Saturday, September 12, 2009

Storms come in Many Forms!


Well, if it doesn't rain, it doesn't pour. But that's not what can be said for this week. I learned what a harrowing experience an hour rideto and from work can really be like. I also learned to adjust my wake up time to 4:30 am on mornings like this. Let's just say that God taught me that a lot of storms aren't th ones on the outside that we have to worry about. It is the ones of the heart that can catch us off guard and make us question why are we doing things.
This happened for me this week. I can actually say that I have worked into a routine in less than three weeks. It all kind of got thrown into a spin mid day on Friday when I found out tw of my students had been arrested and wouldn't be coming back. It threw mw off kilter. I set my mind on teaching and worked through the day. But after work, I sat at my desk wondering if actually being there in that classroom would have an effect for these kids. I know that several said they love history class with me. Especially, after we switched all the kids schedules this week again.
My friends Tammy and Michele reminded me that I can't save them all. They had other teachers who were good before they met me and it still hadn't prevented the life choice they made. They reminded me though that the rewards are bountiful for those that we do manage to encourage and keep working on to their future. Then my daughter happened t bump into Mrs. Atwood a former teacher of my kids and friend of the family's. Kris told her about my heart break. Mrs. Atwood told her to tell me that, if I continue on and just happen to be in teaching for six or seven years I would one day get a student who returns most likely and tell me that I was the reason they showed up every day. Then I would realize the what I did made a difference.
I know that when I worked in special education their were always rewards each day. They came from students who realized they could succeed, teachers who gave me new insight, administrators who fund a way to get something a child needed, or parents who accepted or realized something new that could help their child. The battles in special education are easier because a problem is found or recognized.
It's little different when your not in those type situations. The battles are harder in general education where the problem may be known, but their is no solution or ability to get assistance for the student. Sometimes even with that assistance the student will not make changes. I love what I do. Even with the students that go to jail, get suspended, choose to stay home hoping to be sent to the alternative school because of it, and even the parents who assist their students in their low goals. I do love what I do. So unfortunately, I have to learn to deal with the storms even when they are not seeable or when I have no power. Then i have to get on my hands and knees and ask God to take the problem. No wonder teachers bow their heads so much!

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Open House!

Picture Location: http://www.borg.com

Okay, Monday the 31st of August we had Open House. WOW! I have never shakin so many hands in my entire life or talked with so many parents. I stated only positive stuff and I have about 1/3 of my students family show up. I truly did enjoy the night. It made for a long ride home. Open House went from 6:30-8:00. By the time I got home it was 9:30 and there was only time to kiss my sons, chat for a few minutes with my daughter and tell my friend I would talk with her tomorrow. I then laid down and promptly fell asleep.


A couple of significant things this week:

1) Don't get involved in seperating people in a fight. Call security and keep the rest of the students in the rooms.

2) The student that you think may be causing problems in room behavorially because he doesn't want to be there, may be too proud to ask for help. Change the way you react. You can't control students all the time, but you have control of yourself all the time.

3) Annoying Fire Alarms mean that you should take head ache medicine afterwards before addressing your next class. Oh, one other thing. They will always ring during yor conference period taking up most of your time.

4) Just when you think they don't get it, they say something brillant and blow you out of the water.

5) If a teacher says they want to be your best friend, there are strings attached!


Other than it was a long week I did have an enjoyable time. I hope your teaching time and week went just as well.

Students first week

This is the library bookshelf of my room. It has since changed and holds all the student binders. Each student within my classroom has to have a 2 inch binder or larger to hold a spiral of 180 pages, a set of dividers, and looseleaf papers, and a pencil holder with pencils and blue or black pens in it. The binder stays within the classroom, and the students always have their work.




