Being a first year teacher is challenging. That might be the understatement of the year (maybe the century). After four years in college studying education, a year and a half preparing through the credential program and six weeks of Institute with Teach For America, I still end every day realizing there is nothing that could completely prepare me for this experience. Thankfully, I have many tools and resources available to me. Even still...
Teach For America instilled in me (and the thousands of other CMs teaching across the country) the belief that everything that happens in my classroom is a result of my teacher thoughts, beliefs and mindsets.
While this certainly strengthens and widens my locus of control, this belief also means that every day I reflect not only on how the day went, but also what I did or did not do to produce those results. When things do not go the way I had hoped, I have to step back and consider what really guided my actions in the situations and lessons that caused the day to be less than stellar. This also means that when I find myself making excuses for my students based on what their lives are like outside of school, I have to stop myself and remember that while I have no control over that, I do have control over my classroom and how they behave while in it.
Furthermore, by taking on this challenge, I have committed myself to having high expectations for my students; that means I cannot make excuses for them or myself.
Add to that sense of responsibility and belief in the power of my own mindsets and thoughts the overwhelming amount of lesson planning, management planning/implementation and copying I have to do and you have one stressful experience. As stressful and overwhelming as this can be, I have to celebrate the things that go well in order to maintain my sanity. Like last week, my students took their math SWYK (Show What You Know) for the week, and all 23 achieved a "Meets!" (At my school we use the assessment grades of Falls Far Bellow, Approaches, Meets and Exceeds which is in line with how the state assesses students on standardized tests.) That Friday night, while grading the SWYK, I was grinning because I realized they got it, and I helped!
Other moments that I celebrate and that keep me going are ones like what happened the other day in class: a lot of students were getting chatty and I stopped my instruction to move clips and wait for them to calm down. One of my students said in a frustrated voice, "C'mon, guys, be quiet! You're wasting our learning time and I want to learn!!" The happiness I felt from that one comment lasted for days. I still smile thinking about it.
Those are the mindsets and ideas that I can only hope my students grasp: that our time together is important; that we need to respect our learning time because we will not get it back. If I am going to relentlessly pursue Meet and Exceed results for my students, they need to be invested in our learning time; otherwise nothing I do will help them succeed.
I feel so blessed to be a part of my students' lives. In spite of all that many of them have going on at home that could drag them down, for the most part they show up every day excited and they are eager to do their best. I only hope they know how much I care about them and their futures.
On a personal note: I finally finished unpacking all of my things and my room is completely set up! I really feel like I live here now. I even went on an excursion on Sunday to find a Dunkin Donuts because we actually have them here in Phoenix! I was so excited. Also, my roommate and I found a discarded futon frame and lugged it up to our apartment (it is a beautiful cherry wood frame with only a few scratches), leaving only a mattress to be purchased. Last weekend we got one, so we finally have a couch in our living room. This apartment is really starting to feel homey.
I try to always have music playing in my classroom, and recently I have been playing a lot of Jack Johnson (it's like magic music). Every time I hear his duet with Ben Harper - "My Own Two Hands" - I feel inspired.
I can change the world
With my own two hands
Make a better place
With my own two hands
Make a kinder place
With my own
With my own two hands
Much love!
Wednesday, September 17
Monday, September 1
Netflix
So, I did it. I joined Netflix. And then spent a few hours on Saturday making my list. I can't wait to start getting those movies in the mail! :) Oh, the small pleasures.
Teaching seems to be getting easier. I have figured out that I do not like going into school early, so I have to stay later after school to get things done. I have also been working on leaving school without any work to take home; that has made the last week really relaxing at night! I am hoping to make that a habit.
The kiddos are really starting to get into our routine. I am learning their little quirks and how to get them to do what I need them to do. 7 year olds really like to be timed! I guess anything that feels like a competition... I am really excited that we are getting into a routine. They make me so happy (most of the time).
I went to my first Diamondbacks game yesterday! I even bought a shirt. And I have never been in a stadium with a retractable roof; I am so glad the roof was closed last night because it was so hot! Here's a blurry self-portrait from my cell phone last night (setting: my bathroom). I wanted to show my parents my first D-backs shirt! :)
♥
I went to my first Diamondbacks game yesterday! I even bought a shirt. And I have never been in a stadium with a retractable roof; I am so glad the roof was closed last night because it was so hot! Here's a blurry self-portrait from my cell phone last night (setting: my bathroom). I wanted to show my parents my first D-backs shirt! :)
♥
Tuesday, August 19
When do we learn Spanish?
