It got me thinking. But not just about what teaching is like.
Instead, I started thinking about my own TEACHING STYLE and how it is unique to me.
So today I share with you...
Why I think my teaching style is a pizza!
Keep reading...
I know you're curious.
Whether I'm making a pizza from scratch at home or waiting for one to be delivered from my favorite pizza place, it is NEVER ready fast enough. I find myself checking the dough over and over to make sure it really IS rising under that warm towel. I often pull it out of the oven too soon (leaving the middle of the crust doughy) because I can't wait any longer. And when I order it to be delivered? I'm constantly watching the clock, counting down the minutes until the doorbell rings. Then when it's delivered, my mouth starts to water just from the smell. As soon as I shut the door, I'm digging into the box to grab a slice before even sitting down.
Must. Eat. Pizza. Now!
My teaching style can be the same.
Let's be honest. Any teacher who feels they have enough time to accomplish everything they'd like to each day is lying. Or they are WAY more organized than I am. I feel like I can never get everything I had planned to teach actually taught in the amount of time I have with each class. I always feel like I am rushing through my lessons, frantically trying to get to the next topic. (see #2) And while I definitely struggle to get out of bed each morning - I really love my pillow - I also get excited when my students get to class. I'm impatient as I wait for the morning announcements to finish. I hurry through any paperwork so I can get right to the meat of that day's lesson. I admit that sometimes I even forget to take attendance because I'm so focused on starting an activity!
Ever bite into a slice of pizza only to realize (too late) that the roof of your mouth is burning? That you should have waited a couple extra minutes to be sure it was ready to devour?
Um, yeah. So do I.
Every. Single. Time. (see #1)
My teaching style is similar.
If I get impatient and jump into a lesson too quickly or move on to the next topic before students have a good solid understanding, it only ends up coming back to bite me later. I find that students aren't able to apply the concepts in a new situation. Or they totally bomb a test I thought they were ready for. I promise that I know it really IS best to introduce ideas in a methodical fashion through scaffolded lessons and activities. But I get so darn excited and I want to fit everything in. And I have so many ideas and ways that I want the students to interact with the information. (see #3) I just find myself diving in full speed ahead.
Must. Learn. To. Slow. Down.
Growing up, my pizza toppings pretty much consisted of pepperoni and cheese. As I've gotten older, I have expanded my interests to include so many more topping combinations and even a few unique specialty pizzas. There is just so much to choose from! It's wonderful, really. Unless I'm ordering pizza and my kids all want something different. Then it can be a headache. Those are the times I like making personal pizzas at home. Each kiddo gets to "decorate" their pizza exactly how they like it. the perfect fit for their picky taste buds.
My teaching style is like that too.
When I first started teaching, I was careful to follow the curriculum that was purchased by the school. I taught what was in the textbook in the way it was suggested. I did my best to get students excited about learning, but I will admit that my lessons were often dry and repetitive. If you know me now, you're probably shocked by this revelation.
Now? I have come to realize that every single student needs something different. Learning styles? Too many to even count. While I would love to let each kid in my class "decorate" their lessons exactly the way they would like, I also have to be reasonable. So my compromise is that I do my best to incorporate as many different ways of teaching a concept as possible. I vary my grouping strategies. Individual, partners, small groups, whole group. I change up the method of delivery - sometimes several times within one lesson. Lecture, note-taking, short video clips, independent work, visuals, artistic representations, comparisons and analogies, jigsaw learning, student directed projects, homework, classwork, written responses, quick checks for understanding on white boards, hands-on investigations, teacher demonstrations, STEM challenges. Whew. Good times. But seriously exhausting. (see #4) Also totally worth it! (see #5)
Thank. Goodness. For. Pinterest.
I've got some boards that are seriously PACKED with ideas for each topic that I teach.
Have a look!
My teaching style fits this comparison as well.
I recently had my academic coach visit my classroom to watch me teach a lesson. At the end, she stopped to thank me and tell me that she enjoyed her time in my room. She mentioned how engaged the students were throughout the lesson and how much fun she had observing me teach. I shared my concerns that I felt my lesson was fragmented and too fast-paced. She assured me that everything flowed seamlessly together and that I made it look effortless. What a relief! Luckily she understands that teaching is NOT as easy as it seems from the outside. Can anyone really understand the time, effort, planning, researching, and (quite frankly) performing that goes into each lesson if they have never taught themselves? No way! But that's the beauty of my teaching style, I guess. As crazy as I might feel during the presentation of each concept, it comes out looking well rehearsed and "easy" to others.
It's been a long day. I'm so tired. And hungry. Because, let's face it, I was too busy to eat anything at lunchtime. Again. So I rush home eager to have dinner. Only to find that there is nothing appetizing left to eat in the house. My solution? Order a pizza! I once got this text from my son:
Pretty much sums of my feelings about pizza too. Frozen, homemade, or delivery. It's all good.
My teaching style usually matches this description.
I have my ups and downs. Good days and bad. Tiring weeks and easy ones. Difficult students and little angels. Angry parents and supportive ones. Successful lessons and total busts. (see #2) But despite all of this? I can't imagine a job more important or rewarding than teaching. If I can just make an impact on one student, it's worth it. Honestly. As my son so aptly stated, "I could
So, tell me...
