It's no fun being sick.
It's even worse fun being sick and having to teach 50 kids.
:(
But, I've got the best kids. They get it. I told them I have a headache and they work with me.
Plus, they always get me laughing. No matter what. Some of them are just too cute, too adorable, and full of funny things to say.
For example, right after I told the class that I have a headache and wasn't feeling well, one of my boys said, "How come you dressed like a little girl today?" I guess I do look like a kid today. I'm wearing a yellow sun dress with a sweater and jeans. I just laughed and so did everyone else. See, they're cool kids.
We've had quite a few recent developments in my classes.
We currently have over $80 raised for a Christmas donation to World Vision.
I am buying our class bearded dragon sometime this weekend.
And I just got an iPad, which means sometime in the near future, my class will have a makeshift smartboard. I can't wait!
However, in the meantime, I'm stuck with a headache, sore throat, and stuffy nose :(
This is the second time this season that I've gotten sick. I don't usually get sick much at all. Not even last year with my 3rd graders. But this year I see twice as many kids daily than I did last year. So I guess it would make scientific sense that I would get sick twice as much.
Anyways, lunch is almost over. Got to go. Dueces!
Friday, November 30, 2012
Friday, November 16, 2012
November Update
I couldn't think of a creative title. Maybe I will by the end of this post.
Well, I still have my job...for now. The layoff was rescinded. However, my principal announced at our meeting last Wednesday that she does have to let go of one staff person. She didn't say who. And she hasn't talked to me. So, here's hoping that I get to stay.
Donorschoose has been such an amazing gift this year. Things that I don't have the money to buy but really need in my classroom have been supplied through the donations of friends, family, and strangers. It's been absolutely wonderful. I finally have a real pencil sharpener in my class! We were using a small hand-held metal sharpener before that. It is amazing how a classroom can change with a real pencil sharpener! From hand sanitizer, kleenex, paper towels to construction paper, markers, crayons, scissors, Donorschoose has made a way for me to be able to function in this confusing district! And, I've applied and been accepted for a grant to get a classroom pet. We are going to get a bearded dragon. My kids are super excited. I might even be more excited than them. I can't wait to get the supplies for it!
Report cards went home last week. Luckily, students did get a lot of their grades up so I didn't have to give as many F's as I gave on progress reports.
Treating everyone fairly is still a challenge. Some of the kids just get me so irritated. Its something I have to work on daily. But, I think that's usually how it is. If you're really trying to teach well, you've got to readjust on a daily basis.
Currently, math is kicking the butts of my students. We are practicing unit conversions. Most get it now, but it's taken several days. We've begun moving on to precise measurements using fractions of inches. This is the 2nd day on it, but I think we'll be ready to move on by Monday. According to the district pacing chart, we are only supposed to spend one day on each lesson. That kind of pacing isn't student friendly. If kids don't understand, a teacher needs to stay there until the kids are ready to move on. There's so much wrong with public education...
One day I'll be able to run school the way that I think it should be run. That day will come when I home school my kids, or at least, when I'm able to teach fewer children at one time. I wouldn't mind working for a school that had small class sizes. They say the research isn't conclusive on whether or not small class sizes actually benefit student learning. I'll tell you from experience that those studies are hi-jacked by politicians. No one wants to pay for more teachers. The class limit for middle schools in Detroit is 38. THIRTY EIGHT students! The average kid will remain average in a class size like that. No wonder we're not moving up. I think it's reasonable to deal with 12-15 students. Classes should not exceed that number. Ever. Not if you want knowledgeable scholars. But I don't think politicians really want knowledgeable citizens. They may say that they do, but they are not willing to pay the people to get the job done.
Now I'm just talking.
The school year starts feeling amazing once November rolls around. We have 1/2 days, finally a day or two off, and then Christmas break, and mid-winter break, and spring break, and more random days off and 1/2 days. Getting to November is the tough part. September-October is a solid block of school day after school day. People, every kind of person, needs a break. And because school is so work and brain intensive, more breaks = more happy people ready to work and use their brain again.
I've had 2 students move. One to Mexico and one to Fort Meyers. Now that Christmas is around the corner, I have a handful more students saying they are leaving to vacation in Mexico soon. That sucks. These students tend to miss 1-2 months of school, if not more. I wish their parents could understand how much their kid misses by being gone. Oh well.
Well, that's whats going on. I know it's a random assortment of all sorts of things in my head at the moment. I like teaching. I like my kids. It's hard every day. But I also laugh every day. That makes it worth it. Plus-I get notes on a daily basis telling me how awesome I am! (Seriously-according to this certain group of 10 and 11 year olds, I am the BEST math teacher and the BEST science teacher, and the COOLEST teacher ever! I don't know about you, but I care what 10 and 11 year olds think about me ;)
Well, I still have my job...for now. The layoff was rescinded. However, my principal announced at our meeting last Wednesday that she does have to let go of one staff person. She didn't say who. And she hasn't talked to me. So, here's hoping that I get to stay.
Donorschoose has been such an amazing gift this year. Things that I don't have the money to buy but really need in my classroom have been supplied through the donations of friends, family, and strangers. It's been absolutely wonderful. I finally have a real pencil sharpener in my class! We were using a small hand-held metal sharpener before that. It is amazing how a classroom can change with a real pencil sharpener! From hand sanitizer, kleenex, paper towels to construction paper, markers, crayons, scissors, Donorschoose has made a way for me to be able to function in this confusing district! And, I've applied and been accepted for a grant to get a classroom pet. We are going to get a bearded dragon. My kids are super excited. I might even be more excited than them. I can't wait to get the supplies for it!
Report cards went home last week. Luckily, students did get a lot of their grades up so I didn't have to give as many F's as I gave on progress reports.
Treating everyone fairly is still a challenge. Some of the kids just get me so irritated. Its something I have to work on daily. But, I think that's usually how it is. If you're really trying to teach well, you've got to readjust on a daily basis.
Currently, math is kicking the butts of my students. We are practicing unit conversions. Most get it now, but it's taken several days. We've begun moving on to precise measurements using fractions of inches. This is the 2nd day on it, but I think we'll be ready to move on by Monday. According to the district pacing chart, we are only supposed to spend one day on each lesson. That kind of pacing isn't student friendly. If kids don't understand, a teacher needs to stay there until the kids are ready to move on. There's so much wrong with public education...
One day I'll be able to run school the way that I think it should be run. That day will come when I home school my kids, or at least, when I'm able to teach fewer children at one time. I wouldn't mind working for a school that had small class sizes. They say the research isn't conclusive on whether or not small class sizes actually benefit student learning. I'll tell you from experience that those studies are hi-jacked by politicians. No one wants to pay for more teachers. The class limit for middle schools in Detroit is 38. THIRTY EIGHT students! The average kid will remain average in a class size like that. No wonder we're not moving up. I think it's reasonable to deal with 12-15 students. Classes should not exceed that number. Ever. Not if you want knowledgeable scholars. But I don't think politicians really want knowledgeable citizens. They may say that they do, but they are not willing to pay the people to get the job done.
Now I'm just talking.
The school year starts feeling amazing once November rolls around. We have 1/2 days, finally a day or two off, and then Christmas break, and mid-winter break, and spring break, and more random days off and 1/2 days. Getting to November is the tough part. September-October is a solid block of school day after school day. People, every kind of person, needs a break. And because school is so work and brain intensive, more breaks = more happy people ready to work and use their brain again.
I've had 2 students move. One to Mexico and one to Fort Meyers. Now that Christmas is around the corner, I have a handful more students saying they are leaving to vacation in Mexico soon. That sucks. These students tend to miss 1-2 months of school, if not more. I wish their parents could understand how much their kid misses by being gone. Oh well.
