Teach For America teacher blogs are on Teach For Us

I <3 Scholastic!!

jessi — Thu, 23 May 2013 03:20:00 +0100

The Delta has an ELA initiative and we had two assignments to complete at the end of pre-work. One, which was optional, was to gather books for our classroom libraries. This was so much fun!! I guess you can tell, dear reader, that I am in fact a book nerd. I love books. One of the people in our Delta facebook group mentioned scholastic so I signed up for a teacher account. I also joined the scholastic book clubs. I felt like a kid in a candy store. I ended up ordering 48 new books for my classroom. I will add those to books I already have and hopefully have a great start to a classroom library. I highly recommend the scholastic book club to anyone who needs books. There are tons of books on sale and you get points for more books for each dollar you spend - win, win. Anywho, another tid-bit about scholastic is that they have warehouse sales. You can find a warehouse near you and volunteer at the sale. For each hour you work, you receive ten dollars worth of free books. On top of that most books are 50% off at the warehouse sales. My sister-in-law and I have been hitting the warehouse sales for a few years now. Unfortunately, when I moved I sold most of my books :( However, it is another great way to build your library. I just wanted to share as I await my box of books. I am so excited. I hope that my students will enjoy them as much as I enjoyed choosing them!

More highlights.

veroskk — Wed, 22 May 2013 21:17:41 +0100

I am continuing to enjoy the responses from my students' final exam essay (see this page if you have no idea what I am talking about: http://vskk.teachforus.org/2013/05/13/life-lessons-in-science-class/ ) So I thought I would share a few more with you...maybe I went a little (okay... A LOT) overboard, though, so skip through them as you like : ) Hope you enjoy them as much I did. She says she learned nothing and then changes her mind halfway through: "To be honest I really didn't learn nothing [sic] in Physical Science. I say that because I knew how to do it the first time I went over it but when I had to do it again I forgot. I did learn the Newton's Laws [and] a little about circuits. . . . Life lesson wise I learned about college. I learned to go research what I want to be in life. You also taught us to plan our future while we [are] in high school. I learn [sic] to set goals so I can put my mind to what I really want to do. I learn [sic] not to give up and keep trying. Ms K, its not your fault that I really didn't learn anything/. It was just that it was hard to me. What you did always teach me was not to give up. I did learn a few things, I just forgot it. I want to thank you for keep pushing me to keep trying and don't give up." I just love this in general: "The main thing I learned this year is how to make a homemade oven. I think its very convenient. A hobo can use this idea to cook some food or warm up a sandwich. I was thinking of giving these to hobos so they can not be starving. That would be a good idea. [It] could be my way of giving back to the community, that way I can get my blessings. Well, I hope I pass the test and I hope you can read this." If nothing else, I hope I taught my students how to study: ". . . Really, I learned a lot like pay attention when instructed because in college the teacher is going to say rules once. Another [thing] I learned is to focus, when there is a complicated question you do not know the answer to you stay focus [sic] and try to remember. Study is another thing I learned because if I would have studied and did my work the first my grades would be looking amazing." Awesome essay about the importance of energy in our lives: "The most important thing I learned in Physical Science was the way we consume energy. I learned about different types of energy I didn't know about. The energy we consume and use can convert into another type of energy. Kinetic Energy is the energy that moves with force. There are types of potential energy. Gravitational Potential Energy [and] Elastic Potential Energy . . . These energy can be useful to the world and other around. I can take this information and go a long way with it. Anything is possible. I can build my own generator with electrical energy and convert into kinetic energy." This young lady was convinced she hated science, but I think I changed her mind : D "First off you know I didn't like science. But when I first get here I thought I was going to flunk your class because I didn't understand science. But throughout this year you have taught me so much. You not only explained whatever I needed to understand but you gave me that one on one time. . . . You taught me more than all this, but I guess these [are] the subjects I remember. But thank you for all you have taught me. All the cool things you showed me and for being a very unique person. I might not remember everything you taught me, but some things I do." A little somethin' somethin' about classroom expectations: "The most important thing I learned in Physical Science was being more respectful. I was already respectful but Ms K taught me how to be even more respectful. I thought in High School that you could get up whenever you wanted but it doesn't work like that. She said to raise your hand first before you do anything. She also told me not to talk when others are talking because that's not showing respect. . . . She told me that if I asked questions instead of just sitting there that I would learn more. I'm suppose[d] to pay attention at all times no matter what the distraction is. I'm even supposed to blow my friends off if they are trying to get my attention." More solar oven success: "The most important fun thing I learned in Physical Science is how to be creative. Making the solar oven was a great experiment for me. . . . After seeing what the solar oven can really do when the sun is actually out, it gave me a shock. It