It's Thanksgiving! On top of everything else to be thankful for, 5 amazing days off! Of course, with 3 weeks left in the NLU semester, and lead teach in the next 2 weeks, "days off" is a loose term. But none the less, no 4:45am wake ups, 1 glass of wine limits, and yoga pants prevail! Since we were in class last Friday, and Monday and Tuesday we had an AUSL cycle pullout, we have been away from the students for almost a week already. I can say with a pure heart, I miss the hell out of my babies! So, the following is a summary of what I am thankful for, since the season upon us:
I am thankful that I didn't wait another year, month or day to begin this career. I have said it before, but easily the most challenging yet rewarding work I have ever done.
I am thankful for 28 amazing 8th grade babies and 27 inspiring 7th grade darlings who challenge me to be a better more reflective teacher, mentor and person everyday.
I am thankful for AUSL, all the good, bad and ugly :) I don't understand everything or why it's happening all the time, but I have committed to trust the process. And I do.
I am thankful for Cohort 043....and not only the remaining 20, but every person who was a part of 43! They give me courage and energy each week when we converge on NLU for class.
I am thankful for some amazing professors whose passion for the subject, be it Literacy or Social Justice inspire me more each week (and add to my "books to be read" list!)
I am thankful for my MRC (that's Mentor Resident Coach), Tamiko. She challenges me and does things I don't understand, but so far, the less I question and just do, the better I become! She works harder than almost anyone I know.
I am thankful for my Mentor, Keviyona Ray. We have had awesome battles and been able to hug it out in the end. The only person who loves our kids more than me is her. I am learning to work hard, love hard and start each day fresh by watch and working with her. I am so grateful.
I am thankful for my education mentor and friend, Femi Skanes. A principal, mother of 2, newlywed and new homeowner, she knows exactly when to make time for me to talk. I appreciate it more than you know!
I am thankful for my old OSI peeps, Kelly, Gavin, Randel, SuePo, Gwyn, Jessica, Alfonso, Ellen, Maurice....your check-ins mean so much, even if just by text. Your continued work and dedication to our broken, but on the mend district inspires me to work harder, so we can give our City's children their birthright of a great education.
I am thankful for my friends and family...their patience and understanding has been selfless. Marni, Colleen, Kristen, Liz B, Christina, my mom, my brother I would be broken without you.
Last, I am thankful for my Nugget, Noah. His smile and innocent giggle reminds me everyday how important the work we do is for our kids. I wouldn't want anything less for my nephew.
Happy Thanksgiving and Thanks to everyone who has supported me through this journey!!!!
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Saturday, November 16, 2013
Expect the Unexpected
My first "lead teach" is in the books. Good, bad and ugly. It is over. I know I am going to have lots of firsts during this journey, and each one will be another reason to reflect, review and revise my practice.
So here goes...
I felt SUPER prepared. I had spent countless hours on my lesson plans, bothered the hell out of my mentor Mrs. Ray (bless her) and literally had gone over my Lesson plans at home and again, the morning before I taught. I reviews the "signature strategies" put post it notes on my clipboard, wrote notes on my hand to remind me to "Give explicit directions, Check for understanding, and Narrate! I got in early, set up the classroom or at least my stuff, where I needed it. I was set up for success. And then it happened...the kids. Let me interject that my kryptonite in work, relationships and life is the unexpected. By now I am conscious of the fact that every day in education is unpredictable. And I would like to think I am adjusting well. But, it's still my achilles heel.
So, the day started off well, I transitioned the students quickly and quietly. Started my vocab lesson and transitioned effortlessly into reading and then Social Studies happened. So we were starting a new DBQ (document based questioning) entitled, "The Preamble and The Federal Budget: Are We Slicing the Pie Correctly?" The hook activity was to have students create a mission statement for the school, so they could understand the purpose of a mission statement as the Preamble is considered the "Mission statement of the United States and the Constitution" Didn't you know?? Anyway, I had the activity set up, they would work in groups after my carefully crafted powerpoint, which BTW, 7th and 8th graders could care LESS about! lol A little behavior check here and there and all of the sudden, I was out of time. Sure, they got some mission statements up on the board, but I didn't truly get to make the connection and set up for the next day. So, I get to do the same lesson, again, in the afternoon with my 8th graders. OK.
I know I have said this before, but it needs to be reiterated again, and again, for the cheap seats, 8th graders are an animal all unto their own. Oldest kids in the school, on the verge of thinking they know it all (or in the case of my one fiery red haired student, believe they do!) but still can display behavior of the likes of my 2 1/2 year old nephew. They are the best and worst of older and younger kids combined. In one moment they will tackle you with hugs and ask to do a "roller coaster" cheer, and in the next, tell you to get the fuck out of their face because "you doin too much". My babies. :)
So, I went to get the babies from gym. Slightly turned up, but ok during transition. Got them in and into vocab with no time to waste. We were actually able to get through everything, and I was able to get in some of the coaching points my mentor had given me and they were actually having fun! We celebrated their mission statements with power claps and even though a little late, I got them down to IAE (computer learning time) and out the door in one piece at the end of the day. I got some good feedback I was able to go home and reflect on from Mrs. Ray and felt ok. Ready for day 2!
