November 3: What are you most proud of to date in your teaching career?
To date, the thing that I am most proud of in my teaching career is that I finally earned a master's degree. To be specific, it is a Master of Science degree, in Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment. I did it virtually, through Walden University, and I did it without accumulating a lot of debt. I started my program in the fall of 2007, after a lot of soul-searching, and finished 19 months later in 2009. Graduation was in Minneapolis, and while I wasn't sure I was going to fly out and walk, in the end I did, and I'm glad I did.
Ho, hum, some might say. Isn't a master's degrees what everyone is supposed to have? I could have earned one way back in the late 1970s, when I was earning my standard teaching certificate. However, back then, having a master's degree could cost you a job, with school districts setting the salaries, but the biggest drawback for me was that I had no idea what I wanted to earn it in. I was set on being a school librarian, and anything offered at the small state college I was attending didn't offer a master of library science degree. I did the next best thing and earned an educational media endorsement instead. After that, cost was a huge factor, as well as any program would have required travel (I had a young son), as well as the idea that $25,000 was just too much on my part-time salary. When the Walden program came up, I cautiously jumped.
What the master's degree did for me was put new energy into my career. I've been a librarian forever; for me, running the library is easy. As my supervisors gave me classes to teach, I needed to step up my game. About the time I earned my MS, I was selected to participate in a two-year grant called Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT). Now, I got to put my lessons from Walden together with technology. I have completely changed the way I approach teaching. I see myself as more of a facilitator. I believe in Constructivist Theory. I expect my students to use the tools that I know they will be using in their futures. Somewhere along the way, I turned into a high school teacher, which still slightly freaks me out!
Monday, November 3, 2014
Sunday, November 2, 2014
Attitude of Gratitude - Blogger Challenge, Day 2
November 2: What is one small delight in the day that you always look forward to?
I look forward to students coming into my space. My second period class is U. S. History, and I have at least two students who come through my office to class instead of walking straight in. One of my boys, a chronic underachiever, started coming in announcing "Your favorite student is here!", much to my surprise. I had this kid last year, and he was not always my favorite. The first day he made this announcement, one of the girls, a tough little cookie, quickly countered with, "No, you aren't I'm her favorite student!" We quickly determined I could have one boy favorite and one girl favorite, and that's how it's been ever since then. The funny thing is, my Favorite Boy Student, who under-performs is just about all of his other classes, is pulling a B from me, and is bringing one more of his classes up to a passing grade. I'm not certain why this kid decided to work in my class (which he didn't do last year in the brief time he was in it), but I told him I would take it. I love the energy that comes into my room when the kids come in!
I also enjoy my primary library kids entrances. They are always so excited to be coming to the library, and I am told immediately that yes, the book came back, or no, it was forgotten. I'm also told when a book was wonderful, and that always comes with a great big smile. On the day before Halloween, when the kindergartners came in, they were wearing the coolest spider "hats" - a black headband with big paper eyes, and eight spider legs. They were pretty awesome hats, and everyone was so excited to come in with those bouncy legs going and scary spider smiles. This isn't the same hat, but can't you see those spider legs bounding?!How can you not love something like that?! That is more than just a small delight!
I look forward to students coming into my space. My second period class is U. S. History, and I have at least two students who come through my office to class instead of walking straight in. One of my boys, a chronic underachiever, started coming in announcing "Your favorite student is here!", much to my surprise. I had this kid last year, and he was not always my favorite. The first day he made this announcement, one of the girls, a tough little cookie, quickly countered with, "No, you aren't I'm her favorite student!" We quickly determined I could have one boy favorite and one girl favorite, and that's how it's been ever since then. The funny thing is, my Favorite Boy Student, who under-performs is just about all of his other classes, is pulling a B from me, and is bringing one more of his classes up to a passing grade. I'm not certain why this kid decided to work in my class (which he didn't do last year in the brief time he was in it), but I told him I would take it. I love the energy that comes into my room when the kids come in!