Well, that's whats going on. I know it's a random assortment of all sorts of things in my head at the moment. I like teaching. I like my kids. It's hard every day. But I also laugh every day. That makes it worth it. Plus-I get notes on a daily basis telling me how awesome I am! (Seriously-according to this certain group of 10 and 11 year olds, I am the BEST math teacher and the BEST science teacher, and the COOLEST teacher ever! I don't know about you, but I care what 10 and 11 year olds think about me ;)
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Pandora and Connecting to the Vine
...there's always that ONE kid who gets under your skin... I nearly go off on students when I've told the class repeatedly to stop talking while I'm giving directions or clarification. And I cringe every time I see a hand go up when I've asked for questions and someone wants to start sharing a story. KIDS! Why are they like this?
Yesterday was a tough day. My math lesson was boring and no one wanted to do the work. I had to constantly tell students to keep working, put your name on your paper, stop talking about that, sit down, leave her alone, do your work, stop talking, put your hand down-you can't go to the bathroom, stop talking, why haven't you started your work, put your name on your paper, no-you can't write in marker, stop talking... (Seriously.)
Since becoming a teacher not a school day goes by without me spending time in the morning asking God to give me patience and to help me be fair and full of grace and love. Every day I fail. And every morning I ask for the grace to treat my students right all over again.
I went home last night worn out. I had relied on my own (lack of) strength all day and I could tell. My students could tell, too. [It's worse for my afternoon class. By the time they get to me my morning class has stolen all of my patience and grace and there is very little nice left in me.]
This morning I knew I needed the Lord's strength. I sat for a while after waking up just thinking about everything that went wrong yesterday-just telling the Lord all about it. I'm so glad his love is unconditional-he really knows me and nothing I do is hidden from him. I find comfort in that. I don't have to try to hide things from him. He already knows-and he LOVES me JUST THE SAME. [No-I'm not saying that we can do whatever we want and abuse God's grace. That makes him angry. Just look at the letters to the churches in Revelation. What I am saying is that our messes don't phase him and his love is always unwavering towards us. Unconditional love and agreeing with our actions are two different things.]
So, I had a good morning getting my head cleared and making room in my heart for God to be in control. Then, on my way to work, the best mix of songs were on the radio. My heart went straight into worship. I wanted to just sit in my car and speak to God. But, everything you do can be worship to God-and I had a job to get started.
Thank God for Pandora Radio! As soon as I got in my classroom I knew I couldn't stop worshiping just yet. My heart just needed to commune with God. So I put on some Christian radio via Pandora while I wrote the objectives and homework for the day and looked over my lesson plans.
Today was so much better than yesterday. I treated my kids better. My lessons were better (even Math!). I laughed more. I smiled at my kids more. I spoke more encouraging words to my kids. I was no where near being worn out at the end of the day.
The thing is when I have a bad day, my kids are forced to have a bad day. But, when I have a good day nothing but good can come of it. Which means when I'm not rooted in Jesus and connected to his strength my kids suffer. But when I am full of praise and worship my kids' days are changed for the better. It is absolutely crazy to think about. It blows my mind. When I am centered in Jesus my kids reap the benefits. It doesn't matter if they believe in God or even know that I'm a follower of God--as long as I'm letting the Holy Spirit lead my day they get a taste of what real life is. CRAZY. When I'm tasting and seeing that the Lord is good my kids are able to taste and see that, too! Woah!
We are carriers of salt and light. I'm starting to realize that the church may not even know what that truly means. We don't realize how we can change the spiritual atmosphere of a place just by being present. We are ambassadors of Christ, sons and daughters of a king-the King. We are those that have found favor with the creator of the universe (the sun is 93 million miles away from earth and it would take use 24 YEARS to travel to Neptune and back....UNIVERSE).
Anyway-I think I've been all over the place here. Hopefully you can figure it out.
Keep praying, I'm still on lay-off notice. Whatever my God ordains is right.
Yesterday was a tough day. My math lesson was boring and no one wanted to do the work. I had to constantly tell students to keep working, put your name on your paper, stop talking about that, sit down, leave her alone, do your work, stop talking, put your hand down-you can't go to the bathroom, stop talking, why haven't you started your work, put your name on your paper, no-you can't write in marker, stop talking... (Seriously.)
Since becoming a teacher not a school day goes by without me spending time in the morning asking God to give me patience and to help me be fair and full of grace and love. Every day I fail. And every morning I ask for the grace to treat my students right all over again.
I went home last night worn out. I had relied on my own (lack of) strength all day and I could tell. My students could tell, too. [It's worse for my afternoon class. By the time they get to me my morning class has stolen all of my patience and grace and there is very little nice left in me.]
This morning I knew I needed the Lord's strength. I sat for a while after waking up just thinking about everything that went wrong yesterday-just telling the Lord all about it. I'm so glad his love is unconditional-he really knows me and nothing I do is hidden from him. I find comfort in that. I don't have to try to hide things from him. He already knows-and he LOVES me JUST THE SAME. [No-I'm not saying that we can do whatever we want and abuse God's grace. That makes him angry. Just look at the letters to the churches in Revelation. What I am saying is that our messes don't phase him and his love is always unwavering towards us. Unconditional love and agreeing with our actions are two different things.]
So, I had a good morning getting my head cleared and making room in my heart for God to be in control. Then, on my way to work, the best mix of songs were on the radio. My heart went straight into worship. I wanted to just sit in my car and speak to God. But, everything you do can be worship to God-and I had a job to get started.
Thank God for Pandora Radio! As soon as I got in my classroom I knew I couldn't stop worshiping just yet. My heart just needed to commune with God. So I put on some Christian radio via Pandora while I wrote the objectives and homework for the day and looked over my lesson plans.
Today was so much better than yesterday. I treated my kids better. My lessons were better (even Math!). I laughed more. I smiled at my kids more. I spoke more encouraging words to my kids. I was no where near being worn out at the end of the day.
The thing is when I have a bad day, my kids are forced to have a bad day. But, when I have a good day nothing but good can come of it. Which means when I'm not rooted in Jesus and connected to his strength my kids suffer. But when I am full of praise and worship my kids' days are changed for the better. It is absolutely crazy to think about. It blows my mind. When I am centered in Jesus my kids reap the benefits. It doesn't matter if they believe in God or even know that I'm a follower of God--as long as I'm letting the Holy Spirit lead my day they get a taste of what real life is. CRAZY. When I'm tasting and seeing that the Lord is good my kids are able to taste and see that, too! Woah!
We are carriers of salt and light. I'm starting to realize that the church may not even know what that truly means. We don't realize how we can change the spiritual atmosphere of a place just by being present. We are ambassadors of Christ, sons and daughters of a king-the King. We are those that have found favor with the creator of the universe (the sun is 93 million miles away from earth and it would take use 24 YEARS to travel to Neptune and back....UNIVERSE).
Anyway-I think I've been all over the place here. Hopefully you can figure it out.
Keep praying, I'm still on lay-off notice. Whatever my God ordains is right.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Pink Slip
For those of you that are following I decided I would share this information.
On Saturday I came back from a wedding ceremony for a little bit before the reception. Upon arriving home, I opened my mail and found a lovely note from DPS letting me know that, unless recalled, I will be laidoff in a couple weeks.
I broke down. Completely. I couldn't even tell my parents, just had to give the note to my dad. And then everyone in the house came and hugged me, lol.
I'm not worried. I am cautiously optimistic. I don't know what will happen. I texted my principal and her response was "What? Don't worry. Have a good time at the wedding."