I started the day the same way, and was ready! And somehow, slowly but surely, the day got away from me. I wasn't able to make connections during the second lesson in social studies (now reading the Preamble, or attempted to), the students didn't get the schoolhouse rock video I was so excited to share, and I didn't get through the article. I was formally observed during this time, of course. After the 7th grade block we usually have lunch to prep, but on Thursdays, we have our data meetings with the Principal. She's a badass and doesn't take unpreparedness lightly. I like her. So I was going to pull out my binder and get ready and my MRC says, "I'll be right back". I didn't possibly think we were going to debrief in the now 30 minutes but alas...we did. So with my half eaten uncrustable in my mouth she starts to share what I need to change for the afternoon lesson which, comes right after the data session so I am trying to get it all down, and then get the feedback on what I need to work on in the future, and I hear bits and pieces but stop at the "and on this you were unsatisfactory". And of course, anyone who knows me, knows I got stuck right there. Wait what? I mean, I know I stumbled a little, but unsatisfactory (remember that rating in Danielson means, "unsafe for kids") holding back the tears I try to write down everything else she is giving me but I am gone. WTF?
Run to get the kids, take them to computers (their prep) and into the data meeting. Late. I know Mrs. Henry the Principal knows I was with the kids and not just f'ing around, but it doesn't matter. My ass should be in there on time. So we go through the data meeting and then off to get the kids. We all clumsily get upstairs and they are all on 10. "Ms. Ohannes I have to take a computer to the counselors office and go do my application for..." "Ms. Ohannes I have a stomach ache can you call my mom?" "Ms. Ohannes he's farting..." ENOUGH! "We are on page 110 in your vocabulary book..." Ok, really? Did I really think I was going to be set up for success for the next 2hours and 10 minutes going in like that? In the end, my afternoon demise was my own fault. I never settled them down.( and yes, they can be settled, and I have strategies with which to do it) I engaged with a student (she got suspended) and yelled. I hate yelling. Stop laughing. Really, I HATE yelling at kids. I don't care what they do, they are still kids. So, I get them down to IAE and remind them Mrs. Henry is RIGHT NEXT DOOR doing data meetings, so now more than ever, we should be on "level zero" and do the right thing. WRONG. Next thing I know, Mrs. Henry's at the door SCREAMING (rightfully so I should add). "why aren't they on level zero? why aren't they at the computers working?" Ms. D, the other teacher in the room with me, just looks at me. We both look defeated. Now let me explain, I don't have a problem with the Principal doing her job. I have a problem with me, having my kids show her how I am not doing mine. Again, Setting expectations, getting the kids settled before we left the room...etc. They are kids. Even though she is slightly terrifying when she yells, they aren't going to be quiet because she is next door. Crap, they wouldn't care if Obama was meeting with Ahmadinejad to solve World peace next door.
So, how do I think the two days went? I realized I need to work on stricter implementation of BMC, 100%, Narration, Explaining the WHY in my lessons, and allow the loss of control....what I mean by that is be prepared for the unexpected and embrace it. I can control my lesson planning, my level of professionalism, my appearance, my demeanor but I cannot control what is going to happen from one minute to the next in the classroom. What I can do, is use the tools I have been given to handle the unexpected. Because if there's one thing I know my mentor, MRC and AUSL knows is, the unexpected is the expected. It's what you do with the unexpected that matters. Before today I couldn't have said this, but I believe it was a success. I am not expected to be a completely proficient teacher at this point in the year, although it is what we strive for. I am supposed to take the feedback and make every effort to implement it. Not argue it.
....and it shall be done.
So here goes...
I felt SUPER prepared. I had spent countless hours on my lesson plans, bothered the hell out of my mentor Mrs. Ray (bless her) and literally had gone over my Lesson plans at home and again, the morning before I taught. I reviews the "signature strategies" put post it notes on my clipboard, wrote notes on my hand to remind me to "Give explicit directions, Check for understanding, and Narrate! I got in early, set up the classroom or at least my stuff, where I needed it. I was set up for success. And then it happened...the kids. Let me interject that my kryptonite in work, relationships and life is the unexpected. By now I am conscious of the fact that every day in education is unpredictable. And I would like to think I am adjusting well. But, it's still my achilles heel.
So, the day started off well, I transitioned the students quickly and quietly. Started my vocab lesson and transitioned effortlessly into reading and then Social Studies happened. So we were starting a new DBQ (document based questioning) entitled, "The Preamble and The Federal Budget: Are We Slicing the Pie Correctly?" The hook activity was to have students create a mission statement for the school, so they could understand the purpose of a mission statement as the Preamble is considered the "Mission statement of the United States and the Constitution" Didn't you know?? Anyway, I had the activity set up, they would work in groups after my carefully crafted powerpoint, which BTW, 7th and 8th graders could care LESS about! lol A little behavior check here and there and all of the sudden, I was out of time. Sure, they got some mission statements up on the board, but I didn't truly get to make the connection and set up for the next day. So, I get to do the same lesson, again, in the afternoon with my 8th graders. OK.