I also enjoy my primary library kids entrances. They are always so excited to be coming to the library, and I am told immediately that yes, the book came back, or no, it was forgotten. I'm also told when a book was wonderful, and that always comes with a great big smile. On the day before Halloween, when the kindergartners came in, they were wearing the coolest spider "hats" - a black headband with big paper eyes, and eight spider legs. They were pretty awesome hats, and everyone was so excited to come in with those bouncy legs going and scary spider smiles. This isn't the same hat, but can't you see those spider legs bounding?!How can you not love something like that?! That is more than just a small delight!
Saturday, November 1, 2014
Attitude of Gratitude - Blogger Challenge, Day 1
November 1: What are the best aspects of being a teacher?
I've been an educator for a long time, since 1977, and always the best part of being a teacher has been connecting with kids. I started out as a librarian, and as a librarian, I've been lucky enough to connect kids with books. I've read a lot of books aloud to classes of kids, and it's been my pleasure to introduce literature to lots of kids.It's a blast reading to little kids, making Franklin or Clifford the Big Red Dog so exciting that little kids are on the edge of the story rug, and leaning in to hear more. I love it when a student comes up to tell me how much they loved the latest book they checked out from the library, and when kids recommend books for me to buy for the library. People do not understand that possibly one of the best jobs in a school is that of librarian.
I have to confess that I didn't really want to teach; I was originally hired to be the librarian, and really did not want to teach any kind of regular class. It took the district a few years, but I did end up teaching, starting with middle school, and now, somehow, high school. In a small, rural K-12 district, it's hard to escape the inevitable. What I enjoy the most about teaching is when a kid gets it. The light bulb moment. The Ah-Ha. In my history class, it's questions that tell me connections are being made. When I taught math, it was the look of joy when it finally made sense. The other day one of my history students told me that she loved that I do a This Day in History fact every day - she talks about them at home. I love that!
There are many moments at school that aren't always fun, but thank goodness there are so many more that are wonderful, and make it hard to think about walking away someday.
Thursday, September 25, 2014
30 Day Blogging Challenge - Days 20 - 23
How do real bloggers do it?! I don't mind writing, and I enjoy blogging, but this has gotten away from me! Seriously!!
Day 20: How Do You Curate Student Work?
I will admit, I had to look this one up, so apparently I don't do this. I don't teach in a conventional classroom; my classroom is the school library. I flat out do not display student work, even though I know I should. I have done this before, when I taught elementary math (in the library), but since moving to high school classes, and essentially using an electronic classroom, I don't have a lot of paper. I am trying out Schoology, and I like not carting papers around. I need to figure out a way to display work, and I think that's going to mean having assignments that involve more than writing. But I like those creative projects, and this might be the way for me to switch things up a bit for more interesting learning!
Day 21: Do You Have Other Hobbies/Interests You Bring Into the Classroom?
I like to take pictures, and most of the presentations I've created have had some of my photographs on them. I also have pictures I've taken on my library website. My other hobbies don't really lend themselves well to what I teach, although I have used them in the past. I used to quilt, and I'd done a couple of math projects that involved geometry, so I've brought in quilt blocks I've made, mostly because they are geometry. I also use a lot of technology, including social media. Pinterest is something I like to use, and one project I did (before Pinterest got blocked at school) was to combine a six-word memoir with a six-image memoir on Pinterest. The kids loved it, and I'm afraid I did turn a few of them into Pinterest addicts. It was really touching for me to see their visual memoirs - so raw, in some cases, and always honest.
Day 22: What Does My PLN Look Like?
My PLN is online - Plurk. I was introduced to Plurk a few years ago, and have picked up so many wonderful ideas from the educators on that site. I also belong to a couple of educator groups on Facebook, and resources are always being shared there. We had a teacher at our school about ten years ago who wanted to start a PLN, but for some reason it never got going, and then he left to take another job. I've mostly had one or two other like-minded people who were interested in the idea of a PLN, but it was all very small and casual. Plurk has been the best resource for me lately. I have also dabbled in groups on Google+. I feel as though I've connected with some very good educators, and I would love to meet some of them in the future.
