Oh, No! He's Failing - Now What?

A few years back I had a girl in my class who simply could not meet the standards. I worked with her one-on-one and in small groups every day and did everything that I possibly could do to help her. I knew that if she had just one more year, she would get it.

From the minute that I realized that she was in danger of failing, I started to contact her mother. I called her and left multiple voicemails, I sent notes home and I even sent letters in the mail. The problem was that I never heard back from the parent.

When the end of the year came and I was packing up my classroom during post-planning, I got called to my principal's office. The parent was mad and said that I never contacted her to tell her that her daughter was failing. She truly believed that if she knew then she could have done something to help her. Guess what? Because I had no proof besides my personal notes that I had tried to contact her, the principal took her side and the child was administratively promoted to the next grade. Of course she was unsuccessful in passing that grade and was retained that year, but she really could have benefited from another year with me. I felt like I failed her myself.

Being that it's the middle of the school year, I'm sure you have an idea of who in your class might not pass. Now is the time to start acting on it. I'm here to help you so that you don't run into the same problem as I did.

The first thing you need to do is try to have a meeting with the parents or guardians and the student. The student needs to be there so that he/she can hear and help develop a plan for the rest of the school year.

If you cannot get anyone in for a conference, let the student know that you will be contacting his/her parents or guardians. If messages go unreturned, try email or get a work number. If you still cannot get in touch with anyone, send a registered letter in the mail explaining the situation and asking to meet. You could also try asking a school counselor or administrator to help you out. Sometimes they are even willing to do a home visit for you. Document all attempts to have a conference and make sure an administrator is aware that the student is in danger of failing and of all the attempts you have made to discuss the situation.

Remember you are not just telling the parent that the child is failing. You want to make this clear, but you also need to express confidence in the student's ability to catch up if he/she begins improving right now. Let them know what their child must do in order to pass and how they can support them.

It may seem like a lot of work for just one child, but in the end it'll be totally worth it. Think of how much time you are spending with that child in class right now. If they are just going to get passed along anyway then you will have wasted all this time.

Figure out now who is in danger of failing and start acting on it. You don't want to be sorry come June!

Piranha Parents

We've all heard of helicopter parents and have had parents in our classrooms who just don't want to be involved, but have you ever had a piranha parent? These are the parents who are always on a lookout for any reason to attack you.

No matter how hard I try, I seem to get at least one every year. Although I am either teaching off of the county's assigned curriculum or I am using material or methods that I have found to best teach the subject at hand, there is always someone who thinks I am doing it wrong and they could do a better job than me. Aggravating? YES!! However, my job is not to argue with the parents but instead to show them that my goal is to educate their child in the best way possible.

When I have issues with parents, the factors are usually a) control issues, and/or b) differences in values, and/or c) different perceptions of the child. All three are closely related.

It's important for the parents to understand that they cannot control what happens in my classroom. Likewise, I need to understand that I cannot control what happens at their home. When we have a disagreement, I try to listen to see if there is something I can learn from the parent to improve things for the student in my class.

I try my best to step into their shoes. As a parent myself, I know how annoying it is to have a teacher who just cannot see things your way. A few years back my son was switched midyear into a new classroom due to an increase in enrollment at his school. His new teacher was surplussed from another school and went from teaching fourth grade to teaching first grade for the first time in her life. Having taught first grade myself in the past, I knew what I should expect from him. However she had a hard time transitioning and lowering her standards. We had several conferences with her and even though she knew that my husband and I were both teachers, she talked down to us and made us feel inferior. I couldn't wait until that year was over. I wished she would just step into our shoes and understand what we were going through. It wasn't that we didn't like her. I actually felt bad for her for having to be put into that position in the first place. I know it's hard to think past the yelling and harsh words, but before you act you should try to see things their way.

As important as it for me as a parent to voice my concerns about my children to their teachers, it's just as important to listen to my students' parents. The key is to not be defensive.

There will always be value differences and it is very frustrating when someone doesn't share the same values as us. As teachers we need to remember that these differences can only be bridged by respecting others' values and being willing to compromise.

Parents and teachers often have different perceptions of a student, and both are usually correct. Both of my children are crazy at home and very well-behaved and focused at school. Their teachers never believe me when I tell them how they act with me. People generally behave differently in different contexts. By sharing these perception, teachers can develop a greater understanding of their students.

The bottom line is that although you should feel confident in your knowledge of your subjects and philosophies, you should also welcome parents' perspectives and even their critical feedback. You should never be defensive and you should always try to step into their shoes. Remember that your goal is to help the student and you are never going to get them to listen to you if the parent is badmouthing you at home. Focus on working mutually and building partnerships with the parents instead.

