So today we launched a 4-week mentoring program called "Love Being a Girl!" Twenty-five 7th grade ladies were invited to participate. We had a blast! In this first session, we focused on Self-Image & Self-Respect. The girls got the opportunity to express their thoughts and feelings in personal journals and interact with each other, while eating cake! It was fantastic! We're looking forward to week 2!

-Mrs. Scott

It was quite the week in Room 235! I got to meet my 140-something new students! They're amazing kids! Future planetshakers for sure. We learned lots about each other and we even got some science done. I'm still learning their names, but they've been really patient .....thank goodness! I've settled on calling them all 'Charlie' for the time being, which they don't seem to mind.

It's always so interesting to hear students express what's important (or not so important) to them. The stories I heard this week were hilarious and inspiring......everything from pets who suffer anxiety attacks to students who wished their parents really verbalized their support of their dreams and aspirations.

I can honestly say that I'm really looking forward to working with this crop of tweens.  They're stylish, smart and quirky. They have real dreams and goals, and though a few of them are clearly still on summer vacation, they seem stoked about 7th grade science. (I think they're all secretly hoping we blow up some stuff.) They've made me laugh already....that's always a good sign. Like my buddy Jack Berkemeyer says, "There's always something funny going on in a middle school classroom. If you're not laughing you're in the wrong profession." Who knew being a public school teacher could be this much fun?

Always a pleasure,
Mrs. Scott

P.S. In case you're wondering if we did any work this week, feel free to check out "THIS WEEK IN CLASS..," on our class website, or just ask your darlings, they'll know. I hope. Till next time!

*Disclaimer*

 
For those of you who never lose a moment’s sleep considering how your students perceive you or respond to your presence, this blog is NOT for you and it is likely to offend you. Please DO NOT READ ANY FURTHER. You’ve been warned.

My name is Mrs. Scott and I am a social network addict. I tweet, I Facebook,  I blog, you get the picture. I have recently encountered a really disturbing trend among students across America. Many of them dedicate obscene amounts of social networking time sharing with each other, “Why I Hate My Teachers” (among the countless other vices they have declared their loyalty to online). Many have even formed online clubs and created special webpages just to say mean things about us and to ridicule what we do. Granted, the fact they anyone could feel comfortable showing such blatant disrespect speaks to a bigger problem among America teens and tweens, but we can tackle that in another blog.

I learned that a lot of this hateful stuff is being posted by students from their cell phones, during classroom instructional time. In fact, several students brag about being able to “fool” teachers into thinking they’re working while they’re doing this instead. Kinda makes me question the decision that was made, allowing students to use their cell phones in school in the first place.

I won’t bore you with the details of the many websites, Facebook pages, and twitter timelines that I read through, but the consensus is really disheartening. Of course, there are those gems who live and breathe intellectual pursuits, and for those students, we teachers can do no wrong. Unfortunately, that group is like the one onion ring that somehow made its way into your order of French fries.

In reading, I concluded that some of the reasons for this mass disdain of teachers, were simply ridiculous.  For example, “I hate my teachers because they give me homework.”  (Lord forbid.) This post was written by a kid whose screen name is so inappropriate (and so grammatically disturbing) that one shudders to think he actually has an online following 0_o……. I guess that’s where we are.

However, many of the things students posted made me sit and think a while. I put myself in the shoes of the average, American, public school student, and asked, “If my teachers did these things would I have hated them too?”  The answer? Maybe!

Finding myself guilty of so many of the things these students were mentioning online, I felt  the need to create this list of things we teachers may want to start (or stop) doing, if we want to increase the level of engagement in our classrooms, have more time for meaningful teaching and spend less time managing behavior issues. Keep in mind that every “don’t” on this list I have been guilty of multiple times, so I guess this is as much for me as for any educator. Enjoy!

STOP THE HATE: 8 DO’S AND DON’TS FOR SCHOOL TEACHERS!

1. DO: Ensure that your breath is fresh all day. 

PROBLEM: Kids are complaining that we hover over them with bad breath to explain stuff. How uncomfortable is that?

