Often, first year teacher's experiences are described as a roller coaster. My journey as a first year high school special education teacher has been no exception. There were days in which I felt that if I never stepped foot back into the school building my life would be 100% better. There were also the days when I left with a huge smile on my face and feeling like I make a difference. Looking back on my experiences, I am aware that there were a number of influences which kept me going this year.
What helped me through the ups and downs of the year were the many teachers who offered advice or just sat and listened to me vent. I can remember in December when I was in one of my lowest moments, one of the second year teachers told me a story about her first year. She told me about the day in which she felt that she would never teach again. She used her story to help me see that things weren’t as bad as the seemed and that I would make it through. On another day, my co-teacher gave me the best advice. I will carry this advice with me for the remainder of my teaching career and my life. She said, “when those kids walk in the next day, you give them a clean slate”. She saw that I was holding onto a number of things. By holding on to the negatives, I was trapping myself into a slump. Her advice helped me turn around my outlook on a number of things in the classroom.
Another thing that kept me going, and possibly the most important influence was my students. My students had a way of reminding me that what I do is important to them. I can recall a few months back, and I was having one of the worst strings of weeks. There was the April child count coming up soon, my graduate class was winding down, and all of the students had “spring break fever”. To say it more simply, I was overwhelmed. It was a Monday afternoon and I was rushing out the door because I had a number of things to do before I made it home. As I was passing through the hallway, one of my students said to me, “hey Miss Crutcher, I’m not going to forget to study tonight. I remember what you said about how well I do when I study”. The conversation he was referring to occurred a few weeks prior. I was amazed that he still remembered what I said. At that point, I realized that my opinion mattered to that student, and that he respected the fact that I wanted him to do well. As frustrated as I felt, I knew that if I had never stepped back into the school, that student wouldn’t have had me there to say good job a few days later when he got his test score back. No matter how frustrated I was, I wouldn’t trade that opportunity for the world!
I can’t say that my first year has been a walk in the park; however, as I look back on the ups and downs I am able to appreciate the moments in which my passion for helping my students overcame the frustrations of teaching. If it were not for the support system that I have found within other teachers at my school and my students, I would have floundered. I would have given into the thoughts that my life would be better if I never came back to the school. I am fortunate to have the opportunity to work with such great co-workers and students.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
The Trial of the Century
Over the past week, my students and I have been looking at differing character points of view. We read familiar stories like Cinderella and The Three Little Pigs, but wrote journal entries that expressed the feelings of the ugly stepsisters and the big bad wolf. To conclude our week, I organized a mock trial based around the Little Miss Muffet nursery rhyme.
The spider was our defendant, and he was on trial for injuring Ms. Muffet. The students got the chance to hear both the defendant and the victim state their cases, and reached a verdict based on the facts.
Before the conclusion of the case, I had the chance to talk with the children that were jury members. I discussed with them the importance of listen to both sides of the story, and not forming a bias opinion. I also asked the question, “Does anyone know what happens when half the jury think the defendant is guilty, and the half the jury think the defendant is innocent?” Without missing a beat, one of my students raised her hand and stated matter-of-factly, “Yeah, they rock-paper-scissors for it!”
If only things were that easy.
Post made by March 2009 writer, Hal Schwartz.
The spider was our defendant, and he was on trial for injuring Ms. Muffet. The students got the chance to hear both the defendant and the victim state their cases, and reached a verdict based on the facts.
Before the conclusion of the case, I had the chance to talk with the children that were jury members. I discussed with them the importance of listen to both sides of the story, and not forming a bias opinion. I also asked the question, “Does anyone know what happens when half the jury think the defendant is guilty, and the half the jury think the defendant is innocent?” Without missing a beat, one of my students raised her hand and stated matter-of-factly, “Yeah, they rock-paper-scissors for it!”
If only things were that easy.
Post made by March 2009 writer, Hal Schwartz.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Add this to your List Oprah!
I have a confession to make … Over the past few nights, I have taken Rick Riordan’s The Lightning Thief home with me from school. Of course I asked my students if I could borrow it first.
In the beginning it stemmed from my inquisitiveness, but each page sucked me further and further into the journey. As my students dispersed around the room during independent reading time, I heard students discussing whose turn it was to read the book. Wow I thought to myself, students are actually arguing about whose turn it is to read this book. I made a vow right then and there to investigate what constitutes a piece of literature students would quarrel over.
