PERSONAL MASTERY

Personal Mastery in my field of teaching begins before you even start the process. I was a on again off again carpenter since my teen years. I liked that kind of work, but never loved it as a profession. When a principle of a high school told me about the need for tech teachers, I jumped at the chance to teach it. I was able to use my college degree and my well honed (personal mastery) carpentry skills and pass along to the students what my father handed down to me. I feel that my carpentry skills give me confidence in all subject matters I teach. But the longer I teach the more I realize you do not need any real practical skills. The skills you need to master as a teacher, are much more complex. You need to be able to truely communicated with your students at a level they are comfortable with. You have to have them understand your on the same side as them. That it's not a you against them process. You have to be able to understand the NY State standards and incorporate them into your curriculum effectively to the age group your teaching, and have the students understand why they are learning them. You must "D.I." your lesson to accomdate the different learners. Do I believe I have Personal Mastery over all these skills. Probally no, but I understand their importance, and my students and athletes I coach all feel we are on the same "team".(edit later)