Well its been awhile but school has started again and while it's now my official second year of teaching, I still feel the need to record the blessings of my job. Whoever decided teachers needed a two month break must have had a teacher in their family or been one because the two month break was just what I needed to be energized for the new school year.
This semester is full of challenges already. I am teaching all freshman courses first semester which means a lot more "teaching of procedures and life lessons" but it also means I get to see the biggest changes over the course of the next 90 days. I am praying for extra patience though while I have 19 to start the morning, then 35 during the lunch block, and then 24 at the end of the day in the more "remedial" version of algebra.
Here is a list I made over the weekend of positives from the first few days. Just so it does not come across as bragging, I could have equally made a list of another sort entitled, "Things that Didn't Go As Planned." Instead, I will just focus on BIG successes and small ones!
In no certain order...
1) The first block students who told me my class was their favorite from their first day of school
2) My third block class laughing at me as I drew a cube horribly
3) A third block student who told me “I like your teaching style.”
4) Everyone being excited about using angry birds on our iPads when we get to quadratics. (I will find a way to use that game!)
5) My instructional assistant in 4th block--he is a huge help in 4th block! He loves the kids and the kids love him.
6) 4th block-how happy the stamping of a homework sheet makes them
7) S.M and the dominoes activity—he was so happy to do it differently and for me not to care he wanted to do it differently
8) K.M and how happy he was to win a bouncy ball
9) N.D talking to me each day about wanting to be an FCA officer and that connection with him
10) R.J and B.J-familiar faces and lots of head nods affirming things I say about how I do things (this makes me feel I practice what I preach)
11) Overhearing R.J saying “she is a great teacher" to another student
12) D.R's mom taking the time to write me a thank you for my homework policy
13) Getting to know some of my students through their parents eyes in something I sent home the first night (I will keep doing this each year!)
14) J.C getting off on the right foot because when I met him before school started he was proud of being in ISS more than class
15) J.H a very special student who smiles and welcomes me each day with, “what’s up Doc?”
16) J.S's humor—saying he wants to “spice up class.”
17) The girls who were absent but who still did the homework from that night
18) D.S being so happy he is my tallest student at 6’2’’
19) L.G, a student in need of some math confidence, getting answers right during notes and me remembering to praise her
20) T.K staying back to talk and getting to know he is from Malaysia and him feeling comfortable to tell me he didn’t understand
21) Administration fighting to make the part 1 numbers as good as they could for the good of the kids and us teachers
22) Another teachers' positive comments about teaching challenging students that we share together
23) Former students coming to talk to me—hugs, stories, smiles, and some STILL calling me "coach"
24) Another teacher overhearing students talking about meeting in my class and how they liked my class
25) N.W being so willing to sit at the weird table on day one since we only had 34 desks
26) M.H in 4th block and how precious he is
27) Having enough energy to go to zumba on Thursday night
28) 4th block doing a “good job” taking the water breaks
29) Getting to talk with my mentor from last year a lot (I love her!)
30) Not having to float because of Catherine’s sacrifice this semester
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Saturday, June 4, 2011
#44: Done?!
I haven't posted since spring break. Those of you who have taught/teach know why. Those of you who don't probably know enough teachers to know the end of the year is BUSY! I am also in the process of buying a house so that has meant double busy!
I really hadn't thought too much about being "done" with my first year of teaching. Techninically it has been a year and half but still done with my first full year August to June. Yesterday, one of the assistant principals and I were standing in the main office, her copying and I mailing something, when she asked me how I felt. She said whenever I ask a first year teacher that they also look at me like "oh yea, I finished my first year." It was very sweet though in the midst of tying up loose ends for her to pause and just ask how I felt to be done. She gave me a big hug and said she was proud of how well I have done.
This short but thoughtful moment is why I feel so thankful to have gotten to teach at my school the past year and a half. It is not perfect but I don't want to teach anywhere else. There are so many things I thankful for as I reflect on the year, and as I sit, I am about to head out to graduation. Just thinking about some students I know in the class of over 550 students I think about...
1) The student I tutored this semester who needed her last math credit and almost didn't pass but she texted to tell me she IS graduating!
2) The student I got to teach during student teaching algebra one and then this last semester probability and statistics. Sarah is one of the sweetest girls; I am so thankful to have taught her twice as she heads out to USC next year to major in elementary education.
3) The senior in the crowd who taught me what senioritis looks like in male form this semester as he drove me nuts most days but then waved me down with a huge grin yesterday at graduation practice.
4) The senior I taught last semester who came back this semester in the mornings for some help to pass a military test since she is enrolling next year in the marines.
5) The senior was so proud to come and tell me about getting a scholarship to wrestle next year at Appalachain State.
