Testing is Testing me

It's been a while since I've written.  A lot going on...personally and professionally.  Christmas break came and went.  Quicker than I could have imagined.  We are heading into the 3rd quarter, and students take A3 (third ANET assessment which was a preparation tool for PARCC which we probably won't take) in 2 weeks.  My students have all been BAS'd (Benchmark Assessment System- tells me their reading level) and shortly we will have MAP goal discussions (for the NWEA assessment)   Anyone who knows me knows I love data.  However, for a first year teacher, with no set curriculum, WHAT to teach is a challenge.  ANET sets up which standards should be taught (Common core that is) but teaching mastery of a standard in one week is an unrealistic expectation.  With BAS comes "guided reading" which, I will begin to implement in a week, and NWEA preparation demands attention the des cartes skills that, we are no longer teaching too. But there needs to be something that proves growth and the fact that teaching and learning is going on.  So I don't spend a lot of time lamenting these tests, but allow myself moments to verbally curse out the testing gods...and then I roll back on track.

What I've come to realize is, my kids benefit through 3 things:  1. a calm and safe climate and culture in the school and classroom,  2.  Consistent teaching and learning,  regardless of what standard or strand, and 3. steady, continued attendance at school.

With regard to the first one, the culture and climate, I am proud to say 90% of our staff is committed to this value.   I feel support not only from administration (best Dean on the west side, easily!)  but primary teachers as well.  Everyone hold students accountable which is how it must be.  Yes, there is the occasional teacher who shares their feelings that something is "not my job" but it is pretty rare and for that I am thankful.  My grade level partner and I get each others back with our students every time.  There is no running to mom when you are mad at dad!  My kids know what is expected during instruction and as a result, I can play music, that they like, and have admin walk in my classroom and see students intent on the task at hand. 

Second, consistent teaching and learning.  Yes, I lose my voice on the regular, yes, my feet hurt like hell at the end of the week, no, I don't get a prep or lunch most days, but it is worth it!  I teach like my pants are on fire and for that, I can say my kids are learning.  Even when they are in the lunchroom, or hall, "money language" is required!  From the moment they are in my care, until they walk out the door, scholarly behavior is a must.  Teaching happens in ever space in the school!  

Last, attendance.  My attendance is steady at 97%.  YES, I work hard for this number!  Every parent has my cell phone number and EVERY day I call each and every parent or auntie or grandma when a student isn't present by 8:45am.  School starts at 8:30am.  If your student is not in the building by 8:45am they are late and therefore they are missing teaching and learning.  At least once a week I get someone's parent or guardian who tells me their child "isn't feeling well" or "can't get to school because...".  Sure, kids get sick and occasionally need to stay home to prevent effecting all the other students, but headaches and sniffles don't fly with me!  I have found shoes and clothing for students whose parents call and tell me their child can't come because they are without these items, I have picked students up in the morning who's parents were unable to get their student to school, I have given a parent money to get their student to school when bus cards were not available.  They have to be at school to receive instruction!

I have one student who has missed 12 days this year.  His mother doesn't understand how dire the situation is now.  He has missed for suspensions, ditching school and having to take his grandma to the doctor.  She thinks he can make up the work and he will be ok.  She doesn't get it.  I finally had to tell her your son is looking at the strong reality he will be retained in 6th grade.  She said she'd come to school the next day so we could make a plan.  She didn't show.  No call.  No message.

Another student who's mom doesn't send her daughter when it rains or snows.  She allows her daughter to make excuses for missed days and work.  Pulls her out to take her to winter wonderland at Navy pier.  Her daughter was one of the highest in the class.  She is now slipping, her reading is getting worse, and she has been out a week.

Then there is the student whose mother put her in a behavioral hospital for 2 weeks because she runs away.  I visited her there.  Brought her work because if nothing else, this girl does all her school work.  She told me she doesn't feel safe at home.  She comes back to school and we hear she has run away and hasn't been home since Friday.  But she came to school.  Now, her mom is threatening to send her back to the hospital so she is ditching school.  She never ditches school.  Mom still hasn't come to school to discuss a plan.

My point in all of this is, the kids have to be at school in order to learn.  Until a student is 16, it is the parent's responsibility to make sure their kid is AT school.  We are doing everything we can at school to provide the best Free and Public education for our students.  We are definitely held accountable- via data, on may levels.  How do we hold parents accountable? 