Staff Meetings? Yes!

Wednesday. Hump Day. The middle of the work week. However, in my county every other Wednesday is an early release day. Loved by students yet dreaded by teachers.

As I sat in my early release training today I glanced down at my agenda. A representative from the National Teacher's Association speaking to us about benefits, beefing up our writing instruction to earn better standardized test scores, training on an online data collection system and last but not least, doing focus walks through each other's classrooms to see what we need to work on as a school. To a seasoned teacher, these meetings are just another Wednesday. However, I remember how stressful meetings like these were when I was a new teacher. So much information, so little time to think about it and actually implement it. No one ever thinks about the new teachers when planning these meetings.

Don't get me wrong, veteran teachers feel the same way about trainings. Just think about all of the trainings we have been through in our many years of teaching. Each one trying to tell us a new method or program to use or a new way we will be evaluated. Things change so often in education that it's hard to stay up-to-date with everything. However, veteran teachers know the secret to handling these types of trainings - think about what really matters.

I don't know any teacher who got into teaching for the money. If you ask any teacher why they chose this profession they will give you the same answer - the kids. When you become frustrated with all of the new information you are getting thrown at you, just remember that the only thing that really matters is the students.

I'm not saying that you don't need to listen during the trainings. However, instead of trying to do everything you discussed right away, prioritize all the new information based on how it will help your children and work down the list. I've mentioned my marathon story before. You can't decide you want to run a marathon and then just do it the next day. You need to take small steps. And don't worry if you choose the wrong thing to focus on. That's the beauty of being a new teacher - you can always blame it on your newness and ask for more training.

So the next time you are sitting at a staff meeting stressing out, just take a big breath and think about your students. Remember they are the reason you became a teacher.

What's Your CI?

Yesterday I came across a link on my daughter's gymnastics' Facebook page. It was titled "This One Mistake Could Be Holding You Back From Being a Great Tumbler". Of course I was curious because now that I'm in my 30's I have lost pretty much all of my ability to be a great tumbler. (Or at least I think I have. I'm actually not quite sure because I'm too afraid I'll break a bone if I try.) 

The article explained that the number one mistake tumblers make is to have a low Coachability Index (CI). Basically your CI is how willing you are to accept and implement new information from an authority you respect. There is actually a scale of 1-10 that you are rated on. 

While reading the article, I immediately thought of my first two years of teaching. While I was interning I was told that I was an "amazing teacher" and would definitely be successful anywhere I went. I think that gave me a complex because when I actually started teaching I thought that if I asked for or accepted help I would be admitting that I was a bad teacher. People always offered help and I turned it down just as fast. 

I suffered because I had a low CI. I thought I was too good for help and as a Professional Development Facilitator and mentor I see this a lot in new teachers as well as teachers who have been put on success plans due to low performance. 

A few years ago, I was a mentor to a low performing teacher. That year was one of my most stressful years as a teacher and it had nothing to do with the children. I always feel I need to be successful in everything that I do and being successful with her was just impossible. I sat with this teacher just about every day offering up advice, writing plans and helping her analyze data. Unfortunately, she had a very low CI. Every time I offered a suggestion, she became very defensive and would never try anything different. She ended each day with tears, but would tell me it had to be the kids because she knew what she was doing. Needless to say, she was not asked to return the next year. 

Teachers are ALWAYS learning. I'm not quite sure that there is a perfect teacher out there. Even teachers with over 30 years of experience can learn from novice teachers who have fresh ideas. The best thing you can do as a teacher is to accept constructive criticism and help. Don't offer up excuses when someone points out something they would have done differently. Instead, think about how you could make it better in the future. Suggestions may not always be successful for you, but they are always worth trying. 

Does you CI have room for improvement? 

Thank You, Betty!

Today is National Thank Your Mentor Day. In honor of such a great occasion, I would like to thank my mentor, Betty.

From the day that I first started teaching in Jacksonville, Betty VanGorder took me under her wing. She was an elderly lady who had taught for 30+ years and had transitioned into being the Standards Coach/Reading Recovery Teacher/Professional Development Facilitator. She truly wore a lot of hats, but the most important one was being my mentor.

As many of you know, my first two years of teaching in Massachusetts were a wreck. I was afraid to ask for help and I felt like I was like a slowly occurring avalanche just gathering more snow as the year went on. I felt suffocated by my work and knew that I wasn't helping my children. I moved to Jacksonville for a fresh start vowing to accept any and all help that was offered.

