Good Semester!

Well, its been a really long semester, but its just about over. I started out not loving my psychology class, but grew to love it. I didn't know about the teacher class, but it ended up being full of creative great future teachers. Math class did not make me cry that much and my test average was an 85%. Pretty great few months. I am looking forward to having the rest of my classes take place during the day. It was a struggle going to work all day then to class all night. It did help me to become super organized and shed some pounds. When you plan and pack your breakfast lunch and dinner and plan your workouts around work and school, it doesn't leave much time for getting off track. I was surprised at how determined and self motivated I was this semester. I think I only skipped class twice and that's nothing compared to my past skipping history! If I had a choice, I would not schedule myself for classes 4 nights a week, but I am glad I did since it helped me get into the teaching blocks this fall. Only summer school and then 4 more semesters! I'm almost a teacher!!! And I am still loving the journey.

Future Teachers

Last Thursday was the first night of the class teaching presentations. I missed a few due to my dog walking tardy, but the presentations I watched were very well presented. I am impressed with my group of fellow students for coming up with original ideas and being so prepared for this assignment. I taught a short lesson on yoga. I love yoga and have found it to be very relaxing. I shared this with my fellow future teachers as I believe we will encounter some stress in our future jobs! Yoga is a great way to focus on yourself and reduce the stress you're feeling, even if it is only for a short time. I felt pretty good about my lesson, focusing on all the good qualities of yoga, how I came to love it, and places you can practice yoga. I also included some class participation and had everyone do a little yoga right by their chairs. The other presentations I got to see were about autism, making string bracelets, preparing a school for different types of learners with behavioral problems, working with special needs students, and a self-defense lesson that focused on getting out of grabs from little kid hands without hurting them or getting yourself into trouble. My classmates did an outstanding job and I look forward to working with them these next couple of years. If their in-class presentations can transfer to their own classrooms, they will all do an excellent job. I look forward to the next class to see what's in store!

Recap

I wanted to take a minute to list some topics discussed this semester in Examining Yourself as a Teacher. I know there will always be a lot of issues around teaching, but I feel its important to be able to take a step back and look at the issues from another angle. Or I will be sure to go nuts thinking about all the doom and gloom! We've asked ourselves if we're sure we want to teach for sure and why in our Education Journey papers. That led to a good discussion about your rights as a teacher and whether or not you can just blog about any old crap just because you feel like it. (I still say NO since you are in a powerful position to children and their parents, you need to have a "teacher filter" at all times.) I sometimes feel like everyone thinks they have their own talk show and everyone wants to hear their opinions. We don't. We also discussed gay/lesbian issues on schools and how to treat that issue since gays are not in a protected class. Well, they are people and that means they should be treated like any other person. I was shocked at how high the suicide and depression rates are for gay kids. I think we need to focus more on treating people like people and stop jamming them into these little pegholes where we think they belong. Let's mix it up people! We talked about different learning environments like home schooling, elearning, communal learning, children-driven learning just to name a few. It was surprising to learn home schools and private schools really have no regulations. Just have class 180 days a year. That led us to ask if school curriculums should be decided by politics. No, but that's just my opinion. IEP's or Individualized Learning Plans were discussed and seem like an excellent idea for involving parents in their child's education and setting goals for the school year. Our class gave their ideas about the environment in the classroom. We designed the perfect "robo" teacher and incorporated all the features an awesome teacher would have to remind us that none of us are going to be perfect, so be ready to make adjustments all the time! One excercise I think that will be extremely beneficial for younger students is drawing what they know. What does a "teacher" look like to you? Draw it for me. That is such a great alternative to writing when the children are in early grades. I also like the idea of using pictures at the beginning and the end of a lesson. Another idea I have enjoyed discovering in class is the concept map, or learning map. You put one idea in a circle and list words from that to see how they all come together. Like drawing, it puts ideas from your mind out in a visual format.
This week I teach my lesson on my passion. 5-10 minutes, and I think it is going to be great!

