Let It Be Me

I saw her name on my class list.  It was one of "those" names. All teachers knew the family and the background.  I remembered her mom in seventh grade.

I watched her in the halls during freshman open house as she wandered without friends from room to room, accompanied only by her step-father, himself from one of "those" families. Fearful, she figured out where she needed to go each hour. What a contrast to most of the other kids who laughed and greeted friends as they danced from room to room.

I greeted the two of them as they stepped into my room. A dirty face, unkept hair, clothes that had seen their better days, it was hard to imagine she was a freshman girl. The only words she spoke were, "I'm scared to come here."

My heart broke. Tears filled my eyes.

Let it be me. Let me be the teacher that makes school a safe place for her. Let me be the teacher she connects with. Let me be the teacher that makes a difference in her life.

Let it be me.

Exhaustion

Exhaustion.
The Good Kind.
The kind of exhaustion
That lets you know
Your brain hasn't turned to
MUSH
Over
The long, hot summer.

Exhaustion.
The Good Kind.

My New Year's Resolutions

I love the start of a new school year!  I'm already anticipating not sleeping well because I can't wait for  Thursday when the kids start! New notebooks, new pens, new classes, new students, new resolutions!  It's a clean slate. No matter how last year went, it's a chance to make the coming year spectacular!


This year I resolve to:


1. Really use the technology I discovered in my Web 2.0 class earlier in the summer. I have a tendency to learn about new technology, but then let it drop as the year passes. I found several web sites that my creative writing students could use to write children's books.  Also, found some great sites that would make my classroom more interactive.  I need to consciously add these tools to my lessons!


2. Read more professional books.  I didn't read much professionally last year, and I found myself getting burnt out much earlier in the spring.  Professional reading keeps me excited. It empowers me to better myself and my classroom. I need to keep a "to be read" list of professional books for the year.  The first two on my list are The Book Whisperer and 14 Things Great Teachers Do.


3. I will be an active learner. I have a great PLN started, not only with people in my district, but also with new friends in the blogging and Twitter world. I must take advantage of all that knowledge!


Two quotes will also guide my teaching this year. Attributed to Buddha, the first is Life is so very difficult. How can we be anything but kind?  Students, teachers, janitors, administration. It doesn't matter?  Everyone has things going on in their lives that affects their daily attitude.  Things that affect how they deal with others. My attitude needs to be kind. Attitude is everything.


The other quote that I have been using as a mantra this summer and will continue to use throughout the year, You must be the change you want to see in the world. Mahatma Ghandi.  Students began using this at the end of last year when confronted by actions from their classmates that they didn't like. I think as adults we also need to constantly be the change. Instead of sitting in the lounge complaining, I must find a way to change what I don't like. 


So, there is it. Short, but meaningful for me. Things to think about. 


Happy School Year!

All Summer in a Week

It's the last week of summer vacation and while I should be at home, traveling to school for a bit every day to work on "school stuff", I am at the lake trying to cram every last bit of summer in that I can. Why? I don't know. We'll continue to come to the trailer every weekend until mid October.  But the season is winding down ( insert sad face).

We spent a lot of time outside, just enjoying the beautiful weather we have been graced with this week. After 27 days of above normal temperatures (many days of heat indexes about 100), this feels heavenly!  As the adults just sat and relaxed the kids had many adventures.  One thing I truly appreciate about our grandkids is the fact that they don't need a lot of toys to be entertained, nor do they need adults to entertain them. Especially at the lake, they find plenty to do.  Their imaginations and a few props are all they need.  Here they are, traveling by boat to some far off place.

We also took a day and did some "touristy" activities.  We played mini-golf at a course with a Wizard of Oz theme. It wasn't busy while we were there, so the kids could run ahead and play holes without us and then run back and play with us.

We also went to the amusement park--not to ride the rides, but to play in the park within it.  Kids choice.  There are lots of climbing toys, slides and sand to keep them amused.  It's one of their favorite places to go!

And, of course, no outing is complete without stopping for ice cream!

All I Learned About Teaching I Learned From My Grandkids

There's six of 'em, you know.  Ages 6 to 3 1/2 months. That's a lot of learning going on when you get them all together. And I realized that they are teaching me many things that apply to my classroom (even though I teach high school kids).