Betty knew that I had just moved to Jacksonville on my own. I didn't know anyone besides the people I worked with. She told me the day that I met her that it was her job to make me be successful. I believe that she took that job very seriously.

Betty checked on me EVERY day. Conveniently her office was right across the hall from my room. I never felt like she was in my face about anything, but instead felt as if she was a friend giving me the support I needed. When she wasn't asking me what she could help with, she was bringing snacks - mostly chocolate - and relieving stress by just coming to chat about life.

The wonderful thing about Betty was that she continued to mentor me even after I left that school three years later. She would talk to me through phone calls and emails and sometimes we would go out to lunch even after she retired.

Sadly, Betty passed away a few years ago. She truly was such an amazing person and I was so lucky to have her in my life.

Take today to thank your mentor. Most mentors go out of their way to help and they deserve to be thanked everyday!

Congrats!

I conducted business just like usual last week. I woke up each day, put on my Superhero cape, and continued to save the world from ignorance just as I always do every weekday. I didn't even realize that we have hit our halfway point of the year. It may not seem like a big deal to veteran teachers, but being halfway through your first year of teaching is HUGE! The first half of the year is always hectic for novice teachers. You spend everyday just trying to get into a routine. Although you may not fully be there yet, you can definitely see the end in sight now. You can begin your countdown to enjoying your summer off (hopefully). 

To celebrate making it this far, I welcome you into the Secret Society of Teachers. Okay, maybe there's no such group, but there are a lot of deals that teachers can take advantage of. Teachers are very underpaid. We deserve secret deals! If you join education groups such as American Federation of Teachers, you can get a lot more deals. These are just some of the deals that business offer up to us just for being fabulous:

ARTS, CRAFTS & SCHOOL SUPPLIES

1. The Container Store
   The organizational aficionados at The Container Store provide various discounts throughout the year when you sign up for the Organized Teacher Program. Register online for a free discount card to use for in-store and online purchases. If you visit a store, be sure to have your school ID.
2. Office Depot
   The free Office Depot Star Teacher Program grants privileged educators (aka those who sign up) five-percent off qualifying in-store purchases. You also get 15-percent of the price of all copy and print orders placed online or at a brick-and-mortar location.
3. Office Max
   The popular supply store offers a MaxPerks Rewards program specifically for teachers. Benefits include $10 in rewards for every $75 spent on qualifying purchases, and $2 in rewards for each ink or toner cartridge recycled. Sign-up online to get your membership card.
4. FedEx Office
   Thanks to the FedEx Office Academic Edge program you'll receive 15-percent off nearly all products, including brochures, business cards and photos. This discount is available both online and in-store.
5. Staples
   Register for the Staples Teacher Rewards Program to garner five-percent back in rewards points and free shipping from Staples.com. The program covers a slew of products, from ink and paper to teaching and art supplies. 
6. Joann Fabric
   The free Teacher Rewards Discount Card entitles educators to 15-percent off all purchases. Home schoolers are also eligible for the card and new members receive a 20-percent off bonus for signing up.
7. Hancock Fabric
   Flash your valid school ID at most Hancock Fabric retail locations and be rewarded with a discount of 10 percent on all purchases.
8. Michael's
   Receive 15% off your entire purchase every day. See a store associate for details as some exclusions may apply.
9. Hobby Lobby
   Hobby Lobby extends their 10-percent discount to a number of community organizations, including schools. The one catch is you have to pay with an organizational check or credit card.
10. Party City
    The more you spend at Party City, the bigger the discount gets. Save between 10 and 20 percent when you bring a signed letter on official letterhead from an officer of the school.
11. A.C. Moore
    A.C. Moore has increased the discount available through their Teacher Discount Program. Teachers can now save 15 percent on both regularly-priced and sale merchandise.
12. Inkjet Willy
    Inkjet Willy is a popular comparison site that helps you track down the lowest prices on ink and toner, and educators can save an extra 10 percent on orders of compatible or remanufactured cartridges using the coupon code WILLY10.
13. Pets in the Classroom
    This unique program offers K-8 teachers grants to help cover the cost of a pet for the classroom. The maximum grant amount is $150, but there are also a number of different grant types to help pay for pet supplies.
    
      
    
    BOOKS & MEDIA
    1. Barnes & Noble
       Through the B&N Educator Program teachers can save 20-percent off the publisher's list price on purchases for classroom use. During Educator Appreciation Days they offer discounts up to 25 percent.
       