Now, I have a very good principal. She tells us all the time that she hand picked this staff purposely. And I've heard from staff that she's kept with her along the years that she doesn't play around when it comes to that kind of decision. I trust that she will do whatever can be done to keep me at her school.
I also trust the Lord. He is sovereign. I did not put this teaching gift inside of me. I did not make my heart love this city as I do. And I did not get this job for myself. All of my experiences and education leading up to this point have been orchestrated by the Lord. I have learned to trust him in all circumstances. I remember the way that he provided for me so tenderly in high school and became my very best friend in the whole world. I know...not from a naive-never-been-through-anything-hard but from a you-were-the-only-one-there-when-I-needed-someone-the-most...that he is faithful and his plans for this life of mine are by far superior to any I can make up on my own.
That being said, I don't know what will happen. I'm not worried...but I am eager to find out if I stay or go...and if I go, then what next.
Well, today at the staff meeting, my principal and assistant principal decided to start handing out "High Flyer" awards to staff who are going above and beyond. I got one. And I'm really glad. I don't like recognition for bragging rights, but I do like recognition...who doesn't?
I hope this means I get to stay. But even if it doesn't, it's good comfort for the time being.
On Saturday I came back from a wedding ceremony for a little bit before the reception. Upon arriving home, I opened my mail and found a lovely note from DPS letting me know that, unless recalled, I will be laidoff in a couple weeks.
I broke down. Completely. I couldn't even tell my parents, just had to give the note to my dad. And then everyone in the house came and hugged me, lol.
I'm not worried. I am cautiously optimistic. I don't know what will happen. I texted my principal and her response was "What? Don't worry. Have a good time at the wedding."
Now, I have a very good principal. She tells us all the time that she hand picked this staff purposely. And I've heard from staff that she's kept with her along the years that she doesn't play around when it comes to that kind of decision. I trust that she will do whatever can be done to keep me at her school.
I also trust the Lord. He is sovereign. I did not put this teaching gift inside of me. I did not make my heart love this city as I do. And I did not get this job for myself. All of my experiences and education leading up to this point have been orchestrated by the Lord. I have learned to trust him in all circumstances. I remember the way that he provided for me so tenderly in high school and became my very best friend in the whole world. I know...not from a naive-never-been-through-anything-hard but from a you-were-the-only-one-there-when-I-needed-someone-the-most...that he is faithful and his plans for this life of mine are by far superior to any I can make up on my own.
That being said, I don't know what will happen. I'm not worried...but I am eager to find out if I stay or go...and if I go, then what next.
Well, today at the staff meeting, my principal and assistant principal decided to start handing out "High Flyer" awards to staff who are going above and beyond. I got one. And I'm really glad. I don't like recognition for bragging rights, but I do like recognition...who doesn't?
I hope this means I get to stay. But even if it doesn't, it's good comfort for the time being.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Ok, so what if the earth was...
Our science curriculum starts with seasons. I don't think I could've been luckier. I love teaching seasons because kids have so many questions about the earth when it comes to seasons.
We've been doing models and dances to explore the motion of the earth around the sun. I have the North Star on one of the classroom walls. We all stand up by our chair and grab our hands over our heads to make our axis. Then we tilt toward Polaris. Next we start to rotate. And finally we keep all of that going revolve around our sun (the chairs). I had one adorable boy continue to tilt his "axis" toward Polaris even when we left the classroom for bathroom and recess. I'll have to get a pic or video of our dance.
Today I used a website today to further illustrate the importance of the earth's tilt, the angle of the sun and how they relate to temperature and hours of daylight. (Go here for the goods.) My kids LOVED it. They were asking so many questions.
"So what would happen if we didn't rotate?"
"So what would happen if our axis was titled this way?"
"So what would happen if we revolved backwards?"
It was an exciting day for seasons to say the least. Afterwards, kids began to answer "What effect does a tilted axis have on our seasons? in table groups. Brilliant answers at the end of the day make my heart warm and fuzzy. One kid wrote that if we had a straight axis then we would have the same season all year round. Another kid explained that when we the earth's tilt is pointing toward the sun then we have summer because the angle of the sunlight in the Northern Hemisphere is closer to 90 degrees. What brilliant children!
I've been needing a day like this.
Also, my principal made two shout-outs to me this week. One for tutoring without regard for pay (I tutor 2 days a week after school) and another for being the only employee, who attended a specific workshop, that shared some of the resources with my principal.
On to other news, yesterday I got a new student who only speaks Spanish. Only. I'm used to EL students...but the emphasis is learner. This poor girl doesn't understand anything I say. So I paired her up with a bilingual student who is repeating the 5th grade. I'm confident both of them will benefit from the experience. My new girl will have a translation and my bilingual girl will be responsible for reteaching the material. It's a win-win for everyone.
Let's see...what else? Oh, if you'd like to support my classroom, we are in need of personal white boards for quick formative assessments. You can donate towards this project at donorschoose.org/ostroski make sure to enter the match code PUMPKIN to instantly double your donation at no extra cost to you! Don't hold off too long though, the match code is only valid until October 15th.
Blessings to you all. <3 AmyO
We've been doing models and dances to explore the motion of the earth around the sun. I have the North Star on one of the classroom walls. We all stand up by our chair and grab our hands over our heads to make our axis. Then we tilt toward Polaris. Next we start to rotate. And finally we keep all of that going revolve around our sun (the chairs). I had one adorable boy continue to tilt his "axis" toward Polaris even when we left the classroom for bathroom and recess. I'll have to get a pic or video of our dance.
Today I used a website today to further illustrate the importance of the earth's tilt, the angle of the sun and how they relate to temperature and hours of daylight. (Go here for the goods.) My kids LOVED it. They were asking so many questions.
"So what would happen if we didn't rotate?"
"So what would happen if our axis was titled this way?"
"So what would happen if we revolved backwards?"
It was an exciting day for seasons to say the least. Afterwards, kids began to answer "What effect does a tilted axis have on our seasons? in table groups. Brilliant answers at the end of the day make my heart warm and fuzzy. One kid wrote that if we had a straight axis then we would have the same season all year round. Another kid explained that when we the earth's tilt is pointing toward the sun then we have summer because the angle of the sunlight in the Northern Hemisphere is closer to 90 degrees. What brilliant children!
I've been needing a day like this.
Also, my principal made two shout-outs to me this week. One for tutoring without regard for pay (I tutor 2 days a week after school) and another for being the only employee, who attended a specific workshop, that shared some of the resources with my principal.
On to other news, yesterday I got a new student who only speaks Spanish. Only. I'm used to EL students...but the emphasis is learner. This poor girl doesn't understand anything I say. So I paired her up with a bilingual student who is repeating the 5th grade. I'm confident both of them will benefit from the experience. My new girl will have a translation and my bilingual girl will be responsible for reteaching the material. It's a win-win for everyone.
Let's see...what else? Oh, if you'd like to support my classroom, we are in need of personal white boards for quick formative assessments. You can donate towards this project at donorschoose.org/ostroski make sure to enter the match code PUMPKIN to instantly double your donation at no extra cost to you! Don't hold off too long though, the match code is only valid until October 15th.
Blessings to you all. <3 AmyO
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Don't Take This Personal
Are you kidding me?
EVERYTHING about this job is personal. EVERYTHING.
My heart IS Detroit. They are one in the same. They cannot be separated.
Can't read? I take that personally.
Can't write? I take that personally.
Can't explain answers? I take that personally.
Can't do math you were already supposed to know? I take that personally.
Don't do homework? I take that personally.
People look at Detroit and see death. I look at Detroit and have only ever been able to see life. I see life everywhere. I see it in the hunger. People are so hungry here. It is hunger that drives addiction, neglect, abuse, and the need to be accepted, to belong. There is life in hunger. People who are fighting hunger do so because they want to live. There is life here.
