To Be a Teacher: Might As Well

It sounded like a good idea at that moment and she figured the long summer breaks would give her time to work on her running.  She might even have time for a triathlon if she was not working a corporate calendar!  The coursework seemed pretty easy for the most part and her classmates were not stressing over tests; thus, she might as well try education.
She went on only one interview and the recruiter was impressed with her bilingual status resulting in a job offer on the spot!  There were quite a few second language learners and thus she was an important resource to the other teachers, translating and supporting kids whose English was still pretty limited.  Within 3 years, she had left her inner city job for a spot in the 'burbs where her translating skills got limited - if any - use.  She went through the motions, doing what she was told to do by administrators and staff developers. She attended a workshop one summer offered by her district but for the rest of her decades in the profession, she did just what she needed to do to get through each day and each year.  Sometimes, she reflected on that fateful day when she decided to be a teacher, but not often.  It was a job that paid the bills even when she no longer ran every day.  At this point, she might as well be a teacher.   

To Be a Teacher: Family Tradition

Until he was 18, school was where he HAD to go and HAD to get enough done to assure his music lessons and access to his amplifiers.  Then, he escaped to college where he majored in music (not music education as his dad had pleaded) and partying (a major not sanctioned by the university).  He did graduate and spent 5 years with a fledgling rock band until they ran out of money and gigs.  It was during his time as an assistant manager in Starbucks that he knew where he wanted to be. The idea, pushed deep into his subconscious, was to make a difference in kids lives - to make school a place where kids like HIM would WANT to learn. 
Perhaps it was because he KNEW how much work it was to be a teacher.  His mom was ALWAYS doing lessons or correcting papers.  Perhaps it was because he KNEW how much time it took to give lessons and conduct a school orchestra. His dad had missed many a dinner and most of his Little League games thanks to his own school responsibilities. 
It was a challenge to go back when his classmates were much younger, but the masters degree in music education and a few years of subbing at his dad's school put him in the right place at the right time to be a teacher, when his dad retired. 
Just like the kings and queens of ancient times who passed along their thrones, sometimes, we are destined by our heritage to be teachers.  Other times, we do what we have lived: to be a teacher. 

To Be a Teacher: Accidentally

She wanted to be in the WBA since its inception.  She practiced and dreamed and played year round.  She was not the brightest star in high school but played college ball and dreamed.  To be a professional in her sport and to be paid for what she loved seemed within reach until a chance injury changed the course of her life.  The physical healing was not really a big deal for a physically strong person like her; however, the emotional healing was slow and her soul was sad.  
Then, one day came a phone call from a friend of a friend of a friend seeking a last minute high school coach.  Please he begged in the message - if you are available, we could really use your help. 
So she did thinking it would fill the day until she could find a new direction.  It was the direction she did not know she needed.  She is shaping the future and sharing the dreams of her own WBA wanna bes.  She is a professional, a teacher and a role model for her sport, accidentally!   

To Be a Teacher: The Dream

It started in third grade: the yearning to be a teacher. The desire to encourage and to share empowering stories with her kids grew stronger and stronger as she became a teenager - even after she stopped playing school every day. She talked about it and planned for it as she worked hard in high school. She found a way to get to college (lots and lots of loans) but she made it  and even did her student teaching within the four years!
There might have been a job if she was willing to pack up and give it a try the recruiter said.  Move away from her family? What about the emerging relationship? How would she be able to go to grad school? Could she afford an apartment?
She went to grad school instead. More debt, but hopes there would be jobs after.. She subbed and temped and hoped and dreamed and was disappointed again and again. She talked about another certification and about her dream that grew fainter and fainter over time. 
The dream has faded now, but there is a tiny hope that someday, someday she will get the call and follow her dream.

Same Old Story: The Story Map Version

You've heard of the Great Debate?  The highly emotional war between those who feel there is only one way to teach kids to read? 
The characters change, but it's the same old story! 
Main Character: An adjunct professor on Spring Break
Setting: Monday morning. Up early to finish work on syllabus for the Summer.
Problem: Types in "Reading Teacher" to bring up journal articles.  Link pops up
http://news.sky.com/home/uk-news/article/16204797  Professor reads the article due to its catchy title.

Story Details:
          1. At first professor is relieved that Sky News is from the UK
          2. She is angered that article depicts beginning reading as pure decoding
          3. She stops and ponders about the ageless debate again rearing its ugly head.
Solution / Ending: Must find some compelling reads that contain research-based theoretical foundations for teaching reading in an age where politicians and parents alike do not trust teachers. 
About the Author: The author values and teaches phonics in systematic and multi sensory ways every day.  She is a certified Wilson Phonics teacher; however, she is KEENLY aware that reading is a meaning making process and focusing of synthetic phonics will not support the formation of lifelong readers. Kids need a strong foundation in meaningful and engaging reading and writing.  She is reminded that the The Great Debate is not going away anytime soon and wants teachers to know how to answer concerns and teach children effective reading strategies.
  

After you've practiced strategies, what test prep is best?

During this last week before our high stakes ELA statewide assessment, we are on Spring Break.

