#OneWord2023- Plant

Humus, soil, Earth- the substance that brings fertility and nourishment. Home to decomposers, revitalizers and care-givers. The foundation for roots, critters and support networks: mycelial, tuberous and tap. Seeking and wandering. Steadfast and geometric they stretch. If not nurtured itself, protected, and left fallow- it can perish and all within it will cease.

Without the soil there are no plants. There is no garden, there is no glorious food web of life. 

When endangered and overworked it crumbles, hardens and becomes dirt. Becoming rock rather than organic. It will become stagnant and still. Wind blown and erased. Silt, clay, loam all necessary to thrive. It's plight very much intertwined with out own: food, purification, protection and growth. To the Earth it is creativity, curiosity and invention. It shapes, steers and releases. It is the soul. The spirit. The foundation of our geosphere.

Everyone is rooted in their own soil. It is fertile when we are in the flow- creative and innovative. It allows us to plant seeds and gather the harvest. It provides strength and support. When our branches are full and reaching potential- we provide the lift and environment for personal fulfillment. Our bough allows us to try new methods, to rest and rejuvenate. It is our reservoir. Our campaign. Our ability to find a safe haven in the storm. But sometimes we stretch it thin, we plant to many options and the nutrients dwindle. Our leaves wilt and our branches droop.

It can take weeks, months and even years to reestablish a healthy tree. To bring our forest or garden back to its glory. Flowers blooming, insects buzzing, soil thriving. Trees whistling. Until the leaves are bountiful and the blossoms thick, it sometimes is best to rest. To allow the sunlight and rain a chance to replenish, and revive the nursery. To enclose it and protect it. To be quiet and still and just let things happen. To just be. For sometimes the loudness and traffic cause drought.

Till the soil and let it breathe. But without tractor or hoe- with small incremental movements. Nothing sudden or the soil will dry and crack. Just let the nature of things shift and settle the newly found nutrients. Prune back the weeds of doubt. They will creep and crawl into any transformation. They find weakness and attack. They must be recognized and accepted. They do not need to remain, give the decomposers in your soil time to break them down.

Greenhouses and conservatories only prosper when they are allowed to bear fruit. When they are allowed to pollenate and grow tall and vibrant. But it takes a lot of work. A lot of horticulture and landscaping. Thought and routine. Planning and execution. This takes energy and sometimes- energy is hard to come by. The sunlight needs to be able find respite in the leaves. The water allowed time to rise in the roots and stems. Sometimes focus needs to shift to something else for awhile. 

Thus, to plant, the kingdom plantae, planting one's foot on the ground, a place where an industrial or manufacturing process takes place- even the types of plants: herbs, vegetables, flowering plants, evergreens etc.- they all apply to my #oneword2023. To keep myself nourished. To stay steadfast in my learning and growth. To till, prune and nurture my priorities. To stretch my branches far, and offer support to my fellow leafy friends. To breathe in silence and cleanse my spirit frequently with moments of joy and fulfillment.

My #oneword2023 is Plant and all the connotations and meanings that go along with it. I will not uproot my calm nor degradant my soil. I will ease myself back into the bustle of jungle life and simply observe the sunrise and sunset for a bit. Then unfurl my tendrils and climb. I will seek moments to grow and many to rest. I will peek through the overgrowth and find the room to stretch and sturdy my many goals. 

I look forward to the camaraderie and community I have been absent from for awhile. Happy New Year and I hope your fields of seedlings sprout and bring you joy this year.

Waking Up and Smiling

 It's quiet. Only the air flowing through the ducts humming a calming sound. A gentle force, pinging and ponging on occasion but it is consistent with its flow. I sit in a dim classroom, my second home, or so it feels. Entering into a dark hallway in the morning, few teachers, it feels haunting some days, still, somber. That hour of transition from mom to teacher. I smile at these moments- reflecting on those positive moments that keep me coming here day after day.

There is a gap, a wedge that caused students to stumble and grasp on to the air for support. They haven't quite gotten their groove back. Even last year we had two weeks of Covid-related or weather related closures. It weighs heavy on them. Some still in Zoom mode and lacking the social skills to compensate. Some classes are full of those students who have just given up on behaving appropriately- laughing at the negative points on their roster. "I'm at 9" - "I'm only at 5" - they get ten before they are suspended or expelled.

