Classes start tomorrow and I have to admit, I'm excited.
I really, really enjoy being in the classroom and it doesn't matter if I am the student or teacher. Either one suits me just fine, and in the past year I have figured out, that it is one of the places I am most happy.
We have had a full month off for the holidays at my university, which is a week longer than most. It's been great, but I'm ready to get back into my regular routine of substitute teaching and attending classes.
When I first started writing this blog post, I thought, why would I talk about the classes I'm taking? Nobody wants to hear about that, but you know what? It's boring. But, it's my blog, and I want to write about it! Maybe some of you won't find it so boring!
This semester I am taking SIX classes. This is only slightly insane for graduate school.
Ok. It IS insane. I don't have much of a choice though.
My program isn't a traditional MBA or other graduate program though. It's basically a teacher prep program with a graduate student component thrown in. We do the same work as the undergraduates do, but we have something extra do during the semester, which is usually research. I've mentioned this before, but I LOVE research. I love searching for articles and analyzing the data. Which, makes me seriously considering working on a PhD someday. That's a post for another day, though.
This semester I'm taking quite the mixed bag... Since I am working on four endorsements, I always end up focusing mostly on one each semester. This semester it's ESL (English as a Second Language) and a couple of middle school classes and reading classes. I'm loading up on as many endorsements as possible, in hopes that I will be more marketable when I finish and begin looking for a permanent position.
So, the classes.
1. American History - Yes, I'm taking an American History class and I AM SO EXCITED about this one, I'm probably the most excited about this one, but also nervous because I'm sure it will be a lot of reading. This class will contribute towards my middle school endorsement. The MS endorsement is all content area classes, and I'm looking forward to it because they're basically electives to me! Most of the endorsement is already satisfied with undergraduate work (which is great for the pocketbook) but I think I will have to take about 4 classes to earn this endorsement.
2. ESL Methods - In this class we will learn how to teach ELL students, I'm pretty sure this requires time in the classroom as well, which is great!
3. Science Methods - Like the PE Methods class I took last semester, this class teaches us how to teach science! All of the methods classes require so many hours in the classroom (usually 10)
4. Social Studies Methods - Just like ESL and Science, we learn how to teach Social Studies! This is one of my favorite subjects, so I can't wait to get my hands on some content!
5. Issues and Assessment in English Language Learners - I'm not sure what this class entails quite yet, but it's taught by my advisor and I really like her! She was an ESL teacher at my middle school growing up - but of course I didn't know her because I wasn't an ESL student. ;)
6. Literacy Assessment and Instruction 2 - I took the first class in this series of classes for my reading endorsement in the fall and enjoyed it. It was mainly a class that taught the many different assessments for reading in elementary aged students. I wish I could say I enjoy the classes for my reading endorsement, but I really don't. I find them rather boring. I hope they get interesting soon...
Fun fact: in Iowa, the reading endorsement is what the ESL endorsement is to states like Texas and California. With this combination of endorsements I'm pretty sure I could teach anywhere in the US. Although I do not plan on moving out of Iowa, you really never know.
Did you make it through all of that? Really? You rock.
For those of you off today, I hope you take a moment to think about the significance of this holiday. For those of you not off today, I hope you also take a moment.
If you could take any class on any subject, what would you take? What was your favorite subject to study in school?
Showing posts with label Education. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Education. Show all posts
Monday, January 16, 2012
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Urban middle school ramblings....
I have a million things I could be blogging about, but I just don't feel like it. I'm feeling very blah.
I'm subbing today, and I'm really bored because they're writing in their journals and then watching the end of The Polar Express. I'm also giving myself a headache because I've got one eye on the computer and the other eye on them. Ok, not literally. That would look crazy. It feels like it though.
Anyway, I'm just going to ramble. Go ahead and enjoy. Or leave now if you don't like rambling.
Today I'm back at the same middle school I have been at since Friday. It's another very urban school, which are my favorite schools. I love these kids. They're not touting the latest iPhone or iPad or wearing an outfit more expensive then my monthly salary (ok, maybe that's dramatic, but I wonder sometimes!) they're, in my eyes, completely normal. Being able to buy whatever you want or ask your parents for whatever you want is not average, and that kind of privilege just gets on. my. last. nerve. Don't get me wrong, I'm not angry with those kids that are wealthy, they have no idea how lucky they are. You can't be mad at someone for something they have no idea about. You can however be mad at the fact that innocent kids are growing up without as many resources or basic needs. And those kids? They're well aware of what they don't have.
