I'm Still Here

Man I'm not doing a great job keeping this site updated. I have another blog that I update pretty frequently and I guess it's harder than I imagine keeping two sites afloat. But I will make a vow to myself to try and post here at least once a week. Lord knows I've got stuff to write about.

Well it's November now. Yes, yes ... I'm quite perceptive I know. First term report cards are due at the end of the month, and as usual there is a scramble to get units wrapped up. I have one more math unit and a science unit to finish up. So not too bad, but I do need to get a move on with marking more stuff. I have an idea where my kids are with reading and writing. I have a low group this year (one of the lowest I've had in my 4 years of teaching). I've been pretty good about letting the parents know where their child is at and have been having frequent meetings with a number of parents. I'm pretty sure that they'll still want to meet in December for the "formal" interview anyways. Which is fine. I actually enjoy meeting with parents. I remember this wasn't always the case and I used to be really nervous about it.

Well I will try my darndest to keep this site updated with silly anecdotal things that happen in my classroom. Like I said ... it's not for lack of material that I haven't been writing here. I've got some pretty funny students (am teaching grade 1 again) and I've got an interesting teaching partner as well. So I will gather my thoughts and be back here soon with some good stories to share.

Taking Some Initiative

Now that I've finished my master's degree, I've been stepping up more at work and getting more involved with clubs and such. My reason for doing so is because now I've got a ton of time on my hands and feel like I can contribute a lot to my school. It's a double edged sword though, my reasons. On the one hand I am doing this because I want to be noticed by administration. It just so happened to work out perfectly that our new administration came at the exact time that I finished my program. While taking my master's, I didn't really involve myself in extra-curricular things as studying took up any free time that I may have had. I'm now determined to show my usefulness and prove that I am a great asset to the staff. The other reason that I'm doing all this is because I actually want to. I enjoy getting involved and getting my ideas out there. It's good for me to show people just what I am capable of doing. It's time to let my true potential shine through.

This has been happening with my class as well. I've got lots of ideas for improving our program and am doing things differently than I did last year - trying to make it more fun for my students while having them learn all along. Basically I'm trying to trick them to learn. This year I have one of the lowest classes I've ever had with regards to their ability to read. I've got a good half of my students who are at level 0 or level 1 which isn't good considering that when students enter grade 1 they should be at a level 6. I feel badly for saying this but it makes me wonder what the hell they did in Kindergarten. It also makes me very close to asking for the SK position next year so that I would be sure that by the end those kids would definitely know their letter sounds and how to read even at a basic level. Because I haven't been so frustrated in my life. These kids don't know their letters ... never mind what the letters say. AHHHHHH!!! I still have another 2 months or so before 1st term report cards. I'll have to see how far I can get them by then.

So Far So Good

Well the year is pretty much underway. A month into school and I'm kinda sorta getting into the hang of it. We had re-organization at the end of last month but luckily my class was at the cap (20) so there were no changes to my class.

We have new administration and I have to say that I am so lucky to have them. I have heard of some major horror stories with admin and so far I haven't had to deal with anything barbaric. The new principal has adopted a new policy where every Friday evening after work is happy hour with a few MASSIVE jugs of beer. Talk about keeping your employees happy. I've been more involved with school stuff now that I'm done my master's program (I've got the time for it now).

There is this teacher there who is a story in and of herself and oh do I have plenty where she is involved but I shall keep it under wraps for now. She's just seriously a piece of work. Very childish. Anyways I'm happy to know that my grad degree will be giving me a pay increase which is nice. I figured that since I was at my cap that there was no going further but apparently there is. Woot! I won't say no to more money.

My kids are great ... aside from one tight ass (who is another story for another time) my teaching partners are great too. I'll be back with some juicy stories soon.

Oh and Happy Thanksgiving Day!

Back To It

So it's the third week back and I have to say that things are kinda sorta starting to calm down but not really. If that makes any sense.

I have 20 kids. Grade 1 again. And I think that these kids are going to make me age just a little more than usual this year. Especially one in particular. This is the first year in a long time that I don't have any courses to take as I'm finally finished my master's program. So I'm excited that I will be able to focus mainly on my curriculum.

I'm pretty exhausted these days. Those kids tire me out so much. I just wanted to write a post to say that "I'm still here" although barely. I have some interesting tidbits but am too tired to write them out. We have open-house night this Thursday with a bbq beforehand for the parents so that should be interesting. I'm sure I'll have more stories from that and will try to write something this weekend.

T-Minus 18 Days

I never really understood what "T-minus" meant. I've just seen it and figured it was some sort of counting backwards type thingy.

So 18 more days for the start of the new school year for me (I realize my teacher friends south of the border have already begun so I hope you've had a good first week). I find that since I started teaching, I think of a new year not beginning in January but rather in September. In fact when I think of January 1st, I see it as being close to the mid-way point of the year. Weird I know. It confuses people when I talk of "last year" but may be talking about a time that happened in the year that we are in. Yup. Weird.

Ok so it's almost a new school year for me and I haven't really prepared for it because I've been finishing up courses for my master's. I have 2 more papers to write and have been unbelievably horrible at focusing and writing them. I want them done by this weekend though so I can email them in and not think of it anymore. I have 2 weeks left to prepare for school. I teach grade 1 again this year so should have lots of interesting tales to tell in the next 10 months. I won't be in school anymore (meaning I'm giving myself the year off from taking courses) so will have lots of time to focus on making my lessons as fun as they can be. I have no neighbour as the room next to me will be empty and will be used as a "meeting room". This kind of sucks because I can no longer make quick photocopies or go to the bathroom if need be. I guess I'll just need to learn to hold it in until recess time. Gah!