Other students are silent- eerily quiet- hair pulled down covering their faces in an attempt to become invisible. I talk to them as much as I can. I've gotten them to work in pairs and interact with their peers. But they struggle as all students to find their flow, like the ducts in this once factory nor school veneer. These mornings that I feel positive are weening. I usually have more good than frustrating days but this term- for the first time in 21 years- more frustrating then good and its depressing. 

Luckily I do have two classes that are full of juniors and seniors- vibrant and funny. Engaged and dedicated. These lift me up. These keep me motivated to go up and beyond. So today I smile. I look forward to this next week bringing finals and closure to this term. I am hoping for a term more satisfying for my educational spirit. Every 22 days I changed students and course- it's got its positives and negatives- but today, today I smile because I got a good nights sleep and I found my flow- pings and pongs will occur- but I am open-minded and positive today.

Smiling.

Waking Up and Frowning

 Some days education just sucks. Over taxed you force yourself to go into a classroom where you feel underappreciated. Students not doing work (with little consequence) extensions given (required) and still missing assignments and failings. You try everything: incentives, engagement and class time allotted to complete. But, still those who will not engage on your most fulfilling lessons will not do assignments. They are disengaged and frustrated with life. Angsty teenagers. High school is vastly different than the middle school I am used too.

I feared they would be hypervigilant, concerned about every grade. For about half that is the case. But the other half are repeating classes and the second and third time around- still don't care.

I feel deflated after hours of prep and organization and these students still won't engage- still won't do work. I wake up with a frown some days. It takes all my strength not to switch professions. This is the first term in 21 years of teaching where I truly feel like giving up and moving on.

When you Stop to Think About Things....

There is a lot going on these days. A lot of conflict and tribalism. A lot of separation and finger pointing. It is amazing what you hear when you stop to listen. Most people are optimistic. If you sit in a restaurant you hear laughter and boisterous conversations. Most people seem jovial and just happy to be out and about. There is a certain comfort in being out and about. It feels like life is progressing. 

Most people are not wearing masks. Spending the weekend at Inn of the Mountain Gods in the forest of New Mexico - was very eye opening to me. It was loud in certain areas- mingling and upbeat conversations a buzz. There were quiet spots where people were gazing reflectively upon the lake, others where people were sitting in oversized chairs reading. It was a beautiful place to be. Boats or ziplining but also walks and horseback riding. 

I sat quietly a lot. There was a forest fire, 1 of 4 locally here- you could smell the smoke. It gave me pause. It made me think about the homes, wild life, nature succumbing to the flames. I have never seen so many deer. I counted 50 at one time- lingering about the grounds, fleeing the fire. A helicopter came to the lake throughout the day filling a basket with water and then dropping it on the fire. It was a juxtaposition of loud and quiet, clean fresh mountain air and smoky billows. Laughter and reflection.

When you stop to think about things you allow your mind to wander. Your thoughts to trickle out and like a vine wrap around other ideas and motivations. I am motivated more now to write and read. To reflect and ponder. Back in the bustle of the city and classroom life- I am allowing moments to ponder- for that is my release, my escape. Amidst the laughter of students today, I can envision the lake, the billow of natures destruction- and I am thankful for what I have.

One More Time, With Feeling

The crescendo begins, rising and building

it is close, the accumulation

adaptation, pivot and soar

content, knowledge and collaboration

unfolds and roars

the faces will change, the voices will become new

but the learning will endure

the relationships will be secure

because they were forged, like the sound of growth

in steel motivation and molten inspiration

these faces, I will miss

these voices, I will miss

and as another cohort enters- one more time

with feeling

another opportunity to inspire and allow

collisions and crescendos

and I am ready for the cymbals to clang

Why is Ordinary not Extraordinary?

Ordinary sounds less than extraordinary. Add a few extra letters- 5 in fact and the word changes. I feel ordinary most of the time. This is not to say I lack confidence or self-value. I know I am awesome. I search for ways of betterment. I love being a teacher and I am never complacent about it. I know what  do is important. But this does not bring to my mind extraordinary skills. I am good at what I do- but am I worthy of those extra 5 letters?

