Proud Louisiana Educator

I think I've figured out what's wrong with me...

LouisianaEducator — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 21:48:00 GMT

Oh, poor me....my blogs have been so negative and whiny. I had these high hopes for this upcoming school year, and each day I'm getting more and more disappointed. I think I've figured out part of my problem, though. Here it goes: I miss my students from last year. There, I said it. What's really strange is that this was not my very first group of kids. I've been teaching for five years, yet have never had a connection with so many students at one time. It was my first year teaching middle school, which may be why I'm missing them so much. I realized middle school was where I wanted to be. The kids just got me. I think people fail to realize that not only do the kids need to make some kind of connection with the teacher, but it also have to be felt the other way. I felt it with my sixth graders from last year, and I figured it out while on duty today in the cafeteria. I stopped at their tables to chat with them and see how their year was going so far. I felt the difference in my attitude. It's not that I don't like the kids that I have now, but I feel like I share a special connection with last year's group. I'm hoping each day that passes will help me become closer to the 90 young adults I'm working with because it is so important to me to have a relationship with them. Sometimes I'm the only relationship they have that's meaningful. But, oh, how I miss my group from last year!~

Am I REALLY doing what I love?

LouisianaEducator — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 02:34:00 GMT

I've just completed my second week of school, and I am already wondering why I chose the profession of teaching. Unfortunately for my husband and friends, I got on my soap box last night about not knowing if I can continue this stressful life style for another 20-25 years. Just when I had convinced myself that I needed a new career, my friend said something that ticked me off, yet also put me in my place. She is still in college and is deciding on whether or not she wants to be a teacher. She told me in front of everyone else that she was thinking hard about choosing her career and she realized that she is, quote, "too smart to waste her college time and knowledge on becoming just a teacher". Woah, did that stop me in my frustrated tracks! In that glorious moment when I was about to jump across the table at the restaurant and poke her in both her eyes, I too realized something very important. Teaching is what I love to do. There is nothing that brings me more satisfaction than reaching a child and making a positive impact in his/her life. I love sharing knowledge and love being a part of this changing society. What I am truly frustrated with is the limitations that are placed on me with behavior. Our district has decided to do away with the "zero tolerance" policy, so there isn't much I can do to prevent the attitudes from controlling the class. We're pretty much being forced to keep all discipline problems confined to our classrooms (unless it is what "they" deem severe). As I said before, this is only the second week of school, and already I've had enough issues to make me wish it was summer again. I consider myself an EXTREMELY patient and understanding individual, and I have been complimented on the strategies I use with behavior problems. I NEVER send my students to the office unless fists actually fly. But it seems now that I know that there is no place for these severe problems to go, I am more frustrated with the students. I didn't become a teacher to have students talk back when I ask them to do something. EX: Me to student: Could you please have a seat so we can start class? Student: I am gonna sit. Three minutes pass................ Me to student: I asked you a few minutes ago to sit, could you please sit now? Student: Why don't you come over here and make me? Come try and see if I'm gonna sit for you. Here's another example: I'm standing next to a very tall student (14 year old in the sixth grade), and I'm only 4'10". Tall students do not intimidate me, but they often try to, especially boys. Well, as I said, he's very tall and big. He randomly gets up and walks to the door to open it and look into the hall. I walk up to him after he's done this for the third time and--very kindly--I ask him to have a seat and stop worrying about the door and the hall because they will be there when class is over. He then stands right on top of me, towering over my short little body and says, "What did you just say to me?" Since his act does not intimidate me, I slowly move myself closer to him forcing him to back up a little and then press on with my nose in the air so I can see him and say, "Mr. _______, could you please have a seat so the class will no longer be disturbed by your movement?" He just stared at me for a minute as if to try to decide whether or not he would listen to me, but finally he decided to sit. So, I guess what I'm trying to make myself understand is why I should have to be the one walking on eggshells with these kids. I'm the adult. I'm the one in the position of authority (although I don't believe in acting as a dictator, but instead as a facilitator). Why do they get to control how things go when it messes up things for the people who really want to be there? Why can't I just TEACH? Why can't parents do the job they're supposed to so that way their children are coming to school for an education, not behavior modification? Why am I held accountable for their screw-ups? I'm taking responsibility for my child, they should take responsibility for theirs. I want to do my job.

Dealing with numerous 504 accommodations...