We have new administration (both principal and vice-principal) so I'm really nervous about that. I've been spoiled in that my "old" administration were very easy-going and very nice (although could be hard-asses at times). I just hope that this new admin will be good too. I don't want any admin horror stories.

Well here's to the new school year. Where in the hell did the summer go?

I Am A Teacher - John W. Schlatter

I was born the first moment that a question leaped from the mouth of a child.
I have been many people in many places.

I am Socrates, exciting the youth of Athens to discover new ideas through the use of questions. I am Anne Sullivan, tapping out the secrets of the universe into the outstretched hand of Helen Keller. I am Aesop and Hans Christian Anderson, revealing the truth through countless stories. I am Marva Collins, fighting for every child’s right to an education.

The names of those who have practiced my profession ring like a hall of fame for humanity … Booker T. Washington, Buddha, Confucius, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Leo Buscaglia, Moses and Jesus.

I am also those whose names and faces have been long forgotten but those whose lessons and character will always be remembered in the accomplishments of their students.

I have wept for joy at the weddings of former students, laughed with glee at the birth of their children and stood with head bowed in grief and confusion by graves dug too soon for bodies too young.

Throughout the course of a day I have been called upon to be an actor, friend, nurse and doctor, coach, finder of lost articles, money lender, taxi driver, psychologist, substitute parent, salesman, politician and a keeper of faith.

Despite the maps, charts, formulas, verbs, stories and books, I have really nothing to teach, for my students really have only themselves to learn, and I know it takes the whole world to tell you who you are.

I am a paradox.

I speak loudest when I listen the most. My greatest gifts are in what I am willing to appreciatively receive from my students. Material wealth is not one of my goals, but I am a full-time treasure seeker in my quest for new opportunities for my students to use their talents and in my constant search for those talents that sometimes lie buried in self-defeat.

I am the most fortunate of all who labour.

A doctor is allowed to usher life into the world in one magic moment. I am allowed to see that life is reborn each day with new questions, ideas and friendships.

An architect knows that if she builds with care, her structure may stand for centuries. A teacher knows that if he builds with love and truth, what he builds will last forever.

I am a warrior, daily doing battle against peer pressure, negativity, fear, conformity, prejudice, ignorance and apathy; but I have great allies. Intelligence, Curiosity, Parental Support, Individuality, Creativity, Faith, Love and Laughter all rush to my banner with indomitable support.

And who do I have to thank for this wonderful life I am so fortunate to experience, but you the public, the parents. For you have done me great honour to entrust to me your greatest contribution to eternity, your children.

And so I have a past that is rich in memories. I have a present that is challenging, adventurous and fun because I am allowed to spend my days with the future.

I am a teacher … and I thank God for it every day.

Interviews Are Finally Over

** A post I wrote back in December**

This past Thursday and Friday were my parent-teacher interviews. What a long night Thursday turned out to be. The interviews are scheduled in 15 minute increments but my last one went on for 45 minutes! We were finally done when the dad said, “Ok, let’s let her go home” and the wife finally stopped talking (at 9:30pm). Friday the interviews were during the day, but again the last one I had lasted for 45 minutes.

The one thing that pisses me off about parents is when they tell me that their child is working so hard that they should’ve gotten an A. First off, this is the first term of Grade 1. Up until now, these kids have been in school for half days where the majority of the time was spent eating snacks or playing with toys in their centres. This is a big adjustment for the kids. Not only do they now stay in school for the entire day, but they are actually required to do seatwork for the majority of the time as opposed to playing with toys (I know this may sound like I’m over-generalizing but it’s what I see).

I’m a pretty tough marker. But at the same time I am fair. I will give an A if I know that it was well-earned. I know of teachers who will not give a child an A on their report card in the first term because it doesn’t give them anything to work towards. I don’t necessarily agree with that. If a child is CONSISTENTLY doing well, then I will give them an A without question because I have no reason to do otherwise and would not be able to justify this to a parent. However, their work needs to be CONSISTENT which is something that most parents can’t grasp for the life of them. I had a parent say to me that her little boy is trying so hard and why hasn’t he gotten an A and bla bla bla. I can sympathize with parents wanting their child to do well, but if they don’t get an A, I hate looking like the bad guy (which for some parents it ends up happening). I mean it’s one thing that someone works hard, but it’s another thing to be dishonest in giving grades that are not earned. If I could I would give straight A’s to all of my students but it doesn’t work that way and it’s not fair to the student.

The hard thing about teaching younger grades is that you are trying to build and instill good working-habits for them that they can use when they are older. I mean I don’t consider the students who get the A’s to be the only successful ones. The students who are continuously showing me growth in their strengths are the ones that I celebrate the most. These are the kids who need the encouragement the most. The one’s who may get the C’s are the one’s that I am most proud of because they struggled to get that grade.

Parents need to get it out of their heads that an A = success. If a child doesn’t get an A on a report card (especially in grade 1), it’s OK. The most important thing they are learning is the thing that cannot be measured. They are learning work habits that will hopefully be carried with them throughout their lives.