There's always room for improvement

Three teacher skills I would like to practice and improve upon this summer at the MTC Summer School are questioning, time management, and organization.  I would like to practice my questioning skills.  Instead of giving my students DOK 1 questions (recall), I would like to give them more critical thinking questions that use thought and reasoning skills. I am going to give them DOK level 2 and 3 questions.  Throughout this past school year I have struggled with time management.  It always seemed as if the bell would catch me right before my closure.  This summer I am going to move my closure to the end of my lecture/lesson, right before independant practice.  That way I won't be caught of guard by the bell.  And oh yeah, I plan to get a watch. LOL The last skill I would like to work on is organization.  I do not return my students work to them in a timely manner.  This summer I'm going to work on a grading system/routine for myself that will be the most efficient. 

One thing I do well as a teacher is connect with my students.  I share my personal story with them.  About how I am the first and the only one in my family to go onto college.  How I broke the cycle of poverty through education.  I really impress upon my students the importance of education.  Many of the student I teach do not know anyone who has gone to college besides their teachers.  I have connected with my students through my past struggles and the fact that they know what I went through helps them see that there is a path for them to further education.  My students trust me and share things about their home life.  I show my students that I really care and that I am there for them always.  I care for all my student and I want them to succeed.