Thankful to be a Teacher!

Okay, I know. This post is technically coming a few days late. I've been spending time with family and traveling and haven't really had time to blog. But while sitting on the beach today (yes, I'm bragging), I realized that teachers really do have a lot to be thankful for.

In celebration of the Thanksgiving Holiday, here is my list of why I am thankful to be a teacher;

1. The endless stories I have to tell - I cannot imagine any other career that has half the stories that we do. Seriously, I feel like I could have a very successful stand-up comedy career using the material I experience in my classroom. I truly love the giggles that I get everyday from my babies (even if they don't intend to make me laugh).

2. Parents conferences - I seriously love conferences. Please believe me when I tell you that I have experienced all kinds of conferences. I have had plenty of normal meetings, but I have also had some with parents who have shown up drunk, parents who have cried uncontrollably, parents who threatened to kill me, and even parents who have asked me to go to the bar with them afterward. I am thankful for all conferences though both good and bad because when a parent shows up for a conference, that means that they care in some way about their child's education.

3. My co-workers! There are days that I simply could not get by without a little help from my co-workers. Whenever I feel overwhelmed I know I can always turn to my team members to help me out. I remember feeling guilty when I first began teaching for always taking ideas from my co-workers and never being able to give them anything in return. I found out later that they were using my classroom organization ideas all along. Teaching is all about giving and taking. There may be times when you do a little more giving than taking but it will all even itself out in the end.

4. My paycheck, yep, you read that right. Although I may not be rich, I mean seriously, my husband and I are both teachers, I am thankful that I get a paycheck every other week. I can honestly say that each paycheck is very hard earned. Sure I would love to have a few extra dollars, but I am glad that I earn enough to take care of my family.

5. The light bulb moment - This is definitely my favorite part of teaching. When nothing you do seems to work and both of you are starting to get frustrated and then out of nowhere the light bulb goes on and he just gets it. It's amazing. It's a miracle. It's surely something to be thankful for and it truly gives any teacher a reason to keep on teaching.

Take a minute to reflect on all of the reasons why you are thankful to be a teacher during this Holiday season and remember that you should be thankful for all of the Holiday treats in the lounge even if they do mess up your diet!

You Mean The World To Them!

I didn't forget about this blog. Nope. Actually, I just realized that I talk too much and everyone around me, including my new teachers, already hear all of my stories and advice. However, there are some things that are so important that they need to be put in writing and this is going to be one of them. 

I have a new teacher in my school who has been struggling with her classroom management, just like a lot of new teachers do. Unfortunately, she truly has a class that has a lot of unique personalities in it. It's as if she was given that class for her first year to test her to see if she was meant to really be a teacher (and yes - she really was!!!!)

So although the small tidbits of help I give her may not make her kids be perfect angels, I can tell her this - you mean the world to them. Let me explain:

Example 1

Six years ago, I had the hardest group of students that I have ever had. They were very mature third graders. A lot of them had been through some pretty difficult things. They were a very cliquey group and there were a lot of mean girls and boys who would fight you if you looked at them cross-eyed. I had to try something new every week to survive the year and I remember the relief that I would feel each week when Friday rolled around. I felt like I had to be a drill sergeant each day and that really just isn't my style. Needless to say, I barely survived that group.

On the last day of school two years later as I was walking out (and celebrating in my head!), I got stopped by a student and her mom. It was one of my former third graders from the class-from-you-know-where who was now going into middle school. Her mom explained to me that I "meant the world to her" and that I was her favorite teacher. (Excuse me while I go grab my tissues . .  . ).  She gave me a present and a hug. She honestly didn't need to give me a present. Her recognition was enough. I always felt like I never gave my best to that class because I was always so stressed out. Since that day, I have kept in contact with her. She even recently came to see me during pre-planning and even brought me some pumpkin cookies and candy for Halloween!

Example 2

This example actually continues with that same group of "wonderful" students. I hadn't heard from anyone else in that group besides that one girl, but I always wonder about my former students. Then out of the blue during our school's annual Holiday Program a few years ago someone came up from behind me and put their arms around me (that's pretty easy if you know how short I am!). I turned around and saw a girl who looked exactly as she had four years prior when I had her in the third grade. She told me she didn't want to come back before because she was embarrassed of how she acted but she really learned a lot from me. She too told me I was her favorite teacher because I made her love reading. Since then, she has visited me during every evening program the school has had. However, the most surprising thing was the fact that she remembered my birthday from six years ago and got a bunch of my former students together to call me up at school and sing to me the other day (weep, weep . . . ).

