The Great Equalizer

It's that time of year again, preparations for a successful start of school.  I've already been up at my campus getting ready, have helped my husband get his class ready, and will go back full time tomorrow for 2 weeks of staff development.  And I've unfortunately, already seen plenty of memes and bingo cards for educators to use in faculty meetings that are negative.  So sad.  I've also been thinking about what I want to say in my very first #WindhamWeekly address to my families and students to set us on a path of encouragement and inspiration.  So many words and thoughts are swimming in my head and my goal is to not go over 5 minutes any week, so I've got to narrow it down to what is the most important things I want to convey...what is so critical that it has to be recorded so it can be referenced later.  And it got me thinking about my own non-negotiables for my family, my church, and my class.  Three things stuck out to me: Time, Kindness, and Honesty.  

TIME

I value time.  To me, it is the GREAT EQUALIZER.  Each one of us has the same number of minutes in each day...though none of us knows how many days we are given.  Kind of a chilling and sobering thought.  But what it means to me, is that every minute of each day is something I can't get back, so I want to use it wisely, put value into it, by strengthening others, encouraging others, doing all I can with my family, loved ones, etc.  It's people that make this world a special place, not projects.  I've talked about this in a previous post.

KINDNESS

The next item is kindness.  Some folks say respect.  So similar, but really not.  See respect means keeping those ugly thoughts in my head and not saying them, but treating you kind (outward actions only).  Kindness means that even my very thoughts are full of positive things towards you (inward and outward actions).  I want my own children and my students to use kindness in all they do, but this is something that has to be modeled.  How to handle tricky situations, people that annoy you, what to do when a crisis or tragedy finds us, etc.  If I can get my students to that place of kindness, then time is saved in having to deal with hurt feelings and behavior situations that require interventions.

HONESTY

The last non-negotiable for me is honesty.  We all make mistakes.  Even as an adult, I still make mistakes.  I just had to apologize to my oldest daughter this morning for yelling at her on the way to church.  I yelled because she didn't stop at a red light and nearly hit another car.  When we are dishonest, time is taken away to investigate, soothe feelings, fix broken things, etc.  I always tell my own girls and my students, just tell the truth.  If you messed up, admit it, let's fix it, learn from it, and move on.  Let's not dwell on the mistake, and let's not try to hide it.  You will get in twice as much trouble if you lie about something because you made the mistake and then covered it up.  Just be honest.

So, really kindness and honesty both go back to time as well, the GREAT EQUALIZER.  And that's the most critical thing I can convey to my families and students {and all those educators sitting through meetings} as we set out on a wild ride through the last year of elementary together.  I pray that this year is full of great memories both for my family and my students, and I pray that they value time, and they know I'm fully behind them and want only the best for them.  I pray that it's a blessed year for you as well.

School Supplies, Really?

I am a family of five.  Both my husband and I are teachers in neighboring school districts, as well as serving as volunteer Children's Pastors at our small church.  In a gist, our entire lives revolve around kids.  And I'd have it no other way.  I know that this is an area that God has called us to be in...serving kids and families.

But I have to say that around this time of the year that school supplies seem to get a bad rap.  For quite a few years, we've hosted a school supply drive at our local church for families who couldn't afford them.  For a while there, my family was one who even benefited from them as my husband was between work for a summer or two.  And what I'm about to say does in no way mean that I refuse to help others or donate to those in need.  But I think this summer my NO button is getting a work out.  

You see, I've watched a few families get help from schools or other organizations only to turn around and use the help for themselves (adults) instead of their kiddos.  Now before you get all upset, I know I shouldn't base what I do on the actions of others...it's like when I see a person on the side of the road holding a sign asking for money, I have no second thoughts to donate to them (if I have it then), knowing that what they do with it is between them and God, but in the area of supplies, I don't know, just no.  Plus, now that my husband and I are both school teachers, I find that in this season of the year, we spend a great deal on school supplies for our classrooms, our own students, and our own children, now that all 3 are in school.  I'm not unwilling to help a family I personally know and are truly in need, I just feel compelled to not give to large supply drives since I wonder if the things actually make it into the hands that need them.  And in working in Title I schools, both my husband and I have experienced the funds and things available for families in these income situations, so I don't feel bad saying no this summer.

Teachers are the only folks I know who routinely spend money on families and students that aren't part of their own family or church.  And this summer when I spend, and I will, I want to know who is benefiting and see the impact it makes daily, instead of a detached gift.  Maybe you don't agree, and that's ok, but that's where I am this summer.  Looking forward to a new start this school year!

