Our Journey With Dyslexia - Things Have To Change

I have four boys, but when my second son, Justin, was about three, I was convinced I had a child prodigy. He could do puzzles that were far above his age level and by age five, he was doing Lego sets that were designed for teenagers. Then he started school. This social construct was so confining that my previously genius son was struggling and feeling like a failure.

When he was in second grade, I read The Myth of Laziness by Mel Levine. I knew this described Justin, and I wanted to help him. Unfortunately, that was easier said than done. His diagnosis, after some very expensive testing, pointed to dysgraphia and dyslexia. Throughout elementary school and middle school, some of his teachers were very accommodating; some were not. He was punished for not putting his name on his paper when he worked so hard to get the right answer. He was forced to memorize mountains of process questions that were supposed to help him understand what he was reading. Spelling tests and multiplication quizzes caused tears.

By the time he was in high school, he was mentally done. The material was much more application based, but he had so many bad experiences, he was mentally scarred. I didn't blame him or push him. He had a few great teachers that really encouraged him, and I know they are the ones who kept him engaged at all. At age 15, Justin started his own business making farmhouse furniture. He was very successful, with people driving over an hour away to buy his furniture. A local store even contracted with him to make all of their in-store orders. I saw such a huge transformation in him. His confidence soared to levels I had not seen since his Lego days. Justin is currently studying Construction Science at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.

My third son, Jameson, has very severe dyslexia, but because of my experience with Justin, I saw the warning signs before kindergarten. We began remediation at the end of kindergarten using the Barton System, an Orton-Gillingham based curriculum. First grade was a bit rough until we started doing the remediation everyday; I do it with him after school instead of his traditional phonics homework. His first grade teacher was wonderful, but each year will be anxiety filled as I wonder if the next teacher will understand dyslexia and work with him.

Although I have traveled this path twice, I have some lingering questions. First, why is testing so expensive? Children in poverty will never be able to afford an accurate diagnosis. They will hate school and probably continue the cycle. A neuropsychologist should be a standard member of each school system.

Second, why can't we educate every single teacher on dyslexia? Most sources state that up to 20% of the population has some degree of dyslexia. This number is significant enough to justify each teacher being trained to recognize the warning signs. Instead of a chapter in one class during teacher preparation programs, it should be at least entire course, and it should be a part of ongoing professional development.

Finally, WHY CAN'T WE CHANGE THE WAY WE DO SCHOOL? Sitting in rows and memorizing multiplication facts made my brilliant Justin feel stupid. Only when he was allowed to explore his interests was he able to realize his true abilities. Yes, I let him skip school occasionally to observe carpenters at work. A middle school teacher let him build a Minecraft World to demonstrate his understanding of a novel. Another teacher let him build a table in front of the class for his demonstration speech. These were some of his best learning experiences. In my own classroom, I work hard to give students a variety of ways to learn and to demonstrate what they have learned.

Things have changed since Justin was in elementary school, and Jameson has had a very different learning experience so far. I am happy to see the attention that dyslexia is getting, at least in my own community. It needs to be a shift in all areas if we want all students to be successful.

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: A New Chapter

You already know - change can be tough. It can also be exciting and necessary. This new chapter represents ALL those: the good, the bad, and the ugly.

For several years I have worked hard to bring useful instructional technology to a small school. The last few years I have been charged with managing and coaching the instructional technology. This past year I worked as the technology director. I did this while also teaching English. Well, mainly English. I've also had some computer apps classes, keyboarding classes, a business class, and a theater tech class. This is the nature of a small school. 

Due to some unfortunate circumstances, I felt the need for a change. While taking some time to catch my breath, I will simply be an English teacher. By "simple" I do not mean easy; teaching is never easy. I mean I will not be wearing so many hats. This is a great opportunity for me to stretch my imagination in how I will approach the class. I hope to do something that gets the kids excited from the time they walk in the door on the first day until they leave on the last. A challenge? Most definitely. Am I up for it? You bet. 