SOLUTION: Use gum or breath mints regularly. Don’t just keep them in your desk drawer, which you may never actually open on a given day. Put them in your pocket and pop them in often.

SIDENOTE: There’s back to school savings at Walmart and Walgreens on bulk sizes of gum and mints in the candy isle.

2. DON’T: Assign kids busy work, then sit at the desk to surf the web or use the phone.

PROBLEM: Kids are complaining that we’re lazy; that we just give handouts and go sit at our desks.

SOLUTION: Plan meaningful lessons that are fun for you to teach! If you enjoy the lesson and convey that to the kids, you’ll feel less inclined to give boring handouts and the kids will respond to your energy.

SIDENOTE: “Success in the Classroom” is an online warehouse of great ideas to take the dull out of your lessons. Check it out: http://successintheclassroom.com/

3. DON’T: Hover over students when they are working or testing.

PROBLEM: Students complain that our hovering makes them nervous and uncomfortable. After all, we are in their personal space. I imagine we would feel equally uncomfortable if our Administrator or Principal stood right over us when we were grading papers or creating a lesson plan.

SOLUTION: Rather than hover, circulate leisurely around the room while students are testing. Glance briefly over their papers and never remain longer than a second or two unless you absolutely have too. In non-testing situations when you want to gauge progress, have the students come to you to show what they have worked on and let the student  lead the conversation. This helps the student feel more secure and confident that you really are their as a guide, not a dictator.

4. DO:  Take pride in how you look.

PROBLEM: Students notice how many of us come to work any old way; sloppy hair, worn shoes, un-pressed clothes, un-groomed fingernails and toenails (gross!), too casual, and so on. Believe it or not, students expect us to look the part no matter how sparse our salaries. The professional look elicits a level of respect from students and colleagues. It tells them that we care about how we are perceived and desire them to emulate that trait for themselves.

SOLUTION: Dress for success! When determining what to put on to go the classroom ask yourself, “Would I want to be taught by a person who looks the way I do right now?” or “How would I have responded to my teacher if he/or she dressed like this?” It’s important!

SIDE NOTE: Burlington Coat Factory is currently having a clearance on almost EVERYTHING one would need for the perfect career look. Other outlet stores such as Ross, Marshall’s and TJ Maxx, are notorious for deals and steals for office- appropriate (hence classroom- appropriate) attire.

5. DO: Grade assignments and enter the grades in the computer grading system in a timely manner.

PROBLEM: Students hate when they don’t know how they are performing in a class. It’s our duty to manage this task effectively.

SOLUTION: Treat student grades like a weekly report, due to a supervisor. In the business world, a deadline is a deadline. If we treat our classrooms the same way, we prioritize getting grades in and our students will have timely feedback.

SIDE NOTE: If you’re terrible at this like me, try adding “Weekly Grade Summary Report” to your planner or organizer as a task, and assign a deadline to yourself each week. Once your grades are entered, print out a summary and file it away as you would a report for any other type of business. You’ll keep yourself accountable and in the event that a mass robbery occurs and all the computers are stolen, you’ll have a hard copy of your students’ grades on hand.
 
6. DON’T’: Yell at students.

PROBLEM: Nobody likes to be yelled at, child or adult. Students have only two ways of dealing with yelling or any situation that make them uncomfortable: they shut down or retaliate. Either way, you’re not going to get what you need from them.

SOLUTION: Be alert! Plan ahead for possible scenarios that could prompt you to yell, and have a plan B ready. Never respond to an inappropriate behavior before counting to five (or ten), either in your head or in a small voice aloud.

SIDE NOTE 1: If you stare at the offender (and even force a smile) while counting, it helps to diffuse the situation and gives you time of think of your next action. It also scares the kid a little, which is a nice bonus.

SIDE NOTE 2: If you find yourself yelling constantly, the kids aren’t your problem. Something else is causing your stress and/or anger and it’s showing up in your classroom. It may be time to self-reflect.

 7. DON’T’: Complain about your salary.

PROBLEM: Students hate hearing us sound so negative so often, as if it were their fault. The truth is, they can’t fix our salary. It isn’t their problem, so we shouldn’t be discussing it in their presence. More importantly, we knew what we were signing up for when we became teachers.

