My “New Teacher” Biography

The most important principle I took from the classroom management unit was making my pupils learn actively.

The nicest and most impressive thing for me was the way that Widad and Michelle demonstrated it and made us active during the workshop. A good example for this was creating our own Remedy Plan. It was an active experience where the teacher wasn’t dictating the contents, but rather just giving instructions. I found it empowering. It made me feel respected, and it reassured me that my instructors believed in my capability of making the best remedy plan for myself. I also enjoyed seeing what other teachers at my stage wrote, and took some of their tips. The activity was built in a way which made us active and didn’t leave us the option of sitting back.

The activity that made the most impression on me from the communication unit was writing different compliments.

It was a short activity, but it made me think of what atmosphere we can create by the words we choose, and the variety of positive words we could use. I was a bit embarrassed to acknowledge that I’d only been using four positive words, while I could easily be using twelve.

Another significant insight about communication for me was when at Kibbutz Lavi we said how even though computers are becoming so clever, they still cannot replace humans in being sensitive to people’s feelings.

The activity that was the most meaningful to me in the leadership unit was choosing a quote about leadership.

Until this activity, my initial approach was that leading is something that others do, others know about, and irrelevant and unrelated to me.

This activity was an eye-opener, demonstrating that I do have thoughts about leadership, bringing the idea of leadership closer to me and even thinking of the option of me being a leader.

What I used in my class:

In the course, we talked about different ways of arranging the tables in the classroom.

In one of my groups I put all pupils in one row. It helped me notice all of my pupils, whereas when they were sitting in rows, I would let the pupils who were further away to be less with me.

The effect this workshop had on my teaching this year:

Last year was quiet rough for me, and I even doubted my abilities to manage a classroom, or even communicate effectively with pupils.

The positive atmosphere in the workshop, listening to other teachers in a similar position to mine, and formulating my own thoughts and ideas about classroom management, communication and leadership, all gave me a sense of capability.  Thanks to my own improvement, I was able to believe more in my pupils and in their ability to acquire the English language. I was also more encouraging, and I never gave up- not myself as a teacher, and not any of my pupils.

My change as a teacher from the beginning of the year until now:

Generally, I have more self-confidence as a teacher in front of the pupils.

It is easier for me to ask for help when I need it from other teachers, I know better what kind of help I need and what could really promote me.

I feel more comfortable with the different circles which are related to my job (other English teachers in my school, other teachers in my school, other English teachers from other schools, etc.)

I enjoy teaching more and get more satisfaction from interacting with my pupils.

It’s easier for me to think of interesting activities to bring to class, and be a creative teacher.