Example 3

This one makes me cry every time I think about it. Eight years ago I had a boy in second grade who was very energetic but a pretty cool kid overall. He was amazing at baseball and I went to a lot of his games. I looped up with my entire class the next year and that was the year his family went through a nasty divorce. He became an entirely new kid that year. It hit him hard and he just shut down. His grades suffered. He didn't want to talk to me or really anyone for that matter. He just became mean. He quit baseball and he went on to become "the bad kid" in fourth and fifth grade. It always hurt my heart because I knew who he really was and I knew what he was going through. I wanted to help him and I tried. Believe me, I tried, but he didn't want to talk to me. So his label just followed him and my heart was broken. However, last year it was put back together when I saw him walking down the hall with his "little brother". He was part of the Big Brothers program and he came to visit me. He gave me a big hug and thanked me. He had turned his life around and was now mentoring our kids and was back to playing baseball for his high school. He thanked me for not giving up on him. He told me that even though he was a "punk" he was still listening to everything I said. 

I could go on and on with my success stories. You may not have these yet as new teachers, but you will as long as you stick with it! Veteran teachers need to be reminded of their success stories every now and then too so feel free to ask them (plus, you know we all love to talk!). After all, it is the reason we all got into this field, right? 

The thing to remember is that the ones that challenge us the most are always the ones that need us the most. They are the ones that need us to be their world!

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!

Surviving the Holiday Season

The other day I was casually scanning through some Facebook posts, when I came across a comment my friend made about her winter break countdown. It gave me goosebumps to think that a much needed break would soon be here. However, my goosebumps left after I read another friend's reply that her classroom would be "controlled chaos" until break. 

Hmmph, "controlled chaos". If that is what a teacher of 20+ years thinks of this time of year, I can imagine what a new teacher is going through. I promise you, survival is possible. It doesn't need to be "controlled chaos". 

The biggest problem with this time of year is that even though the kids are excited for break and the upcoming holiday, we are even more excited! Here are a few ways to try to relieve some of the stress and chaos:

1. Plan students' presents ahead of time - I find the best presents are the free kind. Yes that's right, FREE. Each month I send home Scholastic book order forms. The parents may buy books by sending money directly to me or by purchasing online. I may only get one or two parents to purchase in a given month, but I try to sell it the best I can. I send home lots of reminders, including emails and text messages (through Remind101). In late November, I am able to use my banked points to receive free books. This year I was able to get over 80 books for my students and I still have points left! The students love getting books for presents and I love the fact that I am giving them quality material to read at home. 

2. Keep the students busy - I find that if I keep them busy, they don't have time to get chaotic. I try not to change the routine too much.  The key to keeping them busy is to include activities for fast finishers and constant brain breaks. I find most of mine on Pinterest (my not-so-secret obsession). This is an awesome board to try out.  

3. Don't let behavior expectations slide - Let your students know that even though it is the giving season, you are not about to just give them good behavior grades without earning them. Your behavior management needs to be stronger than ever right now. Starting off strong each morning and keeping it that way throughout the day will show your students that they need to continue to follow the same rules as they always have. 

4. Show them love - Many students need a little extra love during this time of year. Whether you work in an inner city school or a school in a wealthy area, you are always going to run into students who are struggling this time of year. I have had homeless students who cannot afford presents, students who had sick parents who didn't have the strength to put a celebration together, and students who have lost parents or family members and the holidays just reminded them that they weren't around. These students simply need to feel loved. Give them a few extra hugs. Simply let them know that they are special to you and that you care about them. 

5. Remember what it was like - I remember not being able to sleep the night before Christmas. I remember driving my parents crazy asking for a new Nintendo (yes, the original one). When things get a little crazy just remember that you were once in their shoes. These are exciting times for everyone. We push our students so hard throughout the year, sometimes it's nice just to step back and watch them be happy. 

