Blogging is not something that comes natural to me; therefore, I have my highs and lows of getting to publish something. This is a task I have to be intentional on and force myself to sit down and do it regardless of the mounting list of other things that need to be done!
Today I am pulled to post to remind myself that I am teaching again! I have never taken a year off teaching and have been in the classroom about 22 years; but, some years it feels like I'm on auto-pilot and just going through the motions. This year, things have changed and I'm feeling great! Now to keep it up.
Working in math, I have taken the time to individually assess every child on their fact fluency and the foundational skills that build that fluency. I amazed at the information I received from this 1:1 interaction with the kids. I feel prepared to know where I need to work with each child and how to communicate that to the parents. I feel like I'm a teacher again...focused on the kids and not the next lesson!
Feeling good, and now to keep the momentum going!
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
Tuesday, October 23, 2018
Morning Walk About
Today was the kick off of an idea I've been toying with for quite some time! I don't know why I always hold back and not allow myself to try the things I've been thinking. Fear of other's views and criticism get me every time!
I have wanted to get my students up and moving about for some time. A nice, brisk walk around the school grounds in the morning to start the day. This would allow the kids time to wake up, get some fresh air and exercise to get the blood pumping. As well as that, the children have time to talk and socialize with their classmates...how many adults do you know that go straight to work and don't socialize over coffee or anything when getting to their work? Kids are the same!
This morning the class and I took a walk around our school campus. We walked .71 miles in 14 minutes time. Some may think, 14 minutes of instructional time lost...I say 14 minutes of valuable skills taught! The kids came back in the room and journaled about their experience out on the walk. They estimated how far and how long they thought we walked. We talked about our mood and energy level. It was valuable class time outside of the classroom!
The best part for me was posting some pictures of our walk for our parents to see. The few comments so far have been very supportive and talked about how excited their kids were this morning as they talked about how we were starting the day! I need to stop questioning my ideas and just go with it. When we have the kids' best interest at heart and we are working for them, then it will all be supported and work out!
I have wanted to get my students up and moving about for some time. A nice, brisk walk around the school grounds in the morning to start the day. This would allow the kids time to wake up, get some fresh air and exercise to get the blood pumping. As well as that, the children have time to talk and socialize with their classmates...how many adults do you know that go straight to work and don't socialize over coffee or anything when getting to their work? Kids are the same!
This morning the class and I took a walk around our school campus. We walked .71 miles in 14 minutes time. Some may think, 14 minutes of instructional time lost...I say 14 minutes of valuable skills taught! The kids came back in the room and journaled about their experience out on the walk. They estimated how far and how long they thought we walked. We talked about our mood and energy level. It was valuable class time outside of the classroom!
The best part for me was posting some pictures of our walk for our parents to see. The few comments so far have been very supportive and talked about how excited their kids were this morning as they talked about how we were starting the day! I need to stop questioning my ideas and just go with it. When we have the kids' best interest at heart and we are working for them, then it will all be supported and work out!
Tuesday, August 21, 2018
Staff Bonding
I will continue to work on the staff morale and development strategies I started last year. The books we read were amazing reads and inspired some change in a few of us!
This year we started our Wednesday morning (day before kids came to school) with a tour of classrooms! This was an idea sparked from one of our book groups the year before and our superintendent/principal embraced the idea. All teachers met in the cafeteria and as a group we toured everyone's classrooms. There were some less than happy participants; but, I believe most had a great time. It was amazing seeing how other teachers decorated their rooms or how they stored some of their supplies. It was a great way to see what others are doing. One of our favorite activities was playing "guess the scent" as each room seemed to have a different fragrance being pushed out through essential oils or plug ins.
I hope this activity will become a staple in our back to school routine as it was great. I think my favorite part was the conversations we were all having walking from class to class. It was a great time talking to coworkers I don't always get to see on a regular basis.