One last confession: I totally had pizza for dinner tonight! ;)
Very informative blog. Got more information about this technology.
ReplyDeleteJapanese Classes in Chennai
learn Japanese in Chennai
IELTS Training in Chennai
Xamarin Training in Chennai
Node JS Training in Chennai
Spoken English in Chennai
content writing training in chennai
spanish language classes in chennai
Japanese Classes in Porur
Japanese Classes in Adyar
Great Article Cyber Security Projects projects for cse Networking Security Projects JavaScript Training in Chennai JavaScript Training in Chennai The Angular Training covers a wide range of topics including Components, Angular Directives, Angular Services, Pipes, security fundamentals, Routing, and Angular programmability. The new Angular TRaining will lay the foundation you need to specialise in Single Page Application developer. Angular Training
DeleteThanks for sharing great info … Hiring a limousine are excellent option to make your special occasion more delightful. Limo Hire Melbourne – Mustang Hire Melbourne
ReplyDeleteReally i appreciate the effort you made to share the knowledge. The topic here i found was really effective...
ReplyDeleteSelenium Training in chennai | Selenium Training in annanagar | Selenium Training in omr | Selenium Training in porur | Selenium Training in tambaram | Selenium Training in velachery
Here at this site really the fastidious material collection so that everybody can enjoy a lot.
ReplyDeleteData Science Course
Your work is very good and I appreciate you and hopping for some more informative posts.
ReplyDeleteData Science Training
Great advice and very easy to understand. It will definitely come in handy when I get the chance to start my blog.
ReplyDeleteData Science Courses
. The appropriate response is that a full time web based training plan containing six to ten online workforce openings can create a salary that will rise to or surpass that what can be earned by proceeding to instruct on the conventional grounds. taekwondo in blue springs mo
ReplyDeleteHello! I just want to give a big thank you for the great information you have here in this post. I will probably come back to your blog soon for more information!
ReplyDeleteData Science Certification
The most outstanding teachers consistently treat the classroom as a professional learning opportunity. Every class, every day. They do this by reflecting with peers, with students, with a coach. https://gumroad.com/bizcom/p/what-do-you-need-to-know-about-different-types-of-speech-pathologists
ReplyDeleteAmazing knowledge and I love to share this kind of information with my friends and hope they like it, why I am doing it.
ReplyDeleteBusiness Analytics Course in Bangalore
Just a shine from you here. I have never expected anything less from you and you have not disappointed me at all. I guess you will continue the quality work.
ReplyDeleteData Analytics Course in Bangalore
Terrific post thoroughly enjoyed reading the blog and more over found to be the tremendous one. In fact, educating the participants with it's amazing content. Hope you share the similar content consecutively.
ReplyDeleteartificial intelligence course in bhilai
Speaking honestly this blog is absolutely amazing in learning the subject that is building up the knowledge of every individual and enlarging to develop the skills which can be applied in to practical one. Finally, thanking the blogger to launch more further too.
ReplyDeleteData Science training in Bhilai
Stupendous blog huge applause to the blogger and hoping you to come up with such an extraordinary content in future. Surely, this post will inspire many aspirants who are very keen in gaining the knowledge. Expecting many more contents with lot more curiosity further.
ReplyDeleteDigital Marketing Course in Bhilai
Nice to be visiting your blog again, it has been months for me. Well this article that i've been waited for so long. I need this article to complete my assignment in the college, and it has same topic with your article. Thanks, great share. acim teachers
ReplyDeleteNice Post you are doing a really good job and Including an understanding of the regulatory process.
ReplyDeleteCyber Security Course in Bangalore
Nice information and i am really very happy to visit your blog. Now I am found which I actually want. I check your blog everyday and try to learn something from your blog. Thank you and waiting for your new post.
ReplyDeleteCyber Security Training in Bangalore
Fantastic blog extremely good well enjoyed with the incredible informative content which surely activates the learners to gain the enough knowledge. Which in turn makes the readers to explore themselves and involve deeply in to the subject. Wish you to dispatch the similar content successively in future as well.
ReplyDeleteartificial intelligence training in bhilai
Really wonderful blog completely enjoyed reading and learning to gain the vast knowledge. Eventually, this blog helps in developing certain skills which in turn helpful in implementing those skills. Thanking the blogger for delivering such a beautiful content and keep posting the contents in upcoming days.
ReplyDeleteData Science training
Truly incredible blog found to be very impressive due to which the learners who ever go through it will try to explore themselves with the content to develop the skills to an extreme level. Eventually, thanking the blogger to come up with such an phenomenal content. Hope you aarrive with the similar content in future as well.
ReplyDeleteDigital Marketing training
Tremendous blog quite easy to grasp the subject since the content is very simple to understand. Obviously, this helps the participants to engage themselves in to the subject without much difficulty. Hope you further educate the readers in the same manner and keep sharing the content as always you do.
ReplyDeleteData Science certification in Raipur
I'm really thankful that I read this. It's extremely valuable and quite informative and I truly learned a great deal from it.