First and 10 in the Second Quarter....

So it's safe to say my first quarter of teacher has gone better than the 2014 season for the Bears.  As a friend posted recently, "For the $142,388,905 14-15 salaries and projected $116,948,249 16-17 salaries, the McCaskey family should consider an annual evaluation system similar to what teachers have to go thru each year to keep our, "high paying and glamorous" jobs. I'm sure all my teacher friends would be happy to help write an evaluation tool."  Preach.  I could easily think of "4 Domains" for their high paid A$$, but I digress...

I have my first quarter of being a new teacher in a first year turnaround school under my belt.  I can honestly say I can't imagine it going any better than it did considering what we have in terms of resources and parent involvement.  I have a wide range of personalities in my class - from the classic over-achiever to the lazy, unmotivated can barely keep his head off the desk student.  I love them all. My grade level partner is amazing and keeps my spirit up when I need it.  The majority of our school is made up of first year teachers out of the residency.  There is a special bond we share and it is so special to be a part of an amazing undertaking and ministry because that is what this is...my ministry.

The days are long - 6:30-6:30 at the school, then home for more work until I drop, 10 or 11pm.  Lesson plans are due on Friday morning by 8am.  I have missed this deadline once and honestly, my plans ended up being better because of it.  The long days go by fast and the sense of urgency is real.  I can honestly say my colleagues and I work like a well oiled machine.  The machine still being built of course, but we run smooth.  I never bat an eye when another teacher sticks a kid in my room to refocus and likewise, they don't miss a beat when I stick a 6th grader in their line to refocus and "sit criss cross applesauce and a bubble in their mouth." LOL

Our principal is a woman of few words, but when she shares it is direct and meaningful.  She is kind, introverted and passionate.  It is easy to be inspired with good leadership.   She went out of her way to bring in massage therapists for the teachers during our PD day.  It is the small things.  From the instructional perspective, which, is my area of focus for growth (domains 1a, 1c, 1d and 1e to be exact...lol), I have unexpected resources, including an AUSL coach who is wonderful and a colleague that with only one year under her belt, is a wealth of knowledge and willing to share with me any time of day or night (thanks Laquita!) 

One areas of contention I must address is the terrible conditions the school is left in due to the scandalous contract with Armark.  The bathrooms are dirty, classrooms are not cleaned, and often are left in worse shape than we leave them in at the end of the day.  I have gone so far as to buy a wet and dry swiffer and have classroom jobs for the kids (other colleagues have done so as well).  We hear the mayor is coming to visit soon so maybe the floors will actually get mopped, but honestly, I'd rather he see how they really leave the school so he can see what a terrible job they are doing.  It is a FAR cry from Tim Cawley's statement, "They will be as clean as hospitals."  Sorry dude, not even close.  What also sucks about this is the fact that my principal has to take ANY time away from her focus which is climate, culture and instruction to reprimand an incompetent Aramark manager who never shuts up...but does nothing.  I literally cleaned the drinking fountains with Clorox wipes last week because I didn't want my kids to drink out of them the way they were. 

Anyway, we are a quarter in and aside from the normal growing pains, we are getting it done!  The kids see and understand it is a different school than years past and love it.  They are smart, funny, loving, under served children who are finally getting the Free and Public Education they deserve.  It is their right after all. 

Shout out to all the first year turnaround teams -  Team Dvorak, Team Gresham and Team McNair!  Don't forget the peaks in between the valleys.  They are there because of you!!!

Change CAN and DOES happen

3 weeks in.  I LOVE being a teacher!  It's the most difficult challenge in my professional life yet, but it is already the most rewarding.  I also know it's about THESE kids.  They are special and need more than most kids in surrounding suburbs.  I knew this coming in and am prepared for the challenge.  That means having to do it again and do it again and do it again until its right, so that process and procedures are set for a productive setting for teaching and learning.  Also, mental health issue are real.  I have never felt more compelled to write a politician than I do right now.  Our babies need help.  Medication, social workers and school psychologists are not an optional support nor should they be an itinerant position.  Our students need and deserve help so they can function in a general education school setting.