Here I am, in week three of teaching!
Day one was a little on the overwhelming and surreal side. The week leading up to the first day, I was busy just trying to get the hundreds of boxes out of my classroom! Most of those boxes were not even my second grade materials, so I had to open them, figure out what was in them, and then try to figure out where they needed to go. The Sunday before school started, my amazing parents were in town to help me finish moving into my apartment so they helped me actually set up my classroom. The next two days I spent running around getting last minute supplies for the first day, like carpet squares for the students to sit on (we still do not have carpet in our classrooms).
But the morning my students arrived, I was so excited. My stomach was fluttering and my heart was racing - all of those cliche feelings. We sat down for our first community circle and introduced ourselves and shared some of our favorite things. Then we talked about what we had done this summer. The rest of the day was a mix of procedures and teambuilding activities. Towards the end of the day, we sat down on the floor again and made a list of things that had happened in school to us that we did not like; we then talked about how we should act so that those incidents don't happen. I guided the discussion so that we touched on what I already knew I wanted my 5 rules to be. That night I went home and put all of their ideas together in the 5 Class Agreements (we do not call them rules, we call them class agreements because we agreed that those norms would make our classroom a safe, fun, happy place where we could learn together).
Day two I introduced the Class Agreements and our rewards and consequences system. We practiced what following and not following the class agreements would look like. We read Oh! The Places You'll Go and talked about what they wanted to be after college in 2023. Then we talked about how it would take hard work to get there and that 2nd grade is important to get us ready for 3rd grade, 4th grade, etc so that we can become what we want to be. We spent the rest of the day practicing procedures and doing more teambuilding activities. I was pretty relieved that the first week was only 3 days. I needed the weekend.
Last week, week 2, was more procedures and investment. We have gotten really great at lining up and walking in the hallway! Which sounds like a ridiculous thing to be thrilled about, but when you have a classroom of 23 7-year old students - 16 of which are boys - lining up and walking quietly can be one of the most challenging things. We have a class compliment chain, and every time another teacher or staff member compliments our class on our line around the school, we add a paper chain. When the chain reaches the floor, the students will get a surprise! They have already earned 12 links, and it will probably take us about 10 more to reach the floor. I am really proud of them, and they are really proud of themselves. We talk a lot about how we are a team, and that is physical proof of what we can accomplish when we work together.
I am getting nervous thinking about teaching in Spanish, because only a small number of my students even speak Spanish with their families. The majority of my students are native English speakers. Although they will be learning Spanish from the very beginning - starting with the alphabet - I am expected to also teach them grade-level content in Spanish without translating for them. I know this will be a huge challenge, and though I am thrilled to be taking it on, I am also nervous that they will get frustrated and give up during Spanish week. More to come soon, I promise, but for now I need to go call some parents!
♥
But the morning my students arrived, I was so excited. My stomach was fluttering and my heart was racing - all of those cliche feelings. We sat down for our first community circle and introduced ourselves and shared some of our favorite things. Then we talked about what we had done this summer. The rest of the day was a mix of procedures and teambuilding activities. Towards the end of the day, we sat down on the floor again and made a list of things that had happened in school to us that we did not like; we then talked about how we should act so that those incidents don't happen. I guided the discussion so that we touched on what I already knew I wanted my 5 rules to be. That night I went home and put all of their ideas together in the 5 Class Agreements (we do not call them rules, we call them class agreements because we agreed that those norms would make our classroom a safe, fun, happy place where we could learn together).
Day two I introduced the Class Agreements and our rewards and consequences system. We practiced what following and not following the class agreements would look like. We read Oh! The Places You'll Go and talked about what they wanted to be after college in 2023. Then we talked about how it would take hard work to get there and that 2nd grade is important to get us ready for 3rd grade, 4th grade, etc so that we can become what we want to be. We spent the rest of the day practicing procedures and doing more teambuilding activities. I was pretty relieved that the first week was only 3 days. I needed the weekend.
Last week, week 2, was more procedures and investment. We have gotten really great at lining up and walking in the hallway! Which sounds like a ridiculous thing to be thrilled about, but when you have a classroom of 23 7-year old students - 16 of which are boys - lining up and walking quietly can be one of the most challenging things. We have a class compliment chain, and every time another teacher or staff member compliments our class on our line around the school, we add a paper chain. When the chain reaches the floor, the students will get a surprise! They have already earned 12 links, and it will probably take us about 10 more to reach the floor. I am really proud of them, and they are really proud of themselves. We talk a lot about how we are a team, and that is physical proof of what we can accomplish when we work together.