I really hadn't thought too much about being "done" with my first year of teaching. Techninically it has been a year and half but still done with my first full year August to June. Yesterday, one of the assistant principals and I were standing in the main office, her copying and I mailing something, when she asked me how I felt. She said whenever I ask a first year teacher that they also look at me like "oh yea, I finished my first year." It was very sweet though in the midst of tying up loose ends for her to pause and just ask how I felt to be done. She gave me a big hug and said she was proud of how well I have done.
This short but thoughtful moment is why I feel so thankful to have gotten to teach at my school the past year and a half. It is not perfect but I don't want to teach anywhere else. There are so many things I thankful for as I reflect on the year, and as I sit, I am about to head out to graduation. Just thinking about some students I know in the class of over 550 students I think about...
1) The student I tutored this semester who needed her last math credit and almost didn't pass but she texted to tell me she IS graduating!
2) The student I got to teach during student teaching algebra one and then this last semester probability and statistics. Sarah is one of the sweetest girls; I am so thankful to have taught her twice as she heads out to USC next year to major in elementary education.
3) The senior in the crowd who taught me what senioritis looks like in male form this semester as he drove me nuts most days but then waved me down with a huge grin yesterday at graduation practice.
4) The senior I taught last semester who came back this semester in the mornings for some help to pass a military test since she is enrolling next year in the marines.
5) The senior was so proud to come and tell me about getting a scholarship to wrestle next year at Appalachain State.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
#43: A Simple Pause with No Expectations
Everyone hears teachers get very excited about spring break (and rightfully so!). This year for me spring break came very late. When we return we only have six weeks left. Last year, spring break was two weeks earlier and we had our built in "snow days." This year the long haul to spring break definitely was felt.
This week I am at home in Spartanburg after returning from Indianapolis for the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM). The conference was great as I got to participate with other teachers I know from around the country. It also allowed me to start spring break early! However after a great but tiring trip I was ready to relax for the week.
I tend to put high expectations on breaks. I usually make a long to-do list and the looking to this week for so long also adds pressure for me to feel like it "lived up" to what I was expecting. It may just be my personality but I feel like I always do this. I also get anxious as the week goes on that is going by too quickly.
Knowing this, I wanted this week to be different. This week is special because it is also leading up to Easter on Sunday. So on Monday during my quiet time, I prayed that God would lower my expectations for the week. Instead, He had a different plan--He gave me a singular expectation and standard: that this week will be "successful" if I draw closer to Him and seek to know and love Him more in prayer, Bible study, and loving my family. Not that this should not be a continual seeking, but I knew He wanted me to use this week to have unhurried and intentional time with Him.
In that time, He has been using it to teach me so much--largely about prayer. In my Bible study, we are reading Pursuing MORE of Jesus which focused this week on prayer. This week I have had the perfect opportunity to focus on this in a quiet house with few distractions. God also has revealed to me how a lack of prayer reveals the pride and self-suffiency I can have in all areas but specifically with school. There is just no way I can do my job for His glory in my own power. And, it is incredibly prideful of me to think I can. Prayer unlocks His power in every situation! Thus, this week has been a great time for me to reflect and pray about the last six weeks of school--that God would grow my love, my patience, and my witness in my job.
This week I am at home in Spartanburg after returning from Indianapolis for the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM). The conference was great as I got to participate with other teachers I know from around the country. It also allowed me to start spring break early! However after a great but tiring trip I was ready to relax for the week.
I tend to put high expectations on breaks. I usually make a long to-do list and the looking to this week for so long also adds pressure for me to feel like it "lived up" to what I was expecting. It may just be my personality but I feel like I always do this. I also get anxious as the week goes on that is going by too quickly.
Knowing this, I wanted this week to be different. This week is special because it is also leading up to Easter on Sunday. So on Monday during my quiet time, I prayed that God would lower my expectations for the week. Instead, He had a different plan--He gave me a singular expectation and standard: that this week will be "successful" if I draw closer to Him and seek to know and love Him more in prayer, Bible study, and loving my family. Not that this should not be a continual seeking, but I knew He wanted me to use this week to have unhurried and intentional time with Him.
In that time, He has been using it to teach me so much--largely about prayer. In my Bible study, we are reading Pursuing MORE of Jesus which focused this week on prayer. This week I have had the perfect opportunity to focus on this in a quiet house with few distractions. God also has revealed to me how a lack of prayer reveals the pride and self-suffiency I can have in all areas but specifically with school. There is just no way I can do my job for His glory in my own power. And, it is incredibly prideful of me to think I can. Prayer unlocks His power in every situation! Thus, this week has been a great time for me to reflect and pray about the last six weeks of school--that God would grow my love, my patience, and my witness in my job.
Monday, April 4, 2011
#42: The South
I was thankful to go to Seattle. So thankful though to be back in the South. I love to travel and see different places but I love coming back home! Funny, the white rocking chairs in the Columbia aiport put a smile on my face every time!