Anyway.... I have 25 babies in my homeroom.  My grade level partner Erica has 26. We are still figuring out seating charts and who can't sit next to whom, but other than that, no pure insanity has ensued in our rooms.  Transitions are a bit rough, but we are getting there.  I am so lucky to have a smart, experienced in life, loving, funny grade level partner!  She give and receives feedback and is collaborative.  I don't know what I would do if she left now!  Also, I am lucky enough to have several residents and friends at my school from last year.  Our music teacher, Kendra is across the hall from me.  The kids love her!  Also, Laquita has been a godsent!  She did more for me in one pre school meeting yesterday morning than any other coach has yet this year.  Thank you girl!  Last, it's nice to see Patrigna in the halls with her Kinder kids!  She actually brought one up and set him in my room for an hour for a consequence when he misbehaved.  I have shared with my misbehaving boys they may spend some time in her room if they continue to act like they belong there!  Last, the entire school community, all the new teachers,security and admin are amazing.  Everyone really seems to be there for the same reason  - the kids!  This shows itself in being supportive and kind to colleagues and parents.  I know Erica and I are not the only ones who have reached out to every parent by now.

I know this will be an important year for many of my students.  I have 7 in my class alone repeating 6th grade.  One boy that will be going straight to high school from me.  Yesterday, when he was saying goodbye (I have ALL my homeroom students greet me and say goodbye) he said, "you were serious when you said you were going to be on me!  Noone (has) done that before."  That made me feel good, but so sad for him.  He's not a behavior problem, just a little spacy and while a BIG kid, soft spoken.  Why did teachers give up on him along the way?  He has made improvement in THREE damn weeks, what could have happen in 3 years?  Furthermore, while doing our friday afternoon peace circle, one of the students shared, " we are so lucky to have Principal Whinney (it's Whitney) and her crew.  Ya'll don't play but we need it"  He was right.  We play, but not with students lives.  That's why students don't run the halls, classrooms or school anymore.  Adults do.  You deserve that as a CHILD to have adults in place to teach you right from wrong.  To model good behavior and hold you accountable.  That is why I don't let you sleep or put your head down in class.  That is why you may not say "Finna" in school.  That is why you must look and talk college-ready at Dvorak School of Excellence (DSOE).  Because we are here to make sure you become the best you can be.  I love you too much to ignore your behavior and not make you do it correctly.  That is my job. That is my calling.

But the media won't cover all the amazing things happening at DSOE.  After making sure the argument was made  publicly that ADULTS were being treated unfairly by a school turnaround, you won't cover the amazing changes effecting Kids.  Because that would be too crazy, right?  To show that something GOOD is happening and Change is Possible?

Here's to an amazing start to an amazing year!

We are Ready!

T-11 hours until I meet my babies.  Room 305, 6th Grade at Dvorak School of Excellence.  I'm ready.

Rewind a couple months....

I was hired at Dvorak School of Excellence.  A first year turn around school.  Entirely new staff, including the Principal, Assistant Principal, Security, Teachers...  Am I up for the challenge?  Hell yes.  This is what I trained for.  This is why I left corporate and applied for AUSL's program.  Why I gave up a year of my life, income and pretty much social contact.  All the Residency year tears, screaming matches with my Mentor (who ROCKS!!!XOXO), lack of sleep, and discovery of my self as a teacher...all prepared me for this!

So now we get ready!  We are told we will not have any money for supplies, for ourselves or our kids.  No problem.  $2000 out of pocket, Donors Choose.  Adopt-a-Classroom.  Done.  Can't get into our classroom until a week before and no one to help? Ok... Rent a U-haul with Brittany and her amazing brother shows up.  Classroom has to be ready to go by Friday for an admin walk -through.  Oh, and the classroom environment checklist is about 75 items deep, including: a plant, curtains, a lamp, college gear, fabric bulletin boards, read aloud shown, marker board configuration, quotes....  Is it alot?  Yes.  Do I mind?  No.  Our students spend more time during the school year with us than anywhere else.  If I can help make an environment warm and inviting so they feel happy and safe in school then it is worth it!  (thank you Alex and Shelly for your help and plant!!!)