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Find Your Laughter Y'all

I know nationally, Teacher Appreciation Week, is early in May...but at my campus we delayed it so that all could enjoy it to its fullest, given that state testing was still going on and end of year appraisals were happening with administrators and staff.  We did in fact enjoy a week full of treats, catered lunches, special dress days, etc.  The fun has spilled over into this week as well.  Today, our staff enjoyed "Disney Dress Up Day" with their teams and the smiles and laughter were contagious, among our staff and students.  Y'all we've got to find our laughter!  You know, well if you don't you are living in a hole, that the Chewbacca Mom (Candace Payne) video went viral, not because of the mask or the sounds, but because of her infectious laughter!

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, teaching and public education, are THE hardest jobs on this planet.  We are modern day missionaries with our hands tied behind our backs so many times.  So why on this Earth would we involve ourselves, or allow others to, trash talk us, gossip about others on campus, or just generally spread their negativity.  We've got to find our laughter and spread our joy with others!  We just have to!

You see if we, the staff, don't enjoy school and are negative all the time, will our students enjoy school?  Will they love school?  Will they run to your class everyday to find out "what's next"?  Will they be upset to miss our class?  Will they laugh in our class today?  

Proverbs 17:22 says, "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."  Will you help be good medicine today?  I know I will...this life is too short to be anything but happy and help others find their joy and laughter.  If you're in a spot where you can't find your laughter and joy, it's time to make some changes...maybe in yourself, but maybe outside yourself.  Find your laughter today!  The world needs more of it!

Need some inspiration?  Check out this article I found through Twitter. "101 Ways for Teachers to be More Creative"

Need some smiles?  Then hop on over to my Twitter page or click here to see some of our teams in their #DisneyDressUpDay outfits.

Me or We?

Since I've been so excited about going back to the class, my creative brain has been working overtime.  Pinterest has been my friend, Amazon wishlists, and Google searches.  I'm very interested in flexible seating arrangements, class jobs, and ways to organize minimally, along with all my techie things.  And I'm excited about the possibilities.  However, what I've noticed is that me has entered into my thoughts more than we.  See if this sounds familiar: "Boy, I wish I had this for my class." "Man this would be so cool in my class." "Wow, that's an amazing way to set up my class."  See it's all me, me, me thoughts.  And I'm finding that I have to remind myself that there's a we involved.  All the ideas I've found and really would like to have, have to work for the we, our students.  After all, schools are for students, not so adults can have jobs.  It's a quote I found from kidsdeserveit.com and I love it!  

So, yes, some of the things I want, serve a selfish purpose, to help me be a better teacher, but I have to keep in mind that the majority of the things and ideas I find need to help the we.  Seating to help my struggling learners, my wiggly kiddos, to inspire creativity in my students.  Class jobs to create a community in our class, to give students value and affirm their opinions and decisions.  Organization systems that help me stay on top of things for families, students become better learners and be able to access learning quicker with safety in mind when moving about.  And techie things, well that's a duh.  Love technology, but not just technology for technology sake.  Technology to help develop creators, innovators, and problem solvers.

Just a reflection from my searches lately...I hope you and I both keep this in mind as we close out our school year.  Even with the 6 days left in my district, we still have opportunities to impact students {and staff} positively and send them into summer excited to try something new, excited about school, and with goals to work towards. Yes, goals, even through the summer.  My mantra...I seriously love learning!  We need every opportunity to instill this love of learning into our students.  Let's not waste a single minute.

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All At Once

I experienced something today that made me wonder if that wasn't how our students feel sometimes...overwhelmed, like there was too much to be fixed to become successful.

My van, which I talked about in a previous post, gave me more problems last night into this morning.  It wouldn't start when I got ready to head home yesterday.  Had to have it jumped by family.  No, I didn't leave the lights on or anything like that, I checked.  But when I arrived home last night, I put it on the electric battery charger that we own.  Let it charge all night, green light this morning, but when I cranked it up, nothing but clicks.  So frustrating.  Then, I got to drive our most reliable, yet oldest (20 years old) truck cramming me and two of my daughters in with me, listening to them complain the whole time about not having enough room, having to deal with no radio, with me putting their backpacks in the bed of the truck, and on and on.  Then, my oldest (a junior in HS), telling me about the fees she needs for Senior Year, and how they are due before end of May, knowing that we just shelled out a pretty penny for her letter jacket last week, and knowing that I would have to replace a van battery at some point, and knowing that my oil change light keeps coming on, with an empty gas tank, and needing an inspection and registration update on my van.  And when I finally made it to school, late of course, I had left myself a big pile of copying to do, paperwork to file, and a long to do list.  It was all at once, overwhelming.  And it got me thinking about our students, and talking to myself-no I'm not crazy, but I do believe that what we deal with is 90% in our head and 10% reality.  So, I'm telling myself, "Breathe, Windham, Breathe!" and "It's not the end of the world."