The End is Near...

...the end of the semester, that is. I continue to be shocked at the success I am having in my math class this semester. I was so scared and nervous and all worked up because I had to take the placement test twice to test into this class to get the other math classes taken in time to get into the teaching blocks this fall, but it has all worked out beautifully! I got a 7/5 on the last quiz, and we got 10 extra credit points for staying to fill out the class evaluation! I couldn't help but write a ton of comments on the back of the evaluation. My instructor has been great and I think it is his laid back style of teaching the concepts that has helped me do so well. I struggled with math throughout high school and beyond so I was extremely worried about this class. But I have kept up with the homework, attended class even when I wanted to skip it, and my grade reflects my hard work. I am so proud of myself! I know I should be discussing how I am exploring myself as a teacher, but I think this life lesson will be a great story to tell to my students. I can relate to them on a very personal and emotional level. I know what it is like to struggle with a school subject and feel nervous and unsure of yourself when you are learning a new topic, and hopefully I can keep this memory fresh as I work with nervous students of my own. Watch out schools, I'm coming soon!!!

Winding Down...

Nicer weather is finally here! And the semester is quickly coming to an end. This semester has been a challenge with having class 4 nights a week whilst working full time, but it has flown by just like everyone said it would. I have kept up in all my classes, increased my referrals at work, joined a gym, put my condo up for rent, got the okay to go part-time at work, and turned a year older. There has been a lot going on, but the more I have to do, the more I am able to accomplish. I find it hard to make excuses to miss out on anything I want to do. When something comes up that I want to do, I make it happen. I feel very empowered and very capable. I have impressed myself with two math tests with grades over 90% and have kept up with all the homework for that class. I have accepted the massive amounts of reading associated with my Tuesday night class and all of that information is starting to come together and make a lot of sense relating to teaching. Thursday nights continue to raise questions about the teaching profession and even though Mark tried to scare us out of it at first with all the scary topics and issues, he's starting to get us talking about the positive parts of the job. I have also been accepted into the teaching blocks starting this fall! I am nervous but also excited. I will be renting my condo and living with Drew. I am not sure which makes me more nervous, the teaching blocks or living with Drew! I'm sure everything will work out just fine. I have really noticed this semester that I worry too much about things that I can not control and also that I can't control everything, especially other people. I am learning to try to relax a little and keep my emotions under control when things get busy, as I know that will happen daily in the classroom. I had a teaching presentation in my Tuesday class this week, and one in my Thursday class next week. I get nervous in front of a group of my peers, but somehow kids don't seem as intimidating. Tuesday's went well, so I'm hoping for the best next Thursday too. Two more weeks and a math final to go, then a week off work and school! I am so excited and happy to say I'm proud of myself!

Two Weeks Worth

Two weeks of class have gone by already since my last post. We had discussions about controversial blogs and how schools are all different and how they evolved into what they are today. Interesting opinions about the teacher who blogged about her students. Most of the class felt this was awful and you should never talk bad about a kid on the internet. A few supported her rights as an American citizen and her freedom of speech. I was on the fence. While I feel she should have the right to vent her frustrations to whomever she chooses, I also feel that as an educator it is her responsibility to protect her students from negativity. I am sure her students went right on the internet and clicked around until they found her posts. Yes she is able to make mean comments, but as a teacher, she should use her best judgement and not post her innermost feelings on the world wide web. I work at a bank, but I don't write on my blog about the ways customers bother me. That is rude and inconsiderate. Maybe she didn't feel that way when she was rude on her blog, but it sure is a big deal now.
We also talked about community learning in both the Reggio environment and another community for learning in Mexico. It gives the student the opportunity to pick what they learn and focus on instead of an administrator or politician making up the curriculum. We talked about the curriculum in a school and how we constantly add more and more to it, but take nothing away. I found it surprising that private schools and home schools have no regulations or rules to follow except to hold class for 180 days per year and take attendance. Its so odd.
The more we talk each week about the difficulties facing educators, the more the laws and funding for education make less sense. We discussed class size for a long time and its proven that smaller classes in lower grades produce more successful students. Why are we cutting funding and cutting teacher jobs to cram 35+ kids into a first grade classroom? It makes no sense.
One more brain buster. Why are teachers fighting and complaining about their salaries? Teachers have never made the big bucks, so why not fight for something that might benefit the students? Maybe fight for smaller class sizes or more funding for the performing arts. It bothers me every week that there is so much fighting and arguing going on about education. Let's just focus on getting kids to school every day and teaching them something. Kids don't care about funding and salaries, they care about knowing their teacher is going to be there every day as someone they can count on and trust and look to for guidance and answers. I think teaching should focus on the student, not all this other noise going on.