So now it's Sunday, two days before we open.  Almost every teacher in in the school by 9am, voluntarily.  Most have family and friends in helping, getting it done.  Most of us leave at 7pm that night.  We still don't have garbage cans in our classrooms, or anywhere in the school for that matter.  The bathrooms have no toilet paper or soap, the stairs were not waxed even though they were supposed to be.   My principal's parents have been at school for over a week helping out.  They are there today as well.  My principal looks tired, as we all know she has been working 18+ hour days.  Some of us offer to come in on Monday (labor day) She absolutely will not allow us to.  She pushes us to take a day to get prepared and tells us we are the ones who have the most important work on Tuesday.   We know she will have everything we need for our first day complete.  She has under promised and over delivered since day 1.  She is a great leader.

Today.  I go through lesson plans.  First day plans.  20 pages.  I rewrite them into a power point for myself so I have a go to.  Review all the documents and reading for the week.   I hydrate.  You laugh, but tomorrow, I will be with my kids from 8:15 until 3:30 quite possibly no break.  I am ready.

I have gradually started to relax and stop defending my profession.  A comment here or there, but I generally leave it alone.  I am amazed by the ignorance, yet slowly starting to not care.  Working in a school, and a turnaround school even more, is not for the weak.  When most people don't know much about a topic, or know they could never work in a certain space, they put it down, or make light of it. I was one of those people so I get it.  I do.  The only difference is, I have done your job, working in corporate America.   So I laugh, because I know "you" could never do this:

Show up and leave everything personal at the door,
Take on the problems and challenges of 60-100 kids and empathize, not sympathize,
Not check your phone all day for personal calls or texts,
Bring food and personal products for students and give continually and unconditionally, 
Pee once, if you are lucky, between the hours of 8:15 and 3:30.
Stay after the kids leave, until everything is ready for the next day and finally eat that lunch you brought,
Lean on your fellow teachers, and truly be strong enough for them to lean of you as well,
Be a true team player for the good of a school culture that DEPENDS on your positive vibes and ability to give beyond 100% all the time,
Get paid less than $20 and hour when you average the time,
exist in a society that not only does not value your work,
but truly believes you, "babysit" for a living.....


As we left the school yesterday, several kids came running across the street, "Are you our new teachers?"  We just smile and said, "yes we are."  I almost cried.  I have never been prouder of anything in my life.  I am a teacher!

Best of luck to all my teacher friends, my AMAZING Dvorak fellow teachers and staff, and especially Cohort 43 and my touchstone Keviyona Ray.  (Every day the first week... Once a week after that!!)  Let's change lives!!!!

Pics of my classroom!

Ignorance is not Bliss

So this post was going to be about the trials and tribulations I have had over the last month with getting ready to go back to school- things like having to purchase 66 kids all their school supplies and all my classroom supplies, not getting paid and having to wait until mid-september and worrying if my lessons will be engaging enough to make my 6th grade babies love me.  But it all seems so selfish when an unarmed 18-year old gets gunned down in the street and a 9 year old gets shot after innocently running out of the house.  I am filled with an anxiety and urgency for my students to want to do better than all us adults are doing.  They must do better......

I waited.  I waited in my ignorant bubble that maybe they didn't shoot an unarmed boy.  I waited.  I waited for the Sunday morning news shows to have on their roundtable guests and help me understand.  And then, I got angry.  Angry that an unarmed boy walking down the street was shot, REGARDLESS of what he had done or was doing.  Angry that if my brother who was mischievous at 18, was walking down the middle of the street he would be asked to move to the sidewalk.  Angry that no one told Michael Brown how to act when he gets into an altercation with a police officer, particularly, white, and even more angry that that conversation HAS TO HAPPEN.  I feel helpless that as a 43 year old white woman I haven't done enough, and embarrassed that I joke with some of my best friends that are black that "they forget I am white" because, I will never bear the burden they do.   The burden for their children's safety, especially their sons. Not only on the streets but in the classroom too.  A close friend is moving her son out of the school he was at because even as an educator, she can do nothing about a teacher that "just hates little black boys."

It is too easy to not discuss, or to say it is "their" problem when you stick you head in a hole and don't understand what is happening.  A 9 year-old was shot after running out of his house because his mommy wouldn't give him cake.   He was just being a kid.  Shots rang out at the Bud Billiken day parade.  Homicides for children under 18 are up and the life of a black or brown child is basically a crap shoot if they live in the "wrong" part of town.

So now the blame game begins.  The cops.  The Mayor.  The gangs.  And every time we take the time to place blame, we are not appropriating our time to working to make things better.  Our children can DO better than this and DESERVE better than this!

