Hedrick Middle School 1/23/2011

Teaching Math...What a challenge for me as a social studies teacher. What do I remember about math. Lots of things. What could I remember on the spot in front of 30 penetrating stares? Not as much as I wanted too. Although, I wasn't totally unprepared. I knew a thing or two in order to teach what I had to. The more I remember about math the more I remember how I liked it. A long time ago when deciding which focus I wanted to have...I decided on social studies due to a friends advice. What I really longed for was math. Now I have the opportunity to get my math endorsement and teach the subject I set out too.

In confines of time and knowledge. If I was offered a job teaching science, I would learn and teach that subject. Any subject to me is interesting and fun and I intend to integrate all subjects into my classroom. The real challenge will be to get other teachers in my department to follow with the same theme. Working with peers is crucial and if its a difficulty getting my students to do what I want them too then getting other teachers to do what I want will be an even greater feat.

First thing is first, a teaching job is the goal and the focus. However I can accomplish that I need to strive for. My energy should be spent on getting that job and whatever I can do in my professional life (which is the entire public domain) I will need to do.

The students today were great and the most memorable moment came in third period. The class was noisy, nothing out of the ordinary. A teacher walked in and yelled at them and something clicked. He had expectations that were higher than other classrooms I had been. he demanded and shouted for a quiet classroom. In all my previous experience I was unable to demand such respect. After that class period I was more determined and did as the great example had done. Long story short, it worked and I think this skill will be very useful in future jobs.

--Mr. Belzberg :)

Central Medford High School 1/20/2012

,Social studies is the subject of choice, its what I waqnted to teach. Only trouble today was I didn't do much teaching. I basically monitored students doing there work. Fairkly easy but I don't think I gain more knowledge and experience teaching when I don't actually make an impact. However, maybe I do make a bigger impact than I think.

I was able to interact with many students today and they were awesome. I might have learned a lot today, I just didn't kniow it conciously. Truth be told, the more time I spend with the students the better I become at managing professional relationships, which is a sensitive task.

All in all I had a great time and maybe I might have made a bigger difference then I think.

--Mr. Belzberg

Hedrick Middle School 1/19/2011

Not only did I experience the small classroom environment, much of my day was spent with individual students. Today was almost a tutoring day. Working one on one with students with assignments from other classes. I felt like a teacher, I acted like a teacher, most importantly I taught what seemed right. The two students I mainly worked with today were excellent. They were bright, but in a resource room. Meaning they had some sort of deficiency. Whether it was minor, student not doing there homework, or more major, student with a cognitive issue.

I enjoyed my time working with students of all ages. If I was asked what type of teaching I wanted to do, I would most certainly say the class with the most learners who desire to learn. Whether the students have some sort of disorder or they are 55 years old. No matter to me. I want to teach and reaching as far as I can to help students. This to me is my destiny and calling.

One student was doing an assignment on Greek Gods and i couldn't help, but think how interested he was today. Totally engaged, curious, desiring to know more, this student was inspiring. I wanted to learn about this topic because of his enthusiasm. It was awesome.

Another student was learning about math. she had a big test coming up and wanted to pass it. She told me last night how she studied and had asked for help from her family, but was still unsure about surface area. I was worried and all morning I tried to teach her what she needed to know to be successful on her test. A bright girl, I wonder how she did today.

Anther student I worked with was learning about volume of prisms. Remember the formula B x H x L is a difficult concept, when you try to find the surface area of a prism the formula becomes 2ab + 2bc + 2ac. He struggled, but by the end he had it down.

All the students I worked with today were incredible I might not have changed much in their lives, but I probably made a minor impact. Maybe my optimistic influence helped them be better people and gain a stronger life-man-ship. who knows, only the whispers of the wind.

Griffin Creek Elementary 1/13/2012

Primary school. The very begining of all education for these students in is these years. I had a student teacher who was in control of the class during the morning and I had them during the afternoon. They were not onoly a challenge, but ver unruly at times. I might of been at a struggle for most part of the class. This was one of my most challenging teaching experiences thus far. I really wanted to do a better job, but the environment isn't also set for a sub.

I lo ve going back to Griffin Creek and if given the opportunity to go back to that class I would walk in and own it. Each day is different and somtimes you grab the bull by the horns and wrestle to the ground, other times you get the horns.

Until again, step by step until my time is done,

Mr. Belzberg

south medford high school 1/11/2012

What a day. The students were impressive. Respectful and for the most part responsible. Could have been more of an enforcer, but as the classes progessed no major issues arose. I feel like I'm selling myslef short every time I walk into a class and try to survive rather than inspire. I could have expected more and pushed harder, but for half the day an very small window of impact can be made. When the teachable moments come I need to make sure and shine in those instances. Sometimes I feel like I let myself down when I don't make the best meaning from a story or I don't have the best delivery when speaking. I try to do my best, but it still needs improvement.

Learning to be a master teacher could take a life time and with the begining of this career dimly lit with no job and only subbing here and there its hard to really begin learning the trade. No matter the content I want to be the best and excel and what I do, continual mistakes in one aspect or another in life keep holding me back. As a human we are destined to be imperfect and thus reaction to mistakes are unexopected events is vital in success.

As for the next time I teach I need to be more cautious what I say when I open my mouth. More thoughful in my behavoir. More meaningful in my efforts.

-Mr. Belzberg

Hedrick Middle School 1/4/2012

Today I taught Language Arts or English. I was able to get the classroom from such a long holiday break. Not only was I rusty, but very nervous. I tried to turn that nervous energy into enthusiasim. I couldn't have been happier with how the day went. All the students were respectful and some nice comments were made. A student walking through the hall saw me lecturing and said to me, "your the best sub" I was caught of gaurd and called him a goober and told him to get back to class. Reflecting upon the situation I should have said only thanks instead of making a not so nice comment back. Sometimes an unexpected moment throws you off.

The other incident that was worth noting was one student in the 7th period class was very interested in me. In my classroom management policy if a student does the right thing in class they are rewarded and if they misbehave there are consequences. Either way students have to stay after. I had one student in this last period say to me, "what if I want to stay afte?" My response was, "no reason to hang out with Mr. Belzberg, when you can hang out with your friends before catching a bus." I handed out the assignment and told the students you must finish this before leaving. This student didn't finish and hung around after class to chat and ask questions. Super kind and very warm feeling to know these youngsters want to spend more time with you.

The topic today was "The Cay" a great book. The teacher had a few chapters on an audio tape and I played the chapters and they listened and answered questions. A very effective way to teach reading. Students were quiet and on task. A wonderful day back and most likely more ahead!

Hedrick Middle School