Progress, not Perfection: Week #11

If you're looking for Week #10's blog, it doesn't exist! Unfortunately, due to the State Legislative Leadership Conference (SLLC) on Monday, 3 days of no school because of really bad snow, and our PSU workshop seminar on Friday, I was not in school at all during week 10. However, I can reflect on SLLC a little to make up for that. 

SLLC

This is one of my favorite conferences to go to as a member. There is so much to learn and do and it really is a great time to network with legislators and other chapters. Unfortunately, the conference itself was cut short because of the weather warning. But it was great to see the students get to work and experience the same things I did when I was a member. I enjoyed passing on my knowledge and experiences.

The ag teachers got to help with evaluating proficiencies. Even though it was a really slow process, I was glad to go through it and see what judges look for. There are so many components to SAEs and the AET system that I know I need to learn but having a fundamental understanding of it really helps. And of course, it was neat to see the unique SAEs students have and to keep those in mind for when my students need my ideas in the future. 

On the way home from our short trip, we stopped by the famous Huckleberry plant that is native to Perry County. From what I gather, it isn't very common and I think the only remaining Huckleberry is in the Perry County area. So we got to see a little bit of tradition together!

Semester Motto

Student teaching is filled with its up and downs. I have such a great placement and amazing students and everything I could have asked for. But the only thing that presents challenges for me is.. well, me. I continually strive for perfection, but when I'm met with a challenge I can't figure out or something goes wrong, I get stressed out. I am my biggest critic. I know this is a time of learning and growth as I figure out this teaching gig, but I wish each lesson was amazing and I could stretch and excite students with each lesson. That doesn't always happen unfortunately, but I need to remember to roll with the punches and try my best.

So my motto that I am going to really try to stick to is Progress, not Perfection. I've heard it numerous times in different ways from many people. But my determined, sometimes rather stubborn, and perfectionist mindset doesn't allow me to think of myself as anything less. However, this whole teaching experience has taught me more about myself and what it means to really push myself but also accept that not everything is meant to be perfect. Some things are simply better off being learned from the struggles. The line from the creed: "in the promise of better days through better ways, even as the better things we now enjoy have come to us from the struggle of former years" comes to mind. I know E. M. Tiffany wasn't talking about teaching when he wrote this, but I think I'm in the "former years" part of my life. I need to keep pushing, keep learning, and keep trying to get to those "better things". I can do this! Here are somethings I'm learning from, not struggling from this eleventh week of student teaching.

 

Lab procedures

This week, I had my students do a cheese lab where they got to make cheese with an acid (vinegar or lemon juice). Not having done the lab before myself, I was a little unsure of how to walk my students through the lab. The other challenge was trying to set up for a lab when there is another class going on before that one.

Needless to say, the lab could have gone a little better and I could have prepared for it a little better. But the students were still able to make the cheese and I think they enjoyed making food!

Wrapping curds in the cheese cloth

A lot of the time, I get discouraged when I realize that I wasn't as prepared as I could have been or when I miss or forget something. But from each of these hurdles come learning experiences that now I will be able to adjust when I do the lab again in the future. 

On a happier note, in my plant science class, we've been doing quite a bit of hands-on stuff. I've had my students make compost, and had them add fish to their hydroponic systems. We are testing our systems to see if a hydroponic system with fertilizer works better than an aquaponic system. I'm excited to learn with them as we work through our little experiments!

Additionally, one of my areas for improvement is connecting and networking more with the community and teachers. Conveniently, I needed to go get the fish were to use for the system, so I got to meet the pet store owner that my cooperating teachers frequently go to. Now I know I have a helpful resource for any of my fish/aquaponic needs. 

Little moments

There were a few little things that happened throughout the week that I wanted to share that made me feel a little more like a teacher and a little less like a student. On Wednesday, I attended the Greenwood FFA Alumni meeting which was really neat to see because my home chapter doesn't have an alumni. It was neat to see what types of things an alumni can do and hear the support they give by means of scholarships, donations, or just giving of their time to make the chapter a success. It was also a great way to meet others in the community who are from or support the chapter.