These kids make me happy, but sad and sometimes angry all at the same time. Sometimes they're downright rude and disrespectful, but most of the time? If I tell them they're rude, they will shape right up. They hate to be told they're rude. Tell a suburban 8th grader she's rude, and she will probably smirk at you. Then smile.
Don't tell me that wouldn't piss you off.
I love being able to bounce around between districts and learn from multiple kinds of classrooms. Sometimes I think I'm getting just as much out of subbing, as I am from my classes. Wait, I know I am getting just as much out of it. Of course, there are days where I spend the majority of my time reading (for fun) or studying for my own classes while students watch a movie or work independently. That classroom management experience does not come on it's own though. Most of the time students are not going to automatically work for a substitute teacher.
The other day I was in the teachers lounge and another sub was asking me how I establish control right away. I had a really hard time articulating how I do it. I don't really know what I do. I do know, however, what I don't do.
I don't raise my voice. I don't make them do anything I wouldn't do. I treat them as adults (they're in middle school or high school!) until they've lost that privilege. I'm never rude first. I don't talk down to them. I don't tell them to do something without telling them why. I don't frown the entire day. I don't act all secretive or like things are confidential. I rarely send students to the office.
Which all translates to...
I make them feel as important as I possibly can. I'm constantly smiling and try to make myself approachable. I make time for a little fun. I remind them that if they are cool with me, I will be cool with them. (I say that line a lot). I use positive reinforcement sparingly and I make it meaningful.
The school I'm at today though? Two kids I have in class are on house arrest. One was talking about a time he brought a gun to school. Most of them do not come with paper and pencil. I doubt most of them have had breakfast. Several of them look like they haven't slept. I choose to be here though.
Not because I have to either. A district in the suburbs called me three times this morning and I love that district. There they can take the content up to a higher level with the students instead of keeping it at just the basic level. The teachers are extremely enthusiastic and can try new things. The technology is top of the line, and there are more resources than you could possibly need.
It feels good to have other substitute teachers ask me what my tricks are. It feels good to be there for students that may not get very much support at home. It feels good when they remember me, and want me to be their permanent teacher.
I may leave at the end of the day feeling exhausted and mentally drained from having to stay on my toes literally every second of the day, but 99.9% of the time, I leave feeling like I at least made some sort of impact on their day, week, month or possibly their life.
I'm subbing today, and I'm really bored because they're writing in their journals and then watching the end of The Polar Express. I'm also giving myself a headache because I've got one eye on the computer and the other eye on them. Ok, not literally. That would look crazy. It feels like it though.
Anyway, I'm just going to ramble. Go ahead and enjoy. Or leave now if you don't like rambling.
Today I'm back at the same middle school I have been at since Friday. It's another very urban school, which are my favorite schools. I love these kids. They're not touting the latest iPhone or iPad or wearing an outfit more expensive then my monthly salary (ok, maybe that's dramatic, but I wonder sometimes!) they're, in my eyes, completely normal. Being able to buy whatever you want or ask your parents for whatever you want is not average, and that kind of privilege just gets on. my. last. nerve. Don't get me wrong, I'm not angry with those kids that are wealthy, they have no idea how lucky they are. You can't be mad at someone for something they have no idea about. You can however be mad at the fact that innocent kids are growing up without as many resources or basic needs. And those kids? They're well aware of what they don't have.
These kids make me happy, but sad and sometimes angry all at the same time. Sometimes they're downright rude and disrespectful, but most of the time? If I tell them they're rude, they will shape right up. They hate to be told they're rude. Tell a suburban 8th grader she's rude, and she will probably smirk at you. Then smile.
Don't tell me that wouldn't piss you off.
I love being able to bounce around between districts and learn from multiple kinds of classrooms. Sometimes I think I'm getting just as much out of subbing, as I am from my classes. Wait, I know I am getting just as much out of it. Of course, there are days where I spend the majority of my time reading (for fun) or studying for my own classes while students watch a movie or work independently. That classroom management experience does not come on it's own though. Most of the time students are not going to automatically work for a substitute teacher.
The other day I was in the teachers lounge and another sub was asking me how I establish control right away. I had a really hard time articulating how I do it. I don't really know what I do. I do know, however, what I don't do.
I don't raise my voice. I don't make them do anything I wouldn't do. I treat them as adults (they're in middle school or high school!) until they've lost that privilege. I'm never rude first. I don't talk down to them. I don't tell them to do something without telling them why. I don't frown the entire day. I don't act all secretive or like things are confidential. I rarely send students to the office.
Which all translates to...
I make them feel as important as I possibly can. I'm constantly smiling and try to make myself approachable. I make time for a little fun. I remind them that if they are cool with me, I will be cool with them. (I say that line a lot). I use positive reinforcement sparingly and I make it meaningful.
