Reflecting on the What-if's in our Lives

So I was feeling very nostalgic this weekend.  I had the house to myself and planned to work on some quilting projects I need to finish and watch old movies (80's movies that is, not really old I guess).  My Saturday morning started off with my VCR eating one of my favorites. I was distraught! I had my heart set on watching this particular one, bringing back memories of the first time I saw it with my brother when I went to visit him in San Diego, the music bringing back high school memories. I frantically searched Netflix, and you guessed it, not available. Oh the horror!  How was this possible, in this day and age that I cannot find it online! Last resort, I went to Amazon and purchased it. It'll arrive sometime this week, but the moment has passed. I'll have it for next time I have free, all-to-me time, along with about 5 others I found, but I'm still a little bummed out I didn't get to watch it Saturday morning.

After I pulled myself together, I switched gears and found something else. This time I chose the "Back to the Future" trilogy. Yes, I watched all three back-to-back.  (I have these on DVD) I love the concept of time travel.  I loved the series "Quantum Leap", I own all the seasons.  I became engrossed in Stephen King's book "11/22/63", I couldn't put it down and hated it to end.  I love the what-if of it all.  I am completely a what-if person. What-if I had left 5 minutes earlier for school, would I have hit all the green lights driving through Fairmont?  What-if I hadn't moved to Iowa, then Minnesota, how many people, that I consider to be some of my best friends, colleagues and confidants, would I not have in my life today?  What-if I had not gone back to school to be a teacher, how different would my life have been?

Teachers are always playing the what-if game, only we usually label it as reflection.  We reflect on lessons taught, conversations with colleagues, the connections we made, or missed, with students that pass in and out of our classrooms every year.  But unlike other professions, after we reflect, we make changes. If we don't like the results, we change our approach.  We tweak our lessons, many times on a daily basis.  We reach out to those students we didn't make a positive connection with.  We learn new technologies to reach students where they're at.  We spend our away from school time (aka free time) bettering ourselves personally and professionally so we can be the best versions of ourselves the next time we unlock that classroom door and step inside.  I know very few teachers that are not, in one way or another, working to be better than they were yesterday.

Here's another what-if, what-if we didn't do that?  There are a certain number of things we have to change because someone tells us we have to.  New state curriculum to integrate and align with, new grading systems to learn, new computer systems, new student names, these all happen because the world constantly is changing.  I'm addressing the things we do just because it makes us better, just because we want to make our classrooms better, our students better for having taken our class.  We take classes, go to conferences and workshops, join professional organizations in our content area, join PLN's, all above and beyond our daily commitments and responsibilities.  So many of these things happen behind the scenes, in fact most times staff is not aware when one of our colleagues is away at a conference or training, or that they spend evenings on Twitter sharing and gaining knowledge through a PLN chat (#nebedchat on Wednesdays, 8PM, I'm there!), or when they come in early and stay late to work one-on-one with a student.  These are just things we do, for our betterment and our students.

So what-if we didn't do that?  This is a what-if I don't want to think about.  I don't even want to consider it.  Instead I'm going to ask what-if I could find a way to inspire that teacher to do one thing more just because it might make a difference to one person?  Can you find that one teacher you can inspire?  What-if you could?  Imagine the change that might happen...........

Oh, and for those that are still wondering, it was my copy of "St. Elmo's Fire" that was devoured by my VCR.  Such a tragedy.

There's Always Hope for a New Day

As I sit at my kitchen table on this Sunday morning, drinking my coffee and looking at the sunny fall sky, I look back on the first quarter of this school year and all that we've tackled.  I say tackled because it's far too early in the year to say accomplished. We're just getting started.

Everyone has goals for different aspects of their life. Personally I want to run a competitive race some day, but it's way too early to put a distance on that one (ultimately I want to walk afterwards) My morning run today allowed me to see the sunrise, and a beautiful one it was.  This is my favorite time of day, early morning, before most people are up and moving.  It's quiet, peaceful, hopeful. I don't have to be accountable to anyone or anything at this time except myself and my own thoughts.  A new day brings hope. Hope that what I did not accomplish yesterday I can today. Hope that yesterday's troubles or frustrations will have resolved themselves and magically disappeared. Hope that I can do it better, whatever IT is.