Another super cool thing was that I got to say the advisor role while students were running through their opening ceremonies in preparation for the contest! The chapter has a student advisor so for any of the club meeting days, the student said the part. Some of my freshman students in my Agriscience class are participating in the Ceremonies LDE, so they needed to run through it for class. The student who normally says the advisor role wasn't there, so I got to step in. Not only was it a really cool way for me to give feedback to the speakers and then for me demonstrate what it should look like, but I got to say the part! Super cool. Oh and I didn't mess up! (but I did have to look over it once to make sure I had it right). 

Plans for next week

Next week in plant science, I am wrapping up my hydroponics and alternative plant uses unit (we'll still be checking our plants though) to begin the agronomic crops unit. 

In small engines, I will be finishing with the fuel systems and moving onto compression.

In agriscience, we will finish up with the public speaking unit, and eventually move onto parliamentary procedure.

In welding, I am having my students start to work on their final welding project.

In animal bioscience, this is my last week with them. I am finishing up our discussion on dairy products and hopefully ending the unit with making ice cream!

In food science, we will be finishing up our lessons on food additives and have student work on their research project.

In leadership, we just began talking about the Milk Quality and Products CDE, so we will carry that through until the end of the week. 

Leaving Thought

"Progress, not perfection"

Music to my Fears: Week #9

From the Greenwood students performing in the musical The Sound of Music, to making songs in animal bioscience, to listening to some tunes to get work done, we brought the music this week!

Greenwood students in The Sound of Music

Caught in action

I am so loving having my students do these hands-on activities and labs. Not only is it good for them to actually see and practice what they've been learning and reading about, but it's nice for me as I try to lesson plan. Less of me talking and more of them doing. I also think they really like this change of pace.

Risk BOLDLY

One of my expectations of my students is to risk boldly. I know that sometimes this is easier said than done, but I want to push my students to step outside of their comfort zones. So I try to plan activities where they're not always reading or listening to me lecture. 

I was nervous to try it because I knew I would get some push back, but I had my students try to make a song which included the parts of the udder anatomy. This was to help them with their anatomy quiz they would have the next day. There was some initial push back, but there were some really fun songs made. And I think my energy and excitement about this activity made them a little more excited. There were still some that spoke the lyrics rather than sang them, but I was happy to see them get in front of the class and perform. 

There were other groups that really got into it and even brought their guitar to play! It was fun and I think they enjoyed it. 

Anatomy of the udder performance

I had made the comment that I would join them singing if that would make them feel better. I like to live by the idea that I won't make them do something that I wouldn't do myself. One of my students said that this ideology is what makes a great teacher. I really appreciated his comment because I wasn't looking to try and be great... I was just being me. It comforts me to know that who I really am with students is received well and that they appreciate my efforts and support.

I did end up singing with one of the groups which made true my promise to my students. It shows me that it's not about having great lessons or being the best and most knowledgeable about the topic (I completely butchered the initial explanation of the anatomy of the udder to begin with). It's about showing students that you care and want them to succeed and you will do what it takes to get them there. It made an activity that I was hesitant about initially which stemmed from a lesson that originally crashed and burned seem worth it to see and hear the students' feedback. 

FFA participation

This weekend, we are at the Farm Show Complex for the Truck and Tractor Pulls. The blue jackets are being put to work helping with tickets, raffles and other odd jobs. They also get a chance to see the event!

Plans for next week

So next week, I'm going to be gone for three days. It stresses me out not being there just because of the nature of the lessons in several of my classes. There are presentations and labs and things that are coming up but I need to be there to assess them so I have to push things back even further. I fear that I am going to have to either start cutting out lessons that I wanted to teach (which I've been doing already) or cutting out whole units because I can't get it all done before the end of student teaching. But I am hopeful that it will all work itself out and when I have my own program I will be able to plan better for these events. 

In brief, I am having my students in the greenhouse, doing some work on engines, preparing for speeches, doing a careers assignment, making cheese, and discussing food additives. 