Day 20: How Do You Curate Student Work?
I will admit, I had to look this one up, so apparently I don't do this. I don't teach in a conventional classroom; my classroom is the school library. I flat out do not display student work, even though I know I should. I have done this before, when I taught elementary math (in the library), but since moving to high school classes, and essentially using an electronic classroom, I don't have a lot of paper. I am trying out Schoology, and I like not carting papers around. I need to figure out a way to display work, and I think that's going to mean having assignments that involve more than writing. But I like those creative projects, and this might be the way for me to switch things up a bit for more interesting learning!
Day 21: Do You Have Other Hobbies/Interests You Bring Into the Classroom?
I like to take pictures, and most of the presentations I've created have had some of my photographs on them. I also have pictures I've taken on my library website. My other hobbies don't really lend themselves well to what I teach, although I have used them in the past. I used to quilt, and I'd done a couple of math projects that involved geometry, so I've brought in quilt blocks I've made, mostly because they are geometry. I also use a lot of technology, including social media. Pinterest is something I like to use, and one project I did (before Pinterest got blocked at school) was to combine a six-word memoir with a six-image memoir on Pinterest. The kids loved it, and I'm afraid I did turn a few of them into Pinterest addicts. It was really touching for me to see their visual memoirs - so raw, in some cases, and always honest.
Day 22: What Does My PLN Look Like?
My PLN is online - Plurk. I was introduced to Plurk a few years ago, and have picked up so many wonderful ideas from the educators on that site. I also belong to a couple of educator groups on Facebook, and resources are always being shared there. We had a teacher at our school about ten years ago who wanted to start a PLN, but for some reason it never got going, and then he left to take another job. I've mostly had one or two other like-minded people who were interested in the idea of a PLN, but it was all very small and casual. Plurk has been the best resource for me lately. I have also dabbled in groups on Google+. I feel as though I've connected with some very good educators, and I would love to meet some of them in the future.
Saturday, September 20, 2014
The Blog Challenge that got away from me: Days 16 - 19
I was seriously afraid that this is what was going to happen when I decided to take on this blogging challenge. Ironically, as much as I value consistency in my classes, I totally lack it when it comes to this, and that's why I admire bloggers who are on it. I understand why they need to take a break, though. So with that in mind, here are days 16 - 19, and I promise I'll do 20 tonight.
Day 16: If you could have one superpower to use in the classroom, what would it be and how would it help?
The superpower I would love to use in the classroom would be the Healing Factor. This is defined as "the ability to heal rapidly and with greater finality from any injury." Although a character with this superpower is most likely healing from a physical injury, I am more interested in having kids heal from mental or emotional injuries, because those invisible injuries and scars are what impact them in the long term.
Day 17: What do you think is the most challenging issue in education today?
In my mind, the most challenging issue today is top-down interference of the federal government into the public schools, including the Common Core State Standards. The issue I have is not the standards themselves, but rather the way they have been shoved down education's throat, as well as dollars that are attached to the movement. In Washington state, where I live and teach, we lost our waiver because the legislators refused to cave in on including adding student test scores to the new TPEP evaluation system. That waiver loss meant federal dollars needed to be shifted from Title I programs to programs designed specifically to "NCLB-prescribed remedies for low-performing schools, such as tutoring and school choice." In addition to this reallocation of funds, the majority of school in the state have had to send letters to parents saying that we are a low-performing/failing school. 100% of students are supposed to meet the standards set by the feds, including ELL kids, SPED kids, and other populations. The fact is we here in Washington have been making improvements in student growth and achievement, but apparently not high enough nor fast enough. I belong to a group on Facebook, BAT, the Baddass Teachers Association, and I am appalled by the stories that some of these people have to go through in order to just teach!!!! None of this is helpful for kids, and it's one of the reasons I will be glad to retire.
Day 18: Create a metaphor/simile/analogy that describes your teaching philosophy. For example, a “teacher is a ________…”
A teacher is a guide, who knows what the trail ahead looks like, knows what the potential pitfalls and problems might be, being ready to assist the student to reach their goal.
