Should I take risk?

In my opinion teachers should consider students’ particular strengths while planning instruction. If teachers encourage students to do whatever they are good at, students can be more willing and enthusiastic about it. The only thing that students needs is being confident and determined about their works in the classroom.

I had a teacher who built on my strengths when I was in the high school. She was my English teacher. Even if she was very young and novice, her reaction and attitude were reassuring. When I made mistakes, she tried to make it correct or I did not understand, she taught me from different ways. My interest to lessons attracted her attention and every time she encouraged me to do better. Eventually, I decided to choose English class. I knew my strength was English; learning it, dealing with it and thinking more about it. She made me realize that. And I’m very thankful for her.

I suppose that without taking risks nobody can achieve their goals. I always try to experience new things for example before I write an essay, I do a lot of research, ask my instructor and make a whole from all of those. I do not read one source and only write from that. Looking different ideas and constitute a whole is a difficult thing. However, if I do not do those steps, I cannot learn and go further. I think this is a risk. My willingness to take academic risks takes me to the upper levels. Even if my result does not satisfy me, I can tell to myself that I try to do my best. Also, my risk can give me better results. That motivates me to work hard. I know that if I do not take risks, I cannot learn more things and broaden my mind.

I will encourage my students to take risks. Because I will teach them the sword is double edged. Even if taking risks have negative results, they will know that they can take advantages from it. They will realize ‘playing it safe’ makes them more confident and open-minded.

“...If there is no risk, there is no reward.” 

                                                - Christy Raedeke

Collaboration

Collaboration is a huge part of my courses. If I start to talk about my experiences, I would like to start with my prep school experiences. When I was in prep school, in almost all classes we worked with our peers or big groups. Most of time, my teacher gave us a topic and wanted to discuss with each other. Because everyone had different ideas, we came up different things in our groups. Even in small groups or groups consist of two people had various opinions. Actually, that was really funny. Both we learned the topic that the teacher gave and enjoy while discussing it. In my department, collaborations are majority of our lesson plans. Sometimes we work on with our peers, search about our topics then come to class present what we have found. It helps us see our style of working and show us the correct path while combining the sources.

I have benefited the idea that ‘Collaboration pushes teachers to think more’. In my situation while working with my friends I want to add more things about the topic and push me to think more deeply and detail. Also, I agree with ‘Colleagues can see the missing points’. In group works everyone looks at the topic from different perspectives, so we can fill the missing parts easily.  

In terms of collaboration, my weaknesses are being a little niggle and anxious. In my assignments, I want to do every detail perfect, so this makes my job hard and exhausting. While working with a partner either he\she might be bored with me or he\she might not be sure and satisfied with the job. My strengths are being disciplined and coordinated. I make a schedule before I start doing my assignment. I apply it step by step. If it is necessary, I do more search and add more information or eliminate some of it.

Practice makes theory perfect. So, as long as I work with my peers and experience in collaborating, I guess I can develop my collaborating skills. I can attend special courses to develop my collaborating skills. Also, I can work on mini experiences about collaborating. I try to be part of groups who work collaboratively. While transferring what I know about being a collaborator to my teaching career, I try to attract attention of my students. I will arrange courses both include entertainment and cooperation. I can attend conferences or seminars about collaborative working. Before I do these things, I want to bring about a route about what is my objective in collaboration, how I can accomplish my goals in collaborative learning and what are the insufficient points in my route.

My Superteacher

              

                                                               

     

In my opinion a teacher should have some features to be an effective teacher. According to Smith’s criteria having both theoretical knowledge and experiences help teachers turn theory into practice easily. Also, teachers who are super ones should be careful in their attitudes toward themselves, children, peers and parents. Furthermore, when I think an effective teacher, the one feature that comes to my mind is teacher’s pedagogical content knowledge. With that knowledge teachers would know how to organize, represent and adapt particular topics, problems and issues to students’ abilities and interest. Teaching skills of teachers is a crucial point that teachers should have. Teaching skills include ability to ask questions, to write good assessments and to manage the classroom. Moreover, teachers’ perception, beliefs and habits specify their personal practical knowledge. Teachers use their personal practical knowledge to make the correct decision in conflicts, simplify the problems and find solutions for them.

Also, I have wanted to talk about Danielson’s framework. It consist of four main domains which are ‘Planning and Preparation’, ‘The Classroom Environment’, ‘Instruction’ and ‘Professional Responsibilities’. In the first one, teachers’ goals are to organize the content according to students’ expectations. In the second one, teachers make an environment which students are respectful to each other and teachers. In the third one, teachers make students be part of the learning. Teachers communicate clearly, use questioning and discussion techniques and give feedback to them. Teachers have also responsibilities outside the classroom. Danielson tries to tell about those responsibilities in ‘Professional Responsibilities’ domain. Those are may be toward family, and school administration. Furthermore, teachers should improve himself\herself professionally.

In my mind 'My Superteacher' includes all these ideas, features and abilities. They are basic and the most important steps to be an effective teacher. 

My Personal Profile

Hello everyone! My name is İrem Üner. I was born on November 15th 1994. I am a Turkish citizen and this makes me feel proud of my country because of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s successes and endeavor on Turkey. I am currently at Middle East Technical University Northern Cyprus Campus studying Teaching English as a Foreign Language because I am really pleased by teaching people English and seeing their achievements. What I like about my studies is learning new things in every time. What I dislike about my studies is their workload. My home is in İzmir, Turkey and I have lived here for three years. My favorite activity includes archery and I love to do this because I feel relaxed while handing my bow and drawing it. I love to say I respect and value my parents and my most over-used saying is probably I should say to my family that I love them. My favorite meal involves Kebap and my favorite snack food is bitter chocolate. The people that support me the most are my family and in my life they have helped me to reach my goals. The best time of the day for me is just coming from school and resting and having a wonderful dinner. My great inspiration is being a successful teacher in the future. My all-time role model is my father because he is really ambitious and determined. I would like to be like my high school English teacher because she was really friendly and kind, also she was trying to teach us everything that she knows.

When I was little, I remember that I walked around my mother and I followed her wherever she went. I always found school to be boring and this is because I did not like my teachers. I thought they did me everything that I do not like, but of course they did not but I supposed like that. The best teacher I ever had was my high school English teacher because she was thinking that I was able to enter the university that I really wanted and she trusted me. The worst teacher I ever had was my primary teacher because he always made me solve math problems and once he said to me that I could not be successful enough and this made me realize that he did not know me and I would prove the contrast. I am proud that I struggle for my goals, anyway. The best thing anyone has ever said to me is being kind all of the people. The worst thing anyone has ever said to me is being angry at something instantly. What no one has ever told me is that I look like older than my real age.

In my twenties I hope to achieve to finish my university with a high success. In my thirties I hope to achieve to be respectable in my working area and to marry someone that I love. In my forties I hope to achieve to travel the world. I feel uncertain of whether I can achieve my goals or not. I believe everyone will have the life that they deserve. I am happy when my parents see my accomplishments. It is important to convince yourself that you can do whatever you want. I am interested in being a perfect mother. My destiny is being an inquisitive teacher, an honorable daughter and a loving wife.

I'm on the right.