Here's what I know:

1. When you are truly scared of something. but confront it anyway, that's real courage. Doesn't matter if it is bugs or deep water or new situations. Just gotta do it.  I need to think about this with new speech classes. Giving speeches is hard stuff--especially for some.  I must make sure kids know I respect them for trying something new and scary.

2. Sometimes, if you want to make a new friend, you have to make the first move!  


3. If you always take no for an answer, you never get to try or learn anything new.  I watched Max today go back to the same cord time after time, even though I kept saying no and taking it away from him.  I know he's exploring his world and that's never a bad thing. My kids at school are exploring in their own way, and I need to remember that!

4. Sometimes you have to make a little noise to get any attention! Babies Hayden and Max have this down to a science. They are happy babies who don't fuss a lot, but when they need something, they make sure everyone knows.  This applies to school in so many ways---don't like how things are being done? Make a little noise. Kids need an adult to notice them? Make a little noise. I need to look at the noisemakers and see if their needs are being met. And sometimes, I need to make a little noise of my own.

5. Think of new ways inside the box. I know this sounds contradictory, but stay with me for a moment.
Babies, especially, don't need toys. They need to explore. Pots and pans. Spoons. Fuzzy slippers. All of these provide entertainment for a baby. Give older kids a bunch of toys and they play with the boxes. Houses. Castles. Rocket ships. Imagination rules. What this says to me is to give my students the idea and let them run. Just because I envisioned it one way, doesn't have to be the way it turns out.

6. Passion changes, but it's always a good thing. Tony LOVES sports--anything that involves a ball. His first words to me in the morning are "Can I play golf?"  It's his passion right now. In the fall, it will be football. In the winter, basketball.  They all have their own passions, and as adults, we try to accommodate them.  School is the same way. Give kids choices as much as possible and help them find their passion. HINT:  It probably isn't school.

No Wussie Girls

Girls,
A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a post for your brothers with all the things I hope and wish for them--things Grandma thought it was important for them to know. After reading teacherdance's blog the other day, I decided I'd better get one written for you girls too!






1. Learn some basic car maintenance--or at least know the name of one really good mechanic who won't cheat you just because you are a woman.

2. It's fun to pretend to be a princess, but in the real world, women need to take care of themselves.

3. Boys make great friends, NOT just boyfriends.

4. It's nice to have a man in your life, but don't let them become a necessity. Be with someone because you want to be, not because you have to be.

5. Bugs are not scary creatures and the ones around here won't kill you!  Step on that spider for heavens sakes!

6. Be nice to people, including yourself.  Always make time for you.

7. Stand up for yourself and others. If you know something is wrong, don't put up with it. Deal with it.

8. Learn to cook.

9. Try new things. Sitting back and watching others have fun is not fun for you.

10. Dance, even if you're not very good at it!

11. Laugh every day and surround yourself with people who make you laugh.

12. Find something you are passionate about and make it an important part of your life.

13. Read!  Grandma can't wait to introduce you to some more of her favorite characters.

14. Stay active. And try something besides cheerleading!

15. Remember, parents make mistakes, but they always make them because they love you. (Grandma, however, is always right)

16. When dad says he won't let you date until you are 30, call Grandma. I'll straighten him out.

17. And remember what Grandma always tells you, "No wussie girls!"

Just One of Those Days

Today was just one of those days.

I didn't wake up until 8:00am. Unusual for me, even at the lake. More unusual was the fact that Chloe just crawled up on the edge of the bed and slept too.  I think I got too much sleep. I didn't have any energy today. Nada. Zip. Nothing.

Here's what I didn't do:
Read--anything. Usually Tuesday mornings I read blog posts until my eyes bleed. Not today. Only read two or three at the most.  I also didn't read for fun or for PD. Only checked my email once and Facebook twice. Nothing seemed to catch my interest.

Write--I did make a four item grocery list, but even that took more energy than I could muster. Here it is, 8:00pm and I am just getting around to posting on my blog and at Two Writing Teachers.  So not like me...

Paint--I planned on painting a coat of primer in the trailer addition today.  But, nope, that didn't get done either. I did move the paint can from the floor to the table, though.

Walk--Chloe and I have been walking every morning when we get up. I'd like to blame not walking on her, but I have a feeling she'd argue with me if she could!

What did I do?  Hmmmm.

I did make it to the grocery store to buy cat litter. But I didn't get the litter box changed.

I did sit and stare at the lake for awhile this morning.

I took a two hour nap.

Don't know what was up today, but sure hope it doesn't continue tomorrow!