was really amazing, surprising, and fun. . . . So, Ms K I want to thank you for coming up with this wonderful idea. You was [sic] the most fun and enjoyable teacher of all. -Thanks for helping me with my career choices." And again: "I think the most important things I learned in Physical Science is solar ovens, force, and gravity. It was great making solar ovens. It help me warm food up when I be on trips [sic]. It also help me learn how to make my own. If I'm at home and the oven breaks I can make a solar oven." I think this is very thoughtful...: "I learned the things that you may think [are] small [are] the most important. I learned that the decisions I make are sometimes good and sometimes they are not." From a young lady whose attendance left something to be desired: "The most important thing I have learned this year in Physical Science is life lessons. I learned that you should always come to school everyday because if you don't you'll have bad grades and they will cause you to fail. . . . When you miss days you have to make sure that you get your work that you miss. You also have to make sure you're paying attention in class." Respect, Responsibility, and Accountability (you'll remember this if you are an avid blog-follower of mine: "The Most Important Thing that I learn[ed] in Physical Science is Responsibility, Respect, and Accountability. With Responsibility you've to stand up for what you believe in and [for] Respect you must give it in order to receive and that respect goes a long way in life. Ms K I have learned a great deal of stuff from Physical Science such as matter, mass, energy-the different types . . . you filled my mind with knowledge of how things word around us and the way that life works inside and out. But I think the transverse and the longitudinal waves are my favorite . . . Ms K to be honest with you this is the class that I really learn the most from. You've always found a way to make learning in a fun way and that we still get something out of it and I appreciate you for doing your job as my teacher Ms K. And the life lesson that I've learn[ed] from this classroom is to never give up on your Dream." A young lady taking responsibility: "I learned a little something in Physical Science. But it's a lot of things I don't know. Mainly because I don't pay attention. . . . I don't think Physical Science is easy, but if you keep your head up its not hard either. . . . I learned that Physical Science is a part of life." Young lady with the highest average in Physical Science: "The most important thing I learned in Physical Science was EVERYTHING! All I learned was important because it can help me later on in life. Physical Science is a very neat subject. I love it. Everything we did in Physical Science was fun. I really loved the experiments the most. . . . Physical Science is Awesome or it just might be that I love science, I don't really know but I hope to in the future come upon this subject [again]." From a young man who has faced a lot of hardship this year: "I learned science isn't always hard. When you [are] having problems don't be scared to ask your teacher. . . . Ask your teacher questions. . . . I learned all teachers aren't mean. And if you talk to your teachers and they see that you care AND [are] trying they will help you. Thanks." One of the top things I tried to stress with my students: "Physical Science has something to do with every part of our lives." And another: "I come to find out that Physical Science is stuff that deals with everyday life and how thigns work." The joys of an organized notebook (this girl keeps one of the neatest notebooks of all my students): ". . . I also learned about being responsible. Before I came to Physical Science I was very unorganized. I learned how to keep all my work in my folder. Plus, I learned how to color coordinate different items in my folder. . . . Thank you for all the things you taught me and I am very happy you didn't give up on me." Another notebook shout-out: "I liked the way you had us to get a notebook [sic] to keep all of our notes in so we could keep up with them. That really helped me a lot because when you gave us study guides all we had to do is refer back to our notebooks and all the information we needed was right there in it." Trying to change the reality that Mississippi has the lowest ACT scores in the country: "The most important things I learned in Physical Science is how to take an ACT [test]. It showed me how it will look and how long I will have to complete it." This is from an essay that was excellent, but he definitely ended on a silly note, quoting something I wrote on my board after the rat incident and an ant infestation...: " . . . Also I learned that Ms K likes to keep the critters out. No eating or drinking in class. I am leaving Lanier with my PAWS. Positive Attitudes Working Successfully." Ohhhh, deadlines: ". . . This year I've also learned that deadlines are extremely important and the real world won't accept excuses. Oh yea! I also met this cool teacher named Ms K, and yes she's the best science teacher ever!! : )" From a young man who always felt this class was important: "I learned that when you make a goal be sure that you put your mind to it. Physical Science is something that I need in college. I want to be able to fix on cars and I will need Science to do so. . . . I learned how to let people know how I'm feeling when I walk in a clsasroom. . . . I learned for myself that Ms K is the greatest Physical Science teacher I know. Ms K wants nothing but the best for her students. I learned from Ms K that my home was made like a parallel circuit. I learned that you can use the things outdoors to help you do what you have to do." He told me he couldn't write three paragraphs, but that he really put his heart into it: "The most important thing I've learned this year is that learning is fun. I really enjoyed taking your class. You have made learning fun from making raps/songs to working