Having a "road map" for yourself and the students helps keep things running smoothly in the classroom. I liked the suggestion of keeping a living document of how you have to adjust as the year progresses so you can make changes for the next year in order to be more effective. I think it's important to have a curriculum plan so you don't fall behind, ensure you are hitting all the appropriate topics you need to teach, and give the students and idea of what they can expect to learn from the class.

I am planning to use entry and exit slips, free writing, and "muddiest point" as formative assessments for my student this year for checks and balances. I also like the idea of giving the students with higher understanding the chance to help their peers prepare before a summative assessment takes place so everyone is on a common "playing field" prior to assigning the assessment for a grade.

I feel employability skills are incredibly important in the CTE program. We are preparing students to leave our classes and head out into the workplace. They should not only have the knowledge and skills to complete tasks, but they need to know how to perform in a professional manner at all times. I also find it important that what we teach in CTE aligns with what is being taught post-secondary so we give students a step ahead when they head off to college. 

I could totally relate to Mr. Reynolds! We are a lot a like in being silly, being loud and animated, and LIKING to teach! I think its important for your students to know how passionate you are about your job, that you take it seriously, and throw out all the positives at the beginning to get the students excited for the time they will spend with you. I also like that he doesn't jump all over the rule book and trusts that students "know better". Being clear about expectations is important, and having a discussion about what your expectations are… >>>

I really liked learning more about creating a positive work environment and the strategies than can be used to help students gain confidence by giving them the opportunity to guide and teach their peers. I also found the scenario about addressing the student who fell asleep in the shed helpful. I think it can be difficult to find a way to address certain behaviors without feeling like it's confrontational, so it can just be ignored instead of handled in a positive way. I love that as CTE teachers we can relate behaviors and actions to employability so things like this… >>>

Advisory committees and meetings with the public help keep you in touch with the needs of your community and how you can use it to strengthen your program. The mentor assignment is also an incredible resource to new teachers so they have someone that is a peer to go to with questions instead of looking to their supervisor which may seem more intimidating.

I absolutely loved the explanation about how our attitude can change the "climate" and "weather" of our classrooms. You have the power to humiliate or heal your students, the ability to make a students life miserable or joyous. It just reiterates how large an impact we can have on every student who walks into our classroom.

I enjoyed seeing the timeline progression of CTE. I also learned a great deal about how Perkins was involved. I plan to work on my delivery of high quality CTE by building strong relationships with agencies in the community who support our students and programs by allowing them to attend work-based learning in their facilities.