There is also oppression, fatherlessness, and poverty that viciously cycles. Yeah, I see all of that, too. And I take it personally. Detroit IS my heart. How can I not take the pain personal? I see my city how it is. I see the destruction and devastation. I see the drug addicts and the torched houses. I see the camera crews on the corner of the last shooting. I see the girls walking the street. I see the trash-littered neighborhoods.
But my heart, my heart sees the life, it sees the "what-ifs" and "could bes." I see restoration. I see redemption. I see a city rebuilt. I see everything made new.
Until everyone sees what my heart sees, I will continue to take all of the pain personal. I'm a teacher on purpose. I'm trying to change this city. Not because I think I can, but because I know I was called. I was called to teach---here---in this place, where life is so hard for others to see. And in the midst of me teaching I continue to fight. I have to wage war against illiteracy. I have to wage war against laziness. I have to wage war against anything that suggests compromise. My heart cannot let these things happen to my city, but when they do, I can feel the pain on the inside. How can I not take this personally?
EVERYTHING about this job is personal. EVERYTHING.
My heart IS Detroit. They are one in the same. They cannot be separated.
Can't read? I take that personally.
Can't write? I take that personally.
Can't explain answers? I take that personally.
Can't do math you were already supposed to know? I take that personally.
Don't do homework? I take that personally.
People look at Detroit and see death. I look at Detroit and have only ever been able to see life. I see life everywhere. I see it in the hunger. People are so hungry here. It is hunger that drives addiction, neglect, abuse, and the need to be accepted, to belong. There is life in hunger. People who are fighting hunger do so because they want to live. There is life here.
There is also oppression, fatherlessness, and poverty that viciously cycles. Yeah, I see all of that, too. And I take it personally. Detroit IS my heart. How can I not take the pain personal? I see my city how it is. I see the destruction and devastation. I see the drug addicts and the torched houses. I see the camera crews on the corner of the last shooting. I see the girls walking the street. I see the trash-littered neighborhoods.
But my heart, my heart sees the life, it sees the "what-ifs" and "could bes." I see restoration. I see redemption. I see a city rebuilt. I see everything made new.
Until everyone sees what my heart sees, I will continue to take all of the pain personal. I'm a teacher on purpose. I'm trying to change this city. Not because I think I can, but because I know I was called. I was called to teach---here---in this place, where life is so hard for others to see. And in the midst of me teaching I continue to fight. I have to wage war against illiteracy. I have to wage war against laziness. I have to wage war against anything that suggests compromise. My heart cannot let these things happen to my city, but when they do, I can feel the pain on the inside. How can I not take this personally?
This is my anchor right now:
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, the maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them-the Lord, who remains faithful forever. He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free, the Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous. The Lord watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the plan of the wicked.
Psalm 146
Friday, September 21, 2012
Moving Mountains
I've been telling my students all week that progress reports would be going home today. I stayed up late on Wednesday and Thursday getting grades into the computer and getting the reports ready. I've also been prepping my students because many of them were in for a rude awakening. Sometimes it's really tough being a ten year old student.
Even though I handed out dozens of F's today, I left school feeling like a champion. My kids need help. They have gotten to 5th grade without mastering many math and science concepts they are supposed to know by now. No more. That sort of education cannot continue. I would not be doing my job if it did. I can't ignore the acheivement gap between my highest and lowest students. I have one kid who can't read clocks but perfectly explained to me the process of photosynthesis. I have others that struggle to speak English but can read decimal numbers with the correct vocabulary (78.59 is read seventy eight and fifty nine hundredths). I have a lot of back-tracking to do...but it's okay. Really.
I feel like a champion because I left school today knowing, without a doubt, that my students know that I will help them. My students see me as an advocate. I really feel like I have convinced them that I am here because here is where they are. That's a really good feeling. Even in the midst of failing grades and bad feelings, I looked at my students today and saw faces that trusted me. I've earned trust. That's a big deal.
I've even begun to earn the trust of parents. When parents believe that I am an advocate for their child that changes everything. I have a couple of parents who are involved and who are beginning to trust that I will do my job to the best of my ability. That's cool.
I really enjoy what I am doing. I know I am changing things. Even if it's just this group of kids, it still changes everything. I know that me staying here in Detroit will have ripple effects. Stuff is moving and shaking. Praise the Lord that it isn't my doing. Jesus began this good work in me and HE is the one who will bring it to completion. He called out the gift of teaching inside of me. He has put me in very unique circumstances where the gift has been fostered and strengthened. I know there is so much more that I need to learn, but it is a good feeling to be content in the middle of the waiting.
Pray for my students. Pray also for me. I feel like I'm up against mountains...good thing my God says that faith can move them!!!
Even though I handed out dozens of F's today, I left school feeling like a champion. My kids need help. They have gotten to 5th grade without mastering many math and science concepts they are supposed to know by now. No more. That sort of education cannot continue. I would not be doing my job if it did. I can't ignore the acheivement gap between my highest and lowest students. I have one kid who can't read clocks but perfectly explained to me the process of photosynthesis. I have others that struggle to speak English but can read decimal numbers with the correct vocabulary (78.59 is read seventy eight and fifty nine hundredths). I have a lot of back-tracking to do...but it's okay. Really.
I feel like a champion because I left school today knowing, without a doubt, that my students know that I will help them. My students see me as an advocate. I really feel like I have convinced them that I am here because here is where they are. That's a really good feeling. Even in the midst of failing grades and bad feelings, I looked at my students today and saw faces that trusted me. I've earned trust. That's a big deal.
I've even begun to earn the trust of parents. When parents believe that I am an advocate for their child that changes everything. I have a couple of parents who are involved and who are beginning to trust that I will do my job to the best of my ability. That's cool.
I really enjoy what I am doing. I know I am changing things. Even if it's just this group of kids, it still changes everything. I know that me staying here in Detroit will have ripple effects. Stuff is moving and shaking. Praise the Lord that it isn't my doing. Jesus began this good work in me and HE is the one who will bring it to completion. He called out the gift of teaching inside of me. He has put me in very unique circumstances where the gift has been fostered and strengthened. I know there is so much more that I need to learn, but it is a good feeling to be content in the middle of the waiting.
Pray for my students. Pray also for me. I feel like I'm up against mountains...good thing my God says that faith can move them!!!
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
I've taken away Recess
I never thought it would come to this.
Recess is the only bargaining tool that I have.
I've started putting grades into the gradebook and I've found some very disturbing information. Kids are not turning in homework. You'd think I'd realize this every day when I collect homework, right? I collect homework in piles, so I don't ever really know who is turning it in and who isn't. I know now.
One thing that I feel this district has lacked is high standards. So I set high standards for my kids. I told them they will have homework every night. They have to work in my class. It's just not an option. Hard work cannot be an option for students in this district. There is already so much against them. So many of their families are stuck in poverty cycles and aren't able to get out of that. That's got to stop, and as a teacher I can play a key role in teaching kids how to work hard and overcome the things that are in their way.
So recess becomes my time, unfortunately. If they don't turn in homework when it's due, they've still got to do the work. I refuse to let my students settle for D's and F's. They are capable of more. Some of them don't know what they are capable of. Some of them don't believe what they are capable of. Some of them have never been told what they are capable of.
I'll tell them. I'll push them. I'll make them work.
Because I really love them.
Recess is the only bargaining tool that I have.
I've started putting grades into the gradebook and I've found some very disturbing information. Kids are not turning in homework. You'd think I'd realize this every day when I collect homework, right? I collect homework in piles, so I don't ever really know who is turning it in and who isn't. I know now.