I wish everyone the merriest of holiday seasons! Remember to relax and reenergize. Don't spend the entire break doing schoolwork - remember teachers need a break too. 

Kids Just Wanna Have Fun . . .

While sitting at my daughter's gymnastics class yesterday, I was thinking about just how much we have squeezed the fun out of school. Watching her be so happy and laughing while she was learning the new routine made me jealous of her teacher. I seriously thought about quitting my job and becoming a gymnastics instructor. (If you know me then you know that is pretty funny. I may have been a cheerleader when I was in school, but all my coordination left after having two kids. I'm lucky if I can get through a day without tripping at least twice!) The point is that I miss seeing my students laugh and play.

Kids need to have fun. Let me say that again - they really NEED to have fun. As teachers, we put so much emphasis on learning the standards so that they can pass the state assessments that we have taken out all of the fun. I saw a funny political comic the other day about how we are just creating "children of the core". It's true. Even though our children come in very different, we are expected to have them exit our classrooms at the end of the year knowing all of the same material and we truly have taken all of the fun out of it. Recently we even had to take away recess. We can sneak it in every now and then, but the fact is there is too much to teach and too little time. My eight and nine year olds are having to sit in a classroom all day long and learn. What kind of a childhood is that? It's not much better than going to work all day long.

How do I add fun back into the classroom?  Dancing. It's pretty simple. If the students work hard and get all of their required work done in time, I play a Just Dance video for them at the end of class. They are pretty easy to find on YouTube. The kids enjoy them because they are current pop songs and I enjoy them because I LOVE seeing my babies happy. Their true personalities get to come out. They get a much needed brain break and they get to develop socially.

Sometimes I will even throw them in when I start to notice that I am losing them. I always find something positive someone has done - "Oh, my goodness! Tommy has written so neatly today! Guess what? He earned the whole class a brain break!" The children then get 3 minutes to recharge their brains and have fun and come back ready to learn.

There are other brain breaks out there - just Google "brain breaks". However, I really enjoy watching my students have fun and get to be themselves through dancing. I warn you though, the ones who you think are quiet and shy will truly show out and be the craziest dancers!

You're Gonna Get Sick . . .

I was a pretty fortunate kid when it came to illnesses. I made it through twelfth grade without missing a day of school. Yes, you read that right. I did not miss one day of school. I never got sick, at least on a school day, I never got lice and I never even got pink eye. My body was filled with amazing antibodies that kept me healthy. That is, until I became a teacher.

If you want to know what's it's like to be sneezed on, just step into a kindergarten class. Five year olds are notorious for blowing their snot all over anyone who comes near them. When I first started teaching I figured I must be immune to all of the germs since I barely ever got sick. I was so wrong. I never thought it was possible to run out of sick days until I actually did my first year.

My second year I decided I was going to face the battle head on. I bought every product on the market to ward off any germs that I might come across. Needless to say, I once again ran out of sick days. Was I doing something wrong? How would I ever get to enjoy a personal day off without being stuck in bed? I had to figure something out.

Eventually, things got better. I realized that your first few years just stink. Your body needs to figure out what to do with all these new germs. I still get the occasional cold, but nothing like when I first started out. That's the good news.

The bad news is that there is always something new. A few years ago, I hugged one of my precious students and once I let go of her I saw the dreaded lice crawling in her eyebrows. I'm not lying when I say that is the worst thing a teacher with long hair can ever see. Yep, I got lice for the first time ever and what was even worse was that it was on my birthday weekend.

I have had my share of sicknesses go around the schools I have worked at - scabies, pink eye, fifth disease - you name it, I have seen it. Is there a sure way to escape it? I wish. Should you just avoid all contact with your students? Ha - good luck with that one! My tips for you are to sanitize your classroom on a regular basis, eat a healthy diet (yes, chocolate is healthy), and just know that part of the wonderful teaching career is that you are gonna get sick.

Building a Bridge

One of the many things I wish I figured out earlier in my career is how important parental involvement is. I don't usually get all technical, but I have done a lot of research in this area. Children are more likely to succeed academically and are less likely to engage in violent behaviors if their families are involved in their education.

The problem is many parents feel that they are unwelcome in their children's schools and some teachers, myself included, feel like they are under attack when parents want to come into their classroom.

