One of the aspects that you asked me to address is how professionals need to be mindful of having an outside life from school and separating school work from home. I felt that last few weeks that I have been on my own has been difficult to actually separate those responsibilities. The extras like planning and grading take up an abundance of time and emotion. I was so caught up in the lessons that didn't go so well or how my classroom management has been affecting the learning of all students, that those feelings of failure began to consume me and induce unnecessary stress and anxiety both at home and in the classroom.When failed lesson do occur, I know I need to take time away to reflect on those mistakes and make changes so it wouldn't happen again. I remember the teacher leader interview that I did with Amy, and she was saying that was one of the hard parts in her first years of teaching as well. I knew this past weekend that I had to free my mind and escape in order to maintain a positive healthy state of being.
The second aspect of professionalism I would like to address is the being a friend and the boss at the same time. I know it is important to maintain a fine line of friendship so they feel comfortable talking with you if they need it. The friendship relationship with students also eases them in the classroom by lightening the atmosphere. It shows them that you are supportive of their hopes and dreams. At the same time, that friendship piece can allow students to take an advantage of you and the classroom expectations or behaviors. Asserting the authority lets them know you are the adult capable of handling the situation and if punishment needs to happen, it will. I found this piece was hard to do while we were at camp with the environment being more relaxed and sharing a cabin with 14 girls.
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