Hello planning people?  What were you thinking? The kids are at Disney or playing in backyards or in day camp playing in the sunshine and having lots of fun.  They are tuckered out so they crash at night!

We've practiced the format and talked about the importance of just doing your best....
We've practiced bubbling in dots and determing the best answer from close choices...
We've practice graphic organizers and taked about the importance of reading questinos carefully...

AND NOW?  They get the week off before the test?  They might forget everything we've taught them?
What were you thinking when you made this schedule? 

They're ready with strategies and getting a well deserved break before the days they will need to demonstrate their reading and math proficiency.  I'm sure many of them will use this time to read some really wonderful books on their shelves.  I'm sure they have ones they have been too busy to read!

Were you thinking that reading and resting might be the best thing for all of us? You might be right!

Easter, Spring, Break, Family,and Jelly Bellies

Each of these words conjures up a positive image, 
The promise of a new beginning,
It's what this season is really about.
I'm glad
For a few days off,
For jelly bellies on my table,
For this season of hope,
That long ago,
Grew from unimaginable sadness,
This season of hope,
Even when there is sadness,
Was promised us.

 

Choices

Long ago,as a "newbie" teacher , I used to get on the Beltway around Washington DC to head to school in the morning,  My class was hard and I was often overwhelmed with the responsibility of teaching the 39 first graders in my care.  I imagined staying on the Beltway - not getting off at my exit - just driving around that big circle all day long!  I never made that choice, but I vividly remember thinking about making that choice!  I'm glad that I made the choice to head into school every day...even though it was very hard some days...glad that I stayed in this profession...even though it is very hard some days..... 

We all make choices numerous times during every day of our lives.  There are big choices and little choices. Some are hard choices and others easier.  Sometimes we choose to put others first and sometimes we put ourselves first.  Some choices have positive and some have negative consequences.  Some choices impact those around us in big ways while other choices impact how we look and feel about ourselves.  Some people choose to share their joys and sorrows in a very public forum while others tend to hold their happiness and concerns closer to their heart.

I've been thinking a lot lately about the big and not so big choices we make as we go through life lately. Perhaps it is the stage of life when I realize there are big changes all around me.  Sometimes, those decisions seem so big and foreboding at the time...to take a job...to get a phone...to have a child....to get a dog....to get a car...where to live.....what to wear...who to have dinner with....yet each of theses choices, when we look back, was the right choice for us at the time.... just like when I decided to get off the Beltway in Oxen Hill each morning.  Retrospect is easier than prospect I guess! 

  

Teachers do not work 9-3 and they don't work M-F either

On Saturday, I was at school working on curriculum.  We came in jeans and sweatshirts and labored over the common core all day.  It was great to reflect on all the wonderful curriculum we have in place; it was hard to acknowledge all the gaps we need to fill, but we did.  I did moan and groan quite a bit as I left in the icy, early morning cold and even had a bit of a a "pitty party" as I drove down the parkway; but, those thoughts were honestly pretty short lived as I reflected on the fact that is was certainly not the first nor the last time I worked outside of regular teaching hours!
I thought about how when my kids were little, I often went into school on Saturday so that I could get home a little earlier in the afternoons.  Now, I am on my computer every night and every Saturday and Sunday either answering emails or planning or working on something school related.  It's a lot of work to engage diverse students, meet the diverse standards, and differentiate instruction! 

I thought about our busy school days where we hit the ground running with last minute copying and bus duty and emails.  We typically start any hint at socializing in the hallway, after the kids have left. At that point, we do what other professionals do during "coffee break" or around the proverbial water cooler!  But, we don't do if for long.  We plan, we organize and we meet to discuss kids after the kids leave.  We discuss what we did and how we can do it better.  We call parents and answer emails and fill out book orders.  We mentor newer teachers and we coordinate instruction across grades and buildings to assure alignment and continuity. 

I thought about teachers who are already teaching every Saturday morning to help kids make up their gaps in neighborhoods with the most needy kids of all. In big cities, like NYC, this is already part of the program - and it is helping.  I thought of those who work every day after school, like my son, making big impressions on kids as their coaches. Coaches give their Saturdays, summer days and many a vacation day too.  There are theater and music teachers who put in countless hours supervising hormonal kids and guiding them into actors and musicians.  While we get some monetary compensation for our extra time,  I suspect the hourly pay rate would be startlingly low for many who give so much. 

I really cannot complain....about my Saturday even though I had a little less time to clean and shop.  I do have a deeper respect for those teachers who work lots more Saturdays than me....in fact, my "pitty party" turned into a "bumper sticker" or "t-shirt logo" of sorts:
                                                                       

Teachers

Don't work 9-3

                            Don't work M-F

                                                   Work during vacations

                           Shape the future

                             

                     

April's Fools

"Mrs. F., did you know you got a hole is your shirt? " 
"Really?"
"Yeah you put your foot in it!"
"Really? Do you mean I put my put my head in my shirt?"
"No I mean you put your foot in it!"
"April Fools"

I just realized that kids won't be in school today, and thus the jokes of kids who are still just trying to  understand "jokes" will not happen this year!  Sigh...I'll miss it....