Each stop along my journey has taught me something new. Each stop has made me bolder. Each stop has made me stronger. Each stop has made me better. I expect this stop will do the same. 

I don't know where I will go from here, but I do want to get back into administration some day. I love being able to share my passion, excitement, and knowledge with other teachers so they will be as excited as I am to walk into the classroom. Wish me luck!

Time's Up in Education

I'm sure most of you are aware of the Time's Up movement started by Hollywood celebrities in response to the growing accusations of sexual harassment and inequality in Hollywood. Does this have a place in the field of education?

I am 41-years-old and a female working in education, and I can say definitively that the boy's club is alive and well. According to a 2011 eSchool News article,

"Seventy-two percent of the education workforce consists of women, yet the number of women in leadership positions falls far short of that statistic. They fare best in the role of elementary school principals, with 54 percent of these jobs being held by women. But at the secondary school level, only 26 percent of principals are women, and in the head job of superintendent, 24 percent are women."

At one school, I actually had my administrator tell me that I would have a hard time getting respect from parents because of my age and gender. Of all the jobs I have had in education, I have had one female administrator, and my children have only had a female principals while in elementary school. When I mention the boy's club to some in power, they seemed surprised. Well, the men seem surprised. Even as I write this, I worry that I will be seen as radical for suggesting inequality.

When discussing this disparity, some say that women are underrepresented because they take time off to have children, so that puts them behind. WHAT? I am punished because I decide to have a FAMILY? Women feel such pressure to get back to work after having a child, which, I believe, increases PPD. I speak from personal experience. I am lucky enough to have four wonderful children. I had such severe PPD with my last one. I went back to work when he was 8-weeks-old. He is now 17-months-old, and I am still struggling.

So, what is to be done? Respect women of all ages. Give them the chance to lead if they show the interest and ability. I am tired of feeling marginalized because of my gender. Time's up.

Recovering from Snow Days

Most teachers are thrilled when they hear about the possibility of a snow day. Two snow days? That is like winning the lottery. After five, I am sitting here in a bit of a panic. I like a lazy snow day home with my kids as much as the next mom, but I also want to do my job to the best of my ability. Losing so many days for snow, combined with days missed for field trips and other events, means that I have less time to do my job.

Some of my friends have posted how Atlanta area schools have digital learning days. Many parents are appalled. "Let them be little." "Let them enjoy the days off." "Snow days should be fun." So how do we get through the material and make everyone happy? I believe the answer is technology and personalized learning.

As the Instructional Technology Coordinator at my school, it should have been my first thought, but it wasn't. My first thought was that my students would have extra homework until we were caught up. Then I thought that I would have to leave out something that I deem important. Would not finishing Romeo and Juliet really affect their ACT scores? Then the answer came to me.

Although it will not be easy, I've got to meet the students where they are and work to get us all back on the same footing. Instead of traditional vocabulary instruction, I could record myself giving the instruction and then let the students work at their own pace on the work. I could also pare down the amount of vocabulary work I give them.

As for the novels, I could cut some of the work related to the readings. We could use the time for class discussion or divide them into groups to discuss a certain element and bring them together for their group to teach. I enjoy reading in class, but this might be a time to put aside my preference and let them read on their own a bit more.

Finally, not everything has to be graded. Grades are NOT the end goal. LEARNING is the end goal. How we get there does not have to follow a cookie cutter design. It is time to ditch the industrial classroom model and personalize learning.

What would happen if we started saying yes?

Eric Sheninger challenged me (and a group of others at a conference) to be more consistent in my blogging. If we don't tell our story, he says, someone else will. So, here are my takeaways from the Digital Leadership Conference I attended today.

1. We must do a better job telling our story. Zion Christian Academy is an amazing place with amazing people, but no one seems to know us. "Never heard of it," said a table mate today when I told him where I worked. We've got to tell our story so people see how awesome we really are.