Melissa

Hi Again!

Let me start off by mentioning the surprise flowers I got from my boyfriend Drew when I returned home from school on Valentine's Day night. They are beautiful and I was so excited when I saw the surprise! I love that guy!
Last week's class discussion in "Why On Earth Would Anyone Want To Be A Teacher?" class was very interesting. We took a multicultural quiz and I found that I did not know the answers to many of the questions. I am not sure many of the questions had specific answers, but could be mainly opinion answers. One question was "at what age do Jewish parents and teachers teach children about the Holocaust?" How would I know that answer? I guessed 7. It seems young enough to hear a horrible truth, but not too young I guess. Here's another one..."when was the zenith of Greek civilization?" I'm sorry? What?? I guessed 1300BC. The questions went on and I didn't know the answers, but it made me realize that I don't know much outside of my own experiences and learning. I think MK was trying to get us all to read more, pay more attention to the world around us, and stop being so naive. I have been working on writing my education journey. I am enjoying this class. MK asked us at the end of class "Do you want to teach or not for sure, and why?" I think all my fellow classmates will know here in a few short weeks. I enjoy asking questions about the teaching profession and learning more about what the life of a teacher will really be like. My friend Jenny who teaches barely complains about her job and I believe she truly enjoys it, challenges and all. I can't wait to join her, even though my class is trying to scare me away. :)

Happy evening,
Melissa

Another Week Flies By!

Monday February 14th.
It's Valentine's Day! I got one valentine from my boss. So that's pretty cool.
This semester has been jam-packed full of school work and snow and ice. Campus was actually closed for a few days! I had an entire week away from IUPUI but was still at work every day and when I wasn't there, I was stuck at home. It was an unusual break, but necessary due to the constant raining of ice. I hate winter! We are finally melting out of it and we are back on track with school and life.
In class last Thursday we all discussed our opinions on several topics facing the education world today. I did not realize there was so much controversy about every topic that is education-related. People are up in arms about "vouchers". (coupons for low-income families to use for sending their children to private school. I didn't know what is was either.) People are all freaked out about evaluating teachers and basing their annual raise on that evaluation. (isn't that what happens at every job? an annual review? then a pay increase based on that review?) The list goes on...Should you be allowed to use the vouchers at private religious schools? Should you take money away from already struggling public schools? Should you send your child to a neighborhood charter school? Who is regulating these charter schools?
I did not realize before starting this class that there were so many difficult and stressful issues involved in the education world. I was looking forward to being a teacher, spending time with my students, and having a great time. I am starting to realize that may not be the case. I see now that it will be a daily challenge to keep my students engaged in learning. To keep them calm and quiet. To encourage them to keep trying when they struggle. To keep their parents happy. And on...and on...and on...
I do not regret my decision to enter the education world. I have wanted to be a teacher since I was 5 years old. I will not let some legislation and challenging behavior hold me back. I work with the public now and I haven't had any major issues just yet, although I do often think about telling some customers right where to go. I had 2 interactions with jerk customers just today at the bank, but I won't be a bank teller forever. I look forward to my days in the classroom, even if they are filled with new laws that are stupid and not in the best interest of the kids. My interest will be making sure my kids are learning. I will keep my students my top priority. Kids need teachers and I will be there for them.

