"An Old Dog Learning New Tricks: My Journey in Behavior Management"
Welcome to My Blog!
Hello and welcome! My name is Jo Lee, and I've been teaching for a remarkable 24 years. Throughout my career, I've had the privilege of educating students in public, charter, and online schools across three different states. It's been a journey filled with challenges, triumphs, and countless learning experiences. However, as many of you can attest, the landscape of education has dramatically shifted since I first stepped into the classroom.
Teaching today is a far cry from what it used to be. The dynamics, expectations, and behaviors of students have evolved (not necessarily for the better), and with them, the strategies and techniques we use to manage our classrooms must also adapt. Recently, my administration suggested that I participate in a behavior management cohort at our school. Why? Because, according to them, I’ve been writing up too many students. Plus, my behavior management was too negative
At first, I felt a mix of frustration and skepticism. After all, I've been in this field for a quarter of a century! But then I realized, in this ever-changing profession, we must be willing to adapt and grow. Thus, this blog was born. "An Old Dog Learning New Tricks: My Journey in Behavior Management" will document my experiences, insights, and the lessons I learn as I embark on this new chapter in my teaching career.
Why Document This Journey?
Behavior management has always been a crucial aspect of effective teaching. Over the years, I've seen countless methods come and go, and I've employed many of them with varying degrees of success. However, the issues facing today's classrooms demand innovative and responsive approaches. By documenting this journey, I hope to achieve several goals:
Reflect on My Practice: Writing about my experiences will help me critically examine and improve my own behavior management techniques.
Share Insights: I aim to provide valuable insights and practical advice for fellow educators who might be facing similar challenges.
Foster a Community: I hope this blog will become a space where educators can share their own experiences, offer support, and learn from one another.
What to Expect?
In the coming posts, I'll be sharing:
Weekly Updates: Insights and reflections from the behavior management cohort sessions.
Real-Life Classroom Stories: Honest accounts of what works, what doesn't, and the surprises along the way.
Book Reviews: I have spent the summer reading various books on Behavior Management strategies.
Practical Tips and Strategies: Techniques that you can try in your own classroom, backed by my firsthand experiences.
Join Me on This Journey
Whether you're a seasoned educator, or a new teacher just starting out, I invite you to join me on this journey. Let's navigate the challenges of modern behavior management together, learn new strategies, and support each other along the way. Remember, it's never too late to learn new tricks!
Thank you for stopping by, and I look forward to sharing this adventure with you.
