George Couros

George gave a presentation via Skype in our class last week, and I really enjoyed it. It was a little scary though. I did agree with most of his points regarding FB. Especially the one about friending your students. I would never friend a student. Even though I don’t have any risque pictures on my Facebook, I am known to share inappropriate pictures or comments that make me laugh.

However, one of the biggest concerns I had was regarding friending parents. I come from a small community, and have my closest and high-school friends on Facebook. Because I will be going back, I know that I will be teaching some of my friends’ students. It doesn’t really make sense to me to delete my friends. And when Couros made his point about it not being fair to other parents, I’m sure that if I sent a message back explaining the reason for my declining their add request, they would understand me and my reasons. An important point that I was thinking about during the Edmodo VS. Facebook presentation is that I would get an Edmodo to contact and stay in touch with parents. I would never discuss anything from my professional life on facebook, even if it’s just to let a friend know that there isn’t any school the next day. I am going to take great pains to keep my personal and professional life separate.

I did agree with Couros when he said that the relationships we make with kids are the most important relationships. This is something that I’ve had to work on because I used to feel intimidated by my students. However, my last placement couldn’t have come at a better time. I was teaching in an SDL classroom where I worked one-on-one with students. I was able to work on my student-teacher relationship skills and wow-ed my CT. She told me that in all the years that she had a student teacher, I was the first one who didn’t have any conflicts with any of the students. I can’t wait to start practicum next week and practise my new skills :)

WE TEACH KIDS FIRST AND CURRICULUM SECOND.

This particular quote has a personal meaning to me. Right now, my six-year-old is attending New Era school. When I say attending, what I really mean is sporadically attending. He is having behavioural issues and I am so thankful for the supportive staff and administration at the school. I came from a meeting there today and we discussed graduated reintegration for my baby (second time this year). He’s falling behind in reading and Math, but the principal said to me that they weren’t too concerned about his falling behind. They wanted to concentrate on helping my baby be able to stay in school without having an episode. This is what teaching kids first and curriculum second means to me. And I am so thankful for this.

Anyway. I think I shall leave my wordy blog-post now. I really enjoyed this skype presentation with George Couros.

Although, I will admit that I could not stop thinking about Ross Geller (from Friends) throughout the presentation.

Adios for now!