ReplyDeleteData Science Training Institute in Bangalore
ReplyDeleteAdditionally, this is an excellent article which I truly like studying. It's not everyday I have the option to see something similar to this.
Data Science Course In Bangalore With Placement
I have to search sites with relevant information ,This is a
ReplyDeletewonderful blog,These type of blog keeps the users interest in
the website, i am impressed. thank you.
Data Science Course in Bangalore
You have a good point here!I totally agree with what you have said!!Thanks for sharing your views...hope more people will read this article!!! mcgraw hill connect answers
ReplyDeleteImpressive blog to be honest definitely this post will inspire many more upcoming aspirants. Eventually, this makes the participants to experience and innovate themselves through knowledge wise by visiting this kind of a blog. Once again excellent job keep inspiring with your cool stuff.
ReplyDeleteDigital Marketing training
Stupendous blog huge applause to the blogger and hoping you to come up with such an extraordinary content in future. Surely, this post will inspire many aspirants who are very keen in gaining the knowledge. Expecting many more contents with lot more curiosity further.
ReplyDeleteData Science training
Truly mind blowing blog went amazed with the subject they have developed the content. These kind of posts really helpful to gain the knowledge of unknown things which surely triggers to motivate and learn the new innovative contents. Hope you deliver the similar successive contents forthcoming as well.
ReplyDeleteDigital Marketing training in Raipur
I found Habit to be a transparent site, a social hub that is a conglomerate of buyers and sellers willing to offer digital advice online at a decent cost.
ReplyDeleteArtificial Intelligence Course in Bangalore
Tremendous blog quite easy to grasp the subject since the content is very simple to understand. Obviously, this helps the participants to engage themselves in to the subject without much difficulty. Hope you further educate the readers in the same manner and keep sharing the content as always you do.
ReplyDeleteDigital Marketing Course in Bhilai
Terrific post thoroughly enjoyed reading the blog and more over found to be the tremendous one. In fact, educating the participants with it's amazing content. Hope you share the similar content consecutively.
ReplyDeleteData Science training in Bhilai
Terrific post thoroughly enjoyed reading the blog and more over found to be the tremendous one. In fact, educating the participants with it's amazing content. Hope you share the similar content consecutively.
ReplyDeleteData Science training in Bhilai
Stupendous blog huge applause to the blogger and hoping you to come up with such an extraordinary content in future. Surely, this post will inspire many aspirants who are very keen in gaining the knowledge. Expecting many more contents with lot more curiosity further.
ReplyDeleteData Science Course in Raipur
Truly mind blowing blog went amazed with the subject they have developed the content. These kind of posts really helpful to gain the knowledge of unknown things which surely triggers to motivate and learn the new innovative contents. Hope you deliver the similar successive contents forthcoming as well.
ReplyDeleteDigital Marketing Course in Raipur
This as I have adapted now impacts both educator quality and instructor adequacy. College
ReplyDeleteReally fine and interesting informative article. I used to be looking for this kind of advice and enjoyed looking over this one. Thank you for sharing. Learn Tableau Course in Bangalore
ReplyDeleteI am glad to discover this page. I have to thank you for the time I spent on this especially great reading !! I really liked each part and also bookmarked you for new information on your site.
ReplyDeleteData Science Course in India
Excellent blog thanks for sharing the valuable information..it becomes easy to read and easily understand the information.
ReplyDeleteUseful article which was very helpful. also interesting and contains good information.
to know about python training course , use the below link.
Python Training in chennai
Python Course in chennai
Love your site. My thanks for doing such a good job. I will come back to read more and inform my coworkers about your site.
ReplyDeleteJava Training in Chennai
Java Course in Chennai
Actually I read it yesterday but I had some ideas about it and today I wanted to read it again because it is so well written.
ReplyDeleteBusiness Analytics Course
Fantastic blog extremely good well enjoyed with the incredible informative content which surely activates the learners to gain the enough knowledge. Which in turn makes the readers to explore themselves and involve deeply in to the subject. Wish you to dispatch the similar content successively in future as well.
ReplyDeleteData Science training in Raipur
Truly incredible blog found to be very impressive due to which the learners who ever go through it will try to explore themselves with the content to develop the skills to an extreme level. Eventually, thanking the blogger to come up with such an phenomenal content. Hope you arrive with the similar content in future as well.
ReplyDeleteDigital Marketing Course
Highly appreciable regarding the uniqueness of the content. This perhaps makes the readers feels excited to get stick to the subject. Certainly, the learners would thank the blogger to come up with the innovative content which keeps the readers to be up to date to stand by the competition. Once again nice blog keep it up and keep sharing the content as always.
ReplyDeleteData Science certification in Bhilai
Wonderful blog found to be very impressive to come across such an awesome blog. I should really appreciate the blogger for the efforts they have put in to develop such an amazing content for all the curious readers who are very keen of being updated across every corner. Ultimately, this is an awesome experience for the readers. Anyways, thanks a lot and keep sharing the content in future too.
ReplyDeleteDigital Marketing Course in Bhilai