I just experienced my last spring break. It feels kind of sad. I am just like the kids at school in their excitement for the one week of freedom that we long to experience during the hectic school year. My last one.
Yes, I know….I've heard it before--"teachers have it made with all of those vacations." When you work so closely and intensely with students--we both need breaks to recharge to come back strong again. It's a job that you don't leave daily. You take it home. If not papers and planning materials, then it's worry and constant thoughts of what needs to be done. We are NEVER done. Even if we come in on the weekends (which many of us do) or stay late into the evenings--there's always more that could have been done. Those who say that about the vacations have never been in one of our classrooms for a day. The pressures of teaching are just growing and so is the workload.
I think I was able to stay in teaching as long as I did because of my school breaks. The spring was always the beginning of my training for wheelchair racing or the hand cycling season. I always looked forward to it with excitement and vigor. The summer breaks were when I would really train hard and go to competitions. I couldn't have done that if I didn't have the two and a half months off in the summer. That was a time when I really did manage to forget about work and concentrate on myself. My thoughts were on equipment, training techniques and where I would go to compete. My alter ego of "wheelchair racer" or "hancyclist" would get its turn. I trained and played hard for those months and enjoyed them immensely. However, even on those trips--my thoughts still went back to teaching. I would look for books or materials to buy and use in my classroom. Sometimes I would find some artifacts to bring back that I know would fit one of our social studies units. I would even bring my students addresses so I could send them post cards from my travels or even little trinkets to give them when I returned. Those brought more excitement to them than I would ever know.
Spring break is short (maybe not to others) but it seems to fly by. You have to grab all the gusto you can before it's time for that last long push to the end of the school year. This year, I will savor it, remember it and be thankful for it as it will probably be my last. (but never say never as who knows what my next career will bring)
Showing posts with label school. Show all posts
Showing posts with label school. Show all posts
Saturday, March 22, 2014
Saturday, March 15, 2014
Checking off the "lasts"
I just had parent conferences last week and realized they were the last conferences of my career. Let's see...25 conferences twice a year (averaging my class size which was 18 to 32 kids) times 25 years ( I won't count my years in special ed--but there are less conferences but much longer.) That equals out to about 1,250 conferences that I've held since I began teaching. That's a lot of conferencing.
I think back to when I first held my first conferences. I was so nervous. What was I to expect? Would the parents be upset by a grade I had given a child? Would they question what I was doing in class? Would they be supportive when a behavior problem was brought up? Well...it turns out that it is all of the above. Some of the conferences we hold are easy as the child has many strengths and there are some things they can do to improve. Parents appreciate the feedback and are usually supportive. Then there are the "hard one's" in which there are many things to bring up that a child needs to work on and you are grasping at straws to find their strengths. Often, those are the times when you end up sitting there hearing the family problems, seeing the tears, and understanding why the child is having so many problems. I feel bad sometimes that there is only so much I can do. I can make the child feel safe, give him a snack if he comes to school hungry, but you can't fix the things at home. Many times, the child sees me more than their parents since so many kids are in daycare before and after school. I do start to feel like a parent and I don't take my job lightly.
Conferences are where we get to know the parents. It's a place of building trust. It's where we come together and try to figure out what's best for their child. It takes more than just teachers to help educate a child and I think that's what some people forget. There are many learning opportunities for a child--not just the classroom. They need to develop their character in their homes--then we are there to reinforce it at school. We want to help the child learn to make the right choices.
So, thinking about checking off my list of "lasts" is bittersweet. I had my last school party at Valentine's day and I'm sure there will be others by the end of the year. I won't forget the conferences I've held. The times I've laughed and cried and really got to know the parents of the children I have loved so well. I won't forget them--and I hope they will have thought I cared for their child and wanted only success for them.
I think back to when I first held my first conferences. I was so nervous. What was I to expect? Would the parents be upset by a grade I had given a child? Would they question what I was doing in class? Would they be supportive when a behavior problem was brought up? Well...it turns out that it is all of the above. Some of the conferences we hold are easy as the child has many strengths and there are some things they can do to improve. Parents appreciate the feedback and are usually supportive. Then there are the "hard one's" in which there are many things to bring up that a child needs to work on and you are grasping at straws to find their strengths. Often, those are the times when you end up sitting there hearing the family problems, seeing the tears, and understanding why the child is having so many problems. I feel bad sometimes that there is only so much I can do. I can make the child feel safe, give him a snack if he comes to school hungry, but you can't fix the things at home. Many times, the child sees me more than their parents since so many kids are in daycare before and after school. I do start to feel like a parent and I don't take my job lightly.
