Ten More Thoughts (On Teaching)

I concluded the first 10 with the thought that a good teacher can make a big difference. So ...

11. Imagine the difference you can make as a great teacher!

12. Technology will change education in ways we cannot imagine today. Those changes will be in place within three to five years. Just think of three years ago ... I know some people who have left Central Montcalm and gone on to teach at other districts and one of their first comments is, "But the technology isn't anything like what we had at CM." Very true.

13. You can please some people sometimes, you can never please all people at the same time. Some people (no matter how hard you try) you can never please.

14. It's OK to try to "save" a kid. Realize when you can't and don't consider yourself a failure. Do your best for all kids because your efforts will someday be appreciated.

15. Everything in Special Education is an abbreviation or acronym of some sort. Learn them and become familiar with them. Special education will continue to change and become more included with general education.

16. Your principal can probably help you. Get to know him/her.

17. Try different things in the classroom. If you fail, oh well. Keep trying. It's part of the teaching/learning process.

18. Develop a lesson planning style that works for you. Edit them. Make corrections on them. Reflect on what went well.

19. Have fun.

20. If you're doing this because your parents thought you should; if you're doing this because you have failed at everything else; if you're doing this because you can't make up your mind, reconsider. PLEASE!