Posts (page 2)

People who are interested in bettering themselves and others should run and jump off a cliff.  In all seriousness, the Mississippi Delta (and other areas of Mississippi) is thirsty for individuals who have an interest in the future of the lives of young individuals.  Mississippi Teacher Corp provides young (and old!! Hey Michele) creative individuals with the opportunity to influence and impact students who otherwise might not be exposed to different ideas and ideologies in life.  Joining MTC is an unselfish way of giving back to a community that is in dire need.  When you leave the program, you will leave with more than just a Master's degree.  You will leave with a lifetime experience that will better you as an individual.

P.S. If you don't believe me, ask someone else!! I might not feel like this tomorrow. 

There is a great difference between the school I taught at last year and the one I currently teach at this year: THE ADMINISTRATION. For those of you who don't know, I teach at the same school.  A change in administration has recreated the culture at out school.  For those of you who are not so lucky, here are a few pointers on how to deal with an unorganized administration:

1. Stay on top of your game. The notion of other people, i.e. administration, other teachers, etc, not doing their jobs does not give you the privilege or luxury of not doing yours.  One day each person will be held accountable for their actions. Make sure that you are doing your best to provide students with instructional time.

2. STAY ORGANIZED! It is very easy to fall behind on grading, calling parents, documenting, etc. Cover your gluteus maximus. Make certain that you have documentation of everything you do.  It will come in handy.  Create a system that allows you to follow suggestion one.

3. Build a relationship with your administration. Even though he may be disorganized, he may still be a good administrator.  You may also be able to help him develop a system (like the one you have in number 2). You also may learn some things about the students and school that could influence your teaching styles.

As for a dysfunctional administrator, do your job and leave when the bell rings.....lol....it's the only way to keep your sanity.

There is a great difference between the school I taught at last year and the one I currently teach at this year: THE ADMINISTRATION. For those of you who don't know, I teach at the same school.  A change in administration has recreated the culture at out school.  For those of you who are not so lucky, here are a few pointers on how to deal with an unorganized administration:

1. Stay on top of your game. The notion of other people, i.e. administration, other teachers, etc, not doing their jobs does not give you the privilege or luxury of not doing yours.  One day each person will be held accountable for their actions. Make sure that you are doing your best to provide students with instructional time.

2. STAY ORGANIZED! It is very easy to fall behind on grading, calling parents, documenting, etc. Cover your gluteus maximus. Make certain that you have documentation of everything you do.  It will come in handy.  Create a system that allows you to follow suggestion one.

3. Build a relationship with your administration. Even though he may be disorganized, he may still be a good administrator.  You may also be able to help him develop a system (like the one you have in number 2). You also may learn some things about the students and school that could influence your teaching styles.

As for a dysfunctional administrator, do your job and leave when the bell rings.....lol....it's the only way to keep your sanity.

Since the passing of the No Child Left Behind legislation, the role of special education teachers have drastically changed.  Now titled "inclusion teachers", these teachers are responsible for migrating to the classroom to assist students with their needs inside the classroom.  The regular education teacher and the inclusion teachers are responsible for implementing co-teaching strategies that will help all students learn.  The problem that I am having in my classroom specifically is the inability of the inclusion teachers to help all students.  I am trying to watch my wording, so bear with me. Hum!! The problem that most of us are seeing is that the inclusion teacher does not know how to help the regular students, so you have to wonder how can they really be helping the inclusion students.  After much research, lol..trial and error more like it...I have found some things to work. The following suggestions may help with some of the problems that you are experiencing:

1. Plan your lessons with your inclusion teacher. Both of you should have a role in planning and implementing the lesson plan. Each teacher should be able to answer questions directed by ANY student.

2. If the inclusion teacher is not as familiar with the subject as you are, take time to bring them up to speed, or find a workshop in the subject area that both of you would benefit from.

3. Make sure you have an IEP for all students.  Make sure you are following the accommodations and modifications outlined by the IEP. 

4. If you are having difficulty with your inclusion teacher even after you follow these suggestions, call Ben and bug him. Just kidding!! Document EVERYTHING!!! Keep track of what is going wrong and what you have done to try to fix it....This will protect you in the long run.

After it is all said and done, make sure you are doing all that you can to make sure all your students are learning. This is the most important part of your job. If you are not at least doing this, you are wasting your time and the time of the students.

Teaching a state tested course decreases the opportunity of the teacher to feel empowered.  In our instructional strategies meeting today, we discussed how eleventh and twelfth grade teachers have the flexibility to design instructional time as a they seem fit.  With that being said, teaching ninth and tenth grade English has demanded that I be more organized and demanding of my students.  I do not see this as a hinderance, but more like a challenge!  The challenge to provide my students with rigorous instruction, a challenge to prove that my students can learn, and a challenge to show my students that they too can learn. 

