There is SO much out there about teaching and things meant to inspire teachers. As we approach the first day of school, one can imagine how much I reach for these inspirational things. I reach with a hope that I can grasp just one more technique, suppress just a few more fears. In the middle of trying to re-educate myself about different novels and concepts, I try to claw myself out of the pit of "things to do" that keeps threatening to bury me. Thus, I stumble upon this video. If you are an educator needing some inspiration, or a parent who has had some bad experiences with teachers, or anyone in between I encourage you to watch this video. This woman reminds us that forming connections is key, and that students (even the lowest scoring) are more intelligent than they are often given credit for being.
Rita Pierson: Every kid needs a champion
Sunday, August 31, 2014
Friday, August 29, 2014
Praising the mentors!
Oh my gosh. The phrase TGIF has rarely meant so much as it has today to me. At the same time, Freshman start Tuesday and I feel like I am no where near ready. I cannot even believe the craziness of this week. On one hand, I look around my classroom [I still can't help but let out a gleeful giggle at the sound of "my classroom"] and I can see the changes I have made. I have all cork boards decked out in the school colors. I have books that are semi-organized. I have trays of things and jars of things. I have a few things on the wall (more decorations to come). The flip side though is that I also see all of the things yet to be done. There is still the matter of all of the blank space on my walls and my desk. Not to mention the small task of planning.
One of the hardest things I struggle with is the planning. Like many teachers, I want my classes to be both challenging and fun. Common Core being what it is, I am lucky enough to have a decent amount of flexibility with regards to my curriculum. As a new teacher, that is both crazy exciting and nerve wracking. I have to make sure I am having fun, but also preparing my students to have the skills they will need to be successful for the rest of their high school experience and post high school (whether that be in college or career or both). Thus, it is curriculum that is one of a few stress-inducers at this point.
This anxiety brings me to the point of today's post. I cannot believe how incredibly lucky I have been. While many of my cohort mates had one or both of their cooperating teachers be less than stellar during their student teaching, mine were both amazing. I was able to have two cooperating teachers who had 20+ years of experience under their belts and were not only incredible people but absolutely talented teachers. I learned so much working with both of them, one of whom I have been able to stay in contact with. She has been a phenomenal resource (and in a fun twist I am teaching many of the same subjects she teaches this year). When we spoke about me getting a "real" teaching job, I asked her who I would go to with questions. She said that in every building I am in, I should try to find at least one person who is more experienced than me who I can talk to. They do not have to be in your content area, just someone who you can bounce ideas off of and talk to. I don't know about anyone else, but that still sounded hard. In theory, that seemed really logical: of course someone new should have an experienced mentor. However, I am someone who doesn't find it easy to be social or make friends. So, I was super scared coming into this job.
Day one of my new job, I came in late because I got lost. Living in a town where I work literally two minutes from where I live, I recognize how sad it was that I got lost. I sat down next to a woman who was new to the district, like me, and little did I realize how things would go. It turns out, this wonderful lady has had 10 years of teaching experience, loads of education, and is a really fun person. I don't know where our friendship will lead, but I can say that I would not have made it through this week without her. She has given (and continues to give) me so much support. All of my questions about curriculum and how certain things work she has been able to answer and/or problem solve with me. Yet, while being in this mentor role (that I very much so thrust her into) she still treats me as an intelligent being, like a colleague. It has be so incredibly wonderful to have made this connection, I don't even have the words to say how grateful I am.
There are many times when I question my luck/karma/whatever you want to call it. I fall a lot, and choke on my own spit. In a memorable occasion today I literally dribbled coffee out of my mouth. Yet, with all of that I will say I have lucked out. I have two administrators at this school who are supportive and innovative without being invasive. I have a department that, so far, has gained a great report and has a ton of cohesive ideas on how to invigorate the curriculum here. Like I said in my last post, I am still nervous and scared. I have many "what ifs" in my brain. The silver lining is that I am also excited. I have been so fortunate to have met some truly wonderful people here and begin to build a spectacular professional support team. This means the world to me.
Okay, I end this post with this: I have so far (in my three whole days of having this blog) posted every day. I doubt I'll keep that up. I will not commit to a regular posting schedule, but I will try to post as often as I can. I encourage you to leave comments if you have them, especially if you have questions or if you yourself are in the education system (or know someone who is) and have any tips. I wish I didn't have to include this but, while I am asking for comments, I prefer constructive criticism, questions or positive comments. Please be respectful of both me and one another.
Alrighty, thanks for reading everyone...slash Mom.
