I have to admit that recently I have been feeling a little worn down. This is the time of the year when everything becomes much more rigorous. With my days starting at 4:30 a.m. and ending at 10:00 p.m. (if I am lucky), I do feel exhausted. With that being said, feeling exhausted and worn out has caused me to reflect about my teaching and the desire to be an effective teacher. I was reminded gently this past week that I am committed to the belief that what I do for a child really does matter.
My students have been struggling with listening and following directions. We have had class meetings and I have been trying to prompt them to think for themselves about their actions. Over the past few days, I have given my students a few minutes at the end of the day to write me a letter that contains a reflection about their day at school. After reading their letters, I was able to see that the things I have been telling them; you are successful, believe in yourself, etc. is really taking root in their lives. As they have been writing their letters, they have been sharing what is in their heart. This activity has proven to be extremely encouraging for me because it has shown me how they want to succeed - they believe it along with me!!! I can sleep better knowing the seed has been planted and I cannot wait to see the fruit that is produced!
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Guest Blogger
Hello everyone, it's Leslie, Director of TFI. I'll be writing with Trina throughout the fall because it is this time of year that I seem to miss teaching the most.....and though I'm no longer teaching in the classroom, I still consider myself an educator.
The start of the year is always filled with excitement and limitless opportunities. Every year, as a teacher and as a student, the smell of new school supplies would be just as exciting as the smell of freshly baked cookies. My mug of pens would be filled to maximum capacity, and each pencil sharpened to a beautifully tipped point. It usually only took three days before my desk mirrored that of a disaster zone, and I had to scramble to find a writing utensil. But each year I vowed to be more organized than the year before. I'm not a disorganized person by nature, but at the start of each class I jumped excitedly into Science, placing various supplies all over the room in an effort to get my students to understand.
As teachers we all believe that, in most cases, we help students most in the non-academic arenas. I am not sure a student's life was ever changed when he figured out the Tibetan Plateau was formed as India crashed into Asia (so cool!!!), but I do believe that a student's life can be changed when a teacher gives him the confidence to be himself. One such example occurred during my last year of teaching. As a sixth grade teacher I was asked to choose a student from my homeroom to give a tour of the school to the incoming fifth graders. Normally, teachers choose the straight-A, ever-attentive student (usually a girl) that gladly does whatever the teacher asks. Not me. This particular year I chose a student who was bussed in from a lower-performing school who talked incessantly. Even my colleagues asked my why I chose this student. I couldn't answer, except that I found him to be particularly interesting. Don't you know that on the day of the tour, he showed up in a suit!
It is for reasons like this that I miss teaching, but I realize the importance of what TFI does. Without excellent teachers (the teachers who know, instinctively, what to do to enhance the life of their students) students don't stand a chance. It is soooo important that we keep these teachers engaged and inspired!
The start of the year is always filled with excitement and limitless opportunities. Every year, as a teacher and as a student, the smell of new school supplies would be just as exciting as the smell of freshly baked cookies. My mug of pens would be filled to maximum capacity, and each pencil sharpened to a beautifully tipped point. It usually only took three days before my desk mirrored that of a disaster zone, and I had to scramble to find a writing utensil. But each year I vowed to be more organized than the year before. I'm not a disorganized person by nature, but at the start of each class I jumped excitedly into Science, placing various supplies all over the room in an effort to get my students to understand.
As teachers we all believe that, in most cases, we help students most in the non-academic arenas. I am not sure a student's life was ever changed when he figured out the Tibetan Plateau was formed as India crashed into Asia (so cool!!!), but I do believe that a student's life can be changed when a teacher gives him the confidence to be himself. One such example occurred during my last year of teaching. As a sixth grade teacher I was asked to choose a student from my homeroom to give a tour of the school to the incoming fifth graders. Normally, teachers choose the straight-A, ever-attentive student (usually a girl) that gladly does whatever the teacher asks. Not me. This particular year I chose a student who was bussed in from a lower-performing school who talked incessantly. Even my colleagues asked my why I chose this student. I couldn't answer, except that I found him to be particularly interesting. Don't you know that on the day of the tour, he showed up in a suit!
It is for reasons like this that I miss teaching, but I realize the importance of what TFI does. Without excellent teachers (the teachers who know, instinctively, what to do to enhance the life of their students) students don't stand a chance. It is soooo important that we keep these teachers engaged and inspired!
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Lessons for the week
I made it through the first week of school and I have already learned or "relearned" a few lessons myself. First, since we are practicing the "Family Model" in our school, we are all adjusting to the new expectations that follow this plan. The colleagues in my "family" at school are becoming truly like my family. We are spending more time with one another while we are interacting with the students. The necessity of good planning has become obvious since we are co-teaching and working towards success across our grade level. It is very similar to a marriage. We are learning to practice the "give" and "take" in a relationship. I am truly blessed to be working with a group of positive professionals.
Second, our students have jumped into the rigor and we are focusing upon assessing each student in order to meet individual needs. While we are trying to design detailed plans for each student, I have been taking mental notes as well as written notes (anecdotal) about each student's likes, dislikes, etc. Every year I quickly realize the importance to learn more about my students so that I can find a way to connect with them.
Third, a little kindness can go a long way for our students. I reminded one of my students about a rule in our school and I said, "You wouldn't want the principal to say something to you about the rule in the hallway?" One of the other students quickly replied, "If she says something to you, she will be nice about it!" That was truly priceless. Students know your heart. . .it comes through in so many ways. Good lesson to remember!
Second, our students have jumped into the rigor and we are focusing upon assessing each student in order to meet individual needs. While we are trying to design detailed plans for each student, I have been taking mental notes as well as written notes (anecdotal) about each student's likes, dislikes, etc. Every year I quickly realize the importance to learn more about my students so that I can find a way to connect with them.
Third, a little kindness can go a long way for our students. I reminded one of my students about a rule in our school and I said, "You wouldn't want the principal to say something to you about the rule in the hallway?" One of the other students quickly replied, "If she says something to you, she will be nice about it!" That was truly priceless. Students know your heart. . .it comes through in so many ways. Good lesson to remember!
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