Well, Mrs. V wound up being out for five days straight -- a funeral last Friday, then four days this week to recover after her accident. Each day that I was subbing felt a little better than the last. On Thursday, about five minutes before students arrived, my neighbor from across the hall (Mrs. G) poked her head in my door. "Just so you know," she told me, "the only reason Mrs. V's been able to take so much time off is because you're so fabulous." D'aw.
Even though I've done lead teaching somewhat backwards (5 days on my own instead of supported lead teaching), I'm feeling pretty good about developing my style. However, I am definitely eager about Mrs. V's return next week!
**********
Currently reading: Teaching Children to Care
Current high: seeing my sister tomorrow for brunch :)
Current low: sinus infection lingers on...
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Letters to a Young Teacher
I just now, this very minute, finished reading Jonathan Kozol's Letters to a Young Teacher, and I felt the need to quickly get my thoughts down.
This book follows Kozol's letters to a first year teacher, Francesca, in the Boston public schools. It was not quite what I expected, but truly made me think. I had never read any of Kozol's many works before, and his harsh criticisms of non-public education left me taken aback and thoughtful. All year I have sought (and eventually found) employment with independent schools. It wasn't until I read this book that I really questioned -- why?
To try and help answer this question for myself, I asked a few of those around me who work in independent education. I asked both my parents. I asked them what they thought peers of theirs who had spent decades in independent education might think. I asked why they thought I should go into independent education. Here's a little of what I came away with.
For next year, it will be such a privilege for me to work with an experienced master teacher and with incredible resources. I will have the opportunity to spend a year or two improving my curriculum development and taking risks in a safe space. I will hone my craft, clarify my educational philosophy, learn tremendously.
At that point, I think it will be time for me to spend at least a few years in public education. Those are the students who truly need me, and I will be ready to really teach them. Were I to try this next year -- I might fail, I might get burned out, I might give up. Heaven knows I'm harder on myself than I should be, and putting myself into such a situation might be detrimental to my mental and physical health. But after a few more years of experience, I feel called to back to public schools and serve the greater good. I want to be a good teacher to children who may not otherwise have one, and I know that independent schools will always find good teachers for their students.
Does going into public education scare me? A little bit. Am I nervous about the potential for finding myself in a school that is more test-oriented than student-oriented? Absolutely. But with this apprehension comes excitement, an eagerness for the challenge that I see a few years down the road.
Letters to a Young Teacher really hit me. It resonated with me and opened my mind. I smiled, gasped, and sighed as I read it. I am so grateful for this book.
**********
Currently reading: next book is TBD...still working through Teaching Children to Care, but I like to have more than one going at a time!
Current high: quick catch-up with a friend in the campus center -- it really brightened my day!
Current low: Mrs. V might not be back tomorrow :(
This book follows Kozol's letters to a first year teacher, Francesca, in the Boston public schools. It was not quite what I expected, but truly made me think. I had never read any of Kozol's many works before, and his harsh criticisms of non-public education left me taken aback and thoughtful. All year I have sought (and eventually found) employment with independent schools. It wasn't until I read this book that I really questioned -- why?
To try and help answer this question for myself, I asked a few of those around me who work in independent education. I asked both my parents. I asked them what they thought peers of theirs who had spent decades in independent education might think. I asked why they thought I should go into independent education. Here's a little of what I came away with.
For next year, it will be such a privilege for me to work with an experienced master teacher and with incredible resources. I will have the opportunity to spend a year or two improving my curriculum development and taking risks in a safe space. I will hone my craft, clarify my educational philosophy, learn tremendously.
At that point, I think it will be time for me to spend at least a few years in public education. Those are the students who truly need me, and I will be ready to really teach them. Were I to try this next year -- I might fail, I might get burned out, I might give up. Heaven knows I'm harder on myself than I should be, and putting myself into such a situation might be detrimental to my mental and physical health. But after a few more years of experience, I feel called to back to public schools and serve the greater good. I want to be a good teacher to children who may not otherwise have one, and I know that independent schools will always find good teachers for their students.