I have to say, I did enjoy reading books when I was younger; however, the thought of me bickering with my best friend in fourth grade over whose turn it was to read the Berenstain Bear’s series or Clifford the Big Red Dog sounds irrational. Nothing against Mama Bear or Papa Bear, but I could never really find a book series that was truly gripping.
The Lightning Thief is exactly that series. Riordan has taken my love of Greek mythology and blended it with a modern day protagonist. When I talk with my students about Percy Jackson’s adventures, their eyes light up as they retell even the most minute detail. Character motivation, setting, and conflict/resolution are discussed between students without them even realizing their powerful thinking. I can’t wait to finish the first book so I can move on through the series.
In the meantime, I will cross my fingers and hope that I get cast in the movie version of the book (perhaps the chapter, “I Accidentally Vaporized My Pre-algebra Teacher”).
Post made by March 2009 writer, Hal Schwartz.
In the beginning it stemmed from my inquisitiveness, but each page sucked me further and further into the journey. As my students dispersed around the room during independent reading time, I heard students discussing whose turn it was to read the book. Wow I thought to myself, students are actually arguing about whose turn it is to read this book. I made a vow right then and there to investigate what constitutes a piece of literature students would quarrel over.
I have to say, I did enjoy reading books when I was younger; however, the thought of me bickering with my best friend in fourth grade over whose turn it was to read the Berenstain Bear’s series or Clifford the Big Red Dog sounds irrational. Nothing against Mama Bear or Papa Bear, but I could never really find a book series that was truly gripping.
The Lightning Thief is exactly that series. Riordan has taken my love of Greek mythology and blended it with a modern day protagonist. When I talk with my students about Percy Jackson’s adventures, their eyes light up as they retell even the most minute detail. Character motivation, setting, and conflict/resolution are discussed between students without them even realizing their powerful thinking. I can’t wait to finish the first book so I can move on through the series.
In the meantime, I will cross my fingers and hope that I get cast in the movie version of the book (perhaps the chapter, “I Accidentally Vaporized My Pre-algebra Teacher”).
Post made by March 2009 writer, Hal Schwartz.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
It's a Bird, It's a Plane ...
As a first year teacher, I am hoping to offer a male perspective on teaching in an elementary school environment.
Of all the interesting and exciting events that have happened in my young teaching career, I can think of one particular situation that reminds me why I love being a male elementary school teacher. It happened a few days ago, when I was out on the playground with my students. A young child came running up to me with a football. “Mr. Schwartz, can you throw the football as high as you can in the air please?” he asked. Without any hesitation, I wound up and heaved the ball straight up with all of my might. After the football returned safely to the ground, the little boy ran up to examine it. As he held the ball away from his body and up to his eyes, he looked bewildered and exhilarated. Being the slightly paranoid, concerned teacher that I am, I ran up to ask him if everything was all right. He looked me in the eye and responded genuinely, “Yeah, I was just wiping the clouds off the ball.”
Nothing makes a guy feel better than having a child marvel at his super human strength. The same child now monitors me on the playground to make sure I don’t throw the football when there are planes above.
Post made by Hal Schwartz, March 2009 blogger.
Of all the interesting and exciting events that have happened in my young teaching career, I can think of one particular situation that reminds me why I love being a male elementary school teacher. It happened a few days ago, when I was out on the playground with my students. A young child came running up to me with a football. “Mr. Schwartz, can you throw the football as high as you can in the air please?” he asked. Without any hesitation, I wound up and heaved the ball straight up with all of my might. After the football returned safely to the ground, the little boy ran up to examine it. As he held the ball away from his body and up to his eyes, he looked bewildered and exhilarated. Being the slightly paranoid, concerned teacher that I am, I ran up to ask him if everything was all right. He looked me in the eye and responded genuinely, “Yeah, I was just wiping the clouds off the ball.”
Nothing makes a guy feel better than having a child marvel at his super human strength. The same child now monitors me on the playground to make sure I don’t throw the football when there are planes above.
Post made by Hal Schwartz, March 2009 blogger.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
2-28-09
Would someone please tell me where the month of February went? :o) Sitting at home, reflecting on this past week, I sometimes cannot believe how quickly the days fly by. We went on our first field trip this past Monday, but Monday feels so long ago that it's hard to believe it just happened! My class along with our other first grade neighbors attended a story hour at the local library to learn more about Black History Month. The students all did so well listening and participating! Because the library is right next door to the school, we didn't have to take a bus. It's close enough to walk to! I had forgotten from last year how much work it is at my school even to simply get all the permission slips signed and turned in. However, in my room, thankfully there were no problems this time around, and everyone had permission on time to go!