So how can we bridge this gap? The first, and one of the most important things to remember, is to not only contact parents when their child does something negatively. You should also contact them when you have celebrations, even small ones. I make it a point at the beginning of each year to get all of my parent's email addresses. Some people are reluctant at first, but they usually give in after I keep sending home the paper asking for it over and over. I like to email my parents each time I see any improvement in their child in class. Be it academic, social or emotional, all are important. Parents love to get good emails about their children. Plus, it makes them realize that you actually care about their child.

There are a few things to remember when conferencing with parents to make sure they stay on your side. The first thing is to try your best to accommodate their work schedules when scheduling a conference. I know it stinks to have to stay until 5:30 on a Friday afternoon, but if a parent knows you are willing to do that then it let's them know that you really care. Another thing to remember is that you are not speaking to another teacher. You would not like your doctor speaking to you using technical terms, so please remember that when talking to parents. Don't treat them like they are dumb, just be straightforward and explain things using "people" terms.  The last important conferencing tip is to ask parents for their concerns and suggestions. Let them know that what they think matters too.

Keeping parents up-to-date is super important. Some teachers send out newsletters on a regular basis. I wish I could say that I did that. I've never been good at remembering to write them. Instead I rely on technology. I keep my website updated and when something important is coming up, I send out emails and texts. I am in love with Remind101. It is a web-based program that sends out mass texts to parents when you need to let them know something. It uses a random phone number so that parents can't see your actual number. To learn more about it you can download the app or visit the website at  https://www.remind101.com/.

It is also important to keep your parents updated on their children's grades. Now that many schools allow their parents to check their students' grades on-line, this is a lot easier. Many of my parents don't have time to do this though. To solve this problem, I send home Monday Folders. Each Monday, the students bring home a folder of all of their corrected work from the week before. Parents expect it to come home each Monday so this fixes the problem of students throwing all of their work into the bottom of their book bag and never showing it to their parents. The other important piece that I include in the folder is a grade sheet. It contains all of the child's current grades up to that day. Parents are required to sign it and write back if they have any questions or concerns. This also solves the problem that all teachers have right after report cards go home and parents try to say that they had no idea that their child was failing.

One more thing that you can do is invite parents to come in and help. Many teachers don't like to do this though because they feel like they are being watched. The key to this is to keep the parents busy. Make the parents let you know before they come in so that you can prepare work for them to do. The busier they are, the less likely they will be scrutinizing you.

And last, but certainly not least, don't forget to thank your parents. Parenting, just like teaching, is a hard job. Just like we love parents thanking us for working so hard with their children, they love to hear it too.

Keeping that strong relationship with your parents will make your year 100 times smoother!

Lights, Camera, Action!

A few years ago I was taking classes to earn my reading endorsement. One of the final requirements was to film myself teaching each of the 5 components of reading. I dreaded doing this because of my fear of the camera. After I was all done filming, I breathed a sigh of relief because I though the worst was over. Boy, was I wrong! The next part of the assignment was to critique those 5 lessons. That meant I had to sit there for 2 and a half hours and watch myself. Ick!

After about 30 minutes I was finally over how horrible I looked on the camera and I was able to focus on my teaching. I had never seen myself as a teacher. I knew what I sounded like in my head, but it was much different in real life. I realized that I said "Okay, guys?" about a million times, that I clarified myself a little too much instead of giving my students wait time, and that sometimes I read a little bit too loudly. If I had another teacher come in my room to observe me, I'm not sure they would have told me these things. You see, as teachers we don't like to hurt people's feelings. We are our own best (and worst) critics.

Since then, I make it a point to film myself at least once each year. My students love being filmed; they feel like real movie stars! While reviewing the film, I try to find at least one thing I can focus on fixing. I don't have to admit my weaknesses to anyone else, I just need to make it a personal goal to fix them.

I highly recommend that all teachers, especially new ones, try this. After you get over the initial shock of having to watch yourself, you can really dig deep into improving your practice.

It's pretty simple to do. All you have to do is set up the camera and go on with your business. Last year I even forgot that the camera was rolling and didn't stop it until a few hours later. It was really beneficial to see myself when I forgot I was being recorded.