One thing that I feel this district has lacked is high standards. So I set high standards for my kids. I told them they will have homework every night. They have to work in my class. It's just not an option. Hard work cannot be an option for students in this district. There is already so much against them. So many of their families are stuck in poverty cycles and aren't able to get out of that. That's got to stop, and as a teacher I can play a key role in teaching kids how to work hard and overcome the things that are in their way.
So recess becomes my time, unfortunately. If they don't turn in homework when it's due, they've still got to do the work. I refuse to let my students settle for D's and F's. They are capable of more. Some of them don't know what they are capable of. Some of them don't believe what they are capable of. Some of them have never been told what they are capable of.
I'll tell them. I'll push them. I'll make them work.
Because I really love them.
Friday, September 14, 2012
2 week Update
These past 2 weeks have been some of the most difficult weeks of my life. Probably the most difficult weeks of my life. I've cried, I've laughed, I've worked and worked and worked, and still there is so much more work to be done.
I don't even know where to start explaining what these past 2 weeks have been like.
I have 2 classes, one before lunch and one after lunch. I'm responsible for preparing each class for the science and math portions of the MEAP. The only math I've ever taught is 3rd grade math. I have almost zero experience teaching science.
I LIKE teaching science. I guess I always knew I would. I don't totally understand science. Physics almost killed me in college. But I've always enjoyed my science classes. For some reason it's what I decided to major in. So far, I've had the most teaching support in science. The district has key concepts that should be reviewed AND lesson plans for how to review them. There are experiments already written out with focus questions, homework, and extension activities. At this point, I feel like I'll make a good science teacher.
I do NOT like teaching math. And I ALWAYS knew I never would. I really could have majored in math, science or english as a teacher. I didn't choose english because I figured it wouldn't be the best career choice. I didn't choose math because I never wanted to teach it. Math always came naturally to me. I never had to think very hard. When I saw how numbers were plugged in to an equation, I got it right away. I was never excited about doing math. I was never happy that I understood it, I just wanted to make sure I kept my straight A's. I didn't have to study hard because I didn't care about being the best in the class, just about doing enough to get my A. Math was the first subject I wanted to give back to my mentor teacher last year. And now, I get to teach it...forever! And unlike science, the math department doesn't have any figured out foci for the math MEAP or review or anything helpful except for a lame pacing chart.
We just got a math instructional specialist/coach in our building. She came in yesterday and didn't say a word. Just sat in my room for a little bit and then left. Today she did the same thing. Except she stayed for a really long time. Why couldn't she have come when I was doing science???? My kids were pairing and sharing, they were watching videos of Olympic sports and telling me how gravity and friction affected the sports, they were engaged, and my teaching was good. Nope. She came during math. The one thing I wish I never had to teach. At least today she spoke to me and said that she is preparing some resources for MEAP review. That's nice. But I will probably still cry tonight because of all this stupid pressure to turn a failing district into an exemplar district overnight.
That's the one thing about my school. It's totally "fend for yourself...or die." Lol. And it's tough. It's really tough.
Even with all that said, this doesn't even sum up what the last 2 weeks have been like. And I have no real way to put it into words. I love my kids. They make me laugh. I was supposed to have a quiz ready for them last Monday but I forgot to do that over the weekend. I told them it was because my weekend was so full of fun things to do and I promised them that I will have no more fun weekends so that they could have fun taking quizzes. Yesterday I mentioned that they will have a quiz on Monday and without missing a beat one of my students blurts out "Please enjoy your weekend!" It made me and the whole class laugh. It was good. I haven't really laughed in school for a while.
I have a handful of kids that are way behind. I don't know who let them pass 4th grade. There are a few that I think may have some legitimate learning disabilities. So I need to see what the process is for documenting and setting up interviews with the student's parents to look into testing.
Overall, it's the system that is overwhelming me. It's a lot to deal with all on your own. And it does feel like I'm all on my own in teaching these kids. But it's magnifying my need for God. "Blessed are the poor in spirit..." I can feel the lack inside. I can feel my need for more of God. This job is way bigger than me. It's way bigger than all of the teachers and administrators combined. It goes beyond education into all sorts of other issues: poverty, healthiness, stability, families, addictions...the list goes on and on. I like when I can feel my need, to know that I am in need, to know that there is One who can provide when no one else can.
"...for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven." And there's the hope, that one day all of this worn out world will pass away and my Jesus will come on the clouds. He will end injustice once and for ever more. There will be no poverty, no pain, no sickness, no addictions, no broken families. There will be Heaven. And Jesus will establish His kingdom and His government will know no end. If something is good, it grows. If something is healthy, it grows. His government will be good. It will be healthy. It will be complete and lacking in nothing. Right now I'm just working with broken systems. But my Jesus will come, and he will restore all that has been lost. And so right now as I feel my need, I know my lack, and I see this problem in education and Detroit-I cling to the One who can make it all right and ask that He would come and be my support. God knows all about elementary education. He knows all about getting students engaged. He knows how to teach.
I gotta go.
I don't even know where to start explaining what these past 2 weeks have been like.
I have 2 classes, one before lunch and one after lunch. I'm responsible for preparing each class for the science and math portions of the MEAP. The only math I've ever taught is 3rd grade math. I have almost zero experience teaching science.
I LIKE teaching science. I guess I always knew I would. I don't totally understand science. Physics almost killed me in college. But I've always enjoyed my science classes. For some reason it's what I decided to major in. So far, I've had the most teaching support in science. The district has key concepts that should be reviewed AND lesson plans for how to review them. There are experiments already written out with focus questions, homework, and extension activities. At this point, I feel like I'll make a good science teacher.
I do NOT like teaching math. And I ALWAYS knew I never would. I really could have majored in math, science or english as a teacher. I didn't choose english because I figured it wouldn't be the best career choice. I didn't choose math because I never wanted to teach it. Math always came naturally to me. I never had to think very hard. When I saw how numbers were plugged in to an equation, I got it right away. I was never excited about doing math. I was never happy that I understood it, I just wanted to make sure I kept my straight A's. I didn't have to study hard because I didn't care about being the best in the class, just about doing enough to get my A. Math was the first subject I wanted to give back to my mentor teacher last year. And now, I get to teach it...forever! And unlike science, the math department doesn't have any figured out foci for the math MEAP or review or anything helpful except for a lame pacing chart.
We just got a math instructional specialist/coach in our building. She came in yesterday and didn't say a word. Just sat in my room for a little bit and then left. Today she did the same thing. Except she stayed for a really long time. Why couldn't she have come when I was doing science???? My kids were pairing and sharing, they were watching videos of Olympic sports and telling me how gravity and friction affected the sports, they were engaged, and my teaching was good. Nope. She came during math. The one thing I wish I never had to teach. At least today she spoke to me and said that she is preparing some resources for MEAP review. That's nice. But I will probably still cry tonight because of all this stupid pressure to turn a failing district into an exemplar district overnight.
That's the one thing about my school. It's totally "fend for yourself...or die." Lol. And it's tough. It's really tough.
Even with all that said, this doesn't even sum up what the last 2 weeks have been like. And I have no real way to put it into words. I love my kids. They make me laugh. I was supposed to have a quiz ready for them last Monday but I forgot to do that over the weekend. I told them it was because my weekend was so full of fun things to do and I promised them that I will have no more fun weekends so that they could have fun taking quizzes. Yesterday I mentioned that they will have a quiz on Monday and without missing a beat one of my students blurts out "Please enjoy your weekend!" It made me and the whole class laugh. It was good. I haven't really laughed in school for a while.