I am getting nervous thinking about teaching in Spanish, because only a small number of my students even speak Spanish with their families. The majority of my students are native English speakers. Although they will be learning Spanish from the very beginning - starting with the alphabet - I am expected to also teach them grade-level content in Spanish without translating for them. I know this will be a huge challenge, and though I am thrilled to be taking it on, I am also nervous that they will get frustrated and give up during Spanish week. More to come soon, I promise, but for now I need to go call some parents!
♥
Tuesday, July 15
Oh boy...
So, long time no blog...
Life has been completely insane.
Institute is crazy but amazing. I am learning so much here from other Corps members, CMAs and all the faculty advisors. The training is intense, but I have never felt more prepared to have my own classroom, even after studying to become a teacher in college. The focus on teaching as leadership has opened my eyes to aspects of teaching that I had never seen before. There is also a huge emphasis on reflection, particularly reflection on how one's mindsets, thoughts and beliefs as the teacher directly impact student actions and achievement. I have never before so thoroughly examined my own ideas and beliefs about teaching and student potential.
On a personal note, I have also spent the last two (almost three) weeks sick. Originally myself and the clinicians at the ASU clinic thought it was food poisoning, so I was treated for that. I did not get any better, however, and after further testing I was determined to have a parasite. I have since finished another round of antibiotics and while I am feeling better, the nurse practitioner is not completely satisfied with my progress and when I come home to California next week I will be going to my doctor for further tests. I am hoping that what I am currently dealing with are just the after affects of having a parasite. Here's hoping...
With all that, I have had some really great things happening. I finally moved into my new apartment! I actually have my first address that isn't my parent's address. I love the apartment. It is so cute and quaint. We have a fireplace and even a balcony with a nice little view of downtown Phoenix. Oh, also, my apartment is about 5 minutes from Chase Field (where the Diamondbacks play). I cannot wait to go to a game.
I start new teacher training in a little over a week, and then on August 6 my students show up for the first day! I am so excited... I am still trying to figure out what my management system and class theme will be. Another teacher and myself thing we have come up with a good theme, but we're still working out the kinks.
With that, I have to share a quote from the Velveteen Rabbit that our Literacy Specialist shared with us today on our last day of Literacy courses. "What is REAL?" asked the Rabbit one day ... "Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real." "Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit. "Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt." "Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?" "It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't often happen to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, much of you has been loved off and parts of you can get shabby. But these things don't matter at all because you are Real ... Once you are Real, you can't become unreal again. It lasts for always."
So there it is, my update. I hope life is beautiful and blessed for you! ♥
On a personal note, I have also spent the last two (almost three) weeks sick. Originally myself and the clinicians at the ASU clinic thought it was food poisoning, so I was treated for that. I did not get any better, however, and after further testing I was determined to have a parasite. I have since finished another round of antibiotics and while I am feeling better, the nurse practitioner is not completely satisfied with my progress and when I come home to California next week I will be going to my doctor for further tests. I am hoping that what I am currently dealing with are just the after affects of having a parasite. Here's hoping...
With all that, I have had some really great things happening. I finally moved into my new apartment! I actually have my first address that isn't my parent's address. I love the apartment. It is so cute and quaint. We have a fireplace and even a balcony with a nice little view of downtown Phoenix. Oh, also, my apartment is about 5 minutes from Chase Field (where the Diamondbacks play). I cannot wait to go to a game.
I start new teacher training in a little over a week, and then on August 6 my students show up for the first day! I am so excited... I am still trying to figure out what my management system and class theme will be. Another teacher and myself thing we have come up with a good theme, but we're still working out the kinks.
With that, I have to share a quote from the Velveteen Rabbit that our Literacy Specialist shared with us today on our last day of Literacy courses. "What is REAL?" asked the Rabbit one day ... "Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real." "Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit. "Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt." "Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?" "It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't often happen to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, much of you has been loved off and parts of you can get shabby. But these things don't matter at all because you are Real ... Once you are Real, you can't become unreal again. It lasts for always."
So there it is, my update. I hope life is beautiful and blessed for you! ♥
Friday, June 20
One day...
All children will have the opportunity to receive an excellent education.