in groups. Making class experiments was my favorite. Everyday we learned something new. My favorite project was the wavelength description using the slinky. You made all of us feel loved and I hope to see you next year." This one made me a little sad: ". . . I think fin this class from me just being quiet and very observant that I've lost track of time and knowledge. The class I'm in the people are very disobedient ignorant, and very rude to each other and the teacher. I can say I could've learned a lot and probably remember [it] if my classmates weren't being so rude and disruptive. I can say I've done well with tests. . . . My teacher has taught [me] discipline and given me opportunities outside and in the classroom." A different young lady from the same disruptive class: "The most important things I've learned in this class is PAWS. Positive Attitudes Working Successfully. . . . I like the fact that you would write to us in our journals. That shows in many ways you care about our thoughts. . . . You always had a positive attitude with us even when the students would have a nasty one. . . . My favorite day was when you showed us a clip of a young woman pumping her gas and once she entered car and got back out . . . it caught fire. I went to the gas station with my father and he did the same thing. He wouldn't listen to me one bit. Once again Ms K, I thank you so much for all your help and I'd like you to know it would take me far in LIFE!" Sharing with others what you learned? Awesome: "Physical Science has helped me understand things about life. . . . I enjoyed all the videos we watched. Especially the one about the gas station. I never knew you could start a fire by getting in and out of your car to pump gas. I wish we could've watched more. I had went home a couple of times and shared with my family some of the things I never knew like Newton's Laws, different energies. . . . I enjoyed Physical Science. I'm kinda mad that I had to miss class the last couple of weeks just to get prepared for the US State Test. I know I missed out on a lot and my grade went down and I be failing the tests I know that'll usually get an 80 or higher on. But I wont' forget all the great things I've learned." ALL the way back to MATTER! (I'm so impressed): "First one of the things I learned in Physical Science was MATTER!!! Matter is something that takes up space. It may be shocking but we are matter. For example, when you're sitting in your desk or anywhere you're taking up space. Second I learned about something that's dealing with why dark colors attract heat quicker than light colors. . . . Finally the last MOST important thing I learned was circuits. There are two MAIN circuits and they are parallel and series circuits. Parallel you have more wiring and a series is just one loop. If I were to build a house I would use parallel because it has more loops." A brief professional Friday shout-out!: "The most important thing I learned this year in Physical Science [is] about Responsibility and being Respectful. Also I learned about other people's jobs, when we had professional Friday, and sometimes on Thursday. I can also say that you really tried hard to help us understand the objectives that we go through as a class. . . . But this past year has been a blast for me and I hope for you, too. The most important thing I also learned was about my career, and I know more about criminal justice than I ever did and Thank You!" Well at least someone learned the importance of homework: "I learned a lot of different things in Physical Science. Not only was it different things in science I would have never found interesting before this class, it was life lessons that made me think and aim more for my goals in life. The first thing I learned was 'practice makes perfect.' even though homework was not my favorite thing, it taught me to put my knowledge to the test out side of school. When [there was] something I didn't understand like isotopes, I got plenty of worksheets and I grew to love them. Finally, my life lesson was that it is more things in this world I will enjoy other than photography. I saw that I am interested in the law and actually want to pursue a career in it." Physical Science is real life: "This class help me realize how to call out things when I see it[sic]. For example, if someone happen to push another person and that person bust their head, then I can say, 'The force that was input on that person cause them to hit their head as hard as they did.' Physical Science was a learning experience but also fun at the same time. . . . . I enjoyed [making the solar ovens] because now I can still cook me something to eat if my mama throw me out the house [sic]. This class also help me more with math. Since then I [have] been scoring advanced. Physical Science [is] reasonable and a great class to learn about our everyday life." From one of my favorite essays of all. This young lady wrote almost two pages describing what she learned about solar ovens in great detail, explaining how the ACT helped her, and what she learned from her research project. Here is a short excerpt from the end: "Finally, but not least, I've learned a lot about my career path. Even though I didn't finish doing my research paper, it taught me a lot that I didn't know. I've learned how much money they make. I also learned what major to take and what colleges have it. My goal and dream is to become a neonatologist. I love working with babies. Having you as my teacher was the best thing ever. You made sure that you kept [us informed of our grades] and did your best to try to help us pull up our grades. I couldn't ask for a better teacher like you. I'm going to miss being in class and seeing your face. : )" ". . . Last, Ms K taught me how to be patient. She also taught me how to be very alert and pay attention more. In ending this, I would also like to thank Ms K. It's been a pleasure to be in this classroom." My dear, the pleasure has been mine.