    2. PBS
       Educators who sign up for the PBS LearningMedia program will receive free access to tens of thousands of videos, games, lesson plans and other educational materials for the classroom.
    3. Books-A-Million
       Certain brick-and-mortar locations grant teachers a 20-percent discount on most purchases just for asking. Call ahead to be sure your local store honors the discount and, if they don't, see if they offer a compromise.
    4. MagMall
       Teachers will receive special pricing on magazine subscriptions ordered through MagMall. Tell them the name of your school and your position there to receive discounts up to 50-percent off.
    5. The New York Times
       Teachers can get one of America’s most popular newspapers delivered to their door at half-pricethanks to their special rate for educators. Plus, the first four weeks will cost you just $0.99.
    
    
    CLOTHING
1. Ann Taylor Loft
   Fashion forward educators are rewarded for their posh style through the Loft Loves Teachersprogram. Register to get 15-percent off all in-store purchases, plus an introductory discount for new members.
2. The Limited
   Show a school ID or valid pay stub when you shop at any The Limited location and snag 15-percent off your entire in-store purchase. The offer is good for all items on the racks, walls or tables. In other words, everything.
3. Aerosoles
   Show your school ID at Aerosoles stores and take 15-percent off any footwear purchase of $39.99 or more.
4. New York and Co.
   New York and Co. grants any educator with a valid school ID 15-percent off every in-store purchase.
5. J. Crew 
   Visit the local J. Crew, flash your school ID, and be rewarded with 15-percent off designer duds from the dapper dudes. This discount is only available in stores.
6. CJ Banks/Christopher and Banks
   Teachers can enjoy 10-percent off their in-store purchases at both stores. All you'll need is your school ID at checkout.
7. J. Jill
   With a valid teacher’s ID, you’ll get 15-percent off full-price, in-store purchases.
8. Banana Republic
   Banana Republic offers a 15-percent off deal to any teacher with a valid school ID. This deal must be redeemed at their store locations.

      ELECTRONICS & SOFTWARE

1. Apple Store
   The House of Jobs is surprisingly generous to teachers of all grade levels, offering varying discounts up to $200 on computers and accessories through the Apple Education Store. This offer also includes librarians, home schoolers and university profs.
2. Bose
   The Bose offer is primo, particularly for those in need of sonic stimulation. Variable discounts are available on all music systems and accessories. Call their Sales Solution Team at 1-800-353-4027 for pricing and to place an order.
3. Dell
   If your school is affiliated with Dell you can get 2- to 4-percent off the final price of any desktop or laptop, as well as software peripherals. Call Customer Service before paying to apply the discount.
4. Cell Phone Companies (Verizon, AT&T, Sprint)
   This discount varies by provider, but teachers can save loads on a personal cell phone bill, sometimes up to 20 percent a month. Visit your provider's business or discount portal and input your .edu email address to check if your institution is registered.
5. Adobe
   Shop direct from the Adobe Education Store and receive discounts on select software, including bundles and suites. Adobe requires proof of employment as an educator before applying the discount.
6. HP
   Sign up for the HP Academy program to receive exclusive discounts and free shipping on all orders.
7. Lenovo
   Teachers may receive a discount on their purchase from the computer connoisseurs at Lenovo simply for being, well, themselves. Call Customer Service at 1-866-968-4465 to see what kind of discount they will offer.
8. Sony
   Discounts on projectors and flat-panel displays vary when you register and buy through the program portal, but most lie in the 5- to 10- percent off range.
9. Software Express 
   The online outlet Software Express grants discounts of up to 85 percent on a host of programs from Adobe, McAfee and Microsoft. Submit copies of your valid school ID and state driver's license to Customer Service before completing your order.
10. Academic Superstore
    Academic Superstore is another online software outlet that sells a slew of products for up to 85-percent off. Discounts are available year-round with proof of employment as a teacher.
11. JourneyEd
    This is yet another site where educators can find huge savings on popular software. After placing your order, confirm your status as a teacher to apply the discount. 

INSURANCE

1. Farmers Insurance
   Farmers extends additional discounts to teachers, but these special rates vary based on state and prior driving record. For more details, contact a local agent.
2. Liberty Mutual
   Liberty Mutual extends extra benefits such as a $0 deductible for damage that occurs on school property or during school-related events. Because it’s insurance, rates are dependent on your state and driving record.