I know I have said this before, but it needs to be reiterated again, and again, for the cheap seats, 8th graders are an animal all unto their own. Oldest kids in the school, on the verge of thinking they know it all (or in the case of my one fiery red haired student, believe they do!) but still can display behavior of the likes of my 2 1/2 year old nephew. They are the best and worst of older and younger kids combined. In one moment they will tackle you with hugs and ask to do a "roller coaster" cheer, and in the next, tell you to get the fuck out of their face because "you doin too much". My babies. :)
So, I went to get the babies from gym. Slightly turned up, but ok during transition. Got them in and into vocab with no time to waste. We were actually able to get through everything, and I was able to get in some of the coaching points my mentor had given me and they were actually having fun! We celebrated their mission statements with power claps and even though a little late, I got them down to IAE (computer learning time) and out the door in one piece at the end of the day. I got some good feedback I was able to go home and reflect on from Mrs. Ray and felt ok. Ready for day 2!
I started the day the same way, and was ready! And somehow, slowly but surely, the day got away from me. I wasn't able to make connections during the second lesson in social studies (now reading the Preamble, or attempted to), the students didn't get the schoolhouse rock video I was so excited to share, and I didn't get through the article. I was formally observed during this time, of course. After the 7th grade block we usually have lunch to prep, but on Thursdays, we have our data meetings with the Principal. She's a badass and doesn't take unpreparedness lightly. I like her. So I was going to pull out my binder and get ready and my MRC says, "I'll be right back". I didn't possibly think we were going to debrief in the now 30 minutes but alas...we did. So with my half eaten uncrustable in my mouth she starts to share what I need to change for the afternoon lesson which, comes right after the data session so I am trying to get it all down, and then get the feedback on what I need to work on in the future, and I hear bits and pieces but stop at the "and on this you were unsatisfactory". And of course, anyone who knows me, knows I got stuck right there. Wait what? I mean, I know I stumbled a little, but unsatisfactory (remember that rating in Danielson means, "unsafe for kids") holding back the tears I try to write down everything else she is giving me but I am gone. WTF?
Run to get the kids, take them to computers (their prep) and into the data meeting. Late. I know Mrs. Henry the Principal knows I was with the kids and not just f'ing around, but it doesn't matter. My ass should be in there on time. So we go through the data meeting and then off to get the kids. We all clumsily get upstairs and they are all on 10. "Ms. Ohannes I have to take a computer to the counselors office and go do my application for..." "Ms. Ohannes I have a stomach ache can you call my mom?" "Ms. Ohannes he's farting..." ENOUGH! "We are on page 110 in your vocabulary book..." Ok, really? Did I really think I was going to be set up for success for the next 2hours and 10 minutes going in like that? In the end, my afternoon demise was my own fault. I never settled them down.( and yes, they can be settled, and I have strategies with which to do it) I engaged with a student (she got suspended) and yelled. I hate yelling. Stop laughing. Really, I HATE yelling at kids. I don't care what they do, they are still kids. So, I get them down to IAE and remind them Mrs. Henry is RIGHT NEXT DOOR doing data meetings, so now more than ever, we should be on "level zero" and do the right thing. WRONG. Next thing I know, Mrs. Henry's at the door SCREAMING (rightfully so I should add). "why aren't they on level zero? why aren't they at the computers working?" Ms. D, the other teacher in the room with me, just looks at me. We both look defeated. Now let me explain, I don't have a problem with the Principal doing her job. I have a problem with me, having my kids show her how I am not doing mine. Again, Setting expectations, getting the kids settled before we left the room...etc. They are kids. Even though she is slightly terrifying when she yells, they aren't going to be quiet because she is next door. Crap, they wouldn't care if Obama was meeting with Ahmadinejad to solve World peace next door.
So, how do I think the two days went? I realized I need to work on stricter implementation of BMC, 100%, Narration, Explaining the WHY in my lessons, and allow the loss of control....what I mean by that is be prepared for the unexpected and embrace it. I can control my lesson planning, my level of professionalism, my appearance, my demeanor but I cannot control what is going to happen from one minute to the next in the classroom. What I can do, is use the tools I have been given to handle the unexpected. Because if there's one thing I know my mentor, MRC and AUSL knows is, the unexpected is the expected. It's what you do with the unexpected that matters. Before today I couldn't have said this, but I believe it was a success. I am not expected to be a completely proficient teacher at this point in the year, although it is what we strive for. I am supposed to take the feedback and make every effort to implement it. Not argue it.
....and it shall be done.
.JPG) |
| My 8th grade students Mission statements for the school. |
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