LouisianaEducator — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 03:12:00 GMT

I'm back in the grind of a new school year, and boy will it be a challenge! I'm continuing to remain positive because I believe positivity is the one thing that can get you through the day when you're a teacher. I have three classes, 90 minutes each, and my last one of the day is a real doozy. There are SEVERAL students with various 504 accommodations, from bipolar disorder to AD/HD, to depression, to dislexia....and the list goes on. It is a challenge to have these kids the last 90 minutes of school when most of their medications have worn off, and they're ready to go home. We've just completed day four of school, and I can sort of see where the year is headed. I'm a little worried, but I know it's nothing I can't get through........here's to this year!

In search of really good 6th grade math sites, ideas

LouisianaEducator — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 20:08:00 GMT

So, I'm back from my vacation to Florida (Santa Rosa Beach), and now it is time to buckle down and start working on the upcoming school year's lessons. This will be my first year teaching math, and I have been searching through the Internet for worthy sites to help me create Math worksheets and tests and give me good ideas to use in my class. I will have the use of an Activeboard and portable computer lab, so I am really interested in doing a lot of computer-friendly lessons this year. School starts August 7th, so I've got to get my head together and start putting some effort into planning. If anyone can offer any good suggestions, I would really appreciate it. As stated in the title, I'll be teaching 6th grade Math. Thanks!

Gonna be a better parent than my students' parents are!

LouisianaEducator — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 05:27:00 GMT

I am the mother of a two year old boy who thinks he's already ten. Toddlerhood is a struggle, to say the least. Everyone tells you how hard it is to be a new mom, but in my opinion, that was easy! This is the hard part. You know, the part where you really have to start the whole discipline thing, otherwise your child ends up like half of your students! I'm so hard on myself because of my position in society. I teach sixth grade and used to teach third grade, so I've had a little bit of a range on what bad parenting can do to a child. It just seems like kids think everything has to be handed to them, and that they should get something in return for whatever they do. There's no such thing as just doing it for your own good anymore. I fear my own child turning out the same way, and will do anything in my power to make sure it does not happen. I always told my husband that God must have put us together knowing we would be some of the few select people who could raise good kids (that's still the excuse I use when I talk about us having more...we do need to distribute a few more good kids in the world [;)]) I just don't know if I'm doing it right, though. I don't want to discipline too harshly...my son is a curious toddler trying to explore his world, but at the same time, if I don't set boundaries, he will push farther and farther. This thought came to me as I was trying to find the middle ground. Many of the parents of our students go wrong in this way: they want to put their children first, and do so by giving them what they want. What they don't realize is that sometimes when you put them first, it means limiting them to protect them or teach them right (like leaving a friend's house--before we even had dinner--because my son refused to stop pitching a fit about playing in the mud outside). Many parents try to make themselves happy and shut their kids up so they give in. If you truly want to put a child first, set some limits. Those boundaries go a long way. So, I'm hoping I can take what I have learned and use it in my own life, so at least I know my child will be one of the few and far between in his class (when he starts school--that's coming up so fast...) who will have respect and show self discipline. May the strength be with me....may the cuteness of my little man's smile not sidetrack me.....and may I always think of what I have to do to prevent the worst case scenario....

Making a web page

LouisianaEducator — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 00:21:00 GMT

Okay, so I'm taking this--what I thought to be--pretty easy technology course. Everything so far has been a piece of cake: Inspiration, Kidspiration, Graph Club, Kidworks, etc. Did my luck turn for the worst! We had to try to create our own web page using Microsoft Publisher. It's not that hard, so to speak, but it sure it time consuming! It's been three days, and I'm still working on my WebQuest I'm creating. I've got to try to complete it for the technology lesson plan I have to turn in, but it doesn't look like it will be done by Thursday morning. Guess I'm going to Plan B. Boy, what a way to be spending my summer! I've had more work to do in these two weeks than I've had in an entire semester. At least I know I'm learning something. I was starting to think I was there for no reason. Once it's finally done, I'll have a really good WebQuest out of it!

Expanding my technological abilities

LouisianaEducator — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 02:34:00 GMT

I've decided to finally join a blog site to express my sometimes insane, but important opinions. I am a lover and user of technology and after attending a technology training I am becoming more aware of all of the different approaches there are to teaching and learning. I'm hoping I will expand my horizons by tending to this blog and reading other people's thoughts and ideas....