Inside the Mind of an Educator

This past week, the pastor at church spoke about the onslaught of religious bullying young people are facing in our schools.  There is a constant attack on their morals, a call to be “cool,” and a desire to destroy the connection they have or could have with the Lord. As the mother of three children and a public school educator, I know all too well what this "bullying" looks and sounds like. In fact, some days, I feel like I am headed into battle with a secret that must be shared. After all, I know I could be the only “Bible” some of my students ever see. Knowing this fact, I strive to make connections with every student in my room. I shake their hands when they come into class. I laugh with them and share important moments in their lives.    I challenge them, care for them, and even hug them. I have been teaching for over a decade and have experience from preschool through college. Therefore, I have taught students fighting battles and religious bullies of every kind

As the mother of three very active kiddos, I have found my own balance and health can become second, third, fourth or even fifth to all the schedules filling our family calendar.  There are some weeks we have one meal at home because we are at events all week. Yet, we have learned that dinner time is still important for our mental, emotional and physical health. So, even when we are on the go we make time to eat a quality, balanced meal as a family. There are days it is more challenging than others but overall it is well worth the planning and forethought.  The trunk of the car is ready for the week with blankets, activities, and a cooler, which is refilled each day. Due to life-threatening allergens and the pursuit of a health, our family does not consume grains or added sugar ( NSNG) products. This can make the picnic a bit more challenging because we have to plan further than a pack of crackers and sandwiches. Therefore, we are creative, and our bodies benefit from a little extr

Spring is here, even if the weather seems to suggest otherwise.  It is a time of rebirth, regrowth, and a fresh spirit. Our students feel it, and so do we. I am sure the crazy spring fever can be seen in the classrooms across the nation. This meme popped up on Facebook, and it seems to match my mood as of late. I was working on a paper with students today and came home completely burned out and frustrated. The students were distracted, acted confused, and seemed to have little interest in putting forth any effort.  So, when I left the building I felt... well... like Carol Burnett looks. After standing in the wind ,at a freezing track meet and eating a cold picnic dinner, I had cooled off enough to reflect.  Is the April face of this teacher a problem because of my own lack of focus on my actions and words? I am a firm believer that we should use choice words in our classroom, never use sarcasm , nor should you yell.   Yelling becomes white noise after awhile , and sarcasm is jus

When students enter your room they must understand the norms of the classroom. How do you create norms? You should establish some norms from the first day of class. These norms are going to help you manage your classroom from the start. So, the first few days focus on establishing those norms, getting to know the students and determining what norms are necessary to help the classroom run smoothly. If you establish these norms during the first few days you will be able to jump into instruction much easier because you will have less behavioral issues to deal with in the long run. On the first day, I explain there is only one rule in my classroom; "Be Yourself." It is from my favorite quote: "You might as well be yourself because everybody else is taken," by Oscar Wilde. As a class we brainstorm what the one rule means to them, and why that rule is important in helping us to become better learners, citizens, and individuals. We use this one rule to establish our clas

When a student enters your classroom he or she should feel welcomed. The environment itself should be a warm, safe place; however, the teacher sets the tone as the head of the welcoming committee. Therefore, station yourself at your door, and greet each student with a smile on your face.  I know you are busy and we all have things we need to complete prior to students entering our room. However, when a student walks into the room you should not be staring at a computer screen or focused on anything else in the room. Students should know they are your priority, and by greeting them you are showing them you are aware of their presence. I learned early on that greeting kids at the door can mitigate some poor behaviors for attention. When I served students with behavioral and emotional disorders,  I dealt with a lot of behaviors. However, there were far less on days I greeted the students at the door. I had to show them that no matter what happened yesterday they had a clean slate, I

Becoming an educator has been a dream of mine since the first grade. (For those of you who do not know my history in the field of education, it might be helpful to read my blog, " Moment I became a Teacher, " as it will explain a lot about how I became who I am.) No matter how many years I teach I have found that I am still amazed at how little I know, how much I need to learn, and how amazing it feels to see learning happening in the hearts and eyes of "my kids." I love the fact that God has a way of spotlighting your purpose when you need it the most. It is the last quarter of the year and as an educator, you can get pretty bogged down in the routine, the spring fever, and the attitudes exuding from teenagers who are ready for summer. However,  I had one of the most enlightening conversations of my teaching career today. It inspired me and made me see there is a purpose to the crazy inside of my head and heart. Although I love my job as a reading specialist this