I challenge you to try it. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you might even get a little mad at yourself. Just remember that no one is perfect and you are only doing it to make yourself a better teacher.

Me Time

My alarm goes off at 5:00 AM. I press snooze until 5:45 and then I jump in the shower. I dry my hair put my makeup on and then I wake up my two kids. Luckily, Nic gets himself ready, but Hollie is only 4 and still requires a lot of help. I leave the house, or at least we try to leave, at 7:00. I have to drop both kids off and make my 15 minute commute. I get to school around 7:30. I work non-stop all day until around 4:30 when I decide I've had enough and just need to go home. I pick up both kids and then make my way home. I argue with my son about his homework and I correct papers and then I make dinner. We eat and then I play with Hollie while Nic finishes his homework. I give Hollie a bath and put her to bed. I say goodnight to Nic and finish correcting papers and writing lesson plans. Somewhere before I finally go to bed I search Pinterest for new things to do with my students.

That's my day. How have I gone nonstop for 12 years and still survived? The answer is simple. I save at least an hour each day for "me time". This is my husband's least favorite time of the day. I disappear completely. I usually go work out in solitude. It's quiet. It's peaceful. And best of all, it's away from everything that stresses me out.

Teachers often are very busy on the weekends. Between plans, correcting, housecleaning, grocery shopping and errand running we barely have time to relax. My first few years of teaching I tried to do all of my schoolwork on Saturdays and all of my other chores and errands on Sundays. I felt like I was burning out. A close teacher gave me a hint. Spend one entire weekend day getting everything done. Wake up early if you have to and try to go nonstop until everything is done. I wake up and go to the grocery store. When I come home, I clean the house. When I'm done with that I get all of my schoolwork done. I usually end up spending the whole day working, but it's worth it. The next day, I can relax all day. It's a designated work-free day. Sometimes I flip-flop which day I work. I love spending Saturdays in my sweats not worrying about my hair or makeup watching family movies with my kids.

I think a lot of teachers burn out because they don't set aside any "me time".  They focus so much on their work and end up too stressed out to continue. Teachers are people too and all people deserve to live with as less stress as possible. Don't forget to relax!

I'm Talking to the Man, er, Woman in the Mirror . . .

Today was the dreaded picture day. It's no secret that I hate having my picture taken. My friends always tell me I will regret it someday when I look back with my kids and not have any pictures of myself to help them remember the old me. That's okay though, I know the tricks the camera plays - adding on 10 pounds, making my blemishes look bigger than they really are - and I'm not going to fall victim to them.

So why then do I love mirrors? I love taking a deep look at myself. When I look in a mirror, I see something only I can see. Everyone else's view is opposite of what I see in the mirror. That is my time to decide if I like the person staring back at me and if I decide I don't, then I need to figure out what changes need to be made.

Reflection journals are so important to teachers for the same reason. Students watch teachers all day long, but teachers often forget to examine their own teaching. Journaling enables me to become aware of what I do, how I do it and even why I do it.

Every year I start a new journal. Of course, at the beginning of the year I am so good at sitting down everyday and writing an entry, but by November it ends up being about once a week unless something noteworthy comes up.

During my first hectic year, I realized that at some point I had to stop blaming my anxiety on the kids. It wasn't that I had a bad class, it was that I wasn't using the right methods to get to them. Reflecting helps me get to the bottom of things.

Constructive criticism is sometimes hard to handle. I often find myself trying to defend myself when I know someone is just trying to offer up suggestions. With journaling, you have no one to face but yourself. You can leave your feelings and emotions out of it and just think about things.

Here are a few of the questions that I like to focus on when reflecting:
- What am I doing?
- Why am I doing it?
- How effective is it?
- How are the students responding?
- How can I do it better?

I also try to add in funny things my students said or even praise they gave me. That way when I am reading through my entries later on I can always end with a smile on my face. Happy journaling!

Whole Brain, Half a Brain - What Does it Matter?

I'm going to tell you a secret, but please don't tell my students. Here goes, I don't know everything. The truth is I'm really good at faking it. Once my beloved class walked in my room last year, I knew it was going to be an interesting year, to say the least. I had a lot of very strong personalities who thought that they could run my class. Sure I had been teaching for like a decade or something, but after having two "perfect" classes for the previous two years, my behavior management skills had gotten a little rusty.

