It's been a little bit over a week and things are starting to settle into a new normal. I spent the time doing some house projects, which were a much needed distraction! Now I'm ready to go with my students.
My district delayed starting distance learning because they wanted a strong plan in place and they had to attend to the technology needs of a huge chunk of our population. While the delay has been a little bit frustrating from my parent perspective, I get it and just try to remind myself "It doesn't really matter."
So, this last week I spent my time developing videos and lessons for my students to work on. The great news is, my students are used to doing things online both from my class and other classes at school! I use the Flipped Classroom model frequently and so my students are already used to learning in this way, hallelujah!
I'm super excited to see how this next week unfolds and while I think I've put together a good week of learning, I hope to find some new and different ways to continue to engage them.
Resources for this week: YouTube, Deltamath, Socrative, Canvas, TI-Nspire software
Wish me luck!
Saturday, April 11, 2020
Monday, March 30, 2020
Coronavirus 2 Weeks in...Nothing REALLY matters.
Today is March 30, 2020 and as of now, we have been out of school for 3 weeks. The first week out was Spring Break, and the following 2 weeks have been due to the Covid-19 outbreak. This teacher/mom/wife/daughter is REALLY struggling. I have had a full range of emotions and decided that this blog is my best way to attend to my mental health.
The biggest take away through all of my emotions over the past 3 weeks is....IT DOESN'T MATTER. Now don't get me wrong, the health and well being of my family, friends, and life around us DOES matter, but here is what doesn't matter.
1) My students are not getting any instruction from me for learning...doesn't matter.
2) My students GPA and high school credit are being affected...doesn't matter.
3) My district is not putting up curriculum that meets the needs of my own kids or my students...doesn't matter.
4) Some of my students just want to do nothing...doesn't matter.
5) My own kids are sleeping late and refusing to do any school work...doesn't matter.
6) My daughter refuses to send out recruiting emails...doesn't matter.
7) My daughter want study for her AP exam...doesn't matter.
8) I keep getting grade notifications for a low grade...doesn't matter.
I just want to start with that. I have to keep reminding myself not to be anxious. That it IS okay that I have lost total control of everything in our life.
There have been some moments where I've had some great reflection over my teaching, the pace of life etc. and I will share those thoughts on another day.
Some questions to ponder:
What does "equity" really mean and do we have that in education?
When things get back to "normal", will your new normal look the same?
The biggest take away through all of my emotions over the past 3 weeks is....IT DOESN'T MATTER. Now don't get me wrong, the health and well being of my family, friends, and life around us DOES matter, but here is what doesn't matter.
1) My students are not getting any instruction from me for learning...doesn't matter.
2) My students GPA and high school credit are being affected...doesn't matter.
3) My district is not putting up curriculum that meets the needs of my own kids or my students...doesn't matter.
4) Some of my students just want to do nothing...doesn't matter.
5) My own kids are sleeping late and refusing to do any school work...doesn't matter.
6) My daughter refuses to send out recruiting emails...doesn't matter.
7) My daughter want study for her AP exam...doesn't matter.
8) I keep getting grade notifications for a low grade...doesn't matter.
I just want to start with that. I have to keep reminding myself not to be anxious. That it IS okay that I have lost total control of everything in our life.
There have been some moments where I've had some great reflection over my teaching, the pace of life etc. and I will share those thoughts on another day.
Some questions to ponder:
What does "equity" really mean and do we have that in education?
When things get back to "normal", will your new normal look the same?
Friday, May 31, 2019
It's been awhile...
It's been a very long time since I've posted. Lots of things have changed. There have been many struggles. As I start winding down from my last day of school with kids, I decided that this blog is the best way to express my reflections from the year. AND I need to do this more often!
As a teacher and mom of two teenage girls, I need an outlet! It isn't possible to successfully manage the daily stress and emotional support we give to others without letting out a little bit ourselves and getting reinforcement from others.
This year was tough. I went from teaching all Pre-AP Algebra classes to have a mix of both Pre-AP and regular 8th grade math classes. I KNEW this year would be hard and I KNEW I needed to go in prepared. Well, that only half happened and I wasn't prepared where I needed to be. I could blame it on several factors, but all in all it comes down to me. I had some, well like 10-15, difficult, behaviorally challenging kids. They were horrible! About October I was looking for a new job. Anywhere that would take me and quick! I even went to an interview in December, but I couldn't take the huge pay cut.
So fast forward, I worked, adjusted, sot help, and I survived. I usually do an end of year evaluation with my kids, but I said "nope, I don't want to know." I did, however, put for the last question on my exam "what was your favorite thing about math this year?". Most said some activity etc., but then I got these two. One was my most "extra" kid. The one I battled ALL year long. Another, a sweet quiet boy who had to endure the shenanigans of his fellow classmates. I guess not only did I survive but somehow also managed to still make a difference even when it didn't feel like it.
If your year even came close to mine...just remember...every year is a new year and they are rarely the same as the one before.
As a teacher and mom of two teenage girls, I need an outlet! It isn't possible to successfully manage the daily stress and emotional support we give to others without letting out a little bit ourselves and getting reinforcement from others.
This year was tough. I went from teaching all Pre-AP Algebra classes to have a mix of both Pre-AP and regular 8th grade math classes. I KNEW this year would be hard and I KNEW I needed to go in prepared. Well, that only half happened and I wasn't prepared where I needed to be. I could blame it on several factors, but all in all it comes down to me. I had some, well like 10-15, difficult, behaviorally challenging kids. They were horrible! About October I was looking for a new job. Anywhere that would take me and quick! I even went to an interview in December, but I couldn't take the huge pay cut.
So fast forward, I worked, adjusted, sot help, and I survived. I usually do an end of year evaluation with my kids, but I said "nope, I don't want to know." I did, however, put for the last question on my exam "what was your favorite thing about math this year?". Most said some activity etc., but then I got these two. One was my most "extra" kid. The one I battled ALL year long. Another, a sweet quiet boy who had to endure the shenanigans of his fellow classmates. I guess not only did I survive but somehow also managed to still make a difference even when it didn't feel like it.
If your year even came close to mine...just remember...every year is a new year and they are rarely the same as the one before.
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