This year we started our Wednesday morning (day before kids came to school) with a tour of classrooms! This was an idea sparked from one of our book groups the year before and our superintendent/principal embraced the idea. All teachers met in the cafeteria and as a group we toured everyone's classrooms. There were some less than happy participants; but, I believe most had a great time. It was amazing seeing how other teachers decorated their rooms or how they stored some of their supplies. It was a great way to see what others are doing. One of our favorite activities was playing "guess the scent" as each room seemed to have a different fragrance being pushed out through essential oils or plug ins.
I hope this activity will become a staple in our back to school routine as it was great. I think my favorite part was the conversations we were all having walking from class to class. It was a great time talking to coworkers I don't always get to see on a regular basis.
Start of a New Year
As we approached the new school year, I was excited, nervous and scared all at the same time. My emotions were running wild!
This begins my 21st year of teaching and I was ready to change so many things! I opted to change my classroom "theme" to emojis. I was never a huge theme classroom teacher as I never found them to be something I could follow all the way through and I didn't like spending excessive amounts on money on decor. That was thrown out the window this year! I jumped into emojis fully and had a blast outfitting my classroom with the decor.
While working on redecorating my classroom, it was time to also rearrange the furniture. This class has an odd layout due to a closet in the room. I needed more student space where kids could move around. The teacher desk needed to be moved...not an easy task to tackle!
Rearranging furniture turned into my next major change, flexible seating. Throughout all years of my teaching I have allowed students to work in different areas and in different ways; however, I had never fully implemented a full class flexible seating environment. This year that would change! Desks and chairs had to be removed from my classroom while alternative working spaces were brought in. Great timing to implement flexible seating as I was rearranging and redecorating the classroom!
Some major changes taking place this year that has had me working long days and nights preparing for the kids to return to school. All this work paid off as the kids and their families came in for Back to School Night! The room seemed to be received well and I was pleased with how it has turned out.
My favorite thing so far (mind you, it's only about day 4 of school right now!) is the purchase of emoji knapsacks for kids to use as backpacks! Backpacks take up too much space and why do kids really need those big backpacks at such a young age? I had the brilliant idea of getting knapsacks from Oriental Trading and give those to students to take their communication folder and library books back and forth from school to home. So far this has been received well and I'm glad to say the kids are enjoying them!
This begins my 21st year of teaching and I was ready to change so many things! I opted to change my classroom "theme" to emojis. I was never a huge theme classroom teacher as I never found them to be something I could follow all the way through and I didn't like spending excessive amounts on money on decor. That was thrown out the window this year! I jumped into emojis fully and had a blast outfitting my classroom with the decor.
While working on redecorating my classroom, it was time to also rearrange the furniture. This class has an odd layout due to a closet in the room. I needed more student space where kids could move around. The teacher desk needed to be moved...not an easy task to tackle!
Rearranging furniture turned into my next major change, flexible seating. Throughout all years of my teaching I have allowed students to work in different areas and in different ways; however, I had never fully implemented a full class flexible seating environment. This year that would change! Desks and chairs had to be removed from my classroom while alternative working spaces were brought in. Great timing to implement flexible seating as I was rearranging and redecorating the classroom!
Some major changes taking place this year that has had me working long days and nights preparing for the kids to return to school. All this work paid off as the kids and their families came in for Back to School Night! The room seemed to be received well and I was pleased with how it has turned out.
My favorite thing so far (mind you, it's only about day 4 of school right now!) is the purchase of emoji knapsacks for kids to use as backpacks! Backpacks take up too much space and why do kids really need those big backpacks at such a young age? I had the brilliant idea of getting knapsacks from Oriental Trading and give those to students to take their communication folder and library books back and forth from school to home. So far this has been received well and I'm glad to say the kids are enjoying them!
Thursday, March 22, 2018
Book Clubs
The process of professional learning continues. A small group of teachers and myself recently completed a book study on Teach Like a Pirate by Dave Burgess. This proved to be an amazing experience. I'd even venture to say others in the group found it as rewarding as I did! You can find more about our Teach Like a Pirate book study at this recap website.
I was a little leery about beginning this type of book club as I wasn't sure what the response would be; however, I really wanted to read the book and knew I'd need the accountability and would like to discuss it over with other educators. I am so glad I took the step and brought the group together! We spent about an hour a week recapping sections of the book and it was great hearing the insight from others. I was very surprised to find we all thought a lot alike!
