A Teaching Coach

You know some people at my age and stage would not think kindly of having a teaching “coach”, but I am lucky in that I know I am floundering and am seeking wisdom and guidance from those who possess it.   As part of my “prof dev plan” I have requested that someone, anyone, step in and give me strength and the light to keep my head above the water.  The woman who has stepped in has nine Title One schools that she “coaches” at.  She coaches first year teachers and anyone who is struggling with behavior issues and classroom management techniques.  She has been with me for two difficult classes already and I already notice the difference.  Could she co-teach with me every class every day ???? She’s an angel!!!

I have never worked so hard at a job, been so challenged and also been so rewarded all at the same time.

Why I think most meetings are very BORING!!!

As a person who has to attend certain types of meetings in my profession on a regualr basis, I try my best to avoid all other meetings as much as possible.  Recently, I received an e-mail ALERT to attend a Very Important Meeting concerning the school budget for 2009-2010.  I heeded the call and got sweet hubby to attend with me.  We made a pact to sit right next to the door for a probable quick escape.  I promised him that we would leave if it got too boring.  Well….when they announced that the evening meeting would last an hour and a half…..I quietly whispered…”Let’s get outta here now!!!”  They began to show the obligatory powerpointless bar graphs.  I could feel my restless leg syndrome really “kicking” in and my wanderlust seeking a  new environment– preferrably away from this school cafeteria.  (I spend way too much time in schools and today I did my 1 hour weekly lunch duty obligation to show that I am a “team” player.) I didn’t feel up to the drivel about to be laid upon the audience.  BKB slipped out first and I quietly waited about 3 minutes and met him out in the parking lot.  As soon as the doors shut on the car, I burst out laughing  and so did he. 

(Note to self and others: There was a severly handicapped man in a wheelchair next to the doors and he was making very loud moaning noises while the agenda was being thrust upon us.  I found this moaning a distraction and I also felt the fatigue giggles about to  present themselves.  It was really the polite thing to exit the premises as quickly as possible.)

25 Lessons for Life by Marion Wright Edelman

In honor of Black History Month, I would like to share an inspirational set of ideals I learned about from the founder of The Child Welfare League.

1. There is no free lunch. Don’t feel entitled to anything you don’t sweat and struggle for.
2. Set goals and work quietly and systematically toward them.
3. Assign yourself.
4. Never work for just money or for power. They won’t save your soul or build a decent family or help you sleep at night.
5. Don’t be afraid of taking risks or of being criticized.
6. Take parenting and family life seriously and insist that those you work for and who represent you do.
7. Remember that your wife/husband is not your mother/father or servant, but your partner and friend.
8. Forming families is serious business.
9. Be honest.
10. Remember and help America remember that the fellowship of human beings is more important that the fellowship of race and class and gender in a democratic society.
11. Sell the shadow for the substance.
12. Never give up!
13. Be confident that you can make a difference.
14. Don’t ever stop learning and improving your mind.
15. Don’t be afraid of hard work or teaching your childen to work.
16. “Slow down and live.”
17. Choose your friends carefully.
18. Be a can-do, will-try person.
19. Try to live in the present.
20. Use your political and economic power for the community.
21. Listen for “the sound of the genuine” within yourself and others.
22. You are in charge of your own attitude.
23. Remember your roots, your history, and the forebears’ shoulder on which you stand.
24. Be reliable. Be faithful. Finish what you start.
25. Always remember that you are never alone.

Important Things by Demetri Martin

There is a new hilarious show on Comedy Central called “Important Things“.  We met Demetri Martin through his short interactions on The Daily Show.    Very funny!

The House at Sugar Beach by Helene Cooper

Book lovers unite!  I am finally getting back to book talk and encouragement on reading.  I just finished reading a memoir that was so eye-opening and fascinating.  How could it be that I had no idea Liberia was a home for freed slaves?  When did Africa slip off my radar screen?  Africa was probably never in my field of vision except for rudimentary geography facts.  I know some nations keep changing their names, there are wars and more wars plus famine and starvation, human rights violations and other atrocities that make us cringe.   I know about Darfur and apartheid in South Africa and of course the 3rd grade SOL’s about Mali.  Somehow, during our busiest child rearing years (1981-1999) , the entire continent of Africa became very remote to me; land of the unknown and misunderstood.  Thanks to Helene Cooper, I have been brought up to date and I am thankful for her memoirs.  Highly recommended!