This is how I see the beginning of 2nd quarter tomorrow.  With Hope. All the projects we've tackled so far that aren't quiet running as smoothly as we would like, I'm going to face them with hope that they'll start moving in a better direction.  The technologies that I'm going to continue to introduce to the staff, I'm going to do so with the hope that a few more teachers will jump on board and choose to integrate them into their classes to engage students.  In my own classes I'm going to continue to draw out those students that prefer to quietly hide behind their work, with hope that they will embrace the content.

I'm also going to challenge my students to have hope for their 2nd quarter, especially the seniors.  Instead of saying "Let's set a goal", I'm going to say "What do you hope for this quarter? And what are you prepared to do to make that happen?"  Just typing this out makes it feel more positive.  In the blink of an eye it will be June and graduation time. I don't want to miss a day of inspiring these students, and I don't want them to miss a day, EVER, without hope for the better.

So now that the sun is up in the sky, and the world is more awake than it was a few hours ago, I set forth on this sunny day with hopes of my own, as I do every day I am fortunate enough to see the sun rise over the fields of my midwestern home. I thank God I am here to experience another day, and promise to put forth the effort to make a difference in the life of someone else.  That is how I will know Hope has been passed on to someone else.

The Signs are Everywhere, Are We following Them?

I am a commuter, there’s no other way to put it. I’ve been in education for 18 years, and 14 of those I have not lived in the town I taught in and had to traveled to and from school every day. The past 13 years have been in Minnesota. Some trips were short, only 30 miles or so (one way). The longest was 75 miles. Regardless of how long I was on the road, I’ve seen my fair share of bad weather commutes.  Today was our first snowfall of the season, and as I ventured out before the sun had even crested on the horizon, visions of icy roads, slick spots, spin outs, slides into the ditch, roll overs and fiery crashes all went through my mind, as they do so often when winter comes to bless me and my commute.

Now mind you, I have been in Fairmont 6 years, I pretty much can go on autopilot to and from school, I know my way. Unless there is construction and a detour, I see the same highway, the same houses, drive through the same towns, past the same businesses everyday.  I know where to turn, I know when the speed limit changes, I can tell you where the signs are for all these. But today, with the new snowfall, many, if not most, of these signs were snow covered. This got me thinking, what if someone didn’t know where to turn to go to Fairmont? The sign is covered with snow? How would they get there? I realize GPS is out there for most people, but I still like to see the physical sign telling me where to go, metaphorically. As I drove through town, even the speed limit signs were covered, and I thought “I wonder if I got pulled over for speeding, could I use that as an excuse to get out of a ticket?” “I didn’t see the sign officer, it was covered in snow.” Said of course in a sweet, innocent voice, with a smile and a batting of the eyes just for good measure. I certainly wouldn’t share that I have traveled this road everyday for 6 years and could tell him exactly where he signs are and when the limit changes.

So where am I going with this? We give our students “signs” every day, directions we call them. Do we ever give them the same directions more than once? Twice? Three or more times? I know I have, even for what I think are some of the most basic tasks. And I think to myself why do I have to keep going over this? Am I not getting through to you? Are you just not listening to what I am saying? Do we need some one-on-one time to bond?  Maybe my students are just like me. Maybe, even though they truly know the steps they need to take, they still want a sign available to direct them. Maybe it gives them comfort, reassurance, security. So my ultimate question, What’s wrong with that?

In this age of technology, with information easily at a student’s disposal, 24/7, why do we worry if a student wants to refer back to the directions? Are we still teaching in a classroom where memorization and regurgitation are the only acceptable method of assessing whether learning has occurred? Or have we moved into the 21st Century and are embracing a student’s ability to problem solve and find answers using all resources necessary, even the signs we so willing lay out for them?  Even though I may know the direction I need to take, I take comfort in the signs along the way reassuring me. And in that comfort I find my way, my strength, my confidence, the ultimate tools we want for our students.

What signs are you giving your students?

Missing the Students

So I started a new position this year, Technology Integration Specialist. I was so excited to get started doing this, sharing new technologies and ideas with the staff, seeing the technology use grow in the classrooms.  While I am still excited about all the possibilities, I find something missing during the day.

While I know I went into teaching because of the students, I never really thought through just how much I would MISS them not being in the classroom all day. Now to be honest, I don't miss all the preparation, grading, emailing, make up work, reteaching, etc. But I miss not knowing the new 7th grade students, hearing about all the silly things going on with students.  I miss not having Intro to Computers/Computers & Careers and seeing 9th/10th graders and how they've grown and matured since I had them in class in 7th grade. I miss teaching 11th/12th grade students about finance, investing, budgeting, and watching them sweat as they try to figure how they will afford the life style they want, and not end up living "in a van down by the river." I miss the daily conversations, what's happening in their lives, and yes, even the drama a little.