One of the greatest things that came out of this club was when a new teacher on staff shared about a lesson she taught and how excited she was; but, later realized the students didn't get the full extent of the content. We went into a whole problem solving/brain storming session on how to take this amazing lesson to the next level and extend the learning. It was a great session of teachers across various grade levels all working together and we all left a little more energized for the group talk! I loved the ability to open up and share some of our learning moments and the openness to hear from others.
We are now beginning to start another book club when we return from Spring Break. We will be tackling the book Kids Deserve It! by Todd Nesloney & Adam Welcome. I'm very excited as I believe our small group of 6 may grow to small group of 10! This is awesome as we begin to see a movement growing. All we can hope for is to build a campus climate of teachers not afraid to show their weaknesses and willing to learn and strengthen their craft with support from those who understand and know what we are dealing with on from day to day!
I was a little leery about beginning this type of book club as I wasn't sure what the response would be; however, I really wanted to read the book and knew I'd need the accountability and would like to discuss it over with other educators. I am so glad I took the step and brought the group together! We spent about an hour a week recapping sections of the book and it was great hearing the insight from others. I was very surprised to find we all thought a lot alike!
One of the greatest things that came out of this club was when a new teacher on staff shared about a lesson she taught and how excited she was; but, later realized the students didn't get the full extent of the content. We went into a whole problem solving/brain storming session on how to take this amazing lesson to the next level and extend the learning. It was a great session of teachers across various grade levels all working together and we all left a little more energized for the group talk! I loved the ability to open up and share some of our learning moments and the openness to hear from others.
We are now beginning to start another book club when we return from Spring Break. We will be tackling the book Kids Deserve It! by Todd Nesloney & Adam Welcome. I'm very excited as I believe our small group of 6 may grow to small group of 10! This is awesome as we begin to see a movement growing. All we can hope for is to build a campus climate of teachers not afraid to show their weaknesses and willing to learn and strengthen their craft with support from those who understand and know what we are dealing with on from day to day!
Thursday, January 25, 2018
My First Webinar
A couple of weeks ago I experienced a first for me, I took part in my first webinar where I was a speaker! This was WAY out of my comfort zone and I wasn't sure if I was cut out for it at all.
As a Bloomz Ambassador and one of the few who is working with a whole school site subscription, I was asked if I would speak on how our school has implemented Bloomz school wide and some of our uses. As a new ambassador excitedly awaiting my free Bloomz t-shirt, how could I say no?
As the meeting date approached, I was more and more nervous about what to say. The day arrived and I was fearful I'd be joining late as I was logging in after a staff meeting. (I hate being late to anything!) Thankfully our staff meeting let out early and I was able to get to my classroom and log in with plenty of time to spare.
The webinar started and shortly thereafter I was introduced. I gave my little spiel and felt as though I sounded like a babbling idiot; but, I'm sure that was mostly in my own mind as I am my own worst critic! As the webinar proceeded, there were technical issues along the way. At one point we lost our Bloomz representative and then after getting him back, we lost our moderator.
In the end, I stepped up and began fielding questions for the Bloomz representative as he couldn't see the question board. Within no time, I felt at ease and it seemed as though the moderator and myself were hosting a radio chat show. I actually had a lot of fun!
Little did I realize, all of this was being recorded for others to tune into at a later time. The moderator contacted me the next day and thanked me for staying connected and helping along. She told me I'd done a great job and she could see me being the host as I was a natural...WOW! I'm not sure I believe all of that; however, it was a nice compliment to hear.
This journey of professional development and growth has already taken me to places I never imagined I'd be a participant of!
As a Bloomz Ambassador and one of the few who is working with a whole school site subscription, I was asked if I would speak on how our school has implemented Bloomz school wide and some of our uses. As a new ambassador excitedly awaiting my free Bloomz t-shirt, how could I say no?
As the meeting date approached, I was more and more nervous about what to say. The day arrived and I was fearful I'd be joining late as I was logging in after a staff meeting. (I hate being late to anything!) Thankfully our staff meeting let out early and I was able to get to my classroom and log in with plenty of time to spare.