And what I thought about our students, was, I wonder if they ever feel this way?  Do we, as teachers, give them all their things that they need to work on, skills they struggle with, hurdles they need to learn to deal with behaviorally, all at once?  Or do we help them identify the one to two critical things to focus on, improve upon, and show them how to get better before moving on?  I know I've been guilty of laying it all out for them.  Wanting to be honest with them and put all the "cards on the table" so to speak.  But is this really the best way?  I'm not proposing lying or hiding things from our students, but do we help them focus on only a couple of areas at a time, and rank it for them so they know what is the most critical?  You see, knowing I need an oil change, inspection, registration, and new battery, upon all the other Senior Daughter fees, I had to prioritize and pay, albeit begrudgingly, the $165 for a new battery for my van, but it was critical.  Do we help our students learn to prioritize and focus or do we overwhelm them with too much all at once?

Just some perspective for me.  Thought I would share.

Back to the Classroom!

I'm thrilled, over the moon excited, to be saying, "I'm going back to the classroom next year!!"  And I've gotten mixed responses from others when I say this too.

I will be teaching 5th gr Math/Science next school year at a new school (well, not so new, but new to me).

For someone who has been out of the classroom five years now, it's often hard for others to really understand the thought process of wanting to go back to the classroom.  The very phrase, seems like you're taking steps backward in your educational career, but for me it's invigorating to say the least.  I will get to enjoy the most important thing about any school-the students.  I will get to do things that I've been teaching others to do.  I will get to be more self directed and less state directed, at least coming from a Testing Coordinator role to a Teacher.  Ahhhh--Teacher--The most important job on this planet!  I will get to dive in with Google Classroom with the older kiddos with all the learning I've done this school year.  I will get to do experiments, spark imagination, bring structure to chaos, communicate with families in new ways, motivate the unmotivated, and help struggling students set goals and celebrate their growth!  And I will get to use my creativity with  my content and teams of other professionals, and leave the desk and paper trail that seems to be ever present currently, behind.  So, no, I'm not upset to be going back to the classroom, I've thrilled, elated, energized, and already working on beginning of the year plans...I can't wait!

These past five years have helped me to grow like no other.  I've learned how to work with adults and all the different personalities.  I was inspired and encouraged to complete my Master's degree, which started me on my technology journey.  See, believe it or not, technology was my weakness in many surveys during that program, so I was forced to face my weakness and develop perseverance, grit, and more determination and resilience that I ever thought possible and learn, experiment, fail, and try again.  I've had the opportunity to face hard folks, hard conversations, and develop braveness and a thick skin and have learned not to take things personally, and to see what lies under the outer words, what drives them.  I've had so many opportunities to observe other master teachers in action, to learn from the best.  I've seen and experienced testing from the other side of the table.  And I've experienced a "catch-all" specialist role.  All of these experiences have made me more understanding and patient.  And all of these years have made me better and I can't wait to share a better me with some students and families this upcoming school year!  Bring it on!!! 

Is it an emergency?

Do you ever find yourself saying this?

Is it an emergency?

More and more I find that I do. It's not because I don't want to help someone, quite the opposite.  It frustrates me to no end to ask someone else to wait or send me an email about something that is an emergency in their world because I'm dealing with them in my own.

Remember, this position I'm in this school year is one that is brand new to my campus, never been done before. And for that fact, there isn't an official, written job description to follow.  It's up to my Principal, District Testing Coordinator, and my own self-starting self to figure things out.  So, we've already been through our first round of STAAR.  But now, we are one school week out from the biggest, busiest week of the year for any Elementary Testing Coordinator and I find myself more and more asking folks that saying, "Is it an emergency?" I want to help you with your laptop that is broken, or to help you load a network printer, or help you with some other technology concern, since technology is my passion, but it's not my primary role.  Testing is.  And so I must prioritize things, events, even family functions and trips to the grocery store around preparations for this BIG week.   Schedules must be written out, rosters checked twice (like Santa), new students investigated to determine services, teachers trained, walls and halls checked, numbered booklets and scans inventoried and accounted for, pencils sharpened, papers copied, folders organized, and on and on.  And I can tell that others are not used to me saying that phrase, because I get the looks, not in a bad way, just in a "Oh, you've never said that before" kind of way.  I am eager to help, but now I must prioritize.  

Every role we serve in, from parent to educator to administrator, comes with priorities.  It's up to us in each role to figure out what's important.  And I will say that those important things shift seasonally, but one thing that will always be important is people.  So, I must temper myself when I say that dreaded phrase and phrase it in a respectful, caring way, so that I don't sever those relationships.

So, that's what I'm working on lately, prioritizing, and still being respectful. What are you working on?