2. Our education model is based on antiquated ideas and methods. We teach students to memorize information for testing all the way through many college programs. The business community is not happy with the product they are receiving. They want creative thinkers, innovators, world-changers! "A relevant lesson asks students to use their knowledge to tackle real-world problems that have more than one solution."

3. Stop focusing on the "yeah, but" and focus on "what if." This is similar to something I heard at the Global Leadership Summit earlier this year: instead of saying no, say how. If we start saying yes, we build relationships. Relationships are key no matter what industry you are in.

4. People will not change because they are told they have to. They must be inspired by their leaders and WANT to.

Love as a Leadership Trait

Life sometimes just doesn't go the way we want it to. Our Head of School is leaving, and I am still in a state of denial. For most of the time we worked together, he served as the upper school principal AND HoS. I have only had one other administrator that comes anywhere close to being the kind of leader that this man is. The reason I admire him may surprise you.

DW, as I will refer to him, has many leadership traits that I want to emulate. The one thing that really stands out to me, though, is love. I cannot think of a single decision that he made that was not done through a lens of love: love for the school, love for the teachers, and love for the kids. This love was genuine and evident. Love may not be high on your list of leadership traits; I beg to differ.

When DW had to discipline a student, it was never about punishment. He wanted the child to realize his mistake and leave his office a better person. They usually did. He was fair and would give appropriate punishment, but that wasn't his primary focus. Punishment was not the primary way he communicated with students; he always took time to get to know the kids. Even though he was very busy, he still wanted to teach the seniors so he could pour into them before they left the sanctuary of high school. Do I try to really get to know my students? Do my students know that I too try to make every decision out of love? I hope so, but I probably need to try harder.

As a teacher, we never had to question if he loved the staff. Even when he made a decision I didn't agree with, I knew his basic reasoning. DW wanted to do the right thing. What made a bigger impression on me is that he went above and beyond his duties.  I will never forgot having horrible morning sickness and DW keeping me stocked in saltine crackers. When we were on a field trip while I was pregnant in NY, he constantly checked on me and made sure I had water. He also made sure my pregnant back had a cushy chair for graduation. He did things like this for others, too. Sometimes little things make a huge impact.

Parents were able to witness DW's love in action, too. One thing he is famous for is walking students in the school under an umbrella when it rained. If a parent had a complaint, he always took time to really listen to them, and they usually left happy just by talking to him. He really cared and valued their opinion. They knew it.

DW is the very definition of servant leadership. Everyone has their flaws, but he is definitely an example to follow in all areas of my life. He will truly be missed.

How Technology Changed Our School

This semester was one that I had been dreaming about for years. Literally. We finally implemented a 1:1 Chromebook initiative in our high school. Some teachers, parents, and students, however, were not as thrilled as I obviously was about the new devices.

Teachers were reluctant because it seemed like something else they HAD to do. Another task had been put on their already full plate. By the end of the semester, I think they all realized that it was a tool to help make their classroom more interactive, the learning more personalized, and their job easier. Yes, it took time to learn the new tool, but it was worth it. I'm actually toying with the idea of calling the Chromebooks screwdrivers next year so everyone remembers that it is just that - a tool. "Students, get out your screwdrivers." "Teachers, let me know if I can help you with your screwdriver."

Parents were reluctant because it was another gadget that gave their kids more screen time. Our goal in using instructional technology is to make that screen time more productive and not simply mindless entertainment. We are preparing students for a world in which technology permeates EVERYTHING. Heart surgeons use technology in the operating room. Mechanics use technology to tell them what is wrong with a car. You can even find a website that discusses the latest technology for chefs! Many of our students will have jobs that do not even exist today. As educators, we have the responsibility to prepare them this ever changing future.

Students' reluctant attitude caught me by surprise. I expected all of them to be as excited as I was, but we had a few that wanted no part in getting a screwdriver, er, Chromebook. They did not want the responsibility that came with the device or an increase in workload. Some of the most wary students, though, seemed to benefit from day 1. We had students who rarely turned in assignments turning in assignments regularly via the Chromebooks. Students began to carry fewer books and notebooks, and they felt more organized. Everything they needed was in one place.

