End of the Year Closing In...Wow

I apologize up front for my inconsistent blogging. It is so relaxing and enjoyable to sit down and actually take a minute to express how I'm feeling through writing. But to actually remember to sit down....that's another story. 

Wow! I can't believe I only have 5 weeks of teaching left until I can honestly say, I have successfully completed my first year of teaching in a 5th grade resource room & with middle school students at the Truancy Academy. 

When I was younger, right before I graduated from high school, an older friend of mine said, "Hey, slow down, once you get out of high school, life speeds by." I laughed this comment off, thinking "YEAH RIGHT!! Schooling takes FOREVER!." 

Looking back now, I am 25 years old, have completed 6 years of college & earned my Special Education Teaching Certificate, traveled to South Africa, completed my first year of teaching and all I have to show for the many memories of my life up to now are certificates and pictures that spark those lost memories that are unfortunately forgotten during the fast paced bustling life I lead.

I'll admit the end of the year is conjuring up a bit of stress within this body of mine, however, I have so many amazing team members and colleagues that I know I am not alone. The assessments, paperwork, collaboration & meetings, etc. are all meant to make us more effective in teaching. 

So let's talk about my students. I am going to be an emotional wreck when my kiddos walk out the door on June 8th. They are the most fabulous group of unique, creative kiddos a first year teacher could only imagine to have. They have grown not only academically but also socially in the past 9 months. These 5th graders will soon be moving on, heading to middle school. I pray for them the ability to laugh off gossip that is not truthful, the opportunity to stick up for others who are being treated in negative ways, and for them to continue to be motivated and passionate about learning & life. I pray for my Truancy kiddos to head back to their home districts with a new found confidence in their academic and social skills.

Teaching is all about igniting that fire within each student. I believe my job is to teach students WHY it is important to build a foundation in elementary and middle school that will carry them through high school and life. 

Although the CCSS and criteria for students to earn their diploma is becoming more intense, with an internal drive, I do believe students can achieve amazing things. Students with severe learning disabilities, students with emotional impairments, students with speech and language impairments, hearing impairments, etc. We do not teach a cookie cutter population. This means though, we as teachers, MUST step it up. We must differentiate their instruction. We must HELP students to understand WHY it is important to really "get" geometry, or algebra. Creativity is key. 

And I pray someday when I have children of my own, the teachers will take the time to ignite that spark with my own little ones instead of putting it out. Education equals success in a "more difficult than ever to get a job" economy. 

I am excited to end this year on a positive note, spend some time learning about myself and my love for teaching through professional development in Belize, and start out next year all the wiser with a kick to my step. 

Thanks to everyone who continuously supports me on my journey to figure out my educational philosophy and ......my life goals =) 

Love,

Miss P

My first few months of teaching....

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Hello my friends,

I sure have not been keeping up on my blog lately. I have been so immersed and over my head with teaching my students, paperwork, scheduling, learning goals and "I can" statements....that I barely have time to breathe! Thanks to all my wonderful colleagues who have helped me on my adventure and my amazing mother.

I would like to write about my first few months in the classroom. The last time I blogged in September, I was definitely aware of the things I will do differently in the next year in regards to taking my time to set up students schedules instead of jumping right into working with students.

I have learned so much since September...and I feel like I understand my students so much better. It definitely takes a good month or so to build relationships with students and gain their trust. Now I feel like I am able to try some more creative teaching techniques with my students since we have our expectations set up. I have seen great gains and growth with some students, however, it is also frustrating to see students who have absolutely no support from their homes progress with a much slower pace due to factors out of their control.

I have been blessed to work with 5th grade students as well as middle school students with special needs. The IEP's are definitely a source of frustration at some points, because the way I see it, these are so very important and the basic "game plan" for the teachers to use to get these kiddos back in the general education classes (always our goal). I think this will get easier with time and experience.

Technology has been amazing in my district! My classroom has a mimeo board, lady bug and a clicker system that I am just trying out. I am finding some other wonderful sources such as bookshare.org (you can get a membership if you are an individual with a disability or if you teach individuals with disabilities...for free) where you download free books! I even downloaded "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" for one of my students, and the books are read aloud! I am trying this out with one of my students who is almost illiterate and it has given him a sense of independence and he is very proud when he writes his reader's response after reading a chapter. Thanks to a wonderful colleague, Wendy, I will be trying voice-thread, so he can record his responses online as well! 

Within the past three months I have really realized the importance for students to feel proud of their work and have just started having them graph their progress with their goals. I also took pictures of them doing "on task" things such as using their multiplication charts to solve story problems, highlighting important information, etc....and I put them on our goal chart with "I can" statements. "I can use a highlighter to solve story problems." They seem proud of this, and I will refer to this throughout our lessons as an "appropriate behavior" example. 

All in all...I've learned the following.....

• Inappropriate behaviors in the general education setting are set at zero tolerance, not at all like my self-contained EI experience....
• When there is an issue, take the student into the hall and sit cross-legged-style on the floor. May sound crazy, but it sure makes the kids calm and you don't feel as threatening them. Works for elementary.
• Experienced teachers are the best source of information. 
• Take what you can from professional development and make it fit into your classroom and educational philosophy.
• My spark and love for those crazy kiddos is what will get me through years and years of teaching.
• Masking tape on the floor DOES keep students in their area, sometimes.
• When you need a breather....let the kids know. They will respond well.....be honest with them.
• SET HIGH EXPECTATIONS!!!
• It is almost impossible to leave school before 5:30pm each night.
• Let the students see you make mistakes. This makes you REAL to them!!
• Get those kiddos up and moving. They need to be involved.
• We all learn differently. Some of us NEED a white board and marker to solve math problems. White paper and lead is not always enough.
• Most behavior problems come from boredom, frustration or the teacher’s lack of classroom management! I see this in my classroom….
• When you don't know, ASK!!
• Social Skills are SO IMPORTANT!!