Here is the view from the front of my classroom at an angle. The desks are no longer rows. I have changed them into groups of four for better Cooperative Learning. I also have made up a set of face cards for each class to change up the seating. Each student was given an index card. They put their name, period and on the bottom the face of someone in history that was pictured on the front. On the front is a famous person from US History. Each student received someone like Thomas Paine, Abraham Lincoln, etc... They cut out the person from the paper and glued it to the card. I laminated these cards and then I deal them out each day. Dealing these cards out by me has become difficult. So I took another page from Dr. Cunninghams book and I have designated a student to do this weekly. The student knows they must be prompt to class and deal them out quickly. So far it is working.


Well, other than feeling a little overwhelmed the first week and my feet needing the new shoes, I have to say I love teaching 8th grade. One of the things I didn't post about last Friday was that I learned at 3:30 that I would be teaching one class of 7th grade Texas History. I worked quickly and by the time I left at 5:00 I had a weeks worth of lessons in place.


The hour drive to and from work does wear on me. I have to make sure that I drink plenty of coffee before I leave in the morning and in the afternoon I have to make sure I have a cold tea or soda on the drive home. I have also had to learn to take a spare set of clothing, and to make sure that I have enough money for dinner or brought my dinner when I stay for students games. Yes, I attend their events. I get greater positive behaviorial response from them, no to mention it helps these students self esteem when they see that someone cares about what they are accomplishing outside of class. I always make sure to inquire on their other classes, what they are doing and how things are at home. I have learned a lot I don't want to know and stuff that hurts my heart. However, it allows my students to know someone cares and for them to move on through the day with little less of a burden.








Teachers return to Work!

The following week, August 17-21, was spent in workshops to learn how to operate the new technology, more Kaagan Cooperative Learning Method training, more Mind Map training, How to operate CSCOPE, Email, and more. The school district providedbreakfast the first day with an orientation meeting and encouragement. We got to see a gentleman speak on the use of computer blogs and media presentation within the classrooms. The remainder of the week was spent on our campus learning procedures, information we needed, and the final two days working in our rooms and with our departments in planning Orientation.
We did not get the Rosters for our classes until Sunday, so I was up on Sunday doing some finishing up. Without the rosters I was told to plan for 150 students for the first few days with copies. On Sunday when I went up I was able to orientate more and get make sure I had everything ready.
I have to applaud Dr. Cunningham who taught me clasroom management at Texas A&M University Corpus Christi and Dr. Bolick who was my supervising professor for field basing.
Dr. Cunningham taught us a multitutde of information for classroom management and it has been a God Send! She told us, if your classroom management is in place and working from Day 1, you will have a much easier life. She was absolutely correct. Dr. Bolick emphasized this and that we should over plan for each day. Having more than what can be done is better than have large amounts of time not planned for and students just sitting. When students sit, they misbehave. Also, Dr. Bolick told us to have comfortable shoes and take two pairs. One for the morning and one for the afternoon. She was right. I had terrible shoes the first three days. We are required to stay on our feet while the students are present and teach, move around the room. But we are always on our feet. Between classes, we stand in the hallway and monitor students and greet those coming into our room. My feet after the first three days were throbbing, and swollen. we do not have tiled floors. They are glazed concrete floors. I used my last 30.00 to purchase a good comfortable, supportive pair and my feet are better now.
The first week with only teachers there went well.

New Teacher Orientation

Okay, I am a little behind posting here. I have been overwhelmed by the begging of the year. I think most new teachers and regular teachers are anyway. New teacher Orientation was interesting. It was three days from August 10 - 12. On the first day, we spent it going over district policies, learning about different items available to us from the district, who was available to assist us and we were introduced to the new board of education and superintendent. It was a a wonderful day, we were given breakfast and lunch.
The second was filled with learning Thinking Maps, how to use them within our classrooms, and Insurance information for the district. I got to know a few of the teachers I would be working with in the district better and truly enjoyed the experience.
The third day was learning the Kaagan Cooperative Learning Method and how to institute it into the classroom. We were to use this method and the thinking maps at least once a week within our classrooms. We then finalized insurance information and were able to ask a few questions.
Thursday and Friday we were given off. I spent Thursday getting the keys to my room and putting it together. I also spent some time learning my way around the school and where everything was at!
My fears were assuage a little and now I was more excited than nervous.