I have a handful of kids that are way behind. I don't know who let them pass 4th grade. There are a few that I think may have some legitimate learning disabilities. So I need to see what the process is for documenting and setting up interviews with the student's parents to look into testing.
Overall, it's the system that is overwhelming me. It's a lot to deal with all on your own. And it does feel like I'm all on my own in teaching these kids. But it's magnifying my need for God. "Blessed are the poor in spirit..." I can feel the lack inside. I can feel my need for more of God. This job is way bigger than me. It's way bigger than all of the teachers and administrators combined. It goes beyond education into all sorts of other issues: poverty, healthiness, stability, families, addictions...the list goes on and on. I like when I can feel my need, to know that I am in need, to know that there is One who can provide when no one else can.
"...for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven." And there's the hope, that one day all of this worn out world will pass away and my Jesus will come on the clouds. He will end injustice once and for ever more. There will be no poverty, no pain, no sickness, no addictions, no broken families. There will be Heaven. And Jesus will establish His kingdom and His government will know no end. If something is good, it grows. If something is healthy, it grows. His government will be good. It will be healthy. It will be complete and lacking in nothing. Right now I'm just working with broken systems. But my Jesus will come, and he will restore all that has been lost. And so right now as I feel my need, I know my lack, and I see this problem in education and Detroit-I cling to the One who can make it all right and ask that He would come and be my support. God knows all about elementary education. He knows all about getting students engaged. He knows how to teach.
I gotta go.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Discipline and Love
I have a morning routine like most people. Every day, before leaving for work, I ask my little brother, "Where is my escort?" He says "Right here!" and escorts me to the front door. We exchange our 'good days' and 'good byes' and I walk out to my car. He closes and locks the door behind me.
This morning I woke up to my little brother and sister and boyfriend making waffles. Yum! When I was ready to leave and asked "Where's my escort?" both Zeke and Alex walked me to the front door. Zeke called out as I was walking down the steps, "Discipline, Amy, remember discipline." I said "Okay." Then Alex called out, "Love, Amy, remember love." I said "Okay" and thought how I have been recently reading in the Bible where it talks about discipline is love. Here are 2 examples I've read recently in the book of Proverbs:
BUT-discipline without love is FUTILE. It does nothing. Well, I take that back, it does one thing: It makes people angry. Discipline that is not done in love repels people. Doesn't it? Think about a time when you were disciplined by an angry or upset person. It didn't have a positive outcome, did it?
Yesterday was a tough day. I was correcting wrongs all day long. I was completed worn out and so frustrated. My lessons were crap, my teaching was terrible, my attitude was all over the place...it was a rough day. I don't think I was approaching any of the wrongs with love in my heart. The purpose of discipline is to teach the correct behavior. I was just pointing out all of the incorrect behavior.
This morning I got the best reminder from two of my favorite people. Discipline, Amy, remember discipline. Yes, that is my job. A child without discipline will not learn, they will not succeed in the professional world. Yes, I must discipline. I discipline BECAUSE I love. I want my children to succeed. I want my children to know the right way. Becuase discipline is love, it must be done in love, with the attitude of love: with patience and kindness, not in anger, not keeping a record of wrong against a kid, protecting and hoping, and loving even when it's the hardest thing to do.
So, there you have it.
School has been REALLY tough. I'll talk more about that when I have time, but my lunch break is over and I've got a class to discipline and love. :)
This morning I woke up to my little brother and sister and boyfriend making waffles. Yum! When I was ready to leave and asked "Where's my escort?" both Zeke and Alex walked me to the front door. Zeke called out as I was walking down the steps, "Discipline, Amy, remember discipline." I said "Okay." Then Alex called out, "Love, Amy, remember love." I said "Okay" and thought how I have been recently reading in the Bible where it talks about discipline is love. Here are 2 examples I've read recently in the book of Proverbs:
Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life,I'm reminded of this passage from the book of 1 Corithians when I think about discipline:
but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but whoever hates correction is stupid.
If I speak in the tongues[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing.Discipline is nessacary. That's my job. I have to correct a lot of wrongs: wrong attitudes, wrong answers, wrong behaviors, wrong intentions, wrong procedures...LOTS of wrongs in my day. I have to steer kids toward the right way to respond in different situations, the right way to put the heading on their paper, the right way to work in groups, the right way to pass papers to the teacher, the right way to walk in the hall, the right way to solve an equation, the right way to do many, MANY things.
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
BUT-discipline without love is FUTILE. It does nothing. Well, I take that back, it does one thing: It makes people angry. Discipline that is not done in love repels people. Doesn't it? Think about a time when you were disciplined by an angry or upset person. It didn't have a positive outcome, did it?
Yesterday was a tough day. I was correcting wrongs all day long. I was completed worn out and so frustrated. My lessons were crap, my teaching was terrible, my attitude was all over the place...it was a rough day. I don't think I was approaching any of the wrongs with love in my heart. The purpose of discipline is to teach the correct behavior. I was just pointing out all of the incorrect behavior.
This morning I got the best reminder from two of my favorite people. Discipline, Amy, remember discipline. Yes, that is my job. A child without discipline will not learn, they will not succeed in the professional world. Yes, I must discipline. I discipline BECAUSE I love. I want my children to succeed. I want my children to know the right way. Becuase discipline is love, it must be done in love, with the attitude of love: with patience and kindness, not in anger, not keeping a record of wrong against a kid, protecting and hoping, and loving even when it's the hardest thing to do.
So, there you have it.
School has been REALLY tough. I'll talk more about that when I have time, but my lunch break is over and I've got a class to discipline and love. :)
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Out of the Ashes
Did you know that in 1805 Detroit burnt to the ground? Well, it did. There's a plaque on the red bridge at Belle Isle where I first saw the city seal of Detroit. This is what it says:
Come on!!! If that's not prophetic, I don't know what is.
My heart was stirred on that red bridge at Belle Isle. I never knew Detroit had literally rose out of the ashes before. And if the Lord has allowed us to do it before, perhaps He will allow us to do it again.
I've been in professional development sessions since Monday. I want to share some things I've learned about Detroit Public Schools and the people who carry it on their backs. And I must tell you, I've been close to crying on many occasions in the past couple days because I am not alone in daring to believe that Detroit is not done.
On Monday my principal shared some words concerning the culture of the school I am working in. There is no tolerance for complacency or a lack of excellence in educating kids. This was the first time I heard a principal LEAD their staff in demanding excellence and nothing less.
On Tuesday I sat and listened as Alycia Meriweather (a life long mentor of mine AND the director of math and science for DPS) challenged teachers to raise their standards and expectations. She shared that she would not be in DPS if she didn't firmly believe that we can turn it all around. She called for integrity in all that we do and said that nothing less would be acceptable.
Today I sat in a room full of staff as all DPS tuned in to a live web stream of the Salute to Teachers. Mr. Roy Roberts stood in front of a full audience and explained that Detroit will once again be the leader in urban education in America. Then I listened as my assistant principal spoke on why he continues to work for DPS. He sees the struggle and he feels the pressure of the nation looking on. And while he could choose to live in a more comfortable neighborhood and work for a more affluent district and not have to put up with safety issues, management concerns, pay cuts, etc... he CHOOSES to stay in the city. Why? Because he is willing to be a forerunner in the building up of something great. He has no passion to fit into something that has already been built. He is consumed with Detroit because Detroit needs builders, no matter what the cost, and he's a man willing to pay up.
As I've been listening to all of this my heart keeps stirring within me and one phrase keeps resounding in my head: I will rise out of these ashes. Rise.
