our jobs because it's definetly not for the money. ~Caryn

Yes, there are many times when I contemplate leaving the profession or I think about starting my own business. When I think about the many challenges I have received it makes think about going back to corporate america. Also, my low pay makes me think about leaving the profession. - Tajuanna

**5. Are you a teacher who has good and bad days? ~Tiaa**

OMG Yes!!! I have days where **__I__** would fire me! I have days when I'm sure that not one of my students has learned anything. But I have students come back all the time and tell me how much they learned in my class! ~Cheryl **Response to myself: I ask this because I hear some of the teachers here at the school say they do not have bad days but I hear them yelling all day so that tells me that their day wasn't good all day. ~Tiaa**

**Response to Tiaa: ABSOLUTELY!!!!!! I find though that it either is centered around lack of caffeine, my unorganized ways, or PARENTS!!!!! It very rarely is centered around the kids. They are definately the best part, even when they are very frustrating. It is clear to see the difference we make in their lives. Especially with the little ones. The unconditional love that they have for us is so powerful and uplifting. But it's very disheartening how ONE parent has the ability to hurt you so badly. However, it goes the other way too...it only takes ONE parent to say something nice to balance you out or to validate you. ~Christen**

Repsonse to Tiaa: Oh Yea!!!!!!! There are days when I say to myself " Did I accomplish anything today? Did the students learn anything today?". On days when I have constant interruptions are days when I become very frustrated and rigid. I have to remind myself to calm down and don't take it out on my students. There days when I have no clue about how to meet the needs of my "tier 2" students and any work that I give them is too difficult. I feel like I'm doing a disservice to them. ~Caryn

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I have good and bad days. The bad days put you to bed early so you can rest and come back strong the next day to fight the good fight. The good days give me joy and remove the anxiety I face daily dealing with 8th graders with chronic behavior. To Juli, the context you work in has more freedom. special educators have more freedom when it comes to managing the behavior. Regular educators face more challenge because of the higher number of students they manage and teach to. In my case, I don't want cellphones in my classroom. I do confiscate them daily if I see them. That's the policy in my district. How many times have I seen texting being the cause of a fight? Instructional time is no time to play a device that produces all kinds of disruptive sounds. --Mamadou =====================================

Yes, I have good days and bad days as a teacher. For example, when my students fight or I have to speak to the same child over and over again it can be very frustrating. Also, when parents take things out on me this cause me to have a bad dy. Finally, when one of the staff memebers is having an off day and they take it out on me I can get emotional and have a bad day. - Tajuanna

**6. What made you decide to become a teacher....and what is it about teaching that makes you continue to want to be a teacher? ~Christen** I wanted to be a college professor or a psychologist. There weren't enough positions open in the former, and I was told by a psychology professor that I "cared too much" to be a good psychologist. So I went into teaching high school, where I could use both my knowledge and my caring.~ Cheryl Response to Christen- I have always wanted to work with children. I used to want to be like my teachers when I was growing up. The thing about teaching that makes me want continue to be a teacher is being able to help the children learn, do better and feel better. ~Tiaa

My reply to Christen, I choice to be a teacher because of my interest in helping people. I love to aid people in gaining skills and teaching in general, my nature is if I can help I will. I pursued educationa in teaching and continued to futher my educational skills. As I continue to teach I realize my love for the profession and my calling to help. Denise

Me becoming a teacher was an accident and the students makes me want to continue in the field. - Tajuanna

I like the definition that authority is within you and like __attitude;__ it's how you respond that demonstrates how it reflects on you. My example of using authorityis a setting whree I was keeping my niece and she was dooing something, i probally should have redirected her, but Ichoose to observe. Later my sister said "you are the adult, you should use your athourity."
 * 7. How do we identify and maintain authority? Denise**

I said, "I pick my battles." after while, my niece was with my sister, she choose to make an action and looked at my sister and said "authority." It's really within you if you use it. Denise


 * 8. What are some techniques you use to guide your inner teacher when you feel like your flame is beginning to die? Tamika**

Palmer explained as teachers, we need to embrace the paradoxical thinking. We need to accept and allow the idea that opposites should be joined. I related and found his analogy of two batteries (opposites attract) theory to be very validating. "When we separate any of the profound paired truths of our lives, both poles become lifeless spectators of themselves-and we become lifeless as well." Can you think of a time where you had an AH Ha moment in your professional life where you accepted a new way of thinking or a new idea that really made you a better teacher and or colleague? ~Christen

**9. What happens when your inherent teaching techniques are not effective for the group of students? Do you believe that what works and seems natural with one group of students doesn't work for another group? How do you find a medium between what feels natural for you as a teacher and what is necessary for the dynamic of the group to which you are assigned? Tamika**