A sinking feeling

[Malgorzata Cole]

Big ideas, enthusiasm, and first semester of bachelor program almost behind. I did not loose my enthusiasm, nither the energy for ideas; however, I have this [font=Verdana]sinking feeling[/font], that more I study and try to learn I realized that there is so much to comprehend. Almost like " I know I know nothing". Does experienced teachers ever get the filling that there is so much "new things" to learn and imply in the classroom, and sometime all of that cannot be done. I am afraid of the fact that by the end of my bachelor program I might actually be more terrified than enthusiastic. I hope not. is there any advise to avoid all these "stressing"already?

[Adam Waxler]

Yes, it can all seem very overwhelming at times.

The strategy I stress in my ebook, eTeach: A Teacher Resource, is that teachers should only focus on mastering a few strategies at a time.  Pick 1-3 things you want to work on and master them...then add a couple of more and so on...

If you try to do too much you risk doing it all wrong, becoming a master teacher takes experience, patience, and practice...eventaully you will have large repetoire of teaching strategies.

I also suggest that you use the back wall of your classroom to your advantage...put those 3 strategies you are working on up on your back wall as a reminder to yourself about what you want to work on...then, after you master them, add or replace them with a couple of more etc.

[Malgorzata Cole]

Thanks, it sound like a very experienced idea . I will get my acts together and swim:)

[kccampbell]

I have the same feeling sometimes.  I am a new teacher in my second year.  The more meeting and professional development days I attend, the more I feel as though I don't know really know anything.  I like to think that all teachers have "those days" when they're overwhelmed.  I'm sure that with the ever-increasing technological capabilities that exist and that will be developed in the future, experienced teachers probably feel as though they don't know anything with regard to new technology in the classroom.

One of the more experienced teachers in my department--a teacher of 11 years--got a SMART Board this year, along with the rest of the English department, and after having used it very seldom, she opted to give up her SMART Board so that a teacher who was more knowledgable about the technology and who would have more fun using it could have it.  She just didn't have the time, energy, or knowledge to work with the SMART Board and learn how to use it comfortably, so she wasn't able to embrace it.  I, on the other hand, picked up the SMART Board right away, and I use mine every day.

The special ed. teacher with whom I teacher half of my classes also embraced the technology, even though she has been teaching for 26 years!  She said that she was encouraged to use it more because I used it a lot.  She had a blast learning to use it because she wasn't afraid to screw up or look foolish in front of the students, so I was able to teach her while I was teaching class!  I guess the way a person feels about learning depends upon his/her experiences.  I'm sure everyone feels a little stupid sometimes. 

[mollyL]

I think that it is a good practice to be aware of "how much I don't know". That way you can avoid complacency and egotism . It's also good to think of how much your students don't know, concurrently with how much they do know. That engenders respect for your students. A teacher that doesn't respect their students can't teach them at all.

[flowerhorn08]

Malgorzata Cole, you are pushing yourself a little bit too hard there. As you are in your first semester, you will be overwhelmed by the amount of study you have to cover. This is pretty normal. As time passes by, you will find them easier to digest as you would learn how to adapt to your new life and study requirement in the campus. I would suggest you join some small student groups to help you in your study or join some fraternity organizations. It will not only make your study easier but also enable you to get to know new friends.

[Lliza]

I think that feeling is okay, because if you felt you had already, you probably wouldn't be as open to learning new things, so at the end of the experience, you will be in a better place, well prepared to meet your classroom.

[atula]

i think the problem is very genuine and something we all strive to do ...I mean we always want to develop our own skills as  a teacher and know the latest in order to give back to our student only the best...

the process is evergoing and ever growing and I think the mark of a truly dedicated teacher...

As Adam said a few step at a time may actually be a very good idea as you are reinventing your role and at the same time not over burdening yourself...

[SageMother]

With all of the information thrown at new teachers, it is difficult to separate what is useful from that which is simply too idealistic to be workable.  It seems that, sometimes, the idealistic slows progress.

Even when you get that sinking feeling, remember that you knew quite a bit before you took the classes that led to your being a teacher.  Don't set that knowledge aside completely!

Knowing your expectations, coupled with what your classes taught you, helps place that information in a more appropriate relationship with reality.  I feel this lowers some of the stress that brings on that sinking feeling.