Two down, one to go!!

Second tri is almost complete! Holy smokes time goes fast....

These were my goals from first tri. Let's see how I did:

1. Bring more energy.
I'd give myself a C+. I had a lot of fun and did some fun things this tri. Not as consistently as I hoped, but I don't think I missed completely on this one.

2. Build better relationships with more students.
B+. I let my students get to know me better this trimester, so I think in turn they were more willing to let me get to know them. Still pretty surface-level, and I hope to do even better 3rd tri, but I think I am working in the right direction!

3. Relax.
Ummmmmmmmm. D+. I didn't fail. But I didn't do so hot either. It's been a stressful trimester overall. I've learned a lot about myself (A LOT), and it's been really good for me. I haven't relaxed a whole lot though. I have probably been better at learning to balance my time, however.

4 Expect high quality work from my students.
D+. Teaching two concepts classes and two algebra classes with students who are taking it for the second time is hard work. I have no idea how to motivate some of these students to learn math, or to convince them that these skills are important for them to be successful in life. Something to work on...

5. Engage students in learning with hands on and interactive activities more often.
B-. I've tried some new things, and they have been fun. I was formally observed twice this trimester and both times I tried to do new activities. The feedback both times was "Don't rush. Go deeper with the purpose of the activity and spend time discussing it with the students." So..good to know. Activities are good, but need developing.

6. Challenge students intellectually and developmentally.
C-. This is a skill that I am not good at. Being a coach has helped a ton as far as learning how to interact and to stretch students to push themselves. It's a little harder to transfer those skills into my classroom, but I'm learning. The effort was there, but the "finesse" of motivating students is yet to come.

7. Be assertive ->Assign clearly defined consequences -> Follow through.
B. Compared to last tri? I am a rockstar. Compared to other teachers? Not so much. Being young does not help in gaining respect. Yarr.

8. Figure out a better system to keep track of late and make-up work.
B+. I've been better about this. Still don't have a great system. I need to get on that. "Organized people are more successful." I've said that 100 times to my students. Now I need to live by it!

9. Be more organized and prepared for class.
A-. This is an area that I feel that I've done well at. I'm teaching the same algebra class that I did last tri, which helps soo much! It's cool to get to teach things again and know more about how to warn students about tricky areas and to put things together better. I'm going to start spending more time reviewing previous topics daily. I already do this some, but going back to compare and contrast ideas really helps students put things together well.

10. Know how to do math better.
B-. I've learned more about the geometry topics I'm teaching for sure! So fun. I'd like to review calculus more, though. I LOVE calculus. And I miss learning about it.

11. Use more technology.
Ummmm fail. I think I used less technology. BUT! I did use more hands on stuff. So maybe that balances out? I'm not sure. I would love to learn more about how to use my SMART board and do fun things that way. That would be fun.

12. Communicate with parents more often.
Oh boy. D. I started out kinda strong. Then faded. Communicating with parents is so essential. If I want to be and effective teacher, I need to learn to pick up the phone and call parents. No doubt about that.

13. Connect with homeroom.
B+. There have been some cool opportunities to interact with these students this trimester. They are a great group of kids! I have five of them in class, so that has helped a lot. Also, I'm a math teacher so a lot of them come in and ask for help on their math even though I'm not their math teacher. I like that. :)

14. Develop better SNAP procedures and use that time to build relationships.
C+. It's been better. I have had more students try and break the rules than last trimester, though. I got kinda upset one day and so the next I apologized and explained my expectations again to them. There are so many that need to come, so I have a rule that they MUST have math homework to do. I usually have at least three students who I have to ask to leave because they didn't bring math homework. Figure it out, kids. For the most part it has been good, though. The students who use that time to work benefit a lot from it.

15. Represent Jesus better.
This will always be an area to improve on. Like I said earlier, I have learned a lot about myself and about the depths of my sinfulness. As I gain experience and perspective I am becoming more patient and flexible with students. I've also started praying for my students in ways that I haven't before. I love seeing the Lord work in them!! He is so faithful. And I'm SO thankful for grace. I am constantly in need of it, and am constantly receiving it. The Lord is so good to me. :)

It's crazy to think about how much has happened in the last 12 weeks of my life. Pray for me as I start the next trimester. I'm teaching two totally new classes, which means I will need to put in more time planning lessons and preparing activities. Pray for energy. Teaching is so busy and I'm tired a lot. Pray for guidance. The math position opened up for next year, so I can apply for it when it gets posted! I'd love to be here again next year if that's what the Lord wants. Pray for friendships. It's hard to be alone so much. I am slowly getting to know a few girls from school and church, which has been a HUGE blessing! I hope they will continue to develop :) Pray that the Lord would continue to work in my students lives and minds as they learn and go through life!

~Psalm 138~