We still learn math, science, literature, and history. Teachers still direct, encourage, motivate, and inspire their students. What has changed in our school is that students are genuinely engaged in lessons, they are more organized, and they are being sufficiently prepared for college and careers. I am not saying that things are perfect, but the school culture has shifted. Zion Christian Academy is leading the charge in preparing students for tomorrow while still focusing on preparing their hearts and minds for the glory of God.

New Year, New You!

It is now 2017! This is a huge year for me personally because I will have my oldest graduate from high school, my second oldest will start driving, my third child will start kindergarten, and my fourth child will continue growing and turn one! All these changes are scary and overwhelming, and I feel so many different emotions. Sometimes I wish I could freeze time.

It is also a huge year professionally because our school launched Chromebooks for all our high school students yesterday! I am so excited to be a part of this and able to help teachers use this to prepare their students for the future. The challenge now is to not just use this amazing technology to replace activities like typing papers and printing them and doing research in the library, but we need to push them to be CREATORS and not just consumers.

Changing how we teach can be very scary, but just like children grow, we must grow as educators. It wouldn't be fair to my own boys if I were to freeze time and not let them experience new things like college, driving, and kindergarten. I keep moving forward for them, and I will continue moving forward for my students!

Three of my four boys enjoying a rare snow day!

How teaching is better than working at Disney World!

Recently my husband read an article outlining why people should quit their job to work at Disney World (http://www.disneyfanatic.com/7-reasons-you-should-quit-your-job-and-become-a-character-at-disney-world/). When he finished, I replied, "That sounds a lot like my job!" He snorted, and I went on to explain to him why my job is even better!

7. I get paid to smile. And I do. Often. I try to make my classroom fun and engaging. I want the kids to look forward to coming back and learning something new.

6. I get paid to dress up. Maybe I don't get to wear a costume EVERYDAY, but I choose to often. After reading A Christmas Carol, we have a Dickens Christmas Day in which my students and I don period costumes, drink wassail, and eat mince pie (it is pretty good). When introducing Greek mythology, I channel my inner goddess and pull out my toga. This year I am teaching The Great Gatsby, and we most definitely are having a lawn party in 1920s attire. I also keep a variety of hats in my closet to pull out as needed. Yes, I teach middle school and high school. Yes, they love it as much as elementary students.

5. Every day is different. Anyone who works with children knows this is true! You never know what a kid might say or do. I also try to make my classroom different each day by using a variety of teaching methods.

4. No office to work in. I have a classroom that I can make my own, and it is rather homey. I have
area rugs, lamps, a rocking chair, an oversized chair, reading pillows, etc. This relaxed environment makes me a better teacher, and hopefully it relaxes the students.

3. I work at the happiest place on earth. To the current students, this may not always be true. But their laughter fills the hallways between classes, and they are making memories that will last them a lifetime. One day they will look back and realize how special this time in their life really was.

2. Discounts and free passes. Absolutely! I get to go support my students at all sorts of athletic events and after-school activities. They love having teachers there to support them and cheer them on!

1. The ability to bring joy to guests. I help students gain the skills they need to make their dreams come true, and I have the ability to make it a great experience or a terrible one. I choose to work hard to make it great!

What about you? How is your job like working at Disney World?


Http://www.disneyfanatic.com/author/kristina/. "7 Reasons You Should Quit Your Job and Become A Character at Disney World." DisneyFanaticcom. N.p., 2015. Web. 27 Sept. 2016.

How do you plan to get better?

I recently got to sit in on some interviews at our school. One question that I made sure to ask was, "What do you plan to do to get better at your craft?" Too many teachers are complacent with their methods and lessons. I want a teacher that wants to change, grow, and get better!

