Giving up to gain

I realize I started this blog about teaching but as I sit in a small coffee shop in far west Texas, I realize that as the teacher, I am the most important tool. That being said, it is time to be self reflective and selfish.

2011 was a crazy year in our world and I feel a little out of place and confused, so I've begun seeking help and wisdom from others. I bought a book called "Give It Up" that talks about giving something you feel is necessary and important up each month to really examine what you need and want in life. I'm only on chapter three but I can already feel the wheels turning on how to change and simplify my life.

My goal as a teacher is to change the world for my students, but I feel I've lost the art of changing the world for myself. I rarely sit down and write a story for myself or take an entire weekend to read a book any longer. Those may seem simple but in reality they help change my perspectives and focus. I no longer seek ways to help those less fortunate than I and I hate that. In 2012, not only will I need to work harder to find the positive in life but I will also work to simplify my life and make a difference in the world, no matter how small that difference may seem.

As teachers and people, I encourage you to do the same thing. Find your joy if it has gotten away from you. Write a poem or a song, sing and dance with the dogs or the kids, clean out your closets and bookshelves and donate those to people who need them more than you. Make 2012 a year to really be proud of yourselves!

Above all else, remember that you the teacher are the biggest and best tool on the classroom. With all the politics in the world we cannot afford to take ourselves for granted any longer.

Exercise

I realize this is sort of an evil word, especially this time of year when we all eat too much and the stress of the past year shows up in all sorts of places. I for one, have been trying to make myself exercise on a nightly basis - mostly because I feel like a tub of lard and I know exercise makes me feel better about myself and how I do things. Getting back into it however is super hard but I do love the way my muscles feel the day after. I also realize that my eating habits have got to change. The past few months I have not been eating as well as I should because I've been having a tough time adjusting to my new surroundings and position. Adjustment is just what it is, an adjustment and some take us longer to work through than others.

I hope you don't feel like this is me complaining, it really is not - it is a reminder, for me and possibly you, that adjustments are an exercise in life. For me, I need the physical exercise as well as the mental exercise in order to be at my best in my home and my classroom. I know I am a better teacher when I exercise my body at home. Perhaps that is because I sleep better, perhaps it is because I feel more confident in my own skin, perhaps it is because I don't have a nagging feeling in the back of my head during the day that my pants are too tight or I feel uncomfortable in the clothing I've got on. No matter what, exercise yourself, it will help you as a person and ultimately as a teacher.

Thank you for changing the world one kid at a time. Remember that changes are not bad things but they do take time.

Giving Thanks

It has been a while since I posted, but I want to give thanks to you and those who support us on a daily basis. Have a great Thanksgiving and enjoy family time and some time off. If you must work, don't work too much. Look forward to the joys of the week, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade and of course laughter.

Thanks for all you do to change the world.

A Downfall

Today was the last day of our second six weeks and when grading six weeks exams I felt like I wanted to cry. To be fair, this six weeks was poetry which is not my strong suit in any way shape or form, but I know I taught my kids something - or did I? After running the exams and double checking to make sure I had the correct key I began to focus on next six weeks.

As teachers, we have to take the good with the bad but we can never let the bad keep us down for long. On my drive home I started to think of ways to help my students better keep track of the information I need them to learn. I don't want my kids to just take notes, I want them to make those notes mean something to them, I want their notes to easily turn into a study guide for the end of the six weeks and quizzes throughout the six weeks and semester. I was so excited about creating this that I called a colleague to see if she thought it made sense and might work, then when I got home I started building. The idea is that four days of each week I teach (or reteach) a concept and the students complete a graphic organizer and then some practice.

My idea may not work, but I plan to try and if it causes another downfall then I'll just learn from that one too. Teaching is an art, it is also ever changing. If you feel like one six weeks is a total bomb then use that downfall and create something better. To be great teachers we've got to change how we teach to fit the needs of our kids - so what if it takes extra time to create, if it ultimately makes our lives easier and our kids smarter.

Enjoy your weekend and be sure to thank a veteran or two - because of the veterans throughout time we are able to try out new teaching styles and plans to help our kids learn and grow into successful people.

Thanks for changing the world one kid at a time!

Venting

I want you to be sure to say that venting is a super important part of teaching. Don't vent to your kids, but vent to someone who loves you and will say what you need to hear. I know that our significant others don't always fully understand our frustrations from school, especially if he or she doesn't work in the same field.

I'm keeping it short, but venting is important. You'll feel better and the negative energy will escape from your mouth and disperse into the universe - let it!

Have a great evening and be ready for a more positive day tomorrow.

Me time

This has taken me way too long to really figure out, if you ask my husband I always spread myself too thin. In the past at least, he has been totally correct. "Me time" is something I am trying to remedy in my life and it doesn't take much to accomplish some quality time with myself.

Lately I've been hanging out with my dogs, and trying to get my husband to go on walks with us. Tomorrow I will "run", yes that is is quotes for a reason, a 5K with a friend of mine and I am very excited. It doesn't take much for me to get the break and release I need from work, a movie will often do the trick and a walk with the dogs before sunset.

I do NOT grade every night, and yes I ultimately end up with a stack of stuff to grade, but if I were to grade every night I'd never have a chance to just be home. That one has taken me a LONG time to figure out.

The biggest thing I've learned is to make some time for myself, it keeps my work life healthy and my home life healthy.

Find some time for yourself this weekend, I promise the world will not fall down around your ankles and your kids will not forget everything you've taught them if you don't spend all weekend grading or planning. Enjoy the fall weather (at least here it is fall weather) and watch the sunset this weekend.

Parents - we need you!

I left school this evening at about 6PM. That is actually fairly normal for me at least once a week, but don't worry I try to leave before 5 the other days. To be fair, our kids don't get out of school until about 4PM, so the time sorta flies by if I'm staying late. I spent my evening with a colleague calling parents. She is the Spanish teacher and was kind enough to speak to my Spanish speaking parents for me - for that I am totally thankful.

As teachers, we need our parents and we've got to stay in contact with them. Every time I speak with parents I have so many that thank me for calling because they know I don't call just about the "bad" stuff. I call for the good, I call if I see a change in the kid that troubles or confuses me, I call for missing work, and I call to find out what is going on if I see something change that is out of character.

I know how time consuming it is to call parents, believe me, I called almost every one of my parents the first two weeks of school and it makes a huge difference. Our parents are the second line of offense (we are the first really), and we need to utilize them. If your parents have email addresses, set up an email group and send out group messages on occasion so the parents know what is going on (blind copy your Admin as well, it is a great way to show yourself off and to let them know the kind of communication you are doing). Many of my parents love the fact that they have an inside scoop on what is going on and can ask their kids about the assignment. The kids seem to be shocked that their parents know what is going on in classes. It also builds a great report with the parents and they are more willing to help if I need help and ready to listen if there is a problem.

Contact your parents for the good and bad - don't be afraid of them, they really are on our side, assuming your side is the side trying to help the kids learn.

Thanks for changing the world one kid at a time.