I get crap all the time from friends and family, that "I need to be careful" where I work, how I talk to the gang bangers outside my house, what I say at police CAP meetings but WTF?  I have a voice that I am choosing to use to attempt to make things better.  Our kids do not run our streets without the adults allowing them to do so!  They do not grow up hating another race unless they see it modeled at home and in their lives.  I understanding wanting to live somewhere your kids can play outside without the fear of gun violence but why do my nephews who are the loves of my life, deserve it anymore than Antonio Murry???

Children are so impressionable, and observe everything.  Today, an old student from Al Raby helped me move into my classroom and assemble some items.  He was talking about a million different things at one time, as kids/young adults do, when he blurted out, " I mean, I wish there was more diversity where I went to school and grew up."  It stopped me cold.  I asked him, "what do you mean?" To which he replied, "I mean like more white kids and latino kids...."

Another student from last year texted me today.  We went back and forth a bit as I answered some questions about high school which he is starting in 2 weeks.  His last text was, "how is Noah doing?  Is he still sick?"  Noah, is my 3-year old nephew.  He wanted to know how he was.  I got choked up.  He had met him once, on my way back from the aquarium, and I stopped at school on a saturday when he was there.

Both these young men are smart, kind, respectful, funny and black.  How are they any different than kids in Lake Forest or Wilmette?  Besides having less money?   Why are they so innocent and honest that they have not been scarred or pulled into the fray?  Good parents? Teachers? Mentors?

I am moving next year and will be moving south.  I am looking in the community where I teach.  I am aware of the controversy it will bring with my family and love them all for loving me and will love them through their ignorance.  But I am hopeful that I will chip away as they see the life I live and the joy living in a community I am an active participant in brings me.

We cannot begin to conquer the issues Chicago has until we acknowledge the color and see the beauty in it- black, white, brown, whatever color it may be, and work together to believe all children deserve and require the same love, respect and discipline.  Period.  Your baby isn't your friend, the kid down the street isn't "lil man" and you don't let him smoke with you.  Your child isn't going to get mugged walking down the street in North Lawndale, and crossing the street when your perception of "hoodlums" is walking towards you IS offensive.  Really.  Please teach all our children better. And if you aren't up for the challenge.  Please, Please choose not to have children and fulfill your need for something to love you another way.  Help us let ALL kids be kids again. Celebrate the Jackie Robinson West Little Leaguers, and the Louder than a Bomb poetry slam winners and acknowledge the good.


RIP Antonio Murry

I Don't Make Excuses, I Make Results

Hey all! I can't believe 5 weeks went by that quickly!  Like a blink of an eye, and BAM!  We are in summer academy (summer professional development for AUSL) I'd love to be able to say I had a "carefree" 5 weeks but the planner in me almost had a stroke!  Don't get me wrong, I've worked in the turnaround setting for 4 years so I get and accept the unknown, but OH MY GOD I am running out of room in my house!!!  I have classroom crap EVERYWHERE! :)

So I am teaching 6th grade ELA/Social Science.  I'm excited!  I have poured over the data and I am ready!  I got the basic curriculum we are using which is Prentice Hall, for ELA, and I am lucky since I used it in my residency year.  We are going to be using DBQ's for social science and again, I used these in my residency so I am super lucky!  Since we are going to BAS all our kids, I spent time this summer with several of my closest co-teachers leveling books....1500 to be exact!   I completed a DonorsChoose project for a classroom set of "The Giver" which will be our first novel, and I raised a substantial amount of money so I may purchase all the supplies and book bins I need for my class and my babies.

My classroom theme is going to be: "NO EXCUSES UNIVERSITY" with an underlying motif of HBCU's and of course, pink and black as my colors.  I tried to stay away from gang colors that post near the school or North Lawndale.  That in and of itself made me sad.  Anyway, everyone had their theme so quickly but I knew it had to be a reflection of me, and my hopes and dreams and expectations for my classroom. So there it is.  My grade level partner is a friend from my cohort, Erica Brunson.  I am SOOO lucky to have a competent, responsive, awesome partner!!  We have already started planning and she is amazing.  I love everything she comes up with!  I am also blessed to have another middle school teacher from my cohort, Brittany Dellasanta.  She's like the little sister I always wanted!  She's become like a family member and my nephew says prayers for her at night.  Thank God I have some people I can trust around me this year!!