HOTELS & ATTRACTIONS

1. Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel
   Teachers are eligible for a variety of discounted rates at the Swan and Dolphin hotel, located securely in the center of Walt Disney World in Orlando. Availability also varies based on season and demand. Mention you're an educator when booking.
2. Marriott Hotels
   Marriott grants teachers a discount at a slew of hotels across the nation. Whether you book on-line or in-person, show your school ID at check-in to receive the special rate. Rules on this discount are a bit vague -- they mention government employees, which would imply only public school employees -- but most hotel employees don't bite. Feel free to ask.
3. Regal Cinemas 
   Regal Cinemas regularly have discount tickets for teachers (and students), good for all show times. Call or visit beforehand, as not every location honors the discount or offers the same price. Like there's time for a film with all those papers piling up, anyway. Guess that's why summer exists.
4. SeaWorld 
   Register for the Teacher Study Pass program, an exclusive for K-12 teachers in Florida, Texas and Southern California, and get unlimited free admission for the year. Bring a copy of your teaching certificate, a current pay stub and photo ID to the SeaWorld front gate to obtain a new pass or renew an old one.
5. National Park Service
   Show a valid school ID at a slew of National Park Service visitor centers across the nation and receive 15-percent off many purchases. The discount doesn't apply to park entry fees, camping fees or Smokey the Bear petting zoo fees. 
6. Kennedy Space Center
   Florida treats its teachers well and occasionally lets folks from Georgia in on the fun. Registered educators from both states are eligible for a free, full-fledged Educator Study Pass. Show a valid teaching certificate and recent pay stub to any ticket agent for an annual pass.
7. Legoland Florida 
   Florida teachers K-12 can enjoy an entire year of free admission with the Florida Teacher Pass. Bring your most recent paystub, Florida photo ID and teaching certificate to receive your pass.
8. Elvis Presley's Graceland 
   K-12 teachers receive free admission to tour the former Memphis, Tenn. estate of The King with a valid school ID or recent pay stub. 

Grab the Bubbly!

Happy New Year! This is one of my favorite times of the year and it's definitely not because of the cold weather (or the fabulous champagne I drink on New Year's Eve)! Nope, this is the time of year (along with the start of school) when you get to start off with a clean slate - and boy is mine in need of some cleaning this year!

All year long we have our students work on meeting their goals, both big and small. Whether it's to get William to write neater or to get Mariah to learn some new letter sounds, we are constantly setting goals for our children. Now is the time to start setting your own goals. I'm not talking about running ten miles everyday (but hey, if you want to try that then go on with your bad self!).

For my first few years of teaching I had a hard time with conference notes. I always conferenced with my students but had a hard time keeping up with the notes. I would start off each year finding the perfect method and would attempt to use it. The problem was that it wasn't "perfect" for me so I would fail at my attempt. Each January I would make it my goal to try something new. Unfortunately, it took me six years to find a method that would work for me. However if I didn't set those goals twice a year, I'm not sure I would be able to keep up with my conference notes today. I'm here to help you be successful on your first attempt.

I know setting goals as a new teacher isn't easy. I'm sure you have a list of things that you want to work on this year. My advice - pick one. That's right, just one. Perfection can't happen overnight. Eleven years ago I ran the Boston Marathon. Growing up watching the Marathon on TV was a big deal for me. We always had the day off from school to celebrate Patriots Day, but for me it was so that I could watch the runners and imagine how one day that would be me. I had run track in high school, but hadn't run at all after that besides the occasional jog every now and then. When I decided that I needed change and was going to leave the state of Massachusetts, I knew that I couldn't do so without reaching my goal. However, I didn't go out on the first day and run 26.2 miles. If I did I would have given up because I couldn't do it. Instead, I started off by running a mile and slowly built up my stamina until I could handle the entire marathon.

As teachers our ultimate goal is to be the perfect teacher who everyone (adults and students) loves and gets great evaluations and test scores. However just like a marathon, we need to take small steps to get there. The best way to reach our goals is by setting 'SMART' goals.

Each goal should be:
Specific
Measurable
Attainable
RelevantTime Limited

Specific - Pick one area that you want to focus on and narrow it down to make it as specific as possible. (I will keep my desk neat by organizing it into piles - "Must do ASAP, Do When I have free time, and not important but I should keep just in case".)

Measurable - How will you be able to tell if you are meeting your goal?  (I can tell if I am meeting this goal by looking at my desk. If it is messy, I am not being successful.)

Attainable - Is this a realistic goals? This is a very important criterion. If you are not setting attainable goals then you feel like a failure. No one deserves to feel like that, especially new teachers! (This is an attainable goal because it won't take up too much of my time.)

Relevant - Does this really matter? Is this goal worthwhile? ( This is relevant because keeping an organized desk will allow me to meet time deadlines and keep up with data.)

Time-Limited - Setting a time limit gives you a sense of urgency. What is your completion day? (My desk will be completely organized by February 1st and I will check up on it on the first of every month.)

So now it's your turn to set a goal. Make it a SMART goal and for heaven's sakes - keep it real!