Conferences are where we get to know the parents. It's a place of building trust. It's where we come together and try to figure out what's best for their child. It takes more than just teachers to help educate a child and I think that's what some people forget. There are many learning opportunities for a child--not just the classroom. They need to develop their character in their homes--then we are there to reinforce it at school. We want to help the child learn to make the right choices.
So, thinking about checking off my list of "lasts" is bittersweet. I had my last school party at Valentine's day and I'm sure there will be others by the end of the year. I won't forget the conferences I've held. The times I've laughed and cried and really got to know the parents of the children I have loved so well. I won't forget them--and I hope they will have thought I cared for their child and wanted only success for them.
Saturday, February 22, 2014
The Last Months
I quit blogging about my classroom for fear of getting into trouble--but since I'm retiring at the end of this year, I thought I'd do some since I've nothing to lose!! It has been 28 years of teaching for me. I have loved most of it--but lately I see more negatives than positives.
Since the new board members have been elected--teachers are filled with fear and uncertainty. We see the vocation we chose and love changing drastically. We have never felt so disrespected. Our jobs are made out to be glorified babysitters who are overpaid. Scores are all that seems to matter--not the kids. More and more keeps getting dumped on our plates, and we are expected to do it--because "it's what's best for children." That's what's kept us going--but now it's not enough.
After taking pay cuts and salary freezes--we've become the least important part of the equation. How can one keep on teaching when it seems like we're the only ones who care? Teachers are being criticized and "villianized" because we belong to a union?(or professional association) They make it feel wrong to want to stand up for our rights. People who know nothing about education are dictating policy. We are not a business--we are a school. I dare any CEO of a large company to come into our classrooms and do the things we do daily. Teaching is a job of the heart. We have a heart to work with children to help them grow and learn--it's been really much harder when our hearts have been broken.
I'm one of lucky ones who get to retire at the end of this year. My fellow colleagues aren't so lucky. They must deal with the aftermath of this election gone wrong. It's sad to leave my profession feeling this way--but it's no longer the profession I loved.
Since the new board members have been elected--teachers are filled with fear and uncertainty. We see the vocation we chose and love changing drastically. We have never felt so disrespected. Our jobs are made out to be glorified babysitters who are overpaid. Scores are all that seems to matter--not the kids. More and more keeps getting dumped on our plates, and we are expected to do it--because "it's what's best for children." That's what's kept us going--but now it's not enough.
After taking pay cuts and salary freezes--we've become the least important part of the equation. How can one keep on teaching when it seems like we're the only ones who care? Teachers are being criticized and "villianized" because we belong to a union?(or professional association) They make it feel wrong to want to stand up for our rights. People who know nothing about education are dictating policy. We are not a business--we are a school. I dare any CEO of a large company to come into our classrooms and do the things we do daily. Teaching is a job of the heart. We have a heart to work with children to help them grow and learn--it's been really much harder when our hearts have been broken.
I'm one of lucky ones who get to retire at the end of this year. My fellow colleagues aren't so lucky. They must deal with the aftermath of this election gone wrong. It's sad to leave my profession feeling this way--but it's no longer the profession I loved.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
When in doubt...call a meeting!!
Well, we've been in school now for about a month--or 23 days of actual school. It's amazing where my class is now from the beginning of those 23 days. They are more solid in our routines. Our transition times are better, they are showing signs of academic progress.
They are enthusiastic about learning and that's why I love teaching second graders. They get excited about new things, they'll work hard for a sticker, they come up and give you hugs, and can be taught independence. I think by mid October we'll be running like a well-oiled machine. That's when I can take a breath....and sit back and watch them do as they are expected.
