When I first began teaching, it was all about teaching the kids to strive for 100's on tests. Now I have a better sense of reality. They won't all get 100's! I do more with helping students set goals for that area they will have to work hard at to improve, but one that will build their confidence. We talk about the different kinds of smarts: interpersonal, intrapersonal, academic, physical, musical, etc.
One student who called me names in the hallway twice at the beginning of the year has become a student I've spent a lot of time trying to understand. Some of his behavior stems from his lack of confidence with a couple academic areas. As I've worked with him on academics, his confidence has grown, his satisfaction with school increases, and the name calling ceased.
Cloud Update - March 22, 2012 Technology, Curriculum Development
I shared the math files with my coworkers, but didn’t share at the right account (@live account), so they didn’t get the files. I called in tech support, and met with Brianna to trouble shoot Skydrive. I feel more confident, but know that I will need to follow these same steps a few times for them to be automatic. I will share the last reading units today. Hopefully, I will remember how.
Principal Retiring - March 14, 2012 A Good Principal for the Past Ten Years!
Our principal announced his retirement to us today. It wasn’t totally unexpected; he’s been hinting for a while. His motto has been not to micromanage, but to do everything possible to support teachers. Here are a couple things I will remember him for. *Taking the boy who came to me angry off the bus, to the gym and throwing a basketball with him at the start of the day. This boy always came back smiling and was mostly fine after that. *Processing with students and helping them to own up to their mistakes. He was honest that changing behavior was tough, but it could be done. *Supporting me by printing off any technology report I needed. He could always do that quicker than I! *Having an open door policy.
We held our Lumberjack Day – March 9, 2012 Teacher Leadership, Best Practice, Curriculum Development
Pam set up the breakfast area, and worked with our principal for the funds and the cooks. 120 students ate quietly, and then got up and went to work! I worked with the custodians to set up tables for making paper and for the space for the homemade paper to dry. I also encouraged all teachers to shred paper and make slurry with their students. Four of the five teachers did this, and I was glad that so many students had this opportunity. The past few years, my students were the only ones to have this experience. My husband fixed a stand to put wood on, and I brought wood in, a peavey, cant hook, crosscut saw, handsaw, a ripsaw, and an axe. With the pictures and artifacts from CESA that I ordered, students had enough to keep them busy while they waited to saw through some lumber. We all cleaned up at the end of the day, and we had a successful day! I am sure we will do this again next year, and it saved us $240.00 bringing in an outside presenter. It does take a village, though!
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