Did you FART on her desk?

Here is one of my new classic school lines: ( These are true.)

“Did you FART on her desk?” (gr 5) Feb 2009- admin to student after a cafeteria fight

text message intercepted in elem. school ..”Ms _____ is such a BUTT.” (gr 5) Jan 2009 student to student

 My new book about the Teaching Machine has some great possibilities for titles.

And last but not least~~~~~

You have heard these before….”It wasn’t me!!”

“He made me do it!”

Enough said for today!

Behavior management

The Teaching Machine is wondering about the mood of the school and the ‘hood in general.   Last Thursday it was numerous suspensions in an upper grade.  One child hit a substitute.  He’s out until next week.  We won’t miss him. Yesterday it was an early morning fight as the buses were unloading. ( upper grades)  What a way to start the day.  We’ve had the guidance counselor in the library several times in the past two days to help with sassy attitudes.  Bless this woman!  She is an angel.

Teachers were stressed last week because of the big Black History production.  It turned out very well, but at what price?  During the post-evaluation review meeting, angry words were shouted.  My question is this…WWMLKD?  (What would Martin Luther King DO?)  I also have started to say “You Know …our president always wears a belt.  He never lets his pants sag.”

You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink. (This is not politcally incorrect ot any type of slur. Please do not misconstrue the message or take it out of context.)

 I have given up on snow day dreams.   Is it Spring Break yet????

Mobsta

I have recently gotten too busy to write down amusing license plates that I see around town- except for this one.  It was a black PT Cruiser.  MOBSTA  just tickled me.

BKB was deerswiped last week.  Very lucky to be OK.  His white “Barbie” car is not too happy- but-  it CUDBEWURS.  Thankfully BKB is OK;  just very surprised at the deer hair hanging out of the driver’s side rear view mirror hole.

I should be “professionally developing” today but instead I am tending to “family matters” and things of this nature.  It’s good to be off today.

Best wishes to one and all.

Worst Migraine ever

As you may or may not know the teaching machine has been burning the candle at both ends this week.  I woke up in the middle of the night with the worst headache ever.  It was scary.  Well, it was a sign.  “You must not go to school today.  You must lie around in your pj’s and sleep till afternoon and then watch a Hallmark tear jerker chick flick while lying on the couch.  Sit in the sunshine on the back porch for at least 20 minutes and drink liquids galore.”  I did.  It worked. Another long weekend to re-prioritize and ZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

OXOXOXOXOX

Shadows of a carousel horse

There is a house at the entrance to our neighborhood that has had the same residents for at least 23 years.  They have a carousel horse displayed in a big front window behind a shade and bright lamp.  Every night the shadow invites a curiosity as I drive by.  It is a constant in my life and I am thankful for it.  There are not many constants in life.  Things always change.  I do not know the home owners, but enjoy their whimsical decorating style. It cheers me on to see the carousel horse shadow galloping to somewhere.

I have been humming a Chicago song this morning called Saturday in the Park.  There is much to accomplish this weekend and I hope to be up to the tasks.  Having a constant running list of Things to Do  can be helpful and can be a deterrent to action.  I hope this is not the case today and tomorrow.

The teaching machine is tired.  The learning factory is taking its toll, but I continue to aim for optimism in its regard. There is no such thing as “academic freedom” in the elementary setting.   We do have an element of students who could be charter members of FTA- which stands for Future Thugs of America.  They have been pulling my chain and  pushing my buttons lately.   We have many, many  wonderful students who make it all worthwhile in the long run.  In the short run, I have to remind myself of challenges some kids face that I can’t fathom in my own reality.  I must remember Watty Piper’s book The Little Engine That Could and repeat the mantra…”I Think I Can, I Think I Can…..”

A weekday snow “event” would be nice too.    Love those spontaneous days off!!!