So, here I am in Phoenix, preparing to become a teacher with hundreds of other Corps Members dedicated to closing the achievement gap and ending educational inequity.
...And it's absolutely boiling hot! Yesterday, for example, it was 112 degrees. But we are inside so much it doesn't bother me too much. I just have to remember to drink lots of water. And I have found myself chugging gatorade a lot, too. I know I'm sweating a lot, but it is usually so dry and hot that I don't really notice, so I am often worried that I will get really dehydrated without noticing.
Heat aside, I love Phoenix! It is such a cool city. It is growing so fast. There is so much to do, but right now I don't have a lot of time to do it. We are in the middle of Institute, which is 5 weeks of intensive teacher training. We get to start teaching our summer school classes on Monday, and I am really excited! One of the most exciting things about being here with this group of people is that everyone is so motivated and passionate and hard working. It keeps me on my toes all the time and the energy is incredibly contagious. I already feel like a more dedicated, prepared and passionate teacher just for being here with this organization. Plus, they take such good care of us.
For some reason, I have not managed to take very many pictures, but here are some I took last week during Induction, which feels like it was years ago! One is of a cactus, of course, which are my new trees. And the others are of the Arizona Cardinals training facility here in Phoenix, where we ate dinner one night and got a tour of the facilities! We even saw the locker room and the bathroom where the famous scene from Jerry McGuire was filmed. How cool is that? My life is pretty amazing right now. Even when it is overwhelming, I have to take a step back and realize where I am, what I am a part of, and how blessed life is right now.
And, last weekend, I graduated from college! That was an exciting experience. I did not expect to feel so joyous and relieved!
That's all for now...
♥
So, here I am in Phoenix, preparing to become a teacher with hundreds of other Corps Members dedicated to closing the achievement gap and ending educational inequity.
...And it's absolutely boiling hot! Yesterday, for example, it was 112 degrees. But we are inside so much it doesn't bother me too much. I just have to remember to drink lots of water. And I have found myself chugging gatorade a lot, too. I know I'm sweating a lot, but it is usually so dry and hot that I don't really notice, so I am often worried that I will get really dehydrated without noticing.
Heat aside, I love Phoenix! It is such a cool city. It is growing so fast. There is so much to do, but right now I don't have a lot of time to do it. We are in the middle of Institute, which is 5 weeks of intensive teacher training. We get to start teaching our summer school classes on Monday, and I am really excited! One of the most exciting things about being here with this group of people is that everyone is so motivated and passionate and hard working. It keeps me on my toes all the time and the energy is incredibly contagious. I already feel like a more dedicated, prepared and passionate teacher just for being here with this organization. Plus, they take such good care of us.
For some reason, I have not managed to take very many pictures, but here are some I took last week during Induction, which feels like it was years ago! One is of a cactus, of course, which are my new trees. And the others are of the Arizona Cardinals training facility here in Phoenix, where we ate dinner one night and got a tour of the facilities! We even saw the locker room and the bathroom where the famous scene from Jerry McGuire was filmed. How cool is that? My life is pretty amazing right now. Even when it is overwhelming, I have to take a step back and realize where I am, what I am a part of, and how blessed life is right now.
And, last weekend, I graduated from college! That was an exciting experience. I did not expect to feel so joyous and relieved!
That's all for now...
♥
Tuesday, June 10
Coyotes!
So, Phoenix is really different! Exciting, but very different.
I am so thrilled to be here with such a dynamic, passionate group of TFA-ers who want to change the world.
I know where and what I am teaching!! I will be teaching in an elementary dual language classroom. The district principals were incredibly welcoming to the four TFA teachers who will be starting at three of the schools in July, and we are all really happy to be in such a supportive district. I know I will learn so much from the next two years!
Being in Phoenix, I have new trees...
And last night, on our way to a restaurant in Scottsdale, coyotes ran out in front of our car! Needless to say, we were pretty thrilled by that experience.
♥
I am so thrilled to be here with such a dynamic, passionate group of TFA-ers who want to change the world.
I know where and what I am teaching!! I will be teaching in an elementary dual language classroom. The district principals were incredibly welcoming to the four TFA teachers who will be starting at three of the schools in July, and we are all really happy to be in such a supportive district. I know I will learn so much from the next two years!
Being in Phoenix, I have new trees...
And last night, on our way to a restaurant in Scottsdale, coyotes ran out in front of our car! Needless to say, we were pretty thrilled by that experience.