I do not seek them. I seek to be ordinary because most of us are- we are not less than or mere unordinary- we are us. I always say to people- "Be You"- flamboyant and energetic, calm and introverted. Be kind. Make the world a better place. Strive for mindfulness and finding joy in the little things. But do so, being you. When you are positive, friendly and open-minded you are ordinary. For most of us are. This does not devalue our experiences or existence it just puts things into perspective.

When you grow up being told you are extraordinary, that you are perfect- this creates a sense of entitlement. But when you are told you are ordinary and kind- that you make the world better because you.... then you feel not entitled but invested. You want to do the things that bring joy to others. You want to participate and grow. You want to stay ordinary and amazing. This might seem an odd way to look at the world- and it is.

I was bullied severely as a child- told I was the weirdo or nerd. The unordinary, awkward geek. I heard others being told they were extraordinary- that they had what it takes to be a GOAT. I thought that was odd. Not me, the ordinary girl from California. I did not want to stand out. But I also did not want to be considered unordinary. I liked the thought of ordinary- it put me where I needed to be- with others like me. Those who were themselves and worked hard and treated others with kindness.

These days being ordinary seems to have a connotation of less than. But the extraordinary people to me are not those who are preaching kindness- they are those frustrated and causing havoc - throwing fits on airplanes and performing acts of violence or sending out negative and mean Tweets, videos etc. These are the extraordinary- not because they are better but because they are outliers. Extra to me does not mean better, it simply means different.

So for me- I appreciate that I am ordinary. That I have amazing qualities. That I work hard to earn my keep. That I am open-minded and I accept different points of view. I am not demeaning myself by believing I am ordinary because I am in the largest group, the group of people who value kindness and growth. So here I stay an ordinary girl from California. Bettering myself and learning every day. I do not need the extra five letters- extra does not mean better. I prefer the six letters: growth. The seven letters: mindful. The eight letters: learning.

The Value of Google Classroom

I spent eight years on Canvas, a platform organized for student learning. It organized lessons, assignments, assessments. Much like Google Classroom does. The main difference is Canvas is not free- Google Classroom is available to all. The way teachers can organize and set up classes is similar- day by day or weekly, quizzes, assignments or materials -uploading is simple. BUT, if you have a Google Drive linking documents is quicker and more efficient on Google Classroom. Everything links.

The functionality makes teaching streamlined and efficient, but it is only a calendar, to do list, submission platform. The rest- the teaching, investigations, interactions, collaboration- this is all separate. I use it to have a place students go to see assignments and submit- digital versions of assignments. They can see slide shows, video clips, even hard copy notes and review material all in Google Classroom.

But, the bulk of what we do is hands on. Digits over digital I say. But if I can save paper and have them complete rather on a Google Document or Google Slide- I do that. That way they won't lose it and always have access to all assignments. But coloring, diagrams, lab sheets etc. I print those out. Students collaborate on assignments in class, they digitally complete web quests and escape rooms, virtual games and even draw and create 3D models on-line.

The value in this type of organization is immeasurable- as long as it is not used solely. As long as students are not sitting quietly for class periods just completing work on-line. This detracts from its purpose. Its purpose being- an organizational tool, not an instructional one. But, it comes in extremely handy on virtual learning days, snow days etc. We have used it to keep our school functioning during Covid and other days of virtual learning due to a boiler malfunction and flu outbreak.

I think it is a tool that can be amazing. But, as with all other software/technology it is only as good as far as it reaches. While my school is a Chromebook school (every student is required to own or lease one) many schools do not have access to technology on campus or at home. But if you do- this is an amazing tool to keep students organized and set up lessons in advance (always changeable) and communicate with them via steam or email.

The Evolution and Solution: Classroom Synergy

Classrooms evolve. Voices once quiet become heard. Imaginations change and flow with the topics. Familiarity enhances relationships. Days of good behavior overlap those with shenanigan's and outbursts. Every day is different. The routines might be consistent but the interest level, conversations and attitudes adapt and evolve.