Day 19: Name three powerful students can reflect on their learning, then discuss closely the one you use most often.
I think this is supposed to read "three powerful tools", and that's what I'm going on.
1) Journals
2) Quick Writes
3) Questioning
The tool I use the most is Journals - I like to have students reflect on their learning at the end of any type of project, and explain to them that I do that all of the time. In fact, I am planning on redoing how I am presenting information in my U S History class, based on my experience with a new class, a new book, and a first chapter. I tell kids that if they can't reflect on and evaluate their own work, they will never do anything differently and will probably get the same results they have always gotten. I also want kids to think about more than just the product; I want them to think about the process. I got this from the Big6 Research Model/Process, and I believe it is a final step that is often missing in learning.
Day 16: If you could have one superpower to use in the classroom, what would it be and how would it help?
The superpower I would love to use in the classroom would be the Healing Factor. This is defined as "the ability to heal rapidly and with greater finality from any injury." Although a character with this superpower is most likely healing from a physical injury, I am more interested in having kids heal from mental or emotional injuries, because those invisible injuries and scars are what impact them in the long term.
Day 17: What do you think is the most challenging issue in education today?
In my mind, the most challenging issue today is top-down interference of the federal government into the public schools, including the Common Core State Standards. The issue I have is not the standards themselves, but rather the way they have been shoved down education's throat, as well as dollars that are attached to the movement. In Washington state, where I live and teach, we lost our waiver because the legislators refused to cave in on including adding student test scores to the new TPEP evaluation system. That waiver loss meant federal dollars needed to be shifted from Title I programs to programs designed specifically to "NCLB-prescribed remedies for low-performing schools, such as tutoring and school choice." In addition to this reallocation of funds, the majority of school in the state have had to send letters to parents saying that we are a low-performing/failing school. 100% of students are supposed to meet the standards set by the feds, including ELL kids, SPED kids, and other populations. The fact is we here in Washington have been making improvements in student growth and achievement, but apparently not high enough nor fast enough. I belong to a group on Facebook, BAT, the Baddass Teachers Association, and I am appalled by the stories that some of these people have to go through in order to just teach!!!! None of this is helpful for kids, and it's one of the reasons I will be glad to retire.
Day 18: Create a metaphor/simile/analogy that describes your teaching philosophy. For example, a “teacher is a ________…”
A teacher is a guide, who knows what the trail ahead looks like, knows what the potential pitfalls and problems might be, being ready to assist the student to reach their goal.
Day 19: Name three powerful students can reflect on their learning, then discuss closely the one you use most often.
I think this is supposed to read "three powerful tools", and that's what I'm going on.
1) Journals
2) Quick Writes
3) Questioning
The tool I use the most is Journals - I like to have students reflect on their learning at the end of any type of project, and explain to them that I do that all of the time. In fact, I am planning on redoing how I am presenting information in my U S History class, based on my experience with a new class, a new book, and a first chapter. I tell kids that if they can't reflect on and evaluate their own work, they will never do anything differently and will probably get the same results they have always gotten. I also want kids to think about more than just the product; I want them to think about the process. I got this from the Big6 Research Model/Process, and I believe it is a final step that is often missing in learning.
Monday, September 15, 2014
30-Day Blogging Challenge: Day 15
Day 15: Name three strengths you have as an educator
1) My favorite strength is my sense of humor. This is often paired with sarcasm and a strong sense of the absurd. This 3-point strategy often takes people by surprise, and I have to say I watch carefully to see how my take on things are going over. High school kids are often surprised that I am funny, which makes me laugh. Little kids like my humor, which takes the form of being a little bit silly. Middle school kids are just beginning to see the sarcastic side of me. That might not be good... I like to make people laugh. Laughter can defuse a tense situation, it can be used to make a point, and it's a stress-reliever. A sense of humor is essential in education, and I often point out that if I didn't have a sense of humor, I would be deadly. Thank goodness for Gary Larson - he gave my sense of humor legitimacy!