That's when I turned to my trusted friend, The Internet. I'm not quite sure what I was searching for that day in August, all I know is that it felt like I won the lottery when I ran into Whole Brain Teaching. I don't think I went to bed at all that night because I was so busy trying to take in all the videos and resources. If you have never heard of Whole Brain Teaching, then please go visit their website (right after you finish reading this post, of course!) http://www.wholebrainteaching.com/. Basically, Whole Brain is a method that really engages the students and actually brings back the fun in teaching. The best thing about it is that everything on the website is totally free!

I'll admit it though, the first time I saw the videos with all of the chanting, mirroring and movements, I thought it was a little too juvenile for my "way too cool" second graders. Boy, was I completely wrong! I went in the next day and really pumped it up. We started with a brand new set of Whole Brain Rules. I hung up my rule posters and taught them the movements for each rule. They were so excited and actually asked to say them several times that day. It actually gave them a sense of ownership - ownership of a unique brand new set of rules. (I didn't have the heart to tell them that Whole Brain classrooms all over the country share these same rules!)

So what are these totally awesome rules?

Rule # 1 Follow Directions Quickly and Quietly (children put their hands together and move them around like a swimming fish)

Rule # 2 Raise Your Hand for Permission to Speak (children raise their hand then pull it down and put it next to their mouth and make a talking motion)

Rule # 3 Raise Your Hand for Permission to Leave Your Seat (children raise their hand then pull it down and make a walking motion with their index and middle finger on their other hand)

Rule # 4 Make Smart Choices (children tap their head with one finger as they say each word)

Rule # 5  Keep Your Dear Teacher Happy (children make an L's with their index fingers and thumbs, hold them up to their cheeks, smile really big and bob their head back and forth while they say it)

Rule # 6 (My original rule so you won't find this on the WBT website) Act Like You Would if Your Mama Was Here (Children wag their index finger up and down)

I wondered about rule # 5 at first. Then I thought about something that my own mama always said. "If Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!" It's true in the classroom too. As teachers, we have the humongous responsibility of teaching all of our students lists and lists of standards. It is virtually impossible to teach to our fullest if we aren't happy. If they expect me to teach like my "hair is on fire" then they better keep me happy!

So, a year later, how is it going? Well, we start everyday off with reciting the rules. If I notice someone is breaking a rule during the day (rule # 2 is the most widely broken), I just have to say, "Rule # 2" and the class will recite that rule. The person breaking the rule will quickly fix it. They are not called out and embarrassed, they are just given a gentle reminder. If they continue to break it, I will walk over to them and show the number rule they are breaking on my fingers. For example, if they are talking out, I will put up two fingers. They are not getting any unnecessary attention and they are not wasting any of my precious time. 

I presented this to a few coworkers at the beginning of this school year. I remember one person looked at me weird and reminded me that I am teaching 3rd grade this year and that there was no way 3rd graders would do that. Of course, I had to invite her in last week to let her see my group of tough 3rd graders actively reciting the rules ;)

I truly think that I have found the first puzzle piece to the makings of a stress-free classroom. Now I'm off to go search for some more pieces!

Free Help!

If you walked into the supermarket and saw a sign that said "Free chocolate for a year - no gimmicks", could you turn it down? Well, if you are anything like me, you would be first in line. Having a mentor is like getting free chocolate for a year, maybe even better. Let me explain:

After teaching for two years in the Boston area, I moved to Jacksonville, FL. Being new to the district, I was given a mentor. By this point in my career, I knew that accepting help didn't mean that I was a bad teacher, and boy, was I going to use all the help I could get!

Ms. VanGorder was assigned to be my mentor. I'm not sure she knew what she was getting into when she agreed to do that. I got very lucky because she was the reading coach as well as the Reading Recovery specialist at my school. In other words, she had an incredible bank of reading knowledge. Her office was located conveniently across the hall from my classroom and I spent most of my year in there picking her brain.