Mo Cheeks in My Classroom

Mr. E — Sun, 19 May 2013 20:21:47 +0100

On August 2nd, 2006 before tip-off of an NBA game, Natalie Gilbert was scheduled to sing the national anthem. She had the flu that day but she still decided to sing before the Blazers and Mavericks played to determine who would advance to the Western Conference Semifinals. The anthem began and it seemed like all would go well however it was clear that Gilbert forgot the lyrics of the anthem in the middle of the song. She stops, tries to recover, but then she drops her head down to her microphone hand as if embarrassed to continue. It was at this moment that Blazers Coach Mo Cheeks walks up next to her and begins to sing the words where she left off. If anyone had an excuse not to intervene in the game introductions, it would be the Head Coach who would be more concerned with the game itself. It was also a playoff game when every win counts! Yet here was Cheeks who decided the right thing to do was to ease the burden of this young girl by singing along with her and finish the anthem. I had to watch the clip again after writing about it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4880PJnO2E. (Note: Normally, I only use initials of my students to protect their identity. To further protect the student in this post, I substituted his initials with two other letters.) It’s no secret that there are students who end up in classrooms all over America behind grade-level in spite of the hard work of those in Education. One of these students, XY, came to the high school grade-levels behind in reading. Here’s a list of things that I have seen teachers do (and, in some cases, I had to do myself):

Read questions, answers, and problems on most assignments and assessments
Define and explain what words mean in context
Spell words, even if the words only contain three or four letters
Help write e-mails and spend extended amounts of times on even just a couple words in the subject line

You can imagine the amount of work it takes to handle these students while meeting the needs of the rest of the classroom. As an aside, I applaud those teachers who have demonstrated perseverance by doing this for years! You can also imagine how hard it is for XY who probably draws a lot of negative attention as a result. In the last Science and Technology project of the school year, Ms. R and I created a project to help lock down the school from a cyber-attack. We asked the students to create a security awareness newsletter to help inform next year’s students on what they could do to protect themselves. Afterward, they had to deliver a presentation on what they would recommend to the school to help prevent a crisis in our Information Technology (IT). For this project, I had the help of a close friend who now works in Washington D.C. to grade the newsletters. Then for the presentations I asked my former professor from my Master’s program to judge. By this time, the 7^th Graders have made several presentations in other classes including Math, another class I teach. In talking to several students, I noticed that it sparked some friendly competition. “Mr. E, you know who’s going to be on top of this project too!” said one of my students with a grin when we started the project. Needless to say, I was getting excited to watch them as well. On presentation day, there were a variety of recommendations including fingerprint scanners, ID access cards, and anti-virus software. There was even a recommendation for a moat (somewhat my fault for mentioning it in the beginning =)! Eventually, XY came to present along with two other 7^th Graders, CM and MT. While looking at the presentation, I was pretty impressed with the content. However, it wasn’t until I saw XY walk up next to slides on IT Security that I started getting nervous for him. How would someone be able to handle complex IT terms? The first slide on physical controls came up and he looked back and cocked his head to the side. It got silent. He started to sound out the words, “Physical … controls … gives access … to … factories.” I could hear a smattering of laughter in the back. Then I heard MT say, “Facilities.” XY continues presenting but all the while I see MT and CM walking through the presentation with him. They start anticipating the difficult words – “Cameras”, “Fingerprint”, “Scanner”. He wraps up and before MT begins her part of the presentation she looks at him and tells him, “Good job.” It was barely audible but genuine. I couldn’t help but form my mouth into a smile at this entire scene. Here is a student that struggled with reading presenting in front of 45-50 students on IT security. At a moment when the class could have publicly mocked and laughed at XY, two of his peers help guide him through the presentation by reading with him. In his feedback, my professor ultimately chose this group as the best presentation after watching a recording. “The content was well-laid out,” he said as he gave the feedback, “and I thought the team looked very cohesive and encouraging.” I am excited to show my professor’s reactions to my students. In that class period, I had incredibly talented students. There were star presenters who didn’t need the slides behind them to present. Students also combined research with experience to generate creative recommendations. Yet it’s a fitting end to the year that the team who won the class presentations displayed concern and encouragement. I had a couple “Mo Cheeks’s” in my classroom =). My last post I talked about the restraint of some Seniors in refraining from hacking a teacher’s Facebook account. I am incredibly thankful that my 7^th Graders have the potential to display the same consideration of others.