A couple months back I was singing and praying and this chorus came to me:
A city on it's knees/ Heart after me/ This is how you rise
People have a lot of bad things to say about Detroit and especially about education in Detroit. My response for years has been that Detroit has a lot of praying churches and God's heart has always been for restoration, redemption, and justice. Every single day that I've been in PD I have not failed to hear my God's name mentioned. When asked if they could choose one person living or dead to be on their personal board of directors, half a dozen of the staff in my building chose their pastors or Jesus himself. While sitting in a PD for new science teachers, the session leader shared that true religion is to take care of the widows and orphans, the fatherless and oppressed. Well that's just plain scripture. And today as Roy Roberts spoke he said that 2 things were crucial to the ending of slavery: the church and education, and that the church of Detroit would not be left out of partnering with the schools to change this city around.
I know for sure that I am not the only Detroiter singing on the inside RISE UP.
A city on it's knees ~ prayer warriors, seeking the Lord's heart
Heart after me ~ willing to pay the price to look like Jesus himself
This is how you rise ~ out of the ashes, here we come
So what I'm trying to say is that while I'm very sober about the job ahead of me, I am so encouraged because the Lord has put his people here on purpose. It is so clear and evident to me when I look around and listen to what the leadership is saying. I dare to believe that the Lord is not done and that Detroit will rise again.
Speramus meliora; resurget cineribus
It's the motto of the city that Father Gabriel Richard gave it after his school was burned down. In English it is translated
"We hope for better things; it will arise from the ashes."
Come on!!! If that's not prophetic, I don't know what is.
My heart was stirred on that red bridge at Belle Isle. I never knew Detroit had literally rose out of the ashes before. And if the Lord has allowed us to do it before, perhaps He will allow us to do it again.
I've been in professional development sessions since Monday. I want to share some things I've learned about Detroit Public Schools and the people who carry it on their backs. And I must tell you, I've been close to crying on many occasions in the past couple days because I am not alone in daring to believe that Detroit is not done.
On Monday my principal shared some words concerning the culture of the school I am working in. There is no tolerance for complacency or a lack of excellence in educating kids. This was the first time I heard a principal LEAD their staff in demanding excellence and nothing less.
On Tuesday I sat and listened as Alycia Meriweather (a life long mentor of mine AND the director of math and science for DPS) challenged teachers to raise their standards and expectations. She shared that she would not be in DPS if she didn't firmly believe that we can turn it all around. She called for integrity in all that we do and said that nothing less would be acceptable.
Today I sat in a room full of staff as all DPS tuned in to a live web stream of the Salute to Teachers. Mr. Roy Roberts stood in front of a full audience and explained that Detroit will once again be the leader in urban education in America. Then I listened as my assistant principal spoke on why he continues to work for DPS. He sees the struggle and he feels the pressure of the nation looking on. And while he could choose to live in a more comfortable neighborhood and work for a more affluent district and not have to put up with safety issues, management concerns, pay cuts, etc... he CHOOSES to stay in the city. Why? Because he is willing to be a forerunner in the building up of something great. He has no passion to fit into something that has already been built. He is consumed with Detroit because Detroit needs builders, no matter what the cost, and he's a man willing to pay up.
As I've been listening to all of this my heart keeps stirring within me and one phrase keeps resounding in my head: I will rise out of these ashes. Rise.
A couple months back I was singing and praying and this chorus came to me:
A city on it's knees/ Heart after me/ This is how you rise
People have a lot of bad things to say about Detroit and especially about education in Detroit. My response for years has been that Detroit has a lot of praying churches and God's heart has always been for restoration, redemption, and justice. Every single day that I've been in PD I have not failed to hear my God's name mentioned. When asked if they could choose one person living or dead to be on their personal board of directors, half a dozen of the staff in my building chose their pastors or Jesus himself. While sitting in a PD for new science teachers, the session leader shared that true religion is to take care of the widows and orphans, the fatherless and oppressed. Well that's just plain scripture. And today as Roy Roberts spoke he said that 2 things were crucial to the ending of slavery: the church and education, and that the church of Detroit would not be left out of partnering with the schools to change this city around.
I know for sure that I am not the only Detroiter singing on the inside RISE UP.
A city on it's knees ~ prayer warriors, seeking the Lord's heart
Heart after me ~ willing to pay the price to look like Jesus himself
This is how you rise ~ out of the ashes, here we come
So what I'm trying to say is that while I'm very sober about the job ahead of me, I am so encouraged because the Lord has put his people here on purpose. It is so clear and evident to me when I look around and listen to what the leadership is saying. I dare to believe that the Lord is not done and that Detroit will rise again.
Saturday, August 25, 2012
I'm a (REAL) Teacher!!!
Hi friends!
God has really shown me favor these last couple of months. Every job that I applied for wanted to hire me. Lucky for me, the one I prayed for popped up straight away and I didn't have to do much more searching.
I am at Amelia Earhart Elementary and Middle school. It's in the same neighborhood as Maybury (where I did my student teaching). Actually, it's across the park from Maybury. If you remember, Maybury was a preK-3 building. I'm excited to see many of my 3rd graders at Earhart this fall.
Originally I was told that I was being hired to teach 4th and 5th grade science. But, as it turns out in DPS, changes happen all of the time. I found out today from my vice principal that I am going to be teaching 5th grad science AND math. WHICH I AM (actually) SUPER EXCITED FOR! I've taught math before, a LOT before. It's nice to have some sort of comfort zone as a new teacher. To be absolutely honest, the idea of teaching just science has been a little daunting. I have had barely any experience with it. But, then again, I never even liked Social Studies (and didn't know anything pertaining to it) when I began teaching it at the start of last fall. The crazy thing was my students LOVED when I taught SS and even got upset when I had to phase out and give the teaching back over to my mentor. So-if I can teach a subject I never paid attention to well, then I should be able to teach science (which I majored in) well. Right?
There will be four 5th grade homerooms. The plan right now is that I take two of them for 3 hours each day and my partner in crime, Mr. Garcia, takes the other two for 3 hours each day. I can spend the 3 hours however I want, as long as we are doing math or science. I'm excited to integrate the two. I'm also excited to have such a large chunk of time to work with the students on a daily basis.
My classroom, however, is another story. It's empty. EMPTY. It is a beautiful classroom with plenty of cabinets and drawers and storage space to be filled. It's just not been done yet. I do have a set of 5th grade science books. I'm sure I'll get a set of math books. But as far as supplies, I don't know what will come my way. I just finished applying for a project fund at donorschoose.org. If it gets accepted, I'll be sure to let everyone know how they can be a part of supporting my classroom :)
I'm looking forward to this year and love where I'm at so far. I'll keep updates coming your way. Until then, goodnight!
God has really shown me favor these last couple of months. Every job that I applied for wanted to hire me. Lucky for me, the one I prayed for popped up straight away and I didn't have to do much more searching.
I am at Amelia Earhart Elementary and Middle school. It's in the same neighborhood as Maybury (where I did my student teaching). Actually, it's across the park from Maybury. If you remember, Maybury was a preK-3 building. I'm excited to see many of my 3rd graders at Earhart this fall.
Originally I was told that I was being hired to teach 4th and 5th grade science. But, as it turns out in DPS, changes happen all of the time. I found out today from my vice principal that I am going to be teaching 5th grad science AND math. WHICH I AM (actually) SUPER EXCITED FOR! I've taught math before, a LOT before. It's nice to have some sort of comfort zone as a new teacher. To be absolutely honest, the idea of teaching just science has been a little daunting. I have had barely any experience with it. But, then again, I never even liked Social Studies (and didn't know anything pertaining to it) when I began teaching it at the start of last fall. The crazy thing was my students LOVED when I taught SS and even got upset when I had to phase out and give the teaching back over to my mentor. So-if I can teach a subject I never paid attention to well, then I should be able to teach science (which I majored in) well. Right?
