Why I will always keep formally learning about teaching
I am currently taking the Chemistry AQ Course, as well as teaching summer school. Needless to say, I am busy, but I am glad that I decided to stick with the course. Not only will I soon be qualified to teach chemistry, I am also getting a dose of "reflecting". I can't believe I am saying that, but it's true, and it's good for me.
The difference between this type of reflecting, and a lot of the "reflecting" tasks I was set in teacher's college is this: I now have things to reflect back on. I have experience in both the regular classroom from my lovely summer school class, as well as the awesome job that I was doing throughout the regular school year. I can look back at what I did in certain situations, I can visualize myself in other situations... it's brilliant. I can see what people were trying to get at last year, and with some experience under your belt, it is actually quite easy to look back on things. It is more of a backward reflection than just an inward reflection. And now I'm going to stop saying the "r" word.
Now, I don't know if I will ever complete any more formal education myself. At this point, I am leaning towards yes, but I think it will be several years from now, and only if I come across something I am really passionate about. There are a few things which are becoming more and more interesting to me, but that is beside the point. Right now, I am perfectly content taking some additional qualifications for my teaching career. I plan on taking Spec. Ed. Part II as soon as possible, and I'm sure I'll find other things to learn about after that.
The thing is, taking teaching courses forces a person to be introspective, whether they do so naturally or not. I have found this blog a good vehicle for my own introspection throughout the year, but this course has taken it to another level. I have been learning about new teaching techniques, revisiting old ones, getting access to the PEEL database again -- yes! and having meaningful discussions with colleagues. Have I done this during the school year? Of course. Did I do it in such a concentrated manner? Of course not. I guess what I'm saying is that I am glad that this course has been equally about improving myself as a chemistry teacher, as well as improving myself as a teacher, period.
And learning about teaching is one of my favourite things to learn about. Sure, I love science and math, but I am way more interested in learning how to get it across to people in better, more useful ways.
So as time-consuming as they are, I am in favour of AQ courses. I think that teachers should be always looking to improve themselves in one way or another, and taking courses which are interesting to me will help me throughout my teaching career.
The difference between this type of reflecting, and a lot of the "reflecting" tasks I was set in teacher's college is this: I now have things to reflect back on. I have experience in both the regular classroom from my lovely summer school class, as well as the awesome job that I was doing throughout the regular school year. I can look back at what I did in certain situations, I can visualize myself in other situations... it's brilliant. I can see what people were trying to get at last year, and with some experience under your belt, it is actually quite easy to look back on things. It is more of a backward reflection than just an inward reflection. And now I'm going to stop saying the "r" word.
Now, I don't know if I will ever complete any more formal education myself. At this point, I am leaning towards yes, but I think it will be several years from now, and only if I come across something I am really passionate about. There are a few things which are becoming more and more interesting to me, but that is beside the point. Right now, I am perfectly content taking some additional qualifications for my teaching career. I plan on taking Spec. Ed. Part II as soon as possible, and I'm sure I'll find other things to learn about after that.
The thing is, taking teaching courses forces a person to be introspective, whether they do so naturally or not. I have found this blog a good vehicle for my own introspection throughout the year, but this course has taken it to another level. I have been learning about new teaching techniques, revisiting old ones, getting access to the PEEL database again -- yes! and having meaningful discussions with colleagues. Have I done this during the school year? Of course. Did I do it in such a concentrated manner? Of course not. I guess what I'm saying is that I am glad that this course has been equally about improving myself as a chemistry teacher, as well as improving myself as a teacher, period.
And learning about teaching is one of my favourite things to learn about. Sure, I love science and math, but I am way more interested in learning how to get it across to people in better, more useful ways.
So as time-consuming as they are, I am in favour of AQ courses. I think that teachers should be always looking to improve themselves in one way or another, and taking courses which are interesting to me will help me throughout my teaching career.
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