SOLUTION: Become a voice to the officials who make decisions about teacher salaries; attend the rallies, sign the petitions, contact the lawmakers, or BE QUIET. It’s the same principle that applies to being overweight. If you’re not going to work out and eat right, what are you complaining about?

8. DO: Be the teacher that gives a Fig Newton about kids, not just their scores.

PROBLEM: Students are convinced that the only reason we show so much interest in them in the months leading up to those BIG STANDARDIZED TESTS is because the school needs their scores to be good.

SOLUTION: Invest in your students all year round. Kids know when a person genuinely cares about them, and they work a lot harder for people who affirm them.

SIDE NOTE: If you think back to the teachers you remember the most when you were in school, I’ll bet there’s only two: The one who made you feel like nothing, and the one who made you feel like you would one day rule the world. Which one are you?

Always a pleasure,

Mrs. Scott 

Okay Moms and Dads! The countdown has officially begun! School re-opens in about a month! Unbelievable, right?  So here's the deal.  As a teacher I feel compelled to let you know what it really takes to start this upcoming school year off right. Whether your kids are in elementary, middle or high school, there are a few things you may benefit from knowing and practicing. No doubt, you may already know and do many of these, but a refresher never hurt anyone, right? Let's go!

BACK TO SCHOOL FOR MOM AND DAD: TIPS TO HOLD TO ON WHAT'S LEFT OF YOUR SANITY!


1. Attend your child's school Open House. Open houses are designed with the parent  in mind. The Principal, teachers and school administrators plan and prepare tons of information (and maybe even some fun activities) especially for you. We want to have a good relationship with you and we really look forward to meeting you at events like these.  Make this a priority. If your work schedule does not permit you to attend, ask another adult member of your family or community to represent you there and gather information for you.  It seems trite, but TRUST ME, your presence at Open House is a BIG DEAL!

2. Introduce yourself to your child's Principal, grade level administrator, guidance counselor and teachers,  over the phone or via email, early in the year. This is vital to maintaining a good rapport with your child's school. Give everyone a face to remember you by! By initiating this level of relationship, you ensure that you have an advocate if (or when) issues arise in the year.


3. Learn the system for recording grades and attendance at your child's school and stay on top of his/her behavior and academic progress. Most schools have pamphlets or websites that will guide you with obtaining and reviewing your child's records. Take advantage! Get familiar with checking grades, overseeing attendance records, and viewing score reports for standardized tests. "I don't know how," is a poor excuse! Just think how you responded the last time your kid said that!



4. Be willing to put in at least as much effort into succeeding in school  as you expect from your child.  This is a big one. We know you're working (sometimes multiple jobs). We know you have other children.  (Most teachers go home to a spouse and children too, and many of us have second jobs).  We know you're busy. Busyness does not negate the necessity of your involvement as the parent.  Remember your child takes his/her cue from you. If you don't make his or her education a priority and demonstrate that with active, consistent involvement, neither will your child.


5. Learn to be an advocate for your child. Speak up when he or she feels mistreated or underserved at school. This is by no means a license to be a nuisance or to stomp in to the school and create a scene. Remember, you're only visiting, your child goes back everyday! However, if your child expresses a legitimate concern about a grade, an assignment or an interaction with a peer or an adult, follow up! 



6. Don't expect the school to have more control over your child and his/her behavior than you do. Manners at home carry abroad. If your child demonstrates unruly or disrespectful behavior at home (even once), and you don't consistently follow up with appropriate c onsequences, then you really shouldn't be surprised when the school calls you for misconduct issues. If you're not sure what to do to maintain consistency in the home, contact the school's guidance office, or family counseling office and ask!


7. Have some fun this year! School doesn't have to be tedious and dull. Encourage your child's involvement in activities or clubs. Show up to his or games and events! Doing things together outside of school will enrich his/her experiences in school. TRUST ME, their report cards will thank you!

8. Most important, remember that education professionals are your allies! We want your child to achieve greatness, we really do! Partner with us, it's totally worth it!!! Here's to a remarkable year!


Always a pleasure,

Mrs. Scott