Does going into public education scare me? A little bit. Am I nervous about the potential for finding myself in a school that is more test-oriented than student-oriented? Absolutely. But with this apprehension comes excitement, an eagerness for the challenge that I see a few years down the road.
Letters to a Young Teacher really hit me. It resonated with me and opened my mind. I smiled, gasped, and sighed as I read it. I am so grateful for this book.
**********
Currently reading: next book is TBD...still working through Teaching Children to Care, but I like to have more than one going at a time!
Current high: quick catch-up with a friend in the campus center -- it really brightened my day!
Current low: Mrs. V might not be back tomorrow :(
Monday, March 25, 2013
And we're off!
Lead teaching has officially begun! And it's off to an interesting start...not so much a supported lead today as my CT wasn't at school! She and her husband were in an accident on their way to work, and her doctor recommended she take two days off school -- so I have three straight days of subbing. Getting that news as I arrived this morning made me SO grateful that I stayed late on Friday afternoon doing grading and prep. I thought I was making Mrs. V's return to school easier, but in fact it made MY monday smoother! And to think Mrs. G across the hall tried to convince me to leave at 3:45 :P Yay money for subbing, but golly do I miss having Mrs. V's management help and organizational assistance! It'll be great to have her back.
Overall today went quite smoothly. I think that after having Friday on my own and surviving, I got some of my "on my own" jitters out and was able to manage the students more confidently today. Here's hoping that only grows tomorrow!
I'm in the process of integrating my social studies unit on map skills. So far we've done a K-W-L and Google Maps introduction (zooming out from our school to the world, switching back and forth between satellite and map), a read-aloud of How to read a city map by Dorothy Rhodes, an inquiry-based map keys exploration, and a computer activity on continents and oceans. The students have been getting really into the unit and several have asked to bring in map-related items from home. It's tricky to find time for them to share, but I'm thrilled that they're so interested!
Well, it's bedtime for Ms. H. Sweet dreams, y'all!
**********
Currently reading: Still Letters to a Young Teacher. Hopefully I'll be done soon!
Current high: a productive day!
Current low: battling some respiratory junk (probably sinus infection) -- yuk
Overall today went quite smoothly. I think that after having Friday on my own and surviving, I got some of my "on my own" jitters out and was able to manage the students more confidently today. Here's hoping that only grows tomorrow!
I'm in the process of integrating my social studies unit on map skills. So far we've done a K-W-L and Google Maps introduction (zooming out from our school to the world, switching back and forth between satellite and map), a read-aloud of How to read a city map by Dorothy Rhodes, an inquiry-based map keys exploration, and a computer activity on continents and oceans. The students have been getting really into the unit and several have asked to bring in map-related items from home. It's tricky to find time for them to share, but I'm thrilled that they're so interested!
Well, it's bedtime for Ms. H. Sweet dreams, y'all!
**********
Currently reading: Still Letters to a Young Teacher. Hopefully I'll be done soon!
Current high: a productive day!
Current low: battling some respiratory junk (probably sinus infection) -- yuk
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Bad Habits
Long time no see, dear readers! I apologize for my extended absence; the week of February break got me into some bad habits. My routines went out the window, as did my blog entries! I promise to post more soon, but for now, here's a rundown on my next three weeks:
Three days of supported lead teaching
One day of lead teaching
Three-day weekend!
Professional development day
Four days of lead teaching
Two-day choral tour
Five days of lead teaching
Three-day choral tour
COLLAPSE INTO A HEAP FOR APRIL VACATION!
It's go time, kids. Wish me luck.
**********
Currently reading: Letters to a Young Teacher, Jonathan Kozol
Current high: wonderful, long, validating chat with my sister
Current low: waking up in seven hours, eek!
Three days of supported lead teaching
One day of lead teaching
Three-day weekend!
Professional development day
Four days of lead teaching
Two-day choral tour
Five days of lead teaching
Three-day choral tour
COLLAPSE INTO A HEAP FOR APRIL VACATION!
It's go time, kids. Wish me luck.
**********
Currently reading: Letters to a Young Teacher, Jonathan Kozol
Current high: wonderful, long, validating chat with my sister
Current low: waking up in seven hours, eek!
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