While in Seattle, I got to drink Starbucks (where it originated), go to Pike's market and watch them throw fish, taste test local foods (including honey, dried apples, and chocolate pasta), and eat dinner on the harbor with a beautiful view of the water. Truly the rest of the time we worked hard but we were fed quite well in local restaurants during the evenings. It was also so encouraging to be with other like minded teachers in the same spot of their career!
Coming back was not the easiest because I was so tired today, but...I was thankful for:
1) No bad news from the substitute
2) Tests that were done well (they are so much quicker to grade)
3) Students who even thanked me for coming early to grade them
4) Students who excitedly asked me about my trip
5) A teacher friend who ran copies for me last week to be ready for the day
6) MAP testing--this meant my 4th block had to go to the computer lab today and be monitored by someone else while I got some extra time to get things ready for the week!
Saturday, March 26, 2011
#41: Seattle On My Mind
Today I am thankful for an upcoming professional development opportunity in Seattle!
Thursday at 6:30 AM I am leaving for Seattle--a place I have never been! I am very excited and looking forward to being away from students a few days. We are in the long haul till spring break so I think this meeting will be just what I need for some renewed energy and ideas.
I am going for Knowles Science Teaching Foundation. It is a fellowship I received during grad school and will support me for five years (I am in year two). Our meetings are always somewhere different and the best part is that I meet with others who are right where I am at in my teaching career. This meeting will be the 14 of us who got the math fellowship in the same year along with some experienced people in the profession who work with us. I am looking forward to seeing everyone! When I first got the fellowship I didn't envision forming real relationships with these people from ALL over but I have. So while we will work most of the time, we will get to see a bit of Seattle together too! And although I usually leave tired, I am usually very much encouraged and have FRESH ideas for my students.
This weekend I have done a lot of "prep" work but am looking forward to a "three-day" week for me at school with students!
Friday, March 11, 2011
#40: Smiles and Sandpaper
Today I am choosing to be thankful for every type and individual student I teach. This is NOT easy or natural. In fact, many students are the exact opposite of me so it is very hard.
I am thankful for my students who...
*bring their Bibles to school every day and who I see reading them at school in front of their peers--they inspire me to be bolder in my faith at work.
.
*rub me the wrong way--God is using them to be like sandpaper refining the rough edges of my love that can be very conditional.
*get overjoyed at playing a game--they make planning fun and bring out my competitive spirit.
*let me be sarcastic with them and get it--they make the days go by more quickly and make teaching high schoolers so fun.
*talk with me about American Idol--they make the class environment more comfortable as they show other students that Ms. Hall is a "normal" person.
*let me confront them about their behavior--they show me they really ARE growing up and it is really amazing to watch the lessons happen that can mean more than "math."
*prove me wrong--they teach me first impressions are not always true and I still have things to learn; they keep me humble.
I am thankful for my students who...
*bring their Bibles to school every day and who I see reading them at school in front of their peers--they inspire me to be bolder in my faith at work.
.
*rub me the wrong way--God is using them to be like sandpaper refining the rough edges of my love that can be very conditional.
*get overjoyed at playing a game--they make planning fun and bring out my competitive spirit.
*let me be sarcastic with them and get it--they make the days go by more quickly and make teaching high schoolers so fun.
*talk with me about American Idol--they make the class environment more comfortable as they show other students that Ms. Hall is a "normal" person.
*let me confront them about their behavior--they show me they really ARE growing up and it is really amazing to watch the lessons happen that can mean more than "math."
*prove me wrong--they teach me first impressions are not always true and I still have things to learn; they keep me humble.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Psalm 7:17 Friday
I will give to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High.
-Psalm 7:17
Things I am thankful for this week:
1) The yummy food my mom left at my apartment last weekend. I ate on it all week and it was a blessing to not have to make dinner really or lunch because I had all I needed. I even had tea, diet dr. pepper, and frozen yogurt at apartment which I never buy for myself!
2) Our teacher workday on Monday; I got a lot done and I really like professional development.
3) My zumba class!
4) My student who is IN my zumba class (there are few students who I would feel comfortable doing that with-I am glad it is her!)
5) Negotiating my cable bill down $40!!
6) Talking to my students about prom and seeing their excitement. Thankful that I can rest securely in those conversations now (even though I didn't go to prom in high school) when I didn't last year.
-Psalm 7:17
Things I am thankful for this week:
1) The yummy food my mom left at my apartment last weekend. I ate on it all week and it was a blessing to not have to make dinner really or lunch because I had all I needed. I even had tea, diet dr. pepper, and frozen yogurt at apartment which I never buy for myself!
2) Our teacher workday on Monday; I got a lot done and I really like professional development.
3) My zumba class!
4) My student who is IN my zumba class (there are few students who I would feel comfortable doing that with-I am glad it is her!)
5) Negotiating my cable bill down $40!!
6) Talking to my students about prom and seeing their excitement. Thankful that I can rest securely in those conversations now (even though I didn't go to prom in high school) when I didn't last year.
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