Raytheon Competition

veroskk — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:29:52 +0100

Quick blog post to brag about my Physics students and to grovel on the ground and beg you to vote for them. I think I mentioned before that they are in the top ten in the nationwide Raytheon competition. Voting is live to see who wins the fame and the fortune (and by fortune I mean $2,000 classroom grant)! You can vote today and tomorrow on facebook. The link to the video and the voting is: http://bit.ly/11F6ROE Please "like" the MathMovesU page first and go back and vote again in 24 hours. Voting closes at midnight tomorrow May17th. THANK YOU!!! : )

Why We Don't Stay (Even Though I Am)

Caroline — Thu, 16 May 2013 03:52:42 +0100

I'm getting fat. I've picked up a few awful habits in past months and lately have spent a lot of time dedicated to thinking of why I haven't taken care of myself. Why I'm not on fire. Why these are statements, now, and not raging exclamations, or questions, at least. I'm disappointed in myself. My spine might have turned to jelly, my teaching pedagogy might have changed to getting by, status quo, hiding. No one watches me teach. No one coaches me. No one holds me accountable. No one knows any different. I'm getting lazy. Lazy is a word I've adamantly ignored because I feel there is a very incredibly damagingly negative connotation, and it's usually misused. Maybe I forgive too easily, maybe I make too many excuses, but I think very, very few people are genuinely LAZY. They are stuck, they are emotionally messy, they are unbelieving that they can complete the task at hand. Rarely lazy. Mostly fearful. But I'm lazy. I know better, I expect more, I am capable of more, I am scared of I've turned myself into and perhaps more scared of why. I don't run. I do the minimum at school. I eat poorly. I drink constant caffeine and my body feels bloated and useless. I'm a mess, pretty much. This is part of what's stopped my updates. The laziness, and mores the embarrassment that comes as a result. Bigger than that: this is my Third year. I'm TFA-grown and by golly, I should know better. I should do better. I should be better than a first or second year teacher because regardless of anything else I've been here longer and I know what it means to work hard and I know what it means to have high expectations and I expect myself to have them. Until I lose motivation. Or accountability. Or anyone around me that has the time or energy to point out I've stopped working as hard. To call me lazy. Third year TFA means No Longer TFA means Good Luck and Have Fun Feeling Alienated because if you're not on staff and not a corps member, well, then you're a teacher. You should have figured it out by now. This makes me fear the fourth year. I simultaneously very much want to plan and don't want to plan at all. Facing failure, again, is scary. Keep me where I'm safe and dry and hidden! Keep praising me for Staying A Fourth Year because no one Really wants to stay here, do they. Well, yes, sometimes. I love my community for my community, not for TFA, not for proving a point, not for being a martyr or earning incredulous and totally uninformed compliments. I love being here and I know there are other teachers who love being here, too, but if people wonder why it's so hard to stay, why so many TFAers leave so quick: this is why. The support runs out. The well runs dry. Or as I've said 800 times in the past three months: you hit the ceiling. It seems the only people who can help develop alumni are entirely (and rightfully, in the sense of a job) dedicated to the current corps. The rest of us, they figure, MUST be doing SOMETHING right or we wouldn't have stayed that this or fourth year, right? We'll be fine. And yes, we will be fine. We always are. But what about our kids?