I am far from perfect; I have months and even years when I feel like survival is my goal. For the most part, the last half of this past school year had me in survival mode. I pledge here that I will do better this year! The start has been reading a new PD book called Kids Deserve It and participating in the summer challenges that are on their blog.

My question to you is the same. How do YOU plan to get better?

How do you feel about summer?

If you live in the South, you are feeling my pain today. Summer is more than half over; teachers come back to school on July 27. Where has the time gone? I am especially nervous about this school year because I will miss the entire first quarter for maternity leave. While this is a special time, I will be very anxious about what is going on in my classroom and excited to get back. I think of this as a positive thing; I must love my job! This is definitely the right profession for me.

So how do you know if teaching is right for you? Are YOU in the right profession? Here are some questions to ask yourself:

1. Do you get excited about the upcoming school year or do you dread it? I know we will all miss our summer break, but some part of you should relish the excitement of a new year. What other profession gets a fresh start every year?

2. Did you go into teaching because you didn't know what else to do? When you made your decision to teach, I hope it wasn't because you weren't sure what else to do. "I've always loved -------, so I guess I will be a ------- teacher." "I'd like to be off when my children are, so I guess I will be a teacher." These are not viable reasons for going into a career that profoundly affects so many lives.

3. Do you want to be better? Do you constantly look for ways to improve? Does the thought of new methods, technologies, ideas, etc., get you excited about how you could be better in the classroom or do you roll your eyes when someone mentions learning something new?

These are just some things to think about as you prepare for the rapidly approaching school year! After all, we require our students to work in the summer (via summer reading at our school), shouldn't we be doing the same?

Eeek....I'm behind!

If you scroll and see my last post, you can see it was in April 2015! Eeek! I have definitely fallen off the wagon. In my defense, it was a crazy, busy year. I started coaching the Varsity Cheerleaders (in addition to Student Council, being a part-time assistant administrator, mom, teacher, etc.) and found out in November that we are expecting baby #4.

I want to start fresh, and I am doing so as part of a summer learning challenge series. I did this series a couple of years ago and it was very beneficial to my personal growth as a teacher. I challenge you to do the same!

The first challenge this summer is to post about our favorite classroom activity of this past year. I have to pick just one? That is tough! My students love Plickers, so that is always fun. Just reading with them in class and seeing them GET it and discuss is fun. I have to say that my favorite activity was using our new TouchJet TouchPond projectors. They are like smart boards, only cheaper. Actually, they are more like smart phones that project on the wall. The students were amazed and wanted to participate every time I used it. I love to see them get engaged, and this little device helped with that.

If you are interested in joining the summer learning challenge, you can find out more here: https://youtu.be/Uese-Dc-YJI.

Blogaversary

It has been almost a year since my first blog post, and it is almost the end of my year teaching with a virtual PLC. What have I learned, you might ask. I will tell you!

1) Not everyone thinks your idea is a good idea. I received so much flak at the beginning of the year about using Twitter to teach that I was ready to give up! This feedback came from parents and teachers! Frankly, I've not used it much because so many object.

2) IPads are awesome but not for word processing. We had so many issues using them in Language Arts that I was ready to pull my hair out some days. The good definitely outweighed the bad, though, and it is amazing to see how much their writing improves when they don't have to stress as much about spelling and grammar. The students' really began to think on a deeper level.

3) I am like a kid when I see several people have read my posts. It really has helped me empathize with the students.

4) Some kids will never remember their passwords and/or be able to log in. Never gonna happen. Instead of stressing, I have learned to put on happy face and move forward.

5) I love helping teachers and students use technology for learning.  I have become the biggest cheerleader in my school for detect.

6) Students continue to amaze me and I still LOVE my job. I walked into my classroom on Spring Break and smiled. It is my second home.

Building Relationships in the Classroom

A co-worker who is attending graduate school recently asked if he could interview me for one of his class projects. The first question was about cheating. Not a difficult one. The rest, however, really got me thinking. One in particular is still stuck in my mind.