My job is far from over, though. I have over a year's worth of curriculum to teach them in a year. The district has our daily, weekly and monthly curricula to be taught all laid out. It just doesn't account for the lack of hours in the day. We've already taken out anything that doesn't fit the CAP. (that's the document we all follow) It sounds great to have everything laid out like that, but it doesn't allow for any reteaching when the kids don't get it...or interruptions such as fire drills or assemblies--or God forbid, fun things! When those occur, you are behind. It just seems like you are always trying to catch up.
This document says that students are entitled to a "guaranteed and viable curriculum" by Jeffco. That means that you could walk into any 2nd grade class in the district and we should be teaching the same things in math, reading, writing, etc. This sounds good...but if you walk into any 2nd grade classroom across the district you will find very different situations in each. We are not all the same. Some have very impacted populations that need lots of intense interventions just to get them to the level they should have started at. Others may have students whom can move quickly through the curriculum. Usually, we have both ends of the spectrum and are expected to provide individual students with what they need. That is what we all want to do...hope to do. However, reality steps in--and you do the best you can with the resources you have.
It gets overwhelming. I don't know how new teachers do it. I've been around for 28 years--and I still feel overwhelmed at times. The meetings alone keep your schedule filled. We have staff meetings every Wednesday. Team meetings every week. Meetings with our coach twice a month, we have a book study we are doing and meet monthly for, we have professional development in writing every month. Those are just the planned ones. Then there are the meetings that just seem to pop up out of no where. (parents, or principal, etc.) With all of these meetings, it's amazing that we can get anything done in our classrooms at all. I guess that's why I'm there until 5 or 6pm most days.
It's this time of year I look longingly back at the summer, when my time was my own and the only meeting I had was with my bike on a long path. I'll keep plugging along, and it will get easier, I hope. Until then....if you can't reach me, I'm probably in a meeting.
They are enthusiastic about learning and that's why I love teaching second graders. They get excited about new things, they'll work hard for a sticker, they come up and give you hugs, and can be taught independence. I think by mid October we'll be running like a well-oiled machine. That's when I can take a breath....and sit back and watch them do as they are expected.
My job is far from over, though. I have over a year's worth of curriculum to teach them in a year. The district has our daily, weekly and monthly curricula to be taught all laid out. It just doesn't account for the lack of hours in the day. We've already taken out anything that doesn't fit the CAP. (that's the document we all follow) It sounds great to have everything laid out like that, but it doesn't allow for any reteaching when the kids don't get it...or interruptions such as fire drills or assemblies--or God forbid, fun things! When those occur, you are behind. It just seems like you are always trying to catch up.
This document says that students are entitled to a "guaranteed and viable curriculum" by Jeffco. That means that you could walk into any 2nd grade class in the district and we should be teaching the same things in math, reading, writing, etc. This sounds good...but if you walk into any 2nd grade classroom across the district you will find very different situations in each. We are not all the same. Some have very impacted populations that need lots of intense interventions just to get them to the level they should have started at. Others may have students whom can move quickly through the curriculum. Usually, we have both ends of the spectrum and are expected to provide individual students with what they need. That is what we all want to do...hope to do. However, reality steps in--and you do the best you can with the resources you have.
It gets overwhelming. I don't know how new teachers do it. I've been around for 28 years--and I still feel overwhelmed at times. The meetings alone keep your schedule filled. We have staff meetings every Wednesday. Team meetings every week. Meetings with our coach twice a month, we have a book study we are doing and meet monthly for, we have professional development in writing every month. Those are just the planned ones. Then there are the meetings that just seem to pop up out of no where. (parents, or principal, etc.) With all of these meetings, it's amazing that we can get anything done in our classrooms at all. I guess that's why I'm there until 5 or 6pm most days.
It's this time of year I look longingly back at the summer, when my time was my own and the only meeting I had was with my bike on a long path. I'll keep plugging along, and it will get easier, I hope. Until then....if you can't reach me, I'm probably in a meeting.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
School Shock
The thing that always amazes me is the amount of adjustment it takes to get back into the swing of things. I can spend hours upon hours of time in my classroom and at home getting things ready for the BIG DAY...and still not feel like I'm ready. That first week back we had those supposed, "teacher work days"--which were always filled with meetings. I never got a solid three hours of time to work unless it was on my own time. That's a shame.
