Monday, December 9, 2013
It's easy for you...
I think that Pinterest has really helped some teachers to come up with some new and engaging activities. It has definitely given them a system to capture ideas. I don't care whose ideas they were to begin with, Pinterest has become a huge cork board with everyone's favorite ideas! I've had lots of people say something to me about me being creative. Not necessarily the six words in that order, but definitely implied. I've always taken it as a compliment. I do think I'm creative, but that doesn't mean I don't work hard at it! And my ideas didn't just come from no where. There had to be some inspiration from somewhere! I almost always have my iPad with me. I use the Notes app to write lots of notes to myself. I also email things to myself so I don't forget.
Rapport
So many things came to mind while I was reading this chapter!
I try very hard to build a good rapport with parents and teachers. It's so important! I had a parent call Wednesday before Thanksgiving and she was a little heated. She wanted another IEP meeting (we just met a month ago) She was upset about something from over a year ago and wanted a couple of things added to her son's IEP and was upset about her son's teacher writing that he was in 5th grade instead of 7th grade. I was able to talk to her, write down what she wanted, and let her know that I would work on those things and get back to her after vacation on Tuesday. I found out later that she had been talking to a VERY DIFFICULT parent who is VERY involved with DDServices and has the head guy at every meeting and we meet every two to three weeks on her son.
Anyway, I was able to set up a homework check for this student, help him organize his binder, talk with the teacher about the 5th grade thing (which was totally an accident, she taught 5th grade last year) took care of the item from over a year ago and called her back on Tuesday and we had a quick meeting over the phone and I sent paperwork home with her son that afternoon.
This took A LOT of my time those two days, BUT I was able to calm this parent, avoid a meeting, and build a rapport with her that others had not been able to do. She was thrilled with the results and I think I would be able to call her any time I need to.
I also am working on building rapport with the teachers. They need to know that their time is valued. This is why I don't schedule meetings during their prep or breaks.
As I was reading, I kept thinking that it was strange that the kids all had to introduce themselves around the room. New kids were few and far between and I knew EVERYONE in my school. Not only did I know everyone, I knew their parents, siblings, boyfriend/girlfriend, and if they had a car I knew their license plate number! I love how Dave starts off his first three days. Oh to be a student in that class! What an adventure!
I try very hard to build a good rapport with parents and teachers. It's so important! I had a parent call Wednesday before Thanksgiving and she was a little heated. She wanted another IEP meeting (we just met a month ago) She was upset about something from over a year ago and wanted a couple of things added to her son's IEP and was upset about her son's teacher writing that he was in 5th grade instead of 7th grade. I was able to talk to her, write down what she wanted, and let her know that I would work on those things and get back to her after vacation on Tuesday. I found out later that she had been talking to a VERY DIFFICULT parent who is VERY involved with DDServices and has the head guy at every meeting and we meet every two to three weeks on her son.
Anyway, I was able to set up a homework check for this student, help him organize his binder, talk with the teacher about the 5th grade thing (which was totally an accident, she taught 5th grade last year) took care of the item from over a year ago and called her back on Tuesday and we had a quick meeting over the phone and I sent paperwork home with her son that afternoon.
This took A LOT of my time those two days, BUT I was able to calm this parent, avoid a meeting, and build a rapport with her that others had not been able to do. She was thrilled with the results and I think I would be able to call her any time I need to.
I also am working on building rapport with the teachers. They need to know that their time is valued. This is why I don't schedule meetings during their prep or breaks.
As I was reading, I kept thinking that it was strange that the kids all had to introduce themselves around the room. New kids were few and far between and I knew EVERYONE in my school. Not only did I know everyone, I knew their parents, siblings, boyfriend/girlfriend, and if they had a car I knew their license plate number! I love how Dave starts off his first three days. Oh to be a student in that class! What an adventure!
Sink or Swim
I was reading through chapter two and I couldn't help but think of several teachers that I have worked with this year that become the lifeguards as soon as I show up. I jump in to swim with the students and the teacher that is supposed to be working either becomes the lifeguard or turns tail and runs out of the room! My job is not to do their job for them, but to help them become better equipped and have more tools in their tool belt to deal with difficult situations. Not gonna lie, there are times when I would like to turn tail and run or sit on the sidelines as well. That's not what I was hired to do though! I'm a swimmer!
What!? No posts?
So here we are on a snow day and I decided that today would be a great day to catch up on the blog. So, I change by my password, AGAIN (I probably do this every year once or twice) and when I logged in, I realized that I'm not alone! It's been a very busy year for everyone I'm guessing!
This year my job is very different. I'm working half time at Pioneer with Pat Martin doing sped paperwork. The other half of my job is spent in different buildings providing supports and curriculum for the special ed teachers who have high needs kids in their classrooms. I'm not working directly with students this year. So, my "class" is other teachers.