2) I am creative. I enjoy finding solutions to problems. Over the years, I have been assigned to teach a wide and often weird variety of classes. These often come with no curriculum, textbook, nothing - just an idea. I make it work. Yes, it takes time. It does require some thinking outside the box. I think it's kind of fun.
3) Consistency. I had to ask my husband about this one, because I was stuck. I believe in structure, and a predictable routine. Kids who have chaos in their lives need a place where they know what's going to happen each day, and that's my classroom. I think a lot of it comes from being a librarian. In a library, you put books back in the same place, otherwise you can't find it again. Checkout processes stay the same, and the kids know what to do. Routines in the library are predictable and consistent, because without those two things, you might just as well shelve books by color - red books together, blue books together, tall books - you get the picture. In the classroom, I like routines. Kids need to know what to expect from me. Do I change it up every now and then? Yes, of course I do. I mean, I get bored with the same old/same old, too, but I have always believed that especially for kids who have no consistency at home, they need it at school, and while every teacher has their own style, kids are able to differentiate between styles and teachers. My students know that I am consistent, and I think it makes them feel safe, if that makes sense.
1) My favorite strength is my sense of humor. This is often paired with sarcasm and a strong sense of the absurd. This 3-point strategy often takes people by surprise, and I have to say I watch carefully to see how my take on things are going over. High school kids are often surprised that I am funny, which makes me laugh. Little kids like my humor, which takes the form of being a little bit silly. Middle school kids are just beginning to see the sarcastic side of me. That might not be good... I like to make people laugh. Laughter can defuse a tense situation, it can be used to make a point, and it's a stress-reliever. A sense of humor is essential in education, and I often point out that if I didn't have a sense of humor, I would be deadly. Thank goodness for Gary Larson - he gave my sense of humor legitimacy!
2) I am creative. I enjoy finding solutions to problems. Over the years, I have been assigned to teach a wide and often weird variety of classes. These often come with no curriculum, textbook, nothing - just an idea. I make it work. Yes, it takes time. It does require some thinking outside the box. I think it's kind of fun.
3) Consistency. I had to ask my husband about this one, because I was stuck. I believe in structure, and a predictable routine. Kids who have chaos in their lives need a place where they know what's going to happen each day, and that's my classroom. I think a lot of it comes from being a librarian. In a library, you put books back in the same place, otherwise you can't find it again. Checkout processes stay the same, and the kids know what to do. Routines in the library are predictable and consistent, because without those two things, you might just as well shelve books by color - red books together, blue books together, tall books - you get the picture. In the classroom, I like routines. Kids need to know what to expect from me. Do I change it up every now and then? Yes, of course I do. I mean, I get bored with the same old/same old, too, but I have always believed that especially for kids who have no consistency at home, they need it at school, and while every teacher has their own style, kids are able to differentiate between styles and teachers. My students know that I am consistent, and I think it makes them feel safe, if that makes sense.
Sunday, September 14, 2014
30-Day Blogging Challenge: Days 10 - 14
I admit it - I'm having trouble keeping up with this! It figures that I come back to it on Sunday night, but at least I haven't walked away from it.
Day 10: Sharing
5 Random Things About Me
I always wanted to be a teacher until I worked in a librarian and realized I could work in a school AND in a library at the same time.
I like the take-off and landing parts of flying, but hate the flying part.
I quit skiing because it combined two things I don't like, cold and terror.
I don't mind putting dishes in the dishwasher, but I can't stand the putting them away part.
The first time I worked in a library was in the 6th grade.
4 Things From My Bucket List
I would like to visit Paris.
I want to ride STP again.
I want to knit a sweater.
I would like to travel across the US.
3 Things I Hope For This Year
To retire.
To accomplish a sewing project of some kind each month.
To improve my use of integrating technology in my classes.
2 Things That Have Made Me Laugh or Cry As An Educator
Laugh: One day a kindergarten boy looked up at me as the class was leaving the library, and out of nowhere, he told me I was fired. I asked him if I could go home, and he gave me permission. I never get told I can leave!
Cry: The day a student shot himself at school.