It is still very new and very real knowing that I am officially a teacher. It is such a strong responsibility - in one year it is my job in partnership with their parents to get these beautiful children to the level they should be on to get to second grade. I always had this dream vision in my head of what it's like to be a teacher. Singing songs, laughing, having fun, doing lots of hands-on projects, and all the hugs - and although all of that is happening, it is my goal to find the time to sit back for a few minutes during the day and truly enjoy it. I feel such tremendous pressure to get everything done each day, and to get everything done this year, that at times I wonder where my day went. I made it my goal at the beginning of this year that I would sit with or talk to each one of my students at least once each day. It has made the biggest difference for me as a teacher. Morning Meeting really helps me and the rest of the class to get to know each other, but I want to be sure that each student knows how much I'm rooting for him or for her and how much I expect from them.
I've had some recent discussions about the current children of this world, and how they are coined to be the "entitlement generation." I'm trying to figure out how to help the little ones in my room escape that label. There are so many instances where I see others upping their standards but lowering their expectations. It is a struggle to find that balance between what you expect and what they are capable of. For me, I keep my expectations as high as I possibly can, and hope that I do enough to help them reach those expectations.
Many thanks are given to all the girls on my first grade team, and to all the other teachers at school! I have such a wonderful support group there, especially after finding the several individuals who share my outlook and insights and philosophy and goals. I would not have survived this far without their amazing help and shoulders to cry on. I am amazed at the strength and patience of my family and friends as well. They always seem to have the perfect words for me when I have a great day, and also when I have the not-so-great days. With such a dependable army of guidance and love behind me, I have a great amount of hope for the future. I pray for my past students, my present students, and future students each day. I wish them the world and hope to share a piece of it with them. But most of all, if they know how much I love each one of them and know that I stand behind them, that will be enough.
This is my favorite teaching quote...it's a bit of a cliche now, but I'm in love with it always!
When I am introduced as a teacher, I am usually asked what I teach. When I say, “First grade,” I generally hear a very flat, “Oh.” I have never been certain whether that is an expression of pity, disgust, or perhaps disinterest. Always I wish I had time to explain to them like this:
Yes, I teach first grade. Where else would a handsome and very young man put his arms and me and ask, “Do you know I love you?”
Where else could I see a fashion show daily and keep up on the latest trends for the very young?
Where else could my limited wardrobe be complimented or my earrings thought beautiful?
Where else could I eat a soiled piece of candy from a grimy little hand and not become ill?
Where else could I have the privilege of wiggling loose teeth and receive the promise that I may pull them when they’re loose enough?
Where else could I guide a chubby little hand that some day may write a book or an important document?
Where else could I walk around the room and have little warm hands reach up to touch me?
Where else could I forget my own aches and pains because of so many cut fingers, scratched knees, bumped heads, and broken hearts that need care? Where else could my mind stay so young as with a group whose attention span is so short that I must always keep a bag of tricks up my sleeve?
Where else could I feel so close to my Maker as I do each year because of something that I have done to help one of His little children learn and grow.
Yes, I teach first grade and I love it!
Source: Unknown
Yes, I teach first grade. Where else would a handsome and very young man put his arms and me and ask, “Do you know I love you?”
Where else could I see a fashion show daily and keep up on the latest trends for the very young?
Where else could my limited wardrobe be complimented or my earrings thought beautiful?
Where else could I eat a soiled piece of candy from a grimy little hand and not become ill?
Where else could I have the privilege of wiggling loose teeth and receive the promise that I may pull them when they’re loose enough?
Where else could I guide a chubby little hand that some day may write a book or an important document?
Where else could I walk around the room and have little warm hands reach up to touch me?
Where else could I forget my own aches and pains because of so many cut fingers, scratched knees, bumped heads, and broken hearts that need care? Where else could my mind stay so young as with a group whose attention span is so short that I must always keep a bag of tricks up my sleeve?
Where else could I feel so close to my Maker as I do each year because of something that I have done to help one of His little children learn and grow.
Yes, I teach first grade and I love it!
Source: Unknown
-Post made by January - February writer Brenna Logan
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