The school I'm at today though? Two kids I have in class are on house arrest. One was talking about a time he brought a gun to school. Most of them do not come with paper and pencil. I doubt most of them have had breakfast. Several of them look like they haven't slept. I choose to be here though.
Not because I have to either. A district in the suburbs called me three times this morning and I love that district. There they can take the content up to a higher level with the students instead of keeping it at just the basic level. The teachers are extremely enthusiastic and can try new things. The technology is top of the line, and there are more resources than you could possibly need.
It feels good to have other substitute teachers ask me what my tricks are. It feels good to be there for students that may not get very much support at home. It feels good when they remember me, and want me to be their permanent teacher.
I may leave at the end of the day feeling exhausted and mentally drained from having to stay on my toes literally every second of the day, but 99.9% of the time, I leave feeling like I at least made some sort of impact on their day, week, month or possibly their life.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Ten Days of Thanksgiving - Day 1
This year I am starting something new - a series of posts the ten days before Thanksgiving that chronicle the things I have been grateful for this year. Lisa has been doing this feature on her blog for four years now and I am excited to be able to participate!
Today I am thankful for...
So much has changed for me this year. I began an official teaching career and I began grad school full time.
I may be "just a sub" but each day I am in the classroom I am learning more and more about classroom management.I get ideas for what I want to do in my own classroom. I learn about different schools in the area and figure out what kind of administration I like and don't like.
The experience I am gaining from substitute teaching is going to benefit me in so many ways. I have a rare opportunity to see and work in all the schools in my area and this gives me a chance to figure out what works and what doesn't work. Despite only teaching approximately 60ish days, so far this year I have already seen schools that do not function well and schools that run like a well oiled machine. I have experienced the extreme privilege in the suburban schools and the heartbreaking lack of resources in the urban schools. I have been surprised by which students I prefer teaching and which students I prefer to avoid.
I have met principals and teachers that have knocked my socks off with their motivation, passion and drive and I have met others that seem interested in only gossiping and complaining about their students.
For the first time in almost three years I have felt that same fire and passion that I felt for Club Libby Lu. Kind of crazy to compare something as important as a child's education to a retail chain that had to close it's doors after 9 years, but it's the honest truth.
I'm thankful that I had the confidence to make this happen. I know many people wouldn't do it and are too afraid of the risks associated with quitting your job at age 28 and going to graduate school full time. I'm afraid of those risks too, but I'm more afraid of being bitter and burnt out at much too young age.
I've always said that 40+ hours a week is too much time to spend doing something you hate. I don't understand people that let themselves continue to despise their work life and I refuse to be one of them.
So, today I am thankful for this opportunity to change careers in my late twenties and the courage to go against the grain. It feels amazing. :)
When was the last time you went against the norm and did something you believed in?
Today I am thankful for...
The opportunities I have had this year and all of the positive changes.
So much has changed for me this year. I began an official teaching career and I began grad school full time.
I may be "just a sub" but each day I am in the classroom I am learning more and more about classroom management.I get ideas for what I want to do in my own classroom. I learn about different schools in the area and figure out what kind of administration I like and don't like.
The experience I am gaining from substitute teaching is going to benefit me in so many ways. I have a rare opportunity to see and work in all the schools in my area and this gives me a chance to figure out what works and what doesn't work. Despite only teaching approximately 60ish days, so far this year I have already seen schools that do not function well and schools that run like a well oiled machine. I have experienced the extreme privilege in the suburban schools and the heartbreaking lack of resources in the urban schools. I have been surprised by which students I prefer teaching and which students I prefer to avoid.
I have met principals and teachers that have knocked my socks off with their motivation, passion and drive and I have met others that seem interested in only gossiping and complaining about their students.
For the first time in almost three years I have felt that same fire and passion that I felt for Club Libby Lu. Kind of crazy to compare something as important as a child's education to a retail chain that had to close it's doors after 9 years, but it's the honest truth.
I'm thankful that I had the confidence to make this happen. I know many people wouldn't do it and are too afraid of the risks associated with quitting your job at age 28 and going to graduate school full time. I'm afraid of those risks too, but I'm more afraid of being bitter and burnt out at much too young age.
I've always said that 40+ hours a week is too much time to spend doing something you hate. I don't understand people that let themselves continue to despise their work life and I refuse to be one of them.
So, today I am thankful for this opportunity to change careers in my late twenties and the courage to go against the grain. It feels amazing. :)
When was the last time you went against the norm and did something you believed in?
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