There will be four 5th grade homerooms. The plan right now is that I take two of them for 3 hours each day and my partner in crime, Mr. Garcia, takes the other two for 3 hours each day. I can spend the 3 hours however I want, as long as we are doing math or science. I'm excited to integrate the two. I'm also excited to have such a large chunk of time to work with the students on a daily basis.
My classroom, however, is another story. It's empty. EMPTY. It is a beautiful classroom with plenty of cabinets and drawers and storage space to be filled. It's just not been done yet. I do have a set of 5th grade science books. I'm sure I'll get a set of math books. But as far as supplies, I don't know what will come my way. I just finished applying for a project fund at donorschoose.org. If it gets accepted, I'll be sure to let everyone know how they can be a part of supporting my classroom :)
I'm looking forward to this year and love where I'm at so far. I'll keep updates coming your way. Until then, goodnight!
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Freedom is in Sight
Well hello friends,
It has been quite some time since I've had the opportunity to write. Looking at the dates I can see why. For the last 10 weeks I've been lead teaching. All of the classroom responsibilities have been my job alone. It's been tough at times and full of work, but I've made it. This week I am beginning to fade out of classroom teaching.
Yesterday I began writing letters to each of my students. I want to make my last day a very special day for them. It's been fun writing these letters. I love the ability I have to prophesy into their lives and encourage them. I love telling each of them that they are smart and will do great things in the future. I really do believe it! Each one of these kids has amazing potential. And each one of them needs to know that their teacher believes in them and knows that they are capable. Because, honestly, these kids are. And I really believe that each kid is. They just need someone to affirm them. They need someone to value them. I can't wait for my very own classroom. I love having the chance to speak life into kids and hope for them when I may be the only one.
I've started applying to many jobs. I need to be hired into Detroit Public or Detroit Charter due to a loan-forgiveness scholarship that I have. I believe there is hope for me to find a job in DPS, but I probably won't hear from them until late in the summer and that makes me very anxious. I have sent my resume to several charters in the area but haven't heard back. April 19th is a job fair at MSU and many of the schools I am interested in will be there. Over spring break I will work on putting together the hard copy of my portfolio and finding myself a great outfit to wear for the fair and subsequent interviews.
I really can't believe how fast this time has flown by. I'm ready to be done though. After spring break I will be able to go around and observe different classrooms and schools. I think that will be a great time to pick up things I haven't been able to learn from my mentor teacher.
All in all, this has been a great experience to teach, plan lessons, and build relationships with my kids, teachers in the building, and the interns that I work with. Although I am far too happy to be done on April 27th, I know I will miss being at Maybury. But...when the weather is as beautiful as it is today I feel like it's a sin to make people go to work instead of being able to enjoy life outside. So...I won't miss it TOO much I suppose.
It has been quite some time since I've had the opportunity to write. Looking at the dates I can see why. For the last 10 weeks I've been lead teaching. All of the classroom responsibilities have been my job alone. It's been tough at times and full of work, but I've made it. This week I am beginning to fade out of classroom teaching.
Yesterday I began writing letters to each of my students. I want to make my last day a very special day for them. It's been fun writing these letters. I love the ability I have to prophesy into their lives and encourage them. I love telling each of them that they are smart and will do great things in the future. I really do believe it! Each one of these kids has amazing potential. And each one of them needs to know that their teacher believes in them and knows that they are capable. Because, honestly, these kids are. And I really believe that each kid is. They just need someone to affirm them. They need someone to value them. I can't wait for my very own classroom. I love having the chance to speak life into kids and hope for them when I may be the only one.
I've started applying to many jobs. I need to be hired into Detroit Public or Detroit Charter due to a loan-forgiveness scholarship that I have. I believe there is hope for me to find a job in DPS, but I probably won't hear from them until late in the summer and that makes me very anxious. I have sent my resume to several charters in the area but haven't heard back. April 19th is a job fair at MSU and many of the schools I am interested in will be there. Over spring break I will work on putting together the hard copy of my portfolio and finding myself a great outfit to wear for the fair and subsequent interviews.
I really can't believe how fast this time has flown by. I'm ready to be done though. After spring break I will be able to go around and observe different classrooms and schools. I think that will be a great time to pick up things I haven't been able to learn from my mentor teacher.
All in all, this has been a great experience to teach, plan lessons, and build relationships with my kids, teachers in the building, and the interns that I work with. Although I am far too happy to be done on April 27th, I know I will miss being at Maybury. But...when the weather is as beautiful as it is today I feel like it's a sin to make people go to work instead of being able to enjoy life outside. So...I won't miss it TOO much I suppose.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
You know you're a teacher when...
You know you're a teacher when...
- You repeat any direction 5 times in 3 different ways and then repeat it 13 more times over the course of an hour
- You get to school a 1/2 hour before anyone else so you can use the copy machine before it's broke for the day
- You ignore kids when they walk up to you and wait for them to sit back down
- You respond to multiple pronunciations of your name without correcting any of them
- You hate assemblies and school concerts because they put you behind the pacing chart
- You can cover the entire history of the War of 1812 in one 45 minute lesson
- You say no to anyone who asks to get a drink or go to the bathroom
- You ask if anyone has questions and then re-ask the kid you are about to call on if it is a question or a story
- You despise extra curricular activities that pull your students out of class while you are teaching
- You wake up and randomly count the days until the soonest break (Friday, MLK day, 1/2 day, etc.)
- You thoroughly love what you do and the students you teach but no one else can make you so annoyed or frustrated in such a short period of time
Thursday, January 12, 2012
FREE technology
Here are some resources for free internet-based technology resources.
- International Children's Library (free books in a variety of languages)
- Goodreads (book reviews)
- Zunal (Make your own webquest or use someone elses')
- Google Earth/Sky/Moon (Explore space Google Style)
- Kerpoof Studios (Create movies, drawings, cards, pictures, tell a story...)
- Fed. Resources for Educational Excellence (free resources and lesson plans)
Semester #2
Hello Folks,
One thing you learn as you become a teacher is that you soon have little time for any type of communication outside of school. Thus, this blog has been neglected.
However, I think I need to revive it.
My lead teach starts on Tuesday. This means that I take over the entire classroom for 10 weeks (which is an entire marking period). I've been planning this for a while. And surprisingly, I am pretty well prepared. Our MSU classes started again today. This semester we have science and social studies. I'm looking forward to planning science lessons (after all, that is what I went to school for 5 years for).
I'm getting caught up on things I need for my portfolio and resume. I have joined the national science for teachers association, the national reading association, and the Michigan reading association. I have also signed up for a webinar on technology in the classroom and an MRA conference. Basically, I needed extra things on my resume to make me stand out in literacy.
Anyways, this is just a little boring update. I'm still here. I'm still alive. And I still like teaching :)
One thing you learn as you become a teacher is that you soon have little time for any type of communication outside of school. Thus, this blog has been neglected.
However, I think I need to revive it.
My lead teach starts on Tuesday. This means that I take over the entire classroom for 10 weeks (which is an entire marking period). I've been planning this for a while. And surprisingly, I am pretty well prepared. Our MSU classes started again today. This semester we have science and social studies. I'm looking forward to planning science lessons (after all, that is what I went to school for 5 years for).
I'm getting caught up on things I need for my portfolio and resume. I have joined the national science for teachers association, the national reading association, and the Michigan reading association. I have also signed up for a webinar on technology in the classroom and an MRA conference. Basically, I needed extra things on my resume to make me stand out in literacy.
Anyways, this is just a little boring update. I'm still here. I'm still alive. And I still like teaching :)
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