I have kept in touch with my mentor, Keviyona Ray, who is even now still giving me strength and encouragement going into this year!  I can't wait to share stories with her about stuff I worked on in my residency and how my kids respond!  I have also received encouragement from my mentors and friends, Femi Skanes and Randal Josserand.  They both help me believe in myself and furthermore, allow me to believe there are good people, doing good work in our schools and networks.
Sometimes the negative press gets you down.  I hope to do right by my kids first and foremost, but these people as well who have invested so much time, energy and love.

I wanted to lead my year with my "NO EXCUSES" mantra because it will be so for me as much as it is for my kids.  My NLU advisor, Janet Lorch gave me some awesome advice during my spring lead teach when I was struggling because I had some tech issues and I came across some stumbling blocks.  She said, "No one want to hear the negative or the excuse why you CAN'T, they want to see what you CAN do in the face of adversity."  Janet was an angel this entire year, but this piece of advice was probably the best I receive throughout the entire residency.  I will have plan B's, bounce back when things fail, and show compassion when others struggle around me and pick them up. Together we will kick adversity's ass and make Dvorak School of Excellence the BEST on WEST!

Let me Clear my Throat

Finally.  I exhaled.  School is over.  Graduation school is over.  I have completed my second Master's degree, a Master of Arts in Teaching.  Funny, I never thought anything would feel as good as receiving my MBA.  But this was so much better.  So much more...real.

I went out to celebrate with my brother and sister in law last night as they graciously offered to take me out for dinner.  I had gotten soaked in the storm, my flip flop broke and my nail had chipped.  I looked REAL good.  I should have known something was up when, my almost 3 year old nephew, (the Nugget as most of you know him) fell and cut his lip.  There was blood and he was so upset.  After checking on him, my brother said, "ok let's you and I go and Katie will meet us there."  I was like, "Dude, your kid might need stitches, we aren't going anywhere!"  He was all, "YES WE ARE!" As it turned out, Nugget was ok and we all left together.  I thought it was odd my brother was so adamant.  As we valeted and walked into the restaurant I was none the wiser to what was about to ensue.  We walked to the back of the restaurant which, I thought was normal since we had Isaiah with us and they were going to give us some space.  But there in the back were 16 of my closest friends, there to celebrate me....organized by my brother and sister in law.  I cried because I was confused and then overwhelmed with appreciation and love.  The people in the back of that restaurant had seen me through one of the toughest but most rewarding years of my life.  When my brother gave a speech I lost it again.  Ironically, one of my best friends who couldn't be there, Dolce, organized a dinner next weekend with a bunch or girlfriends as well. Together these 2 groups of people were my support system this past year. I am beyond humbled by the love and support.  It means so much to know people understand how important the journey is I have embarked upon.
My heart is full because of you.  I wrote this in thanks for you:

Maybe you sent a text on what happen to be a rough day,

" just checking in to see if you're doing ok";

Maybe you called on a Friday night,

Knowing lesson plans were for me all that were in sight;

Maybe at Starbucks you stopped by,

On a Saturday night,just to say hi;

Maybe you raised my name in prayer 

At your church, temple or synagogue, I felt you there;

Maybe you sent a care pack w stash

Filled with a pencil sharper we all hoped would last;

Maybe you posted on my wall,

To tell me you're thinking about me, that's all;

I am blessed beyond the my wildest dreams, 

with friends and family who support me;

Whatever it was and no matter how small, 

I wouldn't be here without you all.

Thank you to everyone near and far who supported, loved and celebrated my journey.  

It takes a village to educate our youth and you are part of that village for me. 

I may or may not blog over the summer, because, contrary to popular believe, there is MUCH to be done.  Once I get my grade level, there is data to pour over, common core to align with des cartes skill strands, unit planning, 3 weeks of professional development and of course - getting my classroom ready!

If you would like to support my classroom, please click the link below or feel free to forward.  Thank you so much in advance!  And thank you EVERYONE that has lent their continued support!  I get every ounce of energy and inspiration from you.

Click HERE to Adopt my Classroom!

You cannot expect people to understand your grind. It is not theirs to make sense of, it's yours. Stay focused and fulfill your destiny.                -Tsepiso Makhubedu