1 Thing I Wish More People Knew About Me
I wish people, like students, knew that just because I believe in structure in a classroom, I am not mean, and when I hear that, it hurts my feelings.
Day 11: Favorite Part of the Day
My favorite part of the school day is right at the start of the day, before things get crazy. I can think, and get an amazing amount of things done in the library before other people's needs start to take over.
Day 12: Next Five Years
I envision the next five years as a radical departure from anything I've ever known. I plan on retiring at the end of this school year, so the routine of 180 days will go away. I would like to teach online, or I would like to work at the local community college. My days at my current (and only) school are numbered, and I know it, but while I will miss a lot of things, there are things I will not miss in the least!
Day 13: Top EdTech Tools I Use
Moodle - I use it every day, and it has been a great platform for my high school classes.
TED Talks - I love TED Talks. They open up the world to my students, and give them a taste of how adults learn.
Blogs - I get so much from blogs in terms of ideas for my classes. I like to try new things, and am not afraid of changing things up, so the innovations bloggers share resonate with me.
YouTube - I never thought I would appreciate YouTube, but there are tons of resources on the site, and they are things I am not worried about using in my classes.
Day 14: Feedback for Learning
Feedback for learning means I'm letting my students know I'm looking at their work, thinking about their responses, and responding to them. On Moodle, I often jump into a Forum discussion, and when I correct a Journal response I comment on the work I've just read. I also give feedback orally, and respond to students during a discussion, or in a one-to-one question or walk-by when they are working independently. I need to be faster about responding to kids - it's the worst thing I do.
Day 10: Sharing
5 Random Things About Me
I always wanted to be a teacher until I worked in a librarian and realized I could work in a school AND in a library at the same time.
I like the take-off and landing parts of flying, but hate the flying part.
I quit skiing because it combined two things I don't like, cold and terror.
I don't mind putting dishes in the dishwasher, but I can't stand the putting them away part.
The first time I worked in a library was in the 6th grade.
4 Things From My Bucket List
I would like to visit Paris.
I want to ride STP again.
I want to knit a sweater.
I would like to travel across the US.
3 Things I Hope For This Year
To retire.
To accomplish a sewing project of some kind each month.
To improve my use of integrating technology in my classes.
2 Things That Have Made Me Laugh or Cry As An Educator
Laugh: One day a kindergarten boy looked up at me as the class was leaving the library, and out of nowhere, he told me I was fired. I asked him if I could go home, and he gave me permission. I never get told I can leave!
Cry: The day a student shot himself at school.
1 Thing I Wish More People Knew About Me
I wish people, like students, knew that just because I believe in structure in a classroom, I am not mean, and when I hear that, it hurts my feelings.
Day 11: Favorite Part of the Day
My favorite part of the school day is right at the start of the day, before things get crazy. I can think, and get an amazing amount of things done in the library before other people's needs start to take over.
Day 12: Next Five Years
I envision the next five years as a radical departure from anything I've ever known. I plan on retiring at the end of this school year, so the routine of 180 days will go away. I would like to teach online, or I would like to work at the local community college. My days at my current (and only) school are numbered, and I know it, but while I will miss a lot of things, there are things I will not miss in the least!
Day 13: Top EdTech Tools I Use
Moodle - I use it every day, and it has been a great platform for my high school classes.
TED Talks - I love TED Talks. They open up the world to my students, and give them a taste of how adults learn.
Blogs - I get so much from blogs in terms of ideas for my classes. I like to try new things, and am not afraid of changing things up, so the innovations bloggers share resonate with me.
YouTube - I never thought I would appreciate YouTube, but there are tons of resources on the site, and they are things I am not worried about using in my classes.
Day 14: Feedback for Learning
Feedback for learning means I'm letting my students know I'm looking at their work, thinking about their responses, and responding to them. On Moodle, I often jump into a Forum discussion, and when I correct a Journal response I comment on the work I've just read. I also give feedback orally, and respond to students during a discussion, or in a one-to-one question or walk-by when they are working independently. I need to be faster about responding to kids - it's the worst thing I do.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)