What can you learn from bad teachers?

As educators, most of us can look back and reflect on those teachers who influenced us. "Miss Smith made me want to be a science teacher." "Mr. Brown showed me the power of music." With fondness we reminisce about those wonderful experiences.

But what can we learn from our bad experiences in school?  I never considered this until I was participating in #SsTschat on Tuesday evening.  One question brought to mind some incidents that I had forgotten. I realized then that I could also learn from unpleasant experiences.

Here's what I learned:

1. I had a teacher in the 1st grade who told the entire class I was a chatterbox and did the associated hand motion. The entire class started laughing and doing the hand motion. I learned to NEVER ridicule a student.

2. I had a mean 3rd grade teacher. She never smiled. That's all I can remember about her. I learned to smile often and make sure the students know I love them.

3. My fourth grade teacher was one of the nicest teachers I ever had. One day, though, she embarrassed me in front of the class. I learned that even the best teachers make mistakes.

4. I had a teacher in high school who often used big words in class. If someone asked what the word meant, he made them look it up. People stopped asking. I learned to answer a question, and if I can't, be honest enough to say so.

5. I had a coach in college that remarked on my weight in front of the team and told me I had eaten too much Captain D's. That has stuck with me, and I am still self-conscious about my weight. I learned that what I say may alter a child's perception of themselves.

Most of these teachers were good teachers (except maybe the 3rd grade teacher-yikes!), and I have fond memories of them too. But even today, their harsh words often echo in my mind.

When the teacher becomes the student

Sometimes I feel sorry for my children;  I realize it must be tough to have a mom that is a teacher. Homework is always done right after school, summer reading is discussed in detail, giving 100 percent is the minimum.

There are times, however,  when I see the fruits of my labor.  Each of my teenagers have brought a tear to my eye this summer. Well, they often bring a tear to my eyes, but this time it was happy tears.

My interest in technology has not gone unnoticed by my 13-year-old, Justin. He has heard all about the exciting things I have planned for the coming school year. Recently Justin decided to make his own personal website filled with Lego information. His fascination with Legos has me convinced of his future as an engineer. I am so excited to see what he will do with his site!

My 15-year-old, Jackson,  just finished his summer reading novel. It was The Boy in the Striped Pajamas.  He flew through it and promptly announced that he wanted to throw the book away when he finished it. Jackson was devastated by the events in the book. He later asked me to buy him a book about argument. I was again brought to tears by my child's investment in academia.

Like I said, it must be hard to have a mom that is a teacher. Even though they complain, they continue to exceed my expectations!

The Pointer Sisters, Shrek, and Professional Development

I occasionally (aka all the time) have a hard time focusing on one task. My mind jumps from one subject to another, and my co-worker thinks I am a bit ADD. Here is an example of my thought process when thinking about professional development: I am very excited, the Pointer Sisters had a song about excitement,  they also had a song in Beverly Hills Cop, Eddie Murphy was in that movie, I really liked Eddie Murphy in Shrek... This explains why I may suddenly blurt out something about green ogres in a professional development meeting.

Like I said, I am very excited about all the PD I have gotten via Twitter.  I have learned more in the past three months than I have learned since I began teaching. Teaming up with teachers all around the world has been an enlightening experience!

Unfortunately,  not everyone has jumped on this opportunity, and, frankly, it is discouraging. Internally I am on the floor kicking and screaming like my three-year-old. I am so passionate about my profession and my school that I can't understand why others are not participating.

Maybe others are not following my time table. I have to understand that each person is different, and they may show more interest when a few others and I demonstrate what we've learned. My hope is that our excitement will be contagious. You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink, right?

Speaking of horses, did I ever tell you how much I like Eddie Murphy in Shrek...

My first flipped classroom

Students have been out of school for over a month, and most of them have begun their summer reading. Typically students at my school are required to read two books, and the assessment varies by teacher. In the past I have had students keep a journal on one novel and complete a writing prompt the first week of school.

This year I decided to do something different. I utilized a free website,  Eduongo, to flip the summer reading.  Students have a variety of journaling options, including video journaling, and have a discussion board to interact with other students. They have no "due dates" and can read at their leisure.

I love the results!  The insights are awesome,  and I love discussing the novel with them while it is fresh on their mind. It also gives me a chance to know the students and their writing. This means I won't have to spend the first few weeks of school finding out their weakness and strengths. Also, I will not be bombarded with stacks of essays on the first day of school.

This does require more work on my part. I had to set up the website ahead of time, and I am spending time this summer working. The benefits far outweigh the negatives,  and I am excited to start the year ahead of the game!

What if I fail? I'm scared!

I have tried to be a leader at my school in terms of using technology in the classroom. Part of that stems from love of technology;  most of it comes from my excitement at seeing students connect and get excited about learning.

In my last blog I mentioned several ideas I have for increasing engagement through technology in my classroom next year. Something suddenly hit yesterday;  what if it doesn't work? I know that failure is a good thing sometimes, but that's for students. I am the teacher; I can't fail.

Why do we do that? So many times we forget that the rules apply to us too! Students don't like a boring presentation,  but that is what we do in meetings. We want students to experiment and think creatively,  but we are scared to try something new.

As I continue putting together my ideas for next year, I have to remember to dream big and try new things. It will not be the end of the world if I fail. The important thing is that I keep moving forward and not let my fears hold me back!

Planning for Excitement!

What scares you? I mean what makes you curl up into a fetal position and suck your thumb? For some people, it's change. For me it's unicorns, but that's a story for another day!

All the changes I see in educational technology and professional development have me excited!  In fact, since I began my professional development via Twitter, I have become addicted. Addicted to change and learning? How I wish my students felt this way?

Students CAN feel this way! If we are willing to step out of our comfort zone and accept that our way may not be the best way, we may be able to excite them! That begins with learning new ways to teach and engage students!

Through Twitter and connecting with others, I have begun to make a list of some of the ways I plan to change next year.

• Twitter for discussion on novels, then Storify
• Collaboration on papers via Google Docs
• Portfolios via Google Sites
• Genius hour for 7th
• Similar project for 9th, but more on their own
• Plickers
• Eduongo for flipped learning on basic grammar and lit themes, genres, etc 
• Tweet as a character from novel, story then storify
• Self-made Smart board for grammar
• Socrative App for reviews
• Google Classroom = infinite ideas!

I have other ideas too, but this a start. These are things that I always do, but I have found a better way to do them. For example, for several years I have required students to keep a portfolio of their work; this year I will have them use Google Sites to make a virtual portfolio!

What are you waiting for? Begin planning at least one way you will work to increase student engagement next year!

Times they are a changin'...and so is education!

I am amazed at what I witnessing! Education is undergoing a major shift that has nothing to do politicians or policies. This change is being spearheaded by those on the front lines and is spreading like wildfire! Teachers are taking professional development into their own hands and connecting with each other like never before. Technology has facilitated this change, and it is changing education like no government official could ever do.

Social media, videos, applications, sites, and blogs are just a handful of the ways teachers are learning from each other. Teachers, we cannot afford to stand still or teach the way have for years. Don't wait for someone to make you learn something new. Reignite your passion for teaching!