On Monday, they came...ready or not. Once I saw their smiling faces, I was once again in my element. They all come in excited and scared and with tummies full of giant sized butterflies. They found their desks and put away their things. I always forget how much training I have to do to teach the kids to be independent. It takes a long time!! There are so many routines to show them and questions they all have. My voice isn't used to it, and by the end of the day I feel hoarse.
I also forget how many decisions we make in a day--little things, but none the less, it requires thought. My brain is tired. After what seems like a whole day of activities that we do, I glance at the clock--and it's only been two hours!! I already feel tired. The kids are all asking if it's lunch time yet, it isn't. I do what every teacher in my building does--when the going gets tough, go out for a recess!! We need the break as much as the kids do. Our school "rigor" does not allow for this all year long--only the first week of school. So next week, it's cold turkey--no extra recess.
We do lots of getting to know you things as we learn to function as a class. I have 29 kids this year. Way more than I've had in quite a few years. The desks and chairs seem packed in and there's not enough room to sit on the floor in a big circle when we do our calendar. When we walk down the hall, it seems like our line is never ending. I have a big group, but I know I will have a hard time parting with any of them IF we ever do get another teacher. I like them all already. I'm their teacher.
I forget how funny and cute the kids are. One boy was filling out a paper that asked the date he was born. He came up and told me he didn't know this. I told, "Tony, you just told me when your birthday was," He said, "Yes, I know my birthday but not when I was BORN." His little light bulb went on when I told him his birthday WAS when he was born! He scooted off with a satisfied look on his face. It never gets old helping kids make connections! This will be one of many chuckles I will get throughout the year.
We had a four day week of regular class and then on Friday was a testing day. I scheduled 12 kids to come in to do a reading test on that day. I ended up doing 15--more than I ever have in one day before! I am excited that I have a large number of good readers. I am just concerned about being able to meet with reading groups with this many kids. We have one more day of testing on Monday. This testing seems more grueling than a regular day of teaching.
I have to get used to grading papers and doing planning. I have been staying late at school after the kids have left to get things done. I will again get the "Sunday blues." That's because it's when I grade papers. I'm like the students...I have to build up my school stamina. It will take time, and we have a whole year to build it.
On Monday, they came...ready or not. Once I saw their smiling faces, I was once again in my element. They all come in excited and scared and with tummies full of giant sized butterflies. They found their desks and put away their things. I always forget how much training I have to do to teach the kids to be independent. It takes a long time!! There are so many routines to show them and questions they all have. My voice isn't used to it, and by the end of the day I feel hoarse.
I also forget how many decisions we make in a day--little things, but none the less, it requires thought. My brain is tired. After what seems like a whole day of activities that we do, I glance at the clock--and it's only been two hours!! I already feel tired. The kids are all asking if it's lunch time yet, it isn't. I do what every teacher in my building does--when the going gets tough, go out for a recess!! We need the break as much as the kids do. Our school "rigor" does not allow for this all year long--only the first week of school. So next week, it's cold turkey--no extra recess.
We do lots of getting to know you things as we learn to function as a class. I have 29 kids this year. Way more than I've had in quite a few years. The desks and chairs seem packed in and there's not enough room to sit on the floor in a big circle when we do our calendar. When we walk down the hall, it seems like our line is never ending. I have a big group, but I know I will have a hard time parting with any of them IF we ever do get another teacher. I like them all already. I'm their teacher.
I forget how funny and cute the kids are. One boy was filling out a paper that asked the date he was born. He came up and told me he didn't know this. I told, "Tony, you just told me when your birthday was," He said, "Yes, I know my birthday but not when I was BORN." His little light bulb went on when I told him his birthday WAS when he was born! He scooted off with a satisfied look on his face. It never gets old helping kids make connections! This will be one of many chuckles I will get throughout the year.
We had a four day week of regular class and then on Friday was a testing day. I scheduled 12 kids to come in to do a reading test on that day. I ended up doing 15--more than I ever have in one day before! I am excited that I have a large number of good readers. I am just concerned about being able to meet with reading groups with this many kids. We have one more day of testing on Monday. This testing seems more grueling than a regular day of teaching.