As I am learning new technologies everyday, I'm constantly thinking "I could have used this technology in this class or that class!" But I have to remember what I am doing will eventually have an impact on student learning, and maybe in a bigger way than just my one classroom, but for all those students out there that read my blog, I do miss you, you can come visit me anytime!! And bring your friends! And chocolate is always good!

The Smell of a New School Year!

The smell of a new school year is in the air! Teachers know what this is. It's more than the Back to School signs in the stores, football and volleyball camps before official practices begin, even a possible change in the weather.  It's teacher vehicles hanging out in the parking lot at school, fresh wax on the floors in the hallway, emails and letters from the principal reminding us of workshop days, and last minute attempts to get the most out of summer with short trips or vacations.  Teachers know once workshop begins their once free time is now dedicated to school time, adequate sleep is something we hope for on the weekends, and our bladders are back in training mode, only on call when the appropriate bell rings.

For me, I still have a month before workshop will be calling my name, but I have many friends and former colleagues that have received their calling to return in the next few weeks.  As I look back on summer 2013, I reflect on the house projects I got done (and some I still need to complete), quilts I finished, started, and also still need to complete, and the school work I tackled to get ahead of the game for the new school year.

So what did you accomplish this summer?  Is there something more you want to do?  Get it in now, do something you can share with your students when they walk into your classroom.  Use your summer experiences to make connections with your students all year long!  Teachers are real people, don't be afraid to let your students see the real you!

Reflections from Great Plains Google Summit

Well it's Sunday again, the house is clean, walk with the hubby in, school related work tackled (not the 4th down though, still have a few more plays to try before the balls in my hands), time to sit down with my cup of coffee and reflect on the past week.

I spent most of the week in Nebraska.  Got to see most of my family on this trip, my niece was home from PA with her girls, visited with my brother and sister-in-law, went to Dad's, stayed with my nephew and his wife for 3 nights, I think I hit them all.  And as a bonus got to have lunch with an old friend from high school, what a blast that was to catch up with her!

But for as much fun as all the family bonding was, the highlight of my trip was the Great Plains Google Apps Summit I attended at Southwest High School in Lincoln.  Two days of Everything Google!  Just when I think I have my feet on the ground, I get "exposed" to all this wonderful knowledge and these amazing people out there doing wonderful things in Education using Google this and Google that!  While I have tried to let my brain settle since leaving the school on Friday, I now have to start digging my way back to ground level, decipher all this information and come up with the best ways to share it with the staff at my school (and get their heads spinning before the new school year starts!)

There's the new Google Maps, great for social studies or scavenger hunts, Docotpus and Flubaroo for those using forms for assessments, WatchDoc to see who's editing the documents shared with you, Sexy Undo Close Tab (because it's just cool to say that), Announcify to read the screen to you, and on and on and on.......And then the ultimate session (at least for me) on Google Certified Teacher and Googler Apps Certified Trainer! I am IN! Where do I sign?

There is just something about being in an auditorium full of professionals with the same goal of wanting to my education better.  Next Summer......I'm bringing friends to Lincoln!!

Because I'm an Educator

It's Mid-July, Sunday am, I've been up for several hours, and what have I been doing? Listening to Friends on TV and doing school work.  It's summer, I'm suppose to be taking a "break" and getting rejuvenated for the next school year, right?  What does that say about me?  It says I'm an educator.

Nothing irks me more than when people make comments about teachers having their "summers off", my own brother is one of the worst. As much as I love him, when he gets his little "dig" in I want to climb through the phone and slap him!  I know very few teachers that leave school in the spring and literally do nothing school related until the first workshop day in August. Why is that? How many professions put in the hours outside of the workday that teachers do. We do it all school year, nights spent grading and planning, weekends learning new content or technologies, breaks catching up on tasks put aside for another day, to the point (at least at my house) that our families need our picture just to remember what we look like away from a desk, computer, pile of papers or textbooks.

So why on this particular Sunday am I spending the first several hours of my day doing work? Because I'm Educator.  I where this badge with pride. I take pride in my classroom, in my students, in my district.  I want to bring new ideas and activities to my room next year, I want to learn new technologies to share with staff in August, I want to inspire, even one person, to go out and try something new and share with someone else. Educators are lifelong learners, and because I'm an Educator, I'm taking this time today to learn something new.

Happy July!