Every class period is unique. And within that uniqueness, there is diversity and vivid personalities playing off of one another- making a cadence of learning. Dynamic and fluid- classrooms are the embodiment of flexibility and challenge. Offering opportunities and growth experiences. They are why teachers become teachers. They are the landscape of our dreams- for we are always planning ahead, and imagining our ecosystems.

Days of desert transform into savannahs and jungles of growth. Icy moments melt to become oceans thriving with life and interaction. We do not need to create these places- they will germinate and pollinate all on their own- if we provide the radiant energy. If we provide an environment ready to transform- our students will dig and plant, feed and nurture their space and merge into the glorious spaces we call classrooms.

When they solve - they discover, build and tinker- students are more than the abiotic factors of learning- they are the vessels the natural beings that embody the ecosystem. They are not the soil nor the rocks but the growth itself. I see this every day: my classroom shifting and flipping, transforming and settling. It takes on the spirit of the voices and attitudes that enter it. I merely the light that beings the process. They the energy, synergy- life of the landscape.

So this week I am watching - staying a mere observer in the tussle and bustle of growth. I trim, I prune but they overgrow their habitats, creating a new succession of growth. and this right here...is pure magic.

Here are a Few of My Favorite Things....to do in a SCIENCE CLASSROOM

I am a science teacher through and through. I live and breathe science. I read social science and psychology books, I watch science shows, listen to science podcasts. Have I said I love science. It invigorates me. So this passion and interest flows from every pore in my classroom. I love to bridge different topics and discuss current findings in science. I think the more students hear about innovation and design, forward thinking and discover the more inspired they get to learn.

I have two classroom motto's

"Colliding with Science- Buckle up, we are going to do Collide with science today."

"I am not hear to teach you science, I am hear to teach you how to teach yourself science."

Science class should be messy, interactive, and energetic. These are the results of any collision. Yes, there are times when quiet ensues, or students work independently- but most of the time they are collaborating and analyzing text or building models, testing hypotheses. This is what science means to me. A mingling, overlapping and synergy of ideas and action.

Students love to build models and share ideas. Puppet shows are a great outlet for their creativity. I even built a puppet show stage. They love to do skits and write raps and songs to perform about science topics. They actually appreciate a moment or two to perform and learn from one another. They love to play with LEGO or Play-Doh and create colorful models.

This week they build giant organelles that we put into a giant cell. They build structures to withstand heat or cold- insulators. They are designing superhero's. My high schoolers are enhancing body systems (6) to accommodate their powers and writing origin stories. My middle schoolers are creating hero's or villains who use thermal energy in their powers. They are making 3D models of their hero/villain and my high schoolers are drawing portraits of theirs.

The last week, we did an experiment with an egg about osmosis. Students placed the egg in vinegar over night to dissolve the shell. Then water over night, corn syrup over night and then a different solution (soda, OJ or even milk) overnight. We discussed hypertonic vs hypotonic solutions and cellular membrane phospholipids- but talking didn't do it- they needed a week long experiment, investigation, to really understand the concept. Then we went outside and filmed the eggs as we dropped them on the ground. It was awesome.

Having students lead the discussion is a great way for them to take responsibility for their learning. Hold them accountable to demonstrate their understanding. Students usually sign up for a day to present something of interest about a topic. We do 1-2 a day and this allows them to learn from one another, not just me. Shy students start to open up after presenting and it really sparks conversation to life after they see one another go through the process.

Lastly, 1 minute-check in's are my go to. Every week - 1 minute with every student. A check in, a time to chat or review with them individually. This fosters communication, lessens stress and builds relationships. It heightens awareness and brings my classroom into a more mindful mindset. These are a few of my favorite things to do- they work for me, I tweak as necessary, extend when needed and together our collisions are frequent and our learning growth oriented.

Superhero Bonanza!

The superhero craze is very much alive. Students talk about them, compare powers, discuss movies. It is something everyone can relate to. The struggles of Peter Parker. The strength of Thor. The villainy of Ultron and Thanos. How can we bring these fantastical characters into our classroom? There are so, so many ways. The science behind them, the physics of their powers, the psychology of their behavior, the mathematics of their speed, strength etc.

My classes are creating superheroes. My 6th graders are creating superheroes with powers that interact with heat- thermodynamics. They can have powers that utilize particle motion shifts, the collection or release of heat, the harnessing of cold- in other words thermal energy transfer. We are discussing how to create and write an origin story and they also need to create a 3D model of their character. Villains are allowed as well and some students are combining their characters into stories. 