Looking back, I know I probably didn't need to go see Ms. VanGorder everyday. By my third year of teaching I already had enough tools in my toolbox to get by. However, she wasn't just physically supporting me, she was there for me mentally as well. She was there when I just needed to be reassured that I was doing the right thing. She was there when I needed to vent about my life outside of school so that I wouldn't bring it into my classroom. She was there to bring me chocolate when she knew I had a bad day and to bring me coffee in the morning after she saw my email to her at 1:00 AM. Basically, she was just there for me.

Ms. VanGorder passed away a few years ago. I never really got to thank her for all she did for me. Don't take your mentors for granted. Accept all of the help they have to offer and don't be afraid to ask for more. If you find yourself not working well with your mentor, ask for a new one. Your mentor should be your go-to person at all times and the best part is that they are free!

Don't ever feel guilty about asking for help either. I have had the opportunity to mentor several teachers myself. Last year I was able to mentor one of the most talented teachers I know. She was on top of everything! I loved when she came to me for help because brainstorming ideas with her often enabled me to bring new ideas back into my own classroom as well.

Teaching is a sink or swim career. You can either prepare to be gobbled up by the sharks or be floating peacefully in your bikini on the top of the waves. (And, if you have a really good mentor, maybe they can even help keep you motivated to eat healthy so that you can look good in that bikini - just sayin'. . .)

What I Didn't Learn In College

I spent a lot of time in college taking notes and preparing for the day that I would enter my own classroom. Yet when I began my first year, I felt as if nothing I learned really even mattered. I regretted losing so many hours of my life trying to stay awake while my professors went on and on about all the various theories of education. If only someone had taken me aside and told me what really matters, maybe that first year would have been a lot easier . . .

When I Was Your Age . . .

I remember my father's speeches of when he was my age he walked three miles to school without any shoes on. My sisters and I would roll our eyes because we knew that we were in for another story meant to teach us a lesson. (We would later beat up the sister who complained about something, which forced him to start the lecture in the first place.)

So in honor of my father, here is my story:

I was nine years old when I decided that I wanted to become a teacher. I remember the day clearly. I was sitting in Mrs. Beaudoin’s third grade classroom when one of the children asked her how long she had taught. She looked at all of us with a twinkle in her eye and said, “I have been teaching for a thousand years, and my dears, I will teach until the day I die.” Listening to my parents complain daily about their jobs, I couldn’t imagine that a career could actually make someone so happy. I wanted Mrs. Beaudoin’s enthusiasm. I had to become a teacher.

Once I discovered that I was destined to become a teacher, I started watching my teachers closely to add strategies to my teaching “toolbox”. I remember playing school with my younger sister so that I could practice doing what I had seen my teachers doing that day. By the time I entered my first classroom, I thought I was fully prepared to be a successful educator. Boy, was I wrong! I was given a class of 28 kindergartners my first year. Many of them did not speak English and only received push-in help for 30 minutes a day. That meant that I had to struggle to try to get them to understand me for the remaining six hours each day. I did not have a para, supportive parents or even a mentor in the building. By the end of the first week, I had already exhausted every tool in my "toolbox" and I had no idea how I was going to survive the year. I was afraid that if I asked for help, people would think I was a horrible teacher.  

I really think that I should have bought stock in Kleenex that year. I stayed extremely late every afternoon, often even bringing my dinner to eat while I worked. As soon as I left I spent my car rides home on the phone crying to my mother. I was sure I picked the wrong profession and I was so upset that after dreaming of becoming a teacher for so long, I was ready to throw it all down the drain. Everyday my mother told me that I needed to stick with it. I'm not sure if it was because she was worried that she just spent thousands of dollars on my college education for nothing or if she really did believe in me. Either way, I'm glad I had her pushing me. 

Since I'm still teaching 12 years later, I guess you can figure out that I didn't give up. My second year I realized that teaching is not a profession that you can handle on your own. I actively sought help from the reading coach, district specialists and seasoned teachers. I was able to save money by not having to buy so many tissues and not calling my mother long-distance and I was able to enjoy my dinners at home. 

I hope, unlike my father's stories, that my lesson is clear. The first year of teaching stinks. I'm not trying to scare you, but it's the reality. The good news is, you can make it better. Don't hide in your classroom and pray that you'll make it through it. Actively seek help and accept it when it is offered. I survived and you can too!