Leaving Thoughts

"The key to success is playing the hand you were dealt like it was the hand you wanted"

Shifting Some Gears: Week #8

This week, I am still pushing through some of the challenges of the previous week, but I think some new gears have been shifted and I'm hopeful they're in my favor.

New units and changing techniques

I am finally done with my unit on pest management, and I am moving onto alternative uses for plants. This unit includes my hydroponics project, so students have been doing much more hands-on learning by making their hydroponics system. I think they enjoyed this and I have really been trying to think of ways to make my lessons more hands-on and student centered. I find it hard to do sometimes, when the content I want them to understand is so specific, so I am thankful for projects like these where I can let them take the stage. I also had my students do a discussion on the uses of hydroponics in developing countries where I told them I was going to step back and let them discuss. They're a quiet class and being the first class of the day doesn't work in my favor so I was was worried that this discussion wouldn't go well, but once they got going, it actually went better than planned and I think they enjoyed it!

I tried this in my food science class as well. Other than introducing the topic of food irradiation, I didn't talk much about it at all. Instead, I split them into two groups and had them do some research on it, and then had them create a debate on the pros and cons of irradiated food. This is my talkative and energized class, so I think it was a great fit for them. Again, I didn't anticipate the debate taking very long at all, but they spent the entire class period on it, and they had some really great arguments for and against it. 

Food science debate on food irradiation

I know I can't rely on this all of the time, but I now know what it looks like to try a less teacher centered approach.

Into the shop!

I'm also excited because I'm getting students to actually start working in the shop. In welding, I gave them a demonstration (which went pretty well despite some of my fears!) and they got to practice with their welds. I have some challenges with students being uncomfortable welding, but I am hopeful that the ones who are motivated will get the opportunity to practice and make something neat. I know that flexibility is key for the other students, but it does make it a little challenging to essentially plan two different lessons for the same class period. It is also a challenge because I want to make sure I am watching for safety of the students welding and I don't want to have my attention divided. But I know that each student is important and I have to make that commitment to educate each of them. 

I don't have my small engines students in the shop yet, but next week, I'm going to get them working in there. They haven't said so yet, but I think they're itching to get their hands dirty (I know I want to see them in action!). So I think that will make planning those lessons a little easier.

The pressure is on

Public speaking exercise

Before, I felt that I had a lot of time, but now I am starting to feel some of the pressure of deadlines. I really want to take my time with my public speaking unit, for example, but many of them are also competing in the speaking contests and they must hand in their manuscripts by next week. This means I need to speed up some of my lessons or remove some completely. Again, I know that flexibility is key, but I also hate rushing students when I feel they need more time. It just means I need to be more efficient with my lessons. 

Another public speaking exercise on tone of voice with children's stories!

I also feel some pressure in making sure I complete all of my units before the conclusion of student teaching. Everything has taken much longer than I anticipated and everything has had to be shifted to later dates. I am working through some ways to be more efficient without leaving the students wanting more, so hopefully this will work itself out in the end!

In the world of FFA 

Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding and Representative Mark Keller at the Farmer's Breakfast with Perry County FFA members and State FFA officers

On Friday, we attended Representative Mark Keller's breakfast. This breakfast hosted by Mark Keller introduced several different speakers and organizations that contribute to agriculture and growth in the county. It was neat to meet some new people, and become a little more connected with the county. 

Plans for next week

In plant science, students will continue working with their hydroponics system and will learn a little about aquaponics as well.

In small engines, I am getting students in the shop and having them disassemble engines.

In agriscience, they will continue to work on their speeches.

In welding, Mr. Statler will not be there, so I can't have them working on the equipment. Instead, they will work on a career exploration project.

In animal bioscience, we are going to finish with the anatomy of the udder and then we are going to talk about milk components. 

In food science, we will cover food packaging, and finish up our unit on food preservation. I anticipate moving onto the next unit by the end of the week.

In leadership, students will continue working on their speeches for the public speaking unit. 

Leaving Thought

"When it rains, look for rainbows. When it's dark, look for stars" -- Unknown