institute flashback

els — Wed, 15 May 2013 00:20:15 +0100

I was just looking through an old notebook of mine, and I came across this schedule I wrote out for myself: Daily Schedule 4:30 am get up/quiet time 5:30 breakfast 5:45 board bus 5:30 pm get back/gym/shower 6:30 dinner 7ish plan! BED BY ~~10:30~~ 12:30

Life Lessons in Science Class

veroskk — Mon, 13 May 2013 23:55:26 +0100

After a disappointing past couple weeks, my first group of final exams are in (Seniors take their exams a week earlier than everyone else) and as the last question on both my Physics and Physical Science exams, I asked the students this: Write at least three paragraphs describing what you think is the most IMPORTANT thing you learned in Physics/Physical Science class this year. Explain why and give lots of details. Their essays speak for themselves. Here are some of the highlights. A young lady from my Physics class who admits that she had a stinky attitude at the beginning of the year wrote me over a page: The most important thing that I learned in Physics this year is to never give up! At one point in time around the beginning of the year me and my classmates had given all the way up on Physics. I gave up mostly because I didn't understand nor catch on to anything that was being taught. After my classmates and I finally sat down with patience and tried to get it, then it fell in place. We began to participate more in class, then class started to get fun and a little easier. Now we actually like Physics and what we learn. . . . I learned a life goal, never give up or if I fail, get back up. I gave up on Physics at the beginning, but not all the way. I came back. When I came back it was with a more positive and respectful attitude. You're also a teacher that didn't give up on us, because I know we made your job hard at first, but you didn't give up on us and we came [together] as a class then. From a young whose dedication to school never failed to impress me: . . . Physics deal with everything in life. This really was the most important thing I learned. As we went through the school year and through each objective, we learned that Physics is everything. The way we walk, the things that surround us, and all is Physics. From one of the most personable young men in all my classes: All through high school I've had a problem working with people. . . . When I started school and came to Physics, I learned how much more efficient it is to work together. . . I've also learned that when you're working in groups it's a lot of fun. You get to express your ideas about a topic and hear what other people think as well. . . . My homeroom class is the best I've had all four years of high school. THANK YOU MS K! From another young lady who tries, tries, tries and refuses to give up: The most important thing I have learned in Physics is that you have to believe that you, yourself, can do and accomplish anything that you want. I feel this because Physics is only a very (7 people) small class, [but] when we work together as a unit we can get anything done. . . . I feel that our lesson was to keep trying and open up to people. It is also a lesson on hard work, because I promise that hard work will get you far. . . . This has also given me the motivation to keep trying and never stop doing what I need. It is also a way that [I] should keep striving for what I want. I also would like to thank you for pushing us and believing in us. From the young lady in Physics with the highest class average: This year, Physics class has been the class to get me really prepared for college. It has taught me to get organized, do assignments, and study for tests and quizzes. When I first got to this class, my grades on tests were low because I did not study at all. So I started studying and my grades improved. I know in college I will have to study a lot more, so that helped me become more focused. When I first got to this class I was not very organized either. So, when I took notes and homework in a small notebook, that helped keep everything together. Everything was neat with the titles of the notes and I was never that organized for a whole year in all my years of school. . . . This Physics class also taught me how to take notes, which is something I will definitely need next year for college. I learned how to not write every single detail down, but to write the important ideas that I would need to study. I also learned different note-taking styles so if one way does not work for me in college, I will have a back-up plan. In this Physics class I learned a lot the whole year, but the main thing it has done for me was get me college ready. Thank you Ms K! And from a soon-to-be-graduating senior, providing he turns in his final research paper, from one of my Physical Science classes: The most important thing I learned in Physical Science is how everything on earth evolves around science. From telephones that we talk on to the water we drink. I also learned that if it wasn't for science a lot of things wouldn't be the way it is today. . . I also learned that people use science on a daily basis for anything. the doctors use X-ray machines, they invented bigger windmills, and they make water more purified. I recently learned about waves and X-rays are one of them. I watched a video in class of them taking down the old windmills and putting up bigger and stronger ones. And these are . . . things I learned in Physical Science. I am so proud of them all for what they have accomplished and I am so excited to discover what the rest of my students will write. Maybe they are not masters of our science content, but at least they have learned some more important lessons about life. : )