He asked me what is the most important part of each school day. Whoa. How can I name just one part? I decided to look at it backwards and eliminate the unimportant parts first. But wait, I couldn't really eliminate anything either. Assessment is important, planning is important, teaching is important.

I finally realized that it is all about relationships. The most important time in my day is the time I spend building relationships with my students. This is during class, before school, at after school activities, etc. Long after students forget about split infinitives, they will remember what kind of relationship I had with them. This doesn't mean I become their best friend. It means I take an interest in their lives, let them know I care, and let them know I will treat them fairly.

Relationships are key in education. A great relationship can make or break classroom management. A great relationship can get students to give their best. A great relationship can encourage students to become lifelong learners.

I actually just had an interesting conversation with my students. It came up in conversation that I am an introvert; they were shocked. I told them that in general I don't like people, I hate talking on the phone, and I would stay home all the time if I could. They asked why I teach. I told them that students are different; I enjoy talking with them. Although this delved a bit into my personal life, they see that I am a real person. It was a waste of possibly 90 seconds of class, but it allowed me to create a bond with some who also see themselves that way. Several said, "Me too, Mrs. South!" This was a priceless moment and possibly the most important part of my day today.

What Educators Can Learn From Marketers

According to an August 21, 2014 article by Adweek, the marketing industry is beginning to focus on the generation sitting in our classrooms: Generation Z. It makes sense to me that educators need to use the information marketers have gathered in order to better reach these students. Using an infographic designed by Marketo, an interactive marketing company, I discovered many things that can help us.

1. Gen Z is resourceful. They are digital natives, and they know how to find information. Although those of us in Gen X or Y may feel comfortable with technology, this generation is immersed in it. We need to provide the tools and let them learn!

2. Gen Z is driven, curious, and focused on the future. We should have high expectations for these kids; they have high expectations of themselves. Push them harder, and they will rise to the challenge. Never set the bar low.

3. Gen Z is caring. While the generation before them is often viewed as self-centered, this generation is the opposite. They care about others and want to make a difference in the world. Let's HELP them make a difference in the world!

4. Gen Z prefers visuals to text. Don't overload them with notes on a topics. There are so many wonderful alternatives to lecture! Infographics are great, videos, hands-on activities, etc. They also like to create things, so why not let them demonstrate their knowledge in a way other than a traditional test or paper? Let them make a video, a play, write a song, paint, whatever appeals to them!

5. Gen Z is full of realists. They want facts and to see things for themselves. This group is not content with just accepting things that are told to them. You have to give them proof of what you are teaching, and show them why it matters to their future.

How do you plan to use this to make a difference in your classroom?

Sources:
Meet Generation Z: Forget Everything You Know About Millennials by Sparks and Honey.
Oster, Erik. "This Gen Z Infographic Can Help Marketers Get Wise to the Future ." Adweek. N.p., 21 Aug 2014. Web. 22 Jan 2015.

Mid-Year Reflections

I've not blogged as much as I had hoped because I have been so busy! The normal work things have kept me occupied,  but I have also been busy busting my tail in the classroom.  I often use the work smarter, not harder mantra, so has all this work paid off?

My students have definitely been digging deeper, which means we have been going slower. Overall, the grades have been better and the discussions more meaningful. This is definitely a positive,  but I'm not sure how we will get everything in before the end of the year!

I am especially proud of the Genius Hour projects! The students blew me away with their projects. One student began an organization to get pets to the elderly with no expense for the new owner! Another student started a project which gets athletes to read to elementary students. Other students composed songs,  choreographed dances, and much more! One student even wrote and published a book! You can read more about their projects here: http://south.zioneagles.org/genius-hour.

As for technology,  we have also been successful.  Students have blogged and reflected. I hope to increase this in yhe upcoming semester.  They have composed almost all their papers online, and they have engaged in peer editing many times. One of their favorite things was a mystery Skype with a school across the country. We've not used Twitter as much as I had hoped due to parental concerns. That's probably the biggest goal I've not met.