The webinar started and shortly thereafter I was introduced. I gave my little spiel and felt as though I sounded like a babbling idiot; but, I'm sure that was mostly in my own mind as I am my own worst critic! As the webinar proceeded, there were technical issues along the way. At one point we lost our Bloomz representative and then after getting him back, we lost our moderator.
In the end, I stepped up and began fielding questions for the Bloomz representative as he couldn't see the question board. Within no time, I felt at ease and it seemed as though the moderator and myself were hosting a radio chat show. I actually had a lot of fun!
Little did I realize, all of this was being recorded for others to tune into at a later time. The moderator contacted me the next day and thanked me for staying connected and helping along. She told me I'd done a great job and she could see me being the host as I was a natural...WOW! I'm not sure I believe all of that; however, it was a nice compliment to hear.
This journey of professional development and growth has already taken me to places I never imagined I'd be a participant of!
Sunday, January 7, 2018
Start of a Journey...20 years late!
Twenty years ago I realized a life-long dream and entered the teaching profession. Here I was, a young, naive 23 year old. I will never forget the first day of school and several parents questioning if I was even old enough to teach their kids as I didn't seem old enough to be out of high school! (Those were the days of being taken for much younger than I was...would love to have that again!)
At 23 and starting my career, I was ready to take on the world and be an incredible teacher for my amazing students. I was going to be "that" teacher who made the difference in all of the kids who came across my path. Looking back, I often wonder what happened to that naive boy.
That year, there were about 15 brand new teachers starting at our school. We also had a brand new, first time superintendent. It was a school on the verge of a change; but, I had no clue at the time. I was blessed to work under the superintendent I had for that first year! She embraced our enthusiasm for education and all the ideas we brought in with us! Unfortunately, not everyone embraced the "youngsters" coming in to teach in their traditional style school.
I was fortunate enough to have a lead teacher who encouraged us newbies to try our ideas and then see what would happen. She would talk to us AFTER the lesson to see how it went and then give her insight. In the beginning, this put me off a little as I wondered why she hadn't warned me ahead of time so I could fix the wrongs before they happened. Later I realized I was far more better off than others in different grade levels.
I watched other newbies being told to not try their ideas and just stick with the script. I actually saw moments where veteran teachers handed over seatwork and homework for every week of the year with the direction of, "this is what we do." New ideas were criticized to the point new teachers were afraid to try them with the students. This is when I learned my lead teacher was a true leader!
It was a few months in to the school year and I was in conversation with others and I was called a "Disneyland teacher". I had no clue what this was or how to grasp the idea of it; but, I could tell by the tone of the veteran teacher calling me this that she did not value the trait in myself. I have struggled over this remark off and on for 20 years!
On one hand, being a "Disneyland teacher" would make me innovative, engaging and fun! Isn't that what teachers are called to be? How could this be a bad thing? Why did it make me feel insecure and self conscious? I learned that day that I would need to hide my teaching style from those who would judge me...and that's hard to do in a small country school where everyone knows one another!
Did this stop me from being the fun teacher? NOPE! All it did was make me be a closeted fun teacher!! Fortunately I have had amazing administrators who have appreciated my playfulness. (Only one was not supportive, but she didn't last long!)
Where is all this coming from? This year marks my 20th year in teaching! I was able to attend a dream conference that I had wanted to go to for years but didn't think financially possible. With the support of my admin, I was able to attend the CUE Fall Conference in Napa Valley! It was an amazing experience where I saw many teachers not hiding their "Disneyland teacher" qualities; however, they were embracing their playful nature. I saw teachers shining and full of enthusiasm for what they do! This sparked my passion to ignite.
Walking away from the CUE conference, I had a major burden hanging in my mind...where would I be today had I not been shut down 20 years ago? What kind of leader in education could I have been? Many of these ideas I'm seeing are new to me and many are things I have been doing for years! I could let that thought haunt me for the next 20 years of my career, or I could begin a journey I didn't have the ability to do 20 years ago!
