California is currently rated the 2nd lowest state in the country for the academic performance of our students. Yet, Governor Schwarzenegger has proposed to cut $5.5 BILLION from education in order to close the $8 billion state deficit. That's nearly 70% - and certainly not an area that should be undercut in it's current condition.
My district alone - with 6 public high schools - will sacrifice $14 million from next year's budget, which the administrators determined will require cutting almost 100 positions. They said EVERY new teacher will get a preliminary pink slip, but many of us will be rehired. I have been reassured that Science teachers are especially in demand, so my position should be safe.
It has been 3 months since last blog entry, and things have certainly not become any easier. With an hour commute each way and working well over 12 hours a day, it's hard to resist thinking of other ways to make a living. I just have to keep reminding myself that the first year of teaching is always the hardest and that it can only get better... if we could only elect leaders that care about the education of our country!
Friday, March 21, 2008
Sunday, December 9, 2007
1st Group Activity
December 7, 2007
The highlight of this week was doing our first group projects in the Earth Science classes. We are studying minerals, and I let each group chose an object we use everyday in order to research the minerals used to make that item and create a poster they would present to the class. For the most part, they seemed excited to do something hands-on and showed dedication to fulfilling the tasks. It also gave us our first opportunity to use a computer lab (which wasn't without it's challenges).
I was very specific with the amount of time they would be given for each step (research/assembly/presentation/final product) and how they would be graded accordingly. However, I underestimated how much time they would need for creating the posters, so the whole project ended up taking an entire week. I was really proud with the outcomes of some of the more dedicated groups and posted the best ones for display in the classroom. They all responded with enthusiasm when I asked if they liked the project and whether they understand minerals a little better. Getting the kids involved in activities always seems to be an effective and memorable learning experience. It just seems to take a considerable amount of time, and we only have 14 weeks left until the state tests!
I'll see about posting pictures of the posters sometime soon. Stay tuned!
The highlight of this week was doing our first group projects in the Earth Science classes. We are studying minerals, and I let each group chose an object we use everyday in order to research the minerals used to make that item and create a poster they would present to the class. For the most part, they seemed excited to do something hands-on and showed dedication to fulfilling the tasks. It also gave us our first opportunity to use a computer lab (which wasn't without it's challenges).
I was very specific with the amount of time they would be given for each step (research/assembly/presentation/final product) and how they would be graded accordingly. However, I underestimated how much time they would need for creating the posters, so the whole project ended up taking an entire week. I was really proud with the outcomes of some of the more dedicated groups and posted the best ones for display in the classroom. They all responded with enthusiasm when I asked if they liked the project and whether they understand minerals a little better. Getting the kids involved in activities always seems to be an effective and memorable learning experience. It just seems to take a considerable amount of time, and we only have 14 weeks left until the state tests!
I'll see about posting pictures of the posters sometime soon. Stay tuned!
Sunday, December 2, 2007
25 weeks... no, make that 15
December 1, 2007
Before the break, I was striving to meet with a couple fellow science teachers so I could get a better sense of what I need to accomplish and how to pace my classes for the rest of the year. We weren't able to coordinate it until the day after break, though, so I've still been teaching and planning day-to-day. Looking at our calendar, not including breaks and holidays, it appeared I had 25 weeks left and 24 chapters in our text. It seemed practical - spending 1 week per chapter, but they just informed me in our meeting that there is a state exam in April for which my students basically need to know EVERYTHING to answer questions in every content area. That only leaves me 16 weeks!!!
Fortunately, as a first year teacher who started a quarter through the year, they said nobody expects me to finish in time. That takes some pressure off, but I still feel it's unfortunate for the students who are not learning as much and will be penalized on their grades for something beyond their control. On the other hand, I'm still struggling to pull back the reins on the three classes that were on the loose before I started. Some of my strategies have worked for most of each class, but there are still the few who refuse to do what I ask and have no fear of consequences. I took the time to call a few parents this past week, but the mother of the one I was most concerned about said she gets the same response from all her teachers.
So what do you do when the parents have completely given up and offer no support? The natural reaction for teachers is to get stricter and meaner the more students misbehave and disrespect their authority. Even the Principal and Vice Principals I have spoken with say I shouldn't lighten up - I just need to follow protocol and continue to file reports and referrals when necessary. But somewhere deep inside, I feel like there is a possibility of winning them over by showing I care and that I am there for them. I know it requires more "tough love", and I have to work harder to not let them get away with things. I'm just willing to put a ton more energy toward that style than to pretend to be someone I'm not. Does this make sense? I hope somebody will stop me if I'm about to make a terrible mistake...
Before the break, I was striving to meet with a couple fellow science teachers so I could get a better sense of what I need to accomplish and how to pace my classes for the rest of the year. We weren't able to coordinate it until the day after break, though, so I've still been teaching and planning day-to-day. Looking at our calendar, not including breaks and holidays, it appeared I had 25 weeks left and 24 chapters in our text. It seemed practical - spending 1 week per chapter, but they just informed me in our meeting that there is a state exam in April for which my students basically need to know EVERYTHING to answer questions in every content area. That only leaves me 16 weeks!!!