♥
Saturday, May 31
One more week...
In one week I will be road tripping it to Phoenix for Induction, where I will be learning more about Teach For America and what it means to be a Corps member, as well as interviewing with schools for a teaching position. I am so excited, but it still hasn't sunk in and I don't think it will until I actually have a job.
I am so excited to be starting this new chapter in my life! And I am incredibly thankful for all of the support I have from my amazing friends and family; this would not be possible for me without all of them.
But for now I have to keep focused on my last week of student teaching and what I need to complete in order to get my credential!
♥
Sunday, May 25
Peace is possible
Sometimes I find myself discouraged by so much of the blatant selfishness I see in the world around me. Of course, I am also guilty of being selfish most of the time, but I find it hard to be encouraged and inspired to keep trying to be unselfish when, for the most part, I see that only selfish, self-promoting behavior is rewarded in our society. On Friday, however, I witnessed in my classroom the true beauty of compassion and selflessness that brought me very close to tears. It is rare to see such caring behavior in anyone. This young child acted with the sole intention of helping another child and to make the situation better so the other child would not have to cry and be upset. It was beautiful. It reminded me that peace and love and compassion are possible in this world. Please take the time to check out The Mosaic Project. It is a wonderful non-profit organization dedicated to bringing peace to the world through educating and empowering children (my favorite people).
Also, please check out Good Search, a website/search engine that donates a portion of their search engine advertising profits to charities. The great thing is, you get to choose the charity you want to support and each time you search using Good Search, money is given to that organization. The child in my class, The Mosaic Project and Good Search are simple yet powerful reminders of how a few people can begin to make a real and definite change in the world. We can be sure that peace is possible, but we have to take steps in our own lives to make it happen. Much love, Amie
Also, please check out Good Search, a website/search engine that donates a portion of their search engine advertising profits to charities. The great thing is, you get to choose the charity you want to support and each time you search using Good Search, money is given to that organization. The child in my class, The Mosaic Project and Good Search are simple yet powerful reminders of how a few people can begin to make a real and definite change in the world. We can be sure that peace is possible, but we have to take steps in our own lives to make it happen. Much love, Amie
Thursday, May 15
Inspiration
So I've been thinking a lot about inspiration recently.
What inspires me to want to be a teacher? What inspires me to smile and find the positive in a situation that I would otherwise be upset about? Inspiration is so important, and everyone is inspired by different things. I am inspired by so many people, but I am most often inspired and encouraged by the little people in my life - the children I am supposed to be inspiring! Teaching (and I've only had a small taste of it) is so humbling... Every day I learn more about how little I know and how much room I still have to grow as a human being.
My mom and I have been shopping for necklaces the last week or so. We decided that in lieu of getting matching inspirational tattoos (my dad was not thrilled with the idea and ultimately I think we both would have chickened out), we wanted to get matching necklaces that would remind us of each other after I graduate and move away. My mom is my best friend and I am really going to miss her when I am in Phoenix... Anyways, we are trying to find something that will both serve as a reminder of the other person and as an inspiration to be the kind of women that we want to be... We think we might have found something, and I promise I'll post a picture once we do.
On the note of inspiration, I always leave the beach feeling inspired. Inspired to take more time to look at everything around me an appreciate all the beauty that the world has to offer. Here are some pictures of a recent trip to the beach that I found particularly relaxing and inspiring:
Sunday, May 11
Poetry and music in the classroom
So I went to a presentation the other night on poetry and music in the classroom. I learned a lot about how to integrate both of these important artistic expressions into the classroom, but I am still a little wary about how exactly I will use them.
In any case, we all wrote a song together with one of the presenters about student teaching. It might make you laugh, but it is very true....
"Student Teaching" (sung to the tune of "Gilligan's Island")
I'm their new face today
They will like me I hope and pray
And if they don't that's okay
They still have to do it my way
Because I'm here to stay
I cannot even begin to imagine what having my own classroom full of students will feel like. I can only anticipate these emotions times 1,000! It is, however, an adventure I cannot wait to experience.
♥
"Student Teaching" (sung to the tune of "Gilligan's Island")
I'm their new face today
They will like me I hope and pray
And if they don't that's okay
They still have to do it my way
Because I'm here to stay
I cannot even begin to imagine what having my own classroom full of students will feel like. I can only anticipate these emotions times 1,000! It is, however, an adventure I cannot wait to experience.
♥
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