My high schoolers need to go deeper. They are creating superheroes or villains that mutate or enhance physically. They need to explain 6 body systems and how they have altered to create the characteristics of their superhero. They are creating a story to explain the origin and transformation of their character and drawing portraits of their characters.

This week is all about Superheros and it is AMAZING! Bam! Pow! Excelsior!

Just Breathe

Uniformity is dangerous. Thinking alike, falling into the pit of we must think this way or that. This is never going to happen. Thus a divide the size of the Grand Canyon is tugging at both sides- separating, deeper and deeper the fall.

Diversity is freedom. Uniqueness and creativity comes from the core of individuality. The sense that what we think and how we think can bring change. As we have seen this change might not be for the better- we may despise the rhetoric, we may want to throttle the trolls- but without freedom of expression- we squelch innovation.

The beauty of the Internet and social media- is we can choose not to look or listen. But, we should look and listen, if only to understand what we do not. We need to hear, not necessarily agree or appreciate- but understand, for we can not change if we do not understand the reason we need to do so. Yes, some things that need changing are blatant and obvious. But the darkness that lurks underneath and behind- the root cause under the soil- we miss and then we can not prevent.

Just breathe. Just listen and try very hard not to recoil and ignore. Being happy and brutally positive is not the trick either. But being willing to listen- to respond not react- that is key. I hear and see things that make me want to scream and hide every day. The world keeps spinning around and around and with the movement comes so much negativity it can be overwhelming.

But, I listen. I try to understand. I am trying desperately not to judge- but I am human. I can not be positive and perky many days and thus steer clear of social media- I tell my children and students daily- "It is no ones business that you are in a bad mood."- "Your politics and opinions are yours alone , we have individual frameworks that allows us to interpret and make sense in our own way." If you want to shout from the rooftops your anger and frustration, be ready for the other voices to respond.

I choose to keep most things to myself. It is simpler that way for I am an introvert. I do not like or seek out confrontation. This does not make me anything but cautious and yes- unique and individual to my own thinking and reactions. My responses are my own and I like to think a bit before putting them out into the world. I am not a toxically positive person- I get stupidly frustrated and vent like the rest of the population. I just do it in the comfort and isolation of my home- offline.

I choose to just breathe.

A Splat, Scurry and Solitude

burst

splat, explosion of ingenuity

expansion

leaving a mark

the doldrums scurry

further expansion

edges blurring together

forward and back

the subtle silence lingers

as rumble and giggle encircles

watch

listen

creativity unfold

and yet

my mind never quiets

it always tugs

A week of Blogs (Feb 22- March 1)

 A week in a day. Sometimes it feels like it is a month in a day when you are in education. Virtual classes, in-person classes, snow days- it makes a week seem so fast. But it also works in reverse. When you get a disturbance in the normal schedule- a week undisturbed feels like an eternity. I prefer a full week with out disruption but this week has been another with a snow day.

Crazy times. Been so busy converting brick and mortar lessons into virtual ones. Blogging took a back seat. But, this day is calming things down and now I can get my thoughts out.

The word fine, is a word that I think is a spackle word- it covers what lies underneath. When someone responds fine- it does not tell the true story. But it has become a phenomenon- this word. Its not okay to complain, its not okay to brag about how happy you are- how great things are going for you. People have put up a shell these days.

or

They are loud and boisterous- letting everyone know they are unhappy. Venting.

It seems there is not a center these days. Educators are tired. But, we put on a brave face and hunker down. We keep things to ourselves most time. We say things are fine. But are they?

I hope everyone is feeling better than fine. 

Mask Mandate Lifted #49

Most states already lifted their mask mandate. I think it was just New Mexico and Hawaii that were left. So our governor lifted ours at 1:00 pm today. It was sudden. No one saw it coming. Least of all schools. I heard about it on social media. Then at about 4:00 pm our school sent out an email and robocall. Masks are now optional.

The debate lingers here, as everywhere. Sides, debates, fits of rage and condescending stares are running amok. So it will, I am sure, filter into the campus and cause some situations on Monday. I've been behind a mask in school, in Texas and  New Mexico for two years. It feels a necessary step is warranted, normalcy is warranted- but the conversation needs to stay alive.

The concerns of many need to be addressed. I have stayed out of the conversation- heated, tumultuous arguments are not my jam. But I am sure there will be some on Monday. I will carry a mask around with me. If I am near a student I will put it on. If I am lecturing or at my desk away from students I might take it off. Either way it is a choice. I feel this choice is necessary.

Many of the teachers at my campus feel uncertain and will wear one all the time. Some won't wear one at all. The same for students- many whom are vaccinated while many are not. It is a familial thing and an individual thing- a choice and I for one feel choice is important. We probably will see a surge of cases as new germs are assimilated and dispersed- but we need to try to find a balance.

Bitter Cold a Coming #48

Boilers are important to a school building. In the winter when they don't work- classrooms, hallways and lunch rooms are bitter cold. Sweaters, scarves and coats are great for outdoors but not desks and chairs- learning is hindered with distractions. But, also it is very hard to focus and concentrate on much when the chilly sensation of winter is knocking.

We closed for a week, last month while they attempted to fix the boiler. We layered and huddled for a day then administration decided we needed a warm place to learn- virtually from home. We came back and fought against the chill for a few days but then a winter storm (our second in 3 weeks) jumped in and dropped our temperatures below freezing again. Thus we are out for another 3 days.  

This is so strange to me- virtual, in building, virtual, in building- what a roller coaster. Of the 4 week course with HS I just taught I saw them 2 weeks in the classroom. Now we are in another term and I just missed 3 days with them. It is necessary, but frustrating. But it is the quandary of a charter school. Things are independent of the local school district. It is finally fixed and hopefully it will stay warm in the building moving forward.

They just lifted our mask mandate and Monday will be our first day on campus with the option of wearing a mask.

The Muck #47

Muck is a good word. It brings to mind muddy waters, thick gooey puddles of sticky slop. You can imagine the traps, the dungeons of hope and fortitude filling up as the liquid disperses and sucks in the fear. Like a quagmire, it might at times hold you in place- make you feel cornered and stuck.

But it can also build a wall, A wall on which we can lean and take a rest. Muck. We have all swam in it, sank below the surface in it, and discovered how to built a raft in order to ride the waves it causes. We avoid it, we jump into it- we welcome it.

For the muck is everything we misunderstand, we find ugly, we care deeply about, and we use to kick ourselves into gear. We step out of it more enlightened, more exhausted and more cognizant of what we need to do. But it can be heavy, it can weight us down and slow our pace. But, it allows us to see the scenery and make decisions and choices.

The muck is something we need to experience. We need to be at the center of it- not in the outer rings of its orbit.

So lean in, even crouch if you need to, sink a toe in- and follow the current.

Hearts, Bouquets and Lots of Sweets #46

Masks can't hide the pride students carry around on Valentine's Day. Smiles vibrate from beneath the mask- candy hearts, red lollipops, Fun Dip, giant Teddy Bears. The wave of red and pink is giant on this day.

I enjoy watching students interact and just feel connected.

Its a very colorful and energetic day indeed.

You Energy is Your Essence #43

 Let's be honest, we don't always have a good day. We are not always in an upbeat mood. We have lulls in our day, where we are just plain old tired and irritable. We get cantankerous. Unfortunately, we as educators, are not provided time to take a break and change our mood.

We have to keep teaching, trying to stay cheerful, even when we want to rip someones eyes out. It could be home life, traffic on the road, even that we just don't feel our best- but we have to keep going, keep moving forward, no matter our comfort level.

I am always writing about mindfulness strategies and they may seem silly, or exaggerated but I assure you they work. I spend a lot of time reading books about behavior, first impressions and 'reading' people and the one thing they all have in common is- we have to pay attention, listen and be patient. We misjudge all the time as humans, as we all know.

But, if we just spend a little more time thinking before we speak, we can make some huge changes in our lives. If we pay attention to our demeanor: facial expression, eye contact, body language and word choice- we can eliminate some of the opinions, that get made about us, before we even start to speak to someone.

We all have an energy. Just like we all have pheromones, a chemical smell we give off. We also give off an energy, it may be invisible, unscented and unnoticeable to some respect, BUT it is felt down to our core. We feel it others, sense it. We make choices to avoid those who may be giving off negative vibes, while migrating towards those who inspire us with their optimism and joyful attitude. We all have a presence- sometimes it is mindful, other times it isn't.

There is nothing I can say to change your mind. If you do not feel the importance of mindfulness, deep inside your bones, then nothing I say will mean anything. My students when I started our positivity-mindfulness strategies- looked at me sideways and literally snickered. They didn't believe me. They thought it was just another flavor of the week.

Yet, day by day, week by week, they started to listen. They started to believe in the process. They began to say more kind things, behave more neighborly in my class. At first it was cordial and felt rehearsed. But after a few weeks it became more natural and heart-felt. You could feel the change in attitude and disposition.

Our energy precedes us. It travels faster than we do. It connects with the energy of others, before we even reach them and if its cross or dismal- we may lose a connection. If it is erratic and crestfallen, others may avoid us and then we will feel isolated. We have to change our energy. The only way we can do that is to be self-aware and self-regulatory.

We have to do the proverbial thing "take a walk in someone else's shoes." Not to feel what they feel in this instance, but to see ourselves through their eyes- their emotions. When we do we might just be horrified at our behavior. But until we see ourselves as harbingers if energy- we won't be able to convert the negativity to positive verve. Believe in the process and you might just surprise yourself.

Another Virtual Week #38

Times are strange. Things at times feel like they are coming together, reaching some kind of normalcy. But then a boiler goes out an after a week of virtual due to Covid cases, we come back for a day then go out again virtual. almost two weeks of virtual. A reminder to stay on your toes as you will need to pivot quickly these days.

Updating lessons to digital quickly is something I can do, thankfully, but coming back for the last day before finals- is a bit disheartening- I barely got to meet my HS students this term - I saw them 2 of the 4 weeks in person. 

Stay open-minded- that's all we can do these days.

Cake and Eating it too: Teacher Love #37

 Don't let anyone tell you that teaching is a cake walk. That people do it for the summers off or weekends or federal holiday's. Don't let people tell you that 'those who can't do, teach." Because you know what? -teaching is a lot of doing. More than can be written in a book or described in a blog post. 

Every teacher has their Tupperware container of strategies and lesson plans. Their go to activities or video clips and warm-ups. There is a certain level of comfort every teacher has- maybe it takes awhile, but they find it. And each one is unique.

Honestly teaching is a set of parameters, and where each of us as an educator falls within them, depends on a few factors. Angles. Parallel or perpendicular. But we fall within them. Because once we take the vow, commit to the profession, we establish our location. Some on the fringe, others well in the center. But, we choose early on where we want to reside.

But as we unpack and settle in- we each have to varying degrees, our Tupperware tool box, full of strategies to cope with and work with the following: Just thinking about them means you recognize them. Some are familiar others foreign but all need our attention.

1. Teacher and student resilience
2. Following the rules
3. Bending the rules
4. Fortitude of action over words
5. Keeping our ego in check
6. Binoculars and microscopes
7. Listening with intention
8. Responding not reacting
9. Is anybody here? Is anybody listening?
10. Leave your pacing guide behind, must we color in the lines?
11. Each class is different, each student unique
12. Learning is not universal
13. Lesson plans do not mean ease of execution, they only give you a starting point
14. Teams are important, no matter how long you have been teaching
15. Technology is not a replacement for anything, just a way to make things more accessible
16. Zoom and Room are equal
17. Digital and digits- never one shall overtake the other
18. Stations are great when they are purposeful, not just another way to read while standing
19. Why long - if you can be succinct and leave more room for exploration
20. Homework should be minimal to leave room for home thinking
21. Do we ever master teaching or are we always in progress?
22. Education is an amalgam of what you like, what they need, and the time and place of collision
23. Brick and mortar versus keys and screens, should be minimal- Zoom is a classroom, it needs inclusion, innovation and your full attention

Just what I have been thinking about. Maybe chapters in a book. Maybe just thoughts. We shall see. Either way, they are what educators are facing. I just wanted to give words to the jumble.