This has been a fun and engaging semester,  and I cannot believe how quickly it has flown by! I am looking forward to the next one!

This is one of my 7th Grade classes during our Dickens Christmas celebration! I'm on the far right.

One Quarter Gone Already????

I cannot believe that the first quarter of the school year has already passed! It has flown by, and we have been super busy. Here are some highlights:

1. I went to DC with the 8th graders. I don't have them in class, but my son is in that grade. It was more amazing than I could have imagined!
2. My students are doing Passion Projects. We can't do the 20% time, but we are doing at least 10%. I am so excited to see what their end results will be. 
3. My 7th graders read The Outsiders, and we went to see the play. Very fun!
4. The 9th graders just finished To Kill a Mockingbird. It is one of my favorite novels of all time. I love seeing the students get into it. We end up reading a large portion of it in class. The students want me to read because I really get into the voices!

As for my new Part-Time Administrator duties, I have been working hard to help the teachers learn how to use the IPads in their classes most effectively. Also, we have the students signed up for many academic competitions throughout the year, and we are even bringing back the middle school science fair!

It has been a very successful first quarter, and I can't wait for the next to begin!

Where is your focus?

Students make a stand to make every day extraordinary after watching a clip from Dead Poets Society.  They are reciting their first quarter memory work - O Captain,  My Captain! 

I have had one week with students, and my excitement level is through the roof! These kids are already impressing me. I am expecting great things from them.

The year didn't start that way, though. In-service was a roller coaster of emotions. I was excited to begin, but some major things deflated my mood. I won't go into detail,  but I was in tears for about four days. I couldn't believe how fast things changed.

The students arriving really changed my disposition. I put my focus back on them, where it should have stayed,  and left the pity party behind.

The week with them has been awesome; I absolutely love my job. I cannot believe I get paid for having so much fun!!!

If you get down just remember how lucky you are and keep the focus where it matters - on the kids!

A New Year = A New Start

As teachers we are lucky. Very few professions get the chance for a completely fresh start each year. The administration has had two (ish) months to forget all about the second day of school when you left a 6th grader locked in the bathroom because you forgot about them and went to an assembly. They don't remember the time a student jumped off the balcony while under your care. They have certainly forgotten the time you left a class unattended for an entire period because you were confused about the schedule change. (All true stories, but they aren't all me.)
Now that the slate is wiped clean, what will you do to capitalize on it? This is the time to step up your game! Personally,  I plan to just bring it all day, every day. No excuses. I'm sure I will stumble from time to time and probably even forget about a class again!
This summer I bought a poster for my room that says, "You don't fail when you lose. You fail when you quit." I'm taking that as my mantra this year. I won't fail because I won't quit. What will you do with your fresh start?

Reflecting on the upcoming year

I only have a few days until I return to school.  That means an end to the Summer Learning Challenges. I have enjoyed the challenges designed by Todd Nesloney. In fact, I re-worded the challenges and sent them to my coworkers.  This included making my own Google forms and procuring donations for prizes. I hope everyone has learned as much and gotten as excited as I have!

As I prepare for the upcoming school year, I have many new and exciting ideas. Before I begin implementing them, however, I want to take a moment to reflect. The two questions I want to answer are:
1. What are my strengths, and how will I use those strengths to help my students and coworkers?
2. What are my weaknesses and what will I do to overcome these weaknesses?

First, I believe I am strong in my willingness to experiment with new ideas, particularly technology.  This will help me engage students and make their learning more meaningful. I also hope to share with my fellow teachers,  so they can become more comfortable using technology.

Next, my biggest weakness is insecurity.  I am terrified that I am doing a disservice to the children I am entrusted with. This insecurity also makes it difficult to share my ideas with coworkers. To overcome this I will keep working hard to make my lessons the best they can be, and I will continue to step out of my comfort zone to share with others.

I honestly believe this will be the best year I have had teaching! What will you do to make this your best year yet?