Looking forward to the future (and SPRING!),
Melissa

Back To School...

I'm back!!! It's been a while since I blogged, but I didn't have to do it for class and I got away from it. I was thinking about my blog last weekend and when my professor said to start journaling in class tonight, I immediately thought it would be a great way to get back on the blogging. It's nice because even if no one reads my thoughts, I know they are out there on the world wide web, waiting for someone to discover my words and become inspired or to laugh or to look at my pictures. I love pictures! Ok, Spring 2011 started up at IUPUI on Monday. I am back in a math class after a 14 year break from math and needless to say, Day 1 caused a little anxiety. The prof seems like fun, he seems easy-going and laid-back with a ponytail and mention of his rock band. But even that fun info didn't take away from the Algebra being written on the board. OK, I've said it before and I'll say it again...LETTERS ARE NOT NUMBERS! Enough with the letters in math!!! There were times I was tempted to raise my hand and ask when any of these jibberish problems would be applicable to real life since I have yet to graph an equation in this 14 year math break, but I decided against it. Instead I sat through class, took my notes, and then cried in the bathroom after it ended. But then I told myself, hey, its not that bad. Let's just take it one class at a time, one assignment at a time, one problem at a time. I'll show this math who's boss! First quiz due Wednesday night, got a 7/5. TWO BONUS POINTS! :) So day two rolls around. (Let me pause to mention that I am working full time at the bank still and now taking 3 classes this semester at night, which just so happens to be 4 nights a week. Hey nerd for 15 weeks!) OK, day 2. I go to the classroom where I believe the class is being held. Door is locked. I check my syllabus. I see a different room listed there and trot on up there. Nope, another class is in session, but that instructor tells me he has just sent my instructor to the correct room. I go back down there. Door is still locked. I walk to the library and check my messages. Nothing. I try the locked classroom one more time and the door is still locked. Since it is now 6:40 and class started at 6:00 I head home and cry in the car. I email my instructor twice, don't hear back that night or the next day, so I decide to email the whole class, even though I hate it when people do that with their dumb questions. Here are the responses..."the door was locked from the outside, you just had to knock..." OK great. I can't wait to go back next Tuesday and be the girl who didn't know how to knock. Day 3 it just snowed all day and made a messy drive from work to school but who cares? I have that take-home quiz aced! No tears Day 3! Thursday night. Time for "Examining Yourself as a Teacher". I get to campus in plenty of time, I find the classroom, even though I first went into the wrong room (yet again) and even started to write my name on a name tent! (Thank god I asked someone if I was in the right class. Embarrasssing, but not horrible.) Tonight's class could be my favorite since my return to school in Fall of 09. I am looking forward to asking myself the scary questions I never wanted to think about when I decided to go back to school to become a teacher. My lifelong dream since age 5. (I also wanted to be a ballerina and a dentist while also being a teacher, but sore feet and thinking about putting my hands in someone's spitty mouth cured 2 of the 3 desires.) I have had this professor before and really enjoyed his class and his teaching style and his infectious love for children. His real-life scenarios were one of my favorite parts of the other class he taught and now I have his life experiences to take from as I decide if this is my true calling. I already know it is. I have never wanted any other job or career. From the day I started kindergarten I started loving my teachers and loving school. I wanted to be like all of my elementary school teachers and I wanted to do what they did. I want kids to like school. I like kids and kids like me. I think its because I act like a kid most of the time. So what? I am not in it for the money. I am taking this step in my life because I want to make a difference in the life of a child. I want to see kids smile and learn. I want children to be successful. And I want my summers off work and a Spring Break, Fall Break and Winter Break. Let's be honest. Those are some nice teacher perks! :)

Blog you later,
Melissa