One of the hardest things I struggle with is the planning. Like many teachers, I want my classes to be both challenging and fun. Common Core being what it is, I am lucky enough to have a decent amount of flexibility with regards to my curriculum. As a new teacher, that is both crazy exciting and nerve wracking. I have to make sure I am having fun, but also preparing my students to have the skills they will need to be successful for the rest of their high school experience and post high school (whether that be in college or career or both). Thus, it is curriculum that is one of a few stress-inducers at this point.
This anxiety brings me to the point of today's post. I cannot believe how incredibly lucky I have been. While many of my cohort mates had one or both of their cooperating teachers be less than stellar during their student teaching, mine were both amazing. I was able to have two cooperating teachers who had 20+ years of experience under their belts and were not only incredible people but absolutely talented teachers. I learned so much working with both of them, one of whom I have been able to stay in contact with. She has been a phenomenal resource (and in a fun twist I am teaching many of the same subjects she teaches this year). When we spoke about me getting a "real" teaching job, I asked her who I would go to with questions. She said that in every building I am in, I should try to find at least one person who is more experienced than me who I can talk to. They do not have to be in your content area, just someone who you can bounce ideas off of and talk to. I don't know about anyone else, but that still sounded hard. In theory, that seemed really logical: of course someone new should have an experienced mentor. However, I am someone who doesn't find it easy to be social or make friends. So, I was super scared coming into this job.
Day one of my new job, I came in late because I got lost. Living in a town where I work literally two minutes from where I live, I recognize how sad it was that I got lost. I sat down next to a woman who was new to the district, like me, and little did I realize how things would go. It turns out, this wonderful lady has had 10 years of teaching experience, loads of education, and is a really fun person. I don't know where our friendship will lead, but I can say that I would not have made it through this week without her. She has given (and continues to give) me so much support. All of my questions about curriculum and how certain things work she has been able to answer and/or problem solve with me. Yet, while being in this mentor role (that I very much so thrust her into) she still treats me as an intelligent being, like a colleague. It has be so incredibly wonderful to have made this connection, I don't even have the words to say how grateful I am.
There are many times when I question my luck/karma/whatever you want to call it. I fall a lot, and choke on my own spit. In a memorable occasion today I literally dribbled coffee out of my mouth. Yet, with all of that I will say I have lucked out. I have two administrators at this school who are supportive and innovative without being invasive. I have a department that, so far, has gained a great report and has a ton of cohesive ideas on how to invigorate the curriculum here. Like I said in my last post, I am still nervous and scared. I have many "what ifs" in my brain. The silver lining is that I am also excited. I have been so fortunate to have met some truly wonderful people here and begin to build a spectacular professional support team. This means the world to me.
Okay, I end this post with this: I have so far (in my three whole days of having this blog) posted every day. I doubt I'll keep that up. I will not commit to a regular posting schedule, but I will try to post as often as I can. I encourage you to leave comments if you have them, especially if you have questions or if you yourself are in the education system (or know someone who is) and have any tips. I wish I didn't have to include this but, while I am asking for comments, I prefer constructive criticism, questions or positive comments. Please be respectful of both me and one another.
Alrighty, thanks for reading everyone...slash Mom.
Thursday, August 28, 2014
In-Service Blues
Oh the in-service blues, how loudly I sing you. I feel like the last few days have run me ragged leaving me with the feeling that this week has been both super long and not long enough. I know that so many of my colleagues feel the same way. Meetings on top of meetings, and then trying to handle my classroom. I promise, I'll post a before and after picture of my classroom. I'm at that point where I just want to be done.
However, there are some really exciting things. For example, my classroom is coming together. I love that so many of my dearest dreams are coming to fruition; that includes my dreams of how I wanted my classroom to look. Now, I still have a super ugly, semi-unusable chalkboard along my back wall. In contrast though I have four large "whiteboards" and hopefully soon a working projector and doc cam. I have my pencils and other supplies all lined up. Along with turn in baskets and some of the other nerdy paraphernalia that teachers put into their rooms. I don't have a lot of wall decorations, but I know that will come.
I am so incredibly excited about the team I get to work with. There are four of us in my department, and while I only got to meet one very briefly (lucky lady is on maternity leave for the beginning of the year craziness), I am still so excited. We get along well, have a lot of fun ideas about what to do with students and curriculum. Plus, who doesn't like to have friends/ colleagues who you can not only bounce ideas off of but also joke around with? As tired and incredibly nervous as I am, I am trying to cling to that excitement I hold for this new year.
Alright, I leave with what part of my "to-do" pile looked like yesterday:
However, there are some really exciting things. For example, my classroom is coming together. I love that so many of my dearest dreams are coming to fruition; that includes my dreams of how I wanted my classroom to look. Now, I still have a super ugly, semi-unusable chalkboard along my back wall. In contrast though I have four large "whiteboards" and hopefully soon a working projector and doc cam. I have my pencils and other supplies all lined up. Along with turn in baskets and some of the other nerdy paraphernalia that teachers put into their rooms. I don't have a lot of wall decorations, but I know that will come.