In order to make this happen, I stay at work each afternoon at least until 5:30, even throwing in some 8:00-9:00 nights.  I have come to realize that poor test scores reflects poor instruction, and I refuse to be included in that label.  My biggest fear is that I will be a failure, and for me that is unacceptable!!  I hope that all teachers realize that if our students are failing state exams, it is largely our fault, regardless of the administration.  We all have enough resources to ensure that our students are learning.  This notion is what is driving me this year!!

Teaching a state tested course decreases the opportunity of the teacher to feel empowered.  In our instructional strategies meeting today, we discussed how eleventh and twelfth grade teachers have the flexibility to design instructional time as a they seem fit.  With that being said, teaching ninth and tenth grade English has demanded that I be more organized and demanding of my students.  I do not see this as a hinderance, but more like a challenge!  The challenge to provide my students with rigorous instruction, a challenge to prove that my students can learn, and a challenge to show my students that they too can learn. 

In order to make this happen, I stay at work each afternoon at least until 5:30, even throwing in some 8:00-9:00 nights.  I have come to realize that poor test scores reflects poor instruction, and I refuse to be included in that label.  My biggest fear is that I will be a failure, and for me that is unacceptable!!  I hope that all teachers realize that if our students are failing state exams, it is largely our fault, regardless of the administration.  We all have enough resources to ensure that our students are learning.  This notion is what is driving me this year!!

Last year, I was surrounded by so much negativity that it was difficult to differentiate between things of concern and things of importance.  As a first year teacher, you will always have other teachers who are extremely negative.  These teachers can damper your view on the school and on the impact that you intend to make, but if you just refrain from those types of conversations, your school year will go so much smoother! This year has been tough with the new administration, but everything that we have put into place is in the best interest of the students.  That is what education is all about.

Simple observation of Stina and I gives off the notion that we get along great, just like sisters should.  The bond we now share is undeniable, yet it has not always been present.  Growing up, Stina and I fell short of hating each other.  Her proper tone and preppy gear annoyed me greatly; my tom-boyish ways were too different from hers.  As we got older, we got a little closer, but we still were annoyed by the other's presence. Today, Stina and I talk almost everyday.  I got all teary eyed the other day when I overheard her say that I, Crystal Stewart, had helped her to find her true calling in life.  I am very grateful to know that Stina and I are very much alike; who knew teaching would be the factor that would bring us closer together!!!

P.S. Love you Stevie (aka Stina)!!! Month one is almost over!!!!

I think an organized administration makes teaching enjoyable. This school year, the Holly Springs High School has been blessed to have a commander in chief who relentlessly takes care of business.  He is also acceptable to new ideas from teachers and students, which makes him easy to get along with. Someone once said that students loved order, well guess what, teachers do too. 

At the beginning of last school year, I was a lot sterner.  This year, however, I find myself being the nicest teacher around according to my students.  I had to change my teaching persona because I am now teaching 9th and 10th grade English.  My ninth graders are just getting accustommed to high school so they need more guidance and care than my eleventh graders wanted or got last year.  Most of them seemed scared or uncertain because they did not know what to expect.  I also teaching an honors English class, so I still get to lay down the law daily.  I must admit, I enjoy teaching now. I like coming to work early and staying late. Today, I was on time, and it felt so awkward.  One major difference that I can already see in myself is that I am more dedicated about ensuring that my students are learning. On top of that, the school has decided to make me the department chair for the English department. I am also a lead teacher for the one-to-one technology program. My goal is to help show my students that they are capable of learning and competing with other individuals for the opportunity to go to college and live out their dreams, goals, and aspirations.  I can now truly appreciate being called a teacher.

A conversation with Ben informed me of his advice to the first years.  I notice 2 out of 3 actually listened and followed his advice as I sit here in this meeting typing this blog.  Most first year teachers are bombarded with advice from a variety of sources who may or may not know what the hell they are talking about.  I could go on and on about my experiences as a first year teacher, but I honestly think that we should only give advice when asked.  SO, first years, here are two statements of advice:

1. Stay away from negative conversations.  If you here someone talking negatively about anything that pertains to the schools operations, administration, even lunch hell, go the opposite way.  Negative people bring down others who may actually enjoy the schools.  It also makes you hate your job!

2. Do your job. You represent Teacher Corp, not just yourself. If you have duty at 7:00 in the morning, guess what?!! You need to be there on time.  Teaching is a paid profession so make sure you are worth what you get paid.

The first day of school for the students is this Thursday. I expect to do a lot of things differently, including the two mentioned above.  I can't really answer the second part of the blog until school starts...so until next time James...ha ha.

P.S. Cheap glass cleaner works better on your whiteboards than expo cleaners.....send your EEF money on something else!!