I immediately returned to my school campus and began sharing what I had learned with those interested! I have shared with my superintendent/principal! I have started exploring on my own and speaking out on campus. This month we will begin a journey of creating our own PLC at our school campus. It has been scary and intimidating; however, it is worthwhile and encouraging! Out of 36 teachers, we may have about 12 fully on board; but, it is a start and one I am happy to be a part of!
Such a long post for a first blog entry...what's the bottom line? Veteran teachers, DON'T discourage newbies! Don't be intimidated by the young and fresh educators coming in to the profession. Embrace them for their energy and fresh ideas! They aren't here to replace us old folks, but here to help keep the profession alive and relevant!
At 23 and starting my career, I was ready to take on the world and be an incredible teacher for my amazing students. I was going to be "that" teacher who made the difference in all of the kids who came across my path. Looking back, I often wonder what happened to that naive boy.
That year, there were about 15 brand new teachers starting at our school. We also had a brand new, first time superintendent. It was a school on the verge of a change; but, I had no clue at the time. I was blessed to work under the superintendent I had for that first year! She embraced our enthusiasm for education and all the ideas we brought in with us! Unfortunately, not everyone embraced the "youngsters" coming in to teach in their traditional style school.
I was fortunate enough to have a lead teacher who encouraged us newbies to try our ideas and then see what would happen. She would talk to us AFTER the lesson to see how it went and then give her insight. In the beginning, this put me off a little as I wondered why she hadn't warned me ahead of time so I could fix the wrongs before they happened. Later I realized I was far more better off than others in different grade levels.
I watched other newbies being told to not try their ideas and just stick with the script. I actually saw moments where veteran teachers handed over seatwork and homework for every week of the year with the direction of, "this is what we do." New ideas were criticized to the point new teachers were afraid to try them with the students. This is when I learned my lead teacher was a true leader!
It was a few months in to the school year and I was in conversation with others and I was called a "Disneyland teacher". I had no clue what this was or how to grasp the idea of it; but, I could tell by the tone of the veteran teacher calling me this that she did not value the trait in myself. I have struggled over this remark off and on for 20 years!
On one hand, being a "Disneyland teacher" would make me innovative, engaging and fun! Isn't that what teachers are called to be? How could this be a bad thing? Why did it make me feel insecure and self conscious? I learned that day that I would need to hide my teaching style from those who would judge me...and that's hard to do in a small country school where everyone knows one another!
Did this stop me from being the fun teacher? NOPE! All it did was make me be a closeted fun teacher!! Fortunately I have had amazing administrators who have appreciated my playfulness. (Only one was not supportive, but she didn't last long!)
Where is all this coming from? This year marks my 20th year in teaching! I was able to attend a dream conference that I had wanted to go to for years but didn't think financially possible. With the support of my admin, I was able to attend the CUE Fall Conference in Napa Valley! It was an amazing experience where I saw many teachers not hiding their "Disneyland teacher" qualities; however, they were embracing their playful nature. I saw teachers shining and full of enthusiasm for what they do! This sparked my passion to ignite.
Walking away from the CUE conference, I had a major burden hanging in my mind...where would I be today had I not been shut down 20 years ago? What kind of leader in education could I have been? Many of these ideas I'm seeing are new to me and many are things I have been doing for years! I could let that thought haunt me for the next 20 years of my career, or I could begin a journey I didn't have the ability to do 20 years ago!
I immediately returned to my school campus and began sharing what I had learned with those interested! I have shared with my superintendent/principal! I have started exploring on my own and speaking out on campus. This month we will begin a journey of creating our own PLC at our school campus. It has been scary and intimidating; however, it is worthwhile and encouraging! Out of 36 teachers, we may have about 12 fully on board; but, it is a start and one I am happy to be a part of!
Such a long post for a first blog entry...what's the bottom line? Veteran teachers, DON'T discourage newbies! Don't be intimidated by the young and fresh educators coming in to the profession. Embrace them for their energy and fresh ideas! They aren't here to replace us old folks, but here to help keep the profession alive and relevant!
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