Input // Output

Caroline — Mon, 13 May 2013 21:28:01 +0100

Lately I've felt anything but consistent. Ecstatic? Sometimes. Crushed? Sometimes. Exhausted? A lot of times. It's the end of year three and despite a mostly clean bedroom, despite the kaleidoscope sunlight dancing on my bed, despite long hair and big plans and so many things that push me up today I feel low. I've written more than one post, a few half-complete, one eaten by the surprise computer attack, and none posted because life keeps coming up before computers. I miss writing. I miss chronicling. Today I came home and crawled into bed, stayed alert to the texts and phone calls I have about this year's talent show and continue feeling conflicted about everything. I can't cut out some concise picture of life right now, so again, sadly, I'll consolodate with bullets mostly for the sake of recording. Hopefully consistent posts will show up again sometime soon.

Two weeks ago we had a BB gun shooting at school. It was a pretty big deal, and created a stir in the community, and put us on local news twice in a week. It made teaching difficult from a psychological perspective-- a sad time.
Someone I care about was hospitalized for a week for fear that a suicide attempt. I find it interesting that while my best friends were literally attempting suicide while I was in high school and college I could thick skin myself out of being too distraught about it. This person, though, brought me to tears with just a note saying it's been contemplated. Funny what maturity brings.
I feel, maybe selfishly and maybe falsely, that I am giving a lot. In many circumstances. To the point where I feel I am continuing to do this and feeling slightly more bitter about it each time, but these things I'm "giving" have a quickly depreciating value and I can't fix the quality. I am trying to have a strong output, to stay refreshed and motivated and happy, but instead I am grinding metal against concrete, I am pushing with nothing but air I am falling shorter and shorter each time.
My biggest complaint of recent times is that I feel I have little help, and little confidence. I whine about it but today the sixth grade team had everything taken care of, and I found myself in a surprising (and worrisome) backseat at a meeting. I was so grateful because the talent show and my personal life have been taking everything out of me (but I'm embarrassed to say that because of the results of both). But I feel like a perpetual failure lately. The culture in my classroom is often horrific. My lessons have hardly existed the past few weeks. My summer hangs over my head, a dangling tantalizing treat, but just past that is a class of kids. Kids I'm ignoring because I'm so focused on something I want and can't yet have. It is excruciating.

Most of this, today, is coming from a lack of sleep. It's unfortunate that the days I actually post are the days I am feeling the weakest. This year has been wonderful, and I'm excited for next year, but right now I just want to sleep.

19 days left in China...

jessi — Sat, 11 May 2013 16:55:55 +0100

I only have 19 days left in China and then I head back to the states. Soon after I set my feet on U.S. soil I am going to drive to the Delta. I know it is going to be a whirlwind. I cannot leave sooner because of my current job at an international school. Honestly, I am not looking forward to going through induction with jet lag. China is 13 hours ahead of the Delta - I am praying I will adjust quickly. I am trying to finish the year strong and remain present. It is so hard not to think of the future. However, I had a moment of realization the other day. I was reminded of the quote "Character is who you are when no one is looking." I was teaching at English Corner. It is a free English class that I voluntarily teach on Friday nights. I always thought that I would be a somewhat lazy teacher if I didn't have the accountability of a school or standards. What I realized about myself is that I really do enjoy teaching! I feel like I have been going through the motions a bit this semester. English corner has helped me to remember that teaching does fill my cup, and that I truly do love what I do. I am so happy that I had this realization before the chaos of the next few weeks ensues. I hope everyone enjoys the next three weeks we have before institute. I also hope that your time is not as hectic as mine! :)