I have to get used to grading papers and doing planning. I have been staying late at school after the kids have left to get things done. I will again get the "Sunday blues." That's because it's when I grade papers. I'm like the students...I have to build up my school stamina. It will take time, and we have a whole year to build it.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Who Needs Sleep?
Thousands of us teachers started back to work yesterday, I was one among them. I entered into my classroom, with some dread. Where had the summer gone? It seemed like yesterday when I was scrambling to get it packed up for the summer. The summer is just a memory....but not yet faded. I long to jump on my bike to cruise down the South Platte trail or sit on my patio reading a great book.
Some people think teachers have it made because we have the summers off. I will admit that it s a perk to have that time off. However, I don't know how long I could have lasted as a teacher if I didn't have that long break to disconnect and re-energize. I learned to immerse myself in my play, as I do with my teaching in the Fall. Working with kids takes a great deal of energy--both physical and mental. That stamina has to be built up--just like we do with the kids.
So, after a picture for my new staff badge, and a group shot with the whole staff out in front of the school--we were released for our designated "teacher work day." It wasn't twenty minutes later, that all K-3 teachers were required to go into the library for a training or re-training on one of our assessments. I sat there thinking about all I had to do. It urks me that we have so many meetings!!
After a full day of working and meetings--I decided I had to go shopping for more "teacher stuff." I went in for a few specific things and come out with two large bags full. Once I got home I worked on making labels for the files of the new class of kids. I don't mind this mindless stuff that requires little or no thinking, I can do it while in front of the TV. I also wanted to get ready for the testing we do next Friday--so I spent another hour working on the computer.
Finally, I decided to go to bed at 11:30. Now, I'm a night owl--during the summer. But this is something I have to change once school starts. I can no longer stay up past midnight and wake refreshed and ready to go. (I don't really think I ever could, even when I was younger!) So, I get to bed and--I can't get to sleep.
My mind was thinking about all of the things that I wanted and needed to do. I tossed and turned, trying to turn off my mind. This always happens when the school year begins. I go from worrying about which route I'm going to ride the next morning to planning, meetings, and getting every little detail prepared for school. It's a transition that takes some time.
I finally got up and took an Advil PM to help me sleep. I guess I must have slept because I woke up the next morning--but definitely not refreshed!! I was thankful I didn't have to work with kids this day. I'm hoping for a good night's sleep tonight and I've got to stop dreaming about working!!
Some people think teachers have it made because we have the summers off. I will admit that it s a perk to have that time off. However, I don't know how long I could have lasted as a teacher if I didn't have that long break to disconnect and re-energize. I learned to immerse myself in my play, as I do with my teaching in the Fall. Working with kids takes a great deal of energy--both physical and mental. That stamina has to be built up--just like we do with the kids.
So, after a picture for my new staff badge, and a group shot with the whole staff out in front of the school--we were released for our designated "teacher work day." It wasn't twenty minutes later, that all K-3 teachers were required to go into the library for a training or re-training on one of our assessments. I sat there thinking about all I had to do. It urks me that we have so many meetings!!
After a full day of working and meetings--I decided I had to go shopping for more "teacher stuff." I went in for a few specific things and come out with two large bags full. Once I got home I worked on making labels for the files of the new class of kids. I don't mind this mindless stuff that requires little or no thinking, I can do it while in front of the TV. I also wanted to get ready for the testing we do next Friday--so I spent another hour working on the computer.
Finally, I decided to go to bed at 11:30. Now, I'm a night owl--during the summer. But this is something I have to change once school starts. I can no longer stay up past midnight and wake refreshed and ready to go. (I don't really think I ever could, even when I was younger!) So, I get to bed and--I can't get to sleep.
My mind was thinking about all of the things that I wanted and needed to do. I tossed and turned, trying to turn off my mind. This always happens when the school year begins. I go from worrying about which route I'm going to ride the next morning to planning, meetings, and getting every little detail prepared for school. It's a transition that takes some time.
I finally got up and took an Advil PM to help me sleep. I guess I must have slept because I woke up the next morning--but definitely not refreshed!! I was thankful I didn't have to work with kids this day. I'm hoping for a good night's sleep tonight and I've got to stop dreaming about working!!
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