I am so incredibly excited about the team I get to work with. There are four of us in my department, and while I only got to meet one very briefly (lucky lady is on maternity leave for the beginning of the year craziness), I am still so excited. We get along well, have a lot of fun ideas about what to do with students and curriculum. Plus, who doesn't like to have friends/ colleagues who you can not only bounce ideas off of but also joke around with? As tired and incredibly nervous as I am, I am trying to cling to that excitement I hold for this new year.
Alright, I leave with what part of my "to-do" pile looked like yesterday:
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
Why I am here.
Hello friendlies!
I want to start out by saying that I am new. I am new to teaching and new to blogging. I'm not super great at this stuff, but I'm going to try. I started out this summer, like so many teachers, completely unsure of what my job status would be come September. Also like so many of my colleagues, I applied to a lot of jobs. And I mean, a lot of jobs. I got many denials, and two interviews. I loved interviewing simply for the experience. I hated the wait after to see if I was going to be offered the job.
Long story short (sometime I'll probably tell the saga that was the days surrounding the interview for my current position) I got a job! Whew! My very first job. I officially became a high school English teacher. Within two weeks I had quit a job I had been at for eight years, packed up my place and moved 350 miles down south within the state to my new home. These first few days have been...overwhelming for sure. They have also been full of learning new things, meeting wonderful people and really getting excited about the new year.
Okay, now to be honest. I am also scared out of my mind. I am assured by my more experienced colleagues that this is completely normal. Well, normal it may be, but that doesn't help temper the absolute panic that courses through my veins. It is hard though because like I said, I also have this burning hot excitement for the new year and this new adventure. The bright side is that I do know what I am teaching (9th Grade English and Creative Writing) and I am lucky enough to be in both a district and building that has given me a ton of support. Plus, I have heard nothing but positive things about the group of students we have (and really, isn't it all about the students?).
So, why blog about it? There are a few reasons: first, I tend to process via writing and my hope is that this will be a forum to help problem solve. Second, I recognize that blogging is an extremely popular thing and many new teachers blog which makes this blog somewhat like a salmon in a river of other salmons; I also recognize that there may be others who can help me and who I may be able to help. We all have different perspectives and it is important to be able to reach them all. Also, I am toying with the idea of having my students blog, so I want to practice it and see if I agree with the format first.
My hope is that people do read this blog (even if the only person to read it is my mother). I will probably rant a bit, hopefully share some cool things in my classroom and some fun (anonymous) stories from my students and both give and receive some excellent advice. So, if you are interested, hopefully I'll post often and you enjoy the journey of my teaching life.
Thanks!
Jo
I want to start out by saying that I am new. I am new to teaching and new to blogging. I'm not super great at this stuff, but I'm going to try. I started out this summer, like so many teachers, completely unsure of what my job status would be come September. Also like so many of my colleagues, I applied to a lot of jobs. And I mean, a lot of jobs. I got many denials, and two interviews. I loved interviewing simply for the experience. I hated the wait after to see if I was going to be offered the job.
Long story short (sometime I'll probably tell the saga that was the days surrounding the interview for my current position) I got a job! Whew! My very first job. I officially became a high school English teacher. Within two weeks I had quit a job I had been at for eight years, packed up my place and moved 350 miles down south within the state to my new home. These first few days have been...overwhelming for sure. They have also been full of learning new things, meeting wonderful people and really getting excited about the new year.
Okay, now to be honest. I am also scared out of my mind. I am assured by my more experienced colleagues that this is completely normal. Well, normal it may be, but that doesn't help temper the absolute panic that courses through my veins. It is hard though because like I said, I also have this burning hot excitement for the new year and this new adventure. The bright side is that I do know what I am teaching (9th Grade English and Creative Writing) and I am lucky enough to be in both a district and building that has given me a ton of support. Plus, I have heard nothing but positive things about the group of students we have (and really, isn't it all about the students?).
So, why blog about it? There are a few reasons: first, I tend to process via writing and my hope is that this will be a forum to help problem solve. Second, I recognize that blogging is an extremely popular thing and many new teachers blog which makes this blog somewhat like a salmon in a river of other salmons; I also recognize that there may be others who can help me and who I may be able to help. We all have different perspectives and it is important to be able to reach them all. Also, I am toying with the idea of having my students blog, so I want to practice it and see if I agree with the format first.
My hope is that people do read this blog (even if the only person to read it is my mother). I will probably rant a bit, hopefully share some cool things in my classroom and some fun (anonymous) stories from my students and both give and receive some excellent advice. So, if you are interested, hopefully I'll post often and you enjoy the journey of my teaching life.
Thanks!
Jo
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)