As I was reading about "Content Passion" I kept thinking of all the things I am passionate about when it comes to paperwork. I am SO passionate about making sure all of my paperwork is done ON TIME and EVERY meeting is held within the legal timeline. I take pride in making sure my paperwork is done on time.
I am passionate about relationships. These relationships are with teachers and parents. I contact all parents 2 weeks before a meeting to schedule it, then send them a notice, and give them a reminder call the night before. With teachers, I email them two weeks in advance, I make sure and do everything I can to avoid scheduling meetings during breaks, lunch, and prep periods. I email them the day before and remind them who the sub is and always remind them to have sub notes available. And at the meetings, I bring chocolate. I know they would rather be in their classrooms and chocolate just makes things more bearable. I also send out a thank you email after meetings and let them know that we appreciate their time and input. I want the teachers to know that we value them and their time and input. I am working very hard to improve the relationship between special education and gen ed teachers. This is what I am most passionate about!
My personal passion covers a wide range of things as well. I am passionate about my faith in the Lord. He saved me 18 years ago! I am passionate about my family. I'm LOVING these snow days that I get to spend with them. And I'm passionate about all things crafty! My favorite is quilting! I would really like to make a new quilt for my girls but I have it set in my head that I am not going to start until I am caught up on the blog and reading! It's good to have goals.
This year my job is very different. I'm working half time at Pioneer with Pat Martin doing sped paperwork. The other half of my job is spent in different buildings providing supports and curriculum for the special ed teachers who have high needs kids in their classrooms. I'm not working directly with students this year. So, my "class" is other teachers.
As I was reading about "Content Passion" I kept thinking of all the things I am passionate about when it comes to paperwork. I am SO passionate about making sure all of my paperwork is done ON TIME and EVERY meeting is held within the legal timeline. I take pride in making sure my paperwork is done on time.
I am passionate about relationships. These relationships are with teachers and parents. I contact all parents 2 weeks before a meeting to schedule it, then send them a notice, and give them a reminder call the night before. With teachers, I email them two weeks in advance, I make sure and do everything I can to avoid scheduling meetings during breaks, lunch, and prep periods. I email them the day before and remind them who the sub is and always remind them to have sub notes available. And at the meetings, I bring chocolate. I know they would rather be in their classrooms and chocolate just makes things more bearable. I also send out a thank you email after meetings and let them know that we appreciate their time and input. I want the teachers to know that we value them and their time and input. I am working very hard to improve the relationship between special education and gen ed teachers. This is what I am most passionate about!
My personal passion covers a wide range of things as well. I am passionate about my faith in the Lord. He saved me 18 years ago! I am passionate about my family. I'm LOVING these snow days that I get to spend with them. And I'm passionate about all things crafty! My favorite is quilting! I would really like to make a new quilt for my girls but I have it set in my head that I am not going to start until I am caught up on the blog and reading! It's good to have goals.
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Data Presentation Reflections
One of the things that I loved about the data class, especially during the presentations, was hearing other peoples' ideas and what worked for them and what didn't. After this year I feel confident with my reading instruction and I have the data to back up that what I did worked. I will always continue to improve, but next year I would like to focus on math. I heard some really great ideas about math that I would like to try next year. I made several notes about computer programs like IXL, and other math resources. At our last grade level meeting I asked about getting a subscription to IXL or a similar program, and it sounds like something we will be able to get next year.
Jennifer and I had very similar projects, so it was great to discuss how things were going throughout the year. I would like to implement some of the things that she did next year, like having students track their own growth. I struggled with having the kids set their own goals, because they don't really know what a realistic goal is. I like the way she had them chart their word reading, so they can see what they did last time and the times before and set a reasonable goal. It is a great visual for them and for me, and I think it brings more meaning and understanding to them about what they are doing and why.
Jennifer and I had very similar projects, so it was great to discuss how things were going throughout the year. I would like to implement some of the things that she did next year, like having students track their own growth. I struggled with having the kids set their own goals, because they don't really know what a realistic goal is. I like the way she had them chart their word reading, so they can see what they did last time and the times before and set a reasonable goal. It is a great visual for them and for me, and I think it brings more meaning and understanding to them about what they are doing and why.
Focus: More Thoughts
Most importantly, this course offered me the opportunity to reflect on my own teaching practices. I feel like for a lot of this first year I have been in survival mode, just trying to get through one week at a time. I know I have so much to learn, but this course made me stop and look at what I am doing, and what else I can do. I'm not going to be perfect after a year of teaching, but if I stop to reflect on specific subjects or struggles, I can work toward a solution rather than just getting frustrated. While Schmoker's words were important, the discussions that we had as a group will be what I remember. I have enjoyed hearing ideas from other first grade teachers, as well as teachers from all grade levels, subject areas, classroom teachers and non classroom teachers. It has been wonderful to hear all perspectives and relate them to my own.
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