Facebook Prank Litmus Test

Mr. E — Sat, 11 May 2013 03:49:50 +0100

If given the opportunity, would a student hack a teacher’s Facebook profile? The normal Monday morning routine usually begins like this for my 7th graders. Me -> “Good morning class! Happy Monday-” Random Student -> “BOOOO! It’s not a Happy Monday!” or “Whatever Mr. E” It’s also obvious that they are looking to the end of school as much as I am ... maybe even more so. As I was teaching, I see a Senior walk into my room. I wasn’t quite sure what it was about so I was anxious to move the students into work time to talk. “Would you be able to stay after school later tonight?” asked DA, a leader among the Senior class. Eager to help, I said that I would stay without knowing what she was specifically talking about. It wasn’t until lunch when I learned that I unknowingly agreed to stay for an overnighter so that the Seniors can prank the school. Learned a valuable lesson - ask “What do you have in mind?” next time before saying “Yes” to something. As much as I was dreading the evening as well as the following morning, I knew I would feel a lot worse by saying “No”. School then basketball practice ended and I rush out of school to pack for the night ahead. When I arrive at school that night, I find Miss W and a student come out of a car with pizza. It was a relief to see another teacher there with me who at least knew everyone ... she would later get awarded the Teacher of the Year by our school! I never realized how little I knew about our students until I saw unfamiliar face after unfamiliar face. I was living in 7th and 8th grade world after all. I ended up moving off to the side hoping that it wasn’t noticeable that I was a bit uncomfortable and shy. Thankfully one of the Seniors broke the ice by saying, “Mr. E, you remember IY don’t you?” I responded, “Actually I do ... Why do you ask?” “I heard what he said to you that one day. You know ... that racist comment.” “Yeah ... he was a little upset that day” “Well I’m sorry to hear that. He’s my cousin. We did not raise him up to act that way.” I ended up following him to the gym to meet a few more Seniors. While typing up some work, another Senior approached me. “Hey Mr. E, you have CS in class right? He’s my brother. How is he doing in class?” “Well, he’s always very shy in class. I never really know what he’s thinking” “He’s always like that. It takes him a really long time to open up.” And so began an evening of saran wrap, silly string, and paint on any surface within reach. However, throughout the night I found myself wanting to stay with them more and more. I couldn’t remember the last time I played knock-out and it was definitely the first time playing knock-out at 11:30 at night. I also noticed a crate nearby the coach’s office with a good frisbee. It was the type that you would play ultimate with. Somewhat surreal to throw a frisbee for the first time in Arkansas. With the first forehand throw, I was instantly asked how I did that. “You played in college didn’t you?!” The question brought me back to those 10 PM evenings at Woodlawn Field when a group of us would play no matter what the conditions. I decide to come back out and I noticed that the door to a classroom belonging to one of my roommates was open. Lights were on and I notice that the boards were covered in writings and the chairs were wrapped with the desks in saran wrap. Then I noticed a computer sitting next to the projector ... “Oh no.” The group of seven decide to open it and it was already logged in. “Let’s see if Facebook is logged in too!” Lo and behold, Facebook was open and I already saw the cursor in the Status box. I probably should’ve done something at this point but I hung back wanting to see what came next. However, what happened was something a little unexpected ... “What should we type?” “I dunno, should we be doing this? [My roommate and owner of the computer] is going to hate us for this.” “Yeah, let’s just type something but not hit ‘Send’.” Seven Seniors, zero comments encouraging to mess with the profile even though if there was any opportunity it would be during the Senior prank night. I once loaned my computer to a 7th grade student and the next thing I know I get a notification on my phone saying that I accepted this same student’s friend request. In other words, she got on my profile and sent a request using my profile. And here are seven students, not really acknowledging my authority, evaluating the consequences and ultimately making the right decision even if it meant that they didn’t get as much fun out of the night. I’ll admit there was a fear factor since my roommate is known for being firm (and does a great job I might add) but I couldn’t believe that these students showed that much self-restraint. After seeing that, I didn’t mind helping decorate the school a little! I even entrusted the same student who asked me if I wanted to stay the night with my car to help with a prank! Fell asleep on a couch in a school office but I tossed and turned the entire night. I couldn’t remember the last time I had such little sleep since college but I managed to rise and hastily dress in the men’s locker room. “Mr. E, did you take something today? You seem to have a lot of energy” Part of it was my efforts in trying to get psyched up for a morning full of 7th graders. School soon began and as the 7th graders rushed in I began thinking, “In five years, would I be able to feel comfortable leaving my computer behind with my Facebook logged in?” Have I instilled in them the importance of trust and making the right decision even if it meant less of a momentary thrill? It was a struggle to contain the students that morning. They were chased down the hall by WY with a can of silly string. Peeking my head out I suddenly see him running in my direction yelling “MR. E!!” and the roar of laughter coming from my classroom as I got sprayed with string. Eventually, they got back to working but then one of them asked, “Are you going to be around when we prank you too?!” Don’t know for sure but I’m interested in knowing what they would do.