How Will Your Students Remember You?

I have taught for 30+ years, and over the years, I have connected with former students.

On the street, their jobs, emails, and visits. Last year, 3 siblings surprised me with a visit. I had each of them in my classroom. One had graduated from college and was working in D.C, one was in college, and one had just graduated from high school.They not only thanked me, but they talked to my students, gave them some of their wisdom and let them know how fortunate they were to have me.:) A student from one of my 3rd grade classes in the 80's, found me on Facebook, and remembered her experience in my classroom.

Hearing about the impact I have had on their lives makes me proud. Proud as in "I am so happy that I have made a difference", not "look what I've done."

Presently, I work with one of my former 5th grade students, she is a para in my classroom.She told my husband that I was good, because I was the only teacher she still remembered.

Here are some things I have done over the last thirty years that I believe has affected the relationship I had with my students.

I was not mean.
This does not mean I never raised my voice, or laid them out. It doesn't mean that I never let loose with sarcasm,(I have really become a lot better at controlling this!). It means what it says, I am not mean. I have never spent day after day, belittling students who have very little control over what happens in their lives. I have never made them feel like less.

I loved them.
And they knew it! It didn't matter if I was fussing, angry, impatient, they knew that I loved them. There were times I did not like their behavior, (to be honest there were some that were hard to like), but nonetheless,I loved them like they were mine. My expectations for them were high. I treated them the way I wanted teachers to treat my kids.

I engaged them.
Oh yes, pre-computers! Back in 19something or other, I used to take a huge cardbox and drag it into my room. I am not making this up. I would turn out the lights and we would time travel during Social Studies. The other kids would put their heads on the desk.The kids would "wake up" and we would be wherever I was teaching. No computer necessary! I used to write plays and have my students perform them.(Aaaah,. pre-standardized testing days).

Be human.
Dance. Sing. Smile. Laugh. Tell them about your kids. Your husband. Your life.

I was, (and still am), a life long learner.
It doesn't matter what your profession is. The minute you stop learning, you are done. If you are teaching from the lesson plan book you used in 2010...(and you brag about it???) Keep it fresh.

I adapt.
If you keep doing the same thing the same way you've always been doing it... I'm paraphrasing, but you get my drift. I always switched it up because a bored teacher means bored students. Should I refer back to the lesson plan book from 2010? This is why tech and I are besties right now, completely transformed the way I teach!

I was passionate about teaching!
Everyone who is teaching does not feel the same way that I do. To some, teaching is just a job, a means to a paycheck. Others, really enjoy it, but at the end of the day, they are done. Teaching has been my passion since I was a little girl in my friend's basement with an easel and some neighborhood kids. It's in my blood, as my girlfriend says, I am a "teacher's teacher." It's just something that I love!

Yesterday, via Facebook, I realized that one of my former students had become a teacher. She has been teaching for 9 years. I congratulated her, and she responded, " I always think about you and Ms.Turner and hope I'm doing half the job you did!" What a wonderful way to be remembered!

Google Voice Typing- YES! or BOO!?

When Google Voice Typing was announced all over the Blogosphere, I rejoiced!
And just like a teacher, I thought about how I could use this in my classroom, and I was happy.
I introduced it to my class the other day, and they were happy.

BUT, now I'm thinking... am I interfering with their ability to learn how to write?
Am I interfering with their ability to navigate a keyboard?
What about spelling? Will it help them become better/worse spellers?

I guess this is one of those Pros and Cons type of things...

I'e watched students struggle to write a single sentence. It wasn't because they didn't know what to write, it's because they couldn't write.

I think about all those assignments that take forever to turn in because the kids have to type them.
And I mean forever!

The other day, a student who is usually very, very, quiet surprised me. First, he said, "Mrs.M, don't forget to turn off the speaker, because otherwise it will type anything you say." Loved that he discovered it, love even more that he decided to share this, out loud. When he was finished "voice typing' his story, which by the way, he had already written in his notebook, he came up to my desk, HUGE smile, to tell me his story was published, and how happy he was with Google Voice typing!

I think I will still have my students, who are capable of writing, write their stories in their notebooks, and then "voice type" them. The ones who can't write, they can use "voice type" from the beginning. It's difficult for me to think that they should sit and struggle to write 3 sentences, when they could "write" 2 paragraphs in that time.

I'm going to have to give Google Voice Typing a YES! 
Your thoughts?????

Now let me go and work on my Great American Novel, it should be out next week! :)

How Can We #Rethink Discipline?

On July 22, 2015 educators gathered at the White House to Rethink School Discipline.

"The conference sought to advance the national conversation about reducing the overuse of unnecessary out of school suspensions and expulsions and replacing these practices with positive alternatives that keep students in school and engaged in learning, but also ensure accountability."

As I participated in the Twitter conversation #rethinkdiscipline, I began to think about ways we could avoid reaching the point where we have to suspend students. Just as we find ways to prevent illness using preventive measures, there are preventive methods we can use to reduce suspensions and expulsions. These methods are not a cure-all, but it can help stem the tide.

Build a relationship with your students

I think Rita Pierson said it best in her TedEd talk, "Kids don't learn from people they don't like."  Teachers do not have to be a child's best friend. But we do have to show them that we care. Compassion and empathy are great tools to use in the classroom.

We are not going to like all of our students, but we don't have to let them know it. Can you imagine being a child, who comes to school every day, knowing that your teacher doesn't like you? Many of us have felt that way about some of our students, but we can't let them feel it. Rita also stated, "James Comer says that no significant learning can occur without a significant relationship." Take a little time to find out about their circumstances, that may bring some comprehension to why the child is behaving in a negative manner.

Give students ownership

It's time to let go of the traditional, "This is my classroom, and you will do as I say".. You do not have to relinquish your authority to the point where your classroom is in chaos, students appreciate structure. A teacher-friend of mine had trouble with a student all year. She stated, "We were in a constant power struggle, I was not going to let him win!" Think about the war that was going on in that classroom. But, imagine what would happen if our students were given control of what happens in their classroom? Start small, let them create the rules.  Read articles or use tools that help you manage a classroom, so that you are comfortable enough to loosen the reigns.

Be Fair

I have taught for 30 years, and I have seen this situation played out over and over. As much as we would like to deny it, race and gender are factors in how students are disciplined. When Johnny and Jamal exhibit the same type of behavior, Johnny is, "spoken to", or strategies are devised to help him work out his issues. Jamal is kicked out of the classroom, suspended, or expelled. It doesn't happen all the time, but it happens too many times. Our students are aware of the differences in the way they are treated, and it creates animosity in the classroom.

Fresh Start Every Day, Every Year

This is difficult. One year I watched the new teacher, sit next to the old teacher,class list in hand, and ask for information on each student. Depressing, isn't it? Any chance of that student starting fresh,gone.

When a student that has been disrespectful, taken a teacher to the brink of insanity, comes in the next day, the tendency is to hold a grudge.  Let go at the end of the day.  Speak to them before they leave. Let them know tomorrow is another day, a day to start fresh. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't, but give them that chance.When they enter the classroom the next morning, begin again. 

Hire More Teachers of Color

There has been a push to hire more teachers of color.  Our students of color, deserve to have teachers that look like them. Our students deserve to be taught by teachers of color, who may share some aspects of their culture, that other teachers may not be privy to. They need to know that they can becoming an educator is an option. All students, deserve to see people of color in their schools in the role of an educator. Will the race of the teacher erase discipline problems? Of course not, but, it's a step in the right direction.

Give Second Chances

Zero tolerance was one of the worst policies created, it helped create the school to prison pipeline. How many times have adults been given, not only a second chance, but a third or fourth one as well? Instead of treating each situation differently, we give all infractions equal weight. What is wrong with giving a child a chance to redeem themselves? What might happen if we showed them that we believed that it was possible?

Engage them

I used the term, engage, and not entertain. If a student is bored, then he or she is more likely to become a behavior problem. Don’t be afraid to incorporate technology in your classroom. Try lessons that make students think, debate, talk to each other. Make connections with other classrooms, experts, and teachers. Standing in front of the classroom talking, or yelling, at students is not going to create a classroom of fewer discipline problems, but creating an environment where students feel engaged probably will.

They are children

They are someone's child; I always consider them mine. I always thought of my own children sitting in a teacher's room, and the way I wanted them to be treated.Think of strategies that might work. Take a deep breath. Work with their parent. And if there is no parental support, find a way to work without it. Find their passion. Make them a leader. Love them. Remember, "The children who need love the most will always ask for it in the most unloving ways" Russel Barkley. Let's #rethink discipline, there has to be a better way.

Voki, Speaking Avatars!/GiveaWay!

Okay, imagine this. Your students are completing biographies on famous people. You could go the traditional route and have them write a report. OR, you could use Voki.

How much more interesting to hear the report from an avatar that represents a biographical figure, a character in a book, even the student themselves!

The great thing is, Voki can be shared with a link, email, or using the embed code!

I have used Voki in my classroom for years.The students are engaged as they customize their avatars and bring their words to life! Voki definitely has a place in my classroom, which is why I was willing to be a Voki ambassador! Now you have a chance to try it out as well!

Check out the Youtube video below to learn how you can use Voki in your classroom, and don't forget to enter the giveaway!

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Everybody Get Up! Using Brain Breaks in the Classroom!

If you are still teaching in the traditional, "sit down, be quiet, don't move", method it is time to let it go!

Research has proven that, just like adults, our kids need to move, young or old. The fact that we, as adults, don't want to sit in one place for hours on end, should give us a clue that we shouldn't do that to our students.

This year, I used part of the money from my iEducateDE Honoree money,(Thanks @RodelDE), to purchase a standing desk. (Those things are expensive!) But, I believe it will be worth it!

So you think, "What to do? What to do?" "Stand up and stretch", can get pretty boring. Try GoNoodle! Once you use it, you will be hooked for life, or, at least, as long as you teach.:)

Check out the 5 minute presentation below to see how you can bring GoNoodle into your classroom this year. You won't regret it! Pop Se Ko, Pop Pop Se Ko!