Fortunately, as a first year teacher who started a quarter through the year, they said nobody expects me to finish in time. That takes some pressure off, but I still feel it's unfortunate for the students who are not learning as much and will be penalized on their grades for something beyond their control. On the other hand, I'm still struggling to pull back the reins on the three classes that were on the loose before I started. Some of my strategies have worked for most of each class, but there are still the few who refuse to do what I ask and have no fear of consequences. I took the time to call a few parents this past week, but the mother of the one I was most concerned about said she gets the same response from all her teachers.
So what do you do when the parents have completely given up and offer no support? The natural reaction for teachers is to get stricter and meaner the more students misbehave and disrespect their authority. Even the Principal and Vice Principals I have spoken with say I shouldn't lighten up - I just need to follow protocol and continue to file reports and referrals when necessary. But somewhere deep inside, I feel like there is a possibility of winning them over by showing I care and that I am there for them. I know it requires more "tough love", and I have to work harder to not let them get away with things. I'm just willing to put a ton more energy toward that style than to pretend to be someone I'm not. Does this make sense? I hope somebody will stop me if I'm about to make a terrible mistake...
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Thanksgiving
November 18, 2007
Wow, a whole week off! Now that's a reason to give thanks for the holiday. I still have restless dreams filled with teaching anxiety and wake up at 6:00 a.m. - my mind racing with all the things I need to get done which makes it impossible to sleep in on these days I have off. It's different, too, while my wife and daughter are away. She's been on the road for the past week with her Celtic band. So, without the incentive of someone to come home to, I find myself staying later at school and going to bed later at night. I do get more work done, but I know I need to look after my well-being.
Speaking of Thanksgiving, I am so grateful for all the support from my friends and family. Your encouragement and reassurance that I am doing the right thing is immensely uplifting and empowering. There is so much uncertainty in teaching and yet so much that is expected of my performance, it's easy to feel like I "carry the weight of the world on my shoulders". Every morning, Kathy wakes up just enough to give me a hug and say, "One day at a time", and sometimes she'll send me text messages while I'm teaching with words of endearment or humor that can have a profound affect on my attitude and presence.
When we parted ways last Monday for this week-and-a-half apart, I felt more emotional than I have for a long time. Partly because I'll be missing my wife and daughter, but it also occurred to me just how much I've depended on their love and support to get me through this challenging time in life. I don't know if or how I could survive this experience without them. I feel like an egg sometimes. I know I have a "soft" heart and feel sensitive inside, but it requires a very hard shell to protect myself in front of all the students who will take advantage of any weakness they find in a teacher. They definitely try to push one's buttons and test my limits, but once I "crack", it's all over.
Well, I better make use of my time now. So, here's to wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving along with ladles full of my gratitude for all the ways each of you has reached out and offered support to people like me in times of need and uncertai
nty - with many happy returns.
Gobble Gobble!
Wow, a whole week off! Now that's a reason to give thanks for the holiday. I still have restless dreams filled with teaching anxiety and wake up at 6:00 a.m. - my mind racing with all the things I need to get done which makes it impossible to sleep in on these days I have off. It's different, too, while my wife and daughter are away. She's been on the road for the past week with her Celtic band. So, without the incentive of someone to come home to, I find myself staying later at school and going to bed later at night. I do get more work done, but I know I need to look after my well-being.
Speaking of Thanksgiving, I am so grateful for all the support from my friends and family. Your encouragement and reassurance that I am doing the right thing is immensely uplifting and empowering. There is so much uncertainty in teaching and yet so much that is expected of my performance, it's easy to feel like I "carry the weight of the world on my shoulders". Every morning, Kathy wakes up just enough to give me a hug and say, "One day at a time", and sometimes she'll send me text messages while I'm teaching with words of endearment or humor that can have a profound affect on my attitude and presence.
When we parted ways last Monday for this week-and-a-half apart, I felt more emotional than I have for a long time. Partly because I'll be missing my wife and daughter, but it also occurred to me just how much I've depended on their love and support to get me through this challenging time in life. I don't know if or how I could survive this experience without them. I feel like an egg sometimes. I know I have a "soft" heart and feel sensitive inside, but it requires a very hard shell to protect myself in front of all the students who will take advantage of any weakness they find in a teacher. They definitely try to push one's buttons and test my limits, but once I "crack", it's all over.
Well, I better make use of my time now. So, here's to wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving along with ladles full of my gratitude for all the ways each of you has reached out and offered support to people like me in times of need and uncertai
nty - with many happy returns.Gobble Gobble!
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Two Weeks
November 9, 2007
Well, I'm still surviving one day at a time, but most things are running smoothly so far. I'm fortunate to have an especially supportive department that meets every day during lunch to share ideas on lessons and strategies for classroom management. My teaching coach meets with me for an hour each week and is really knows his stuff. There are so many technicalities/legal details to know about teaching as well as diplomatic ways of relating with students and parents, I feel like he may as well be my lawyer and confidential sounding-board. So, no matter how overwhelmed, stressed or disillusioned I may get, it's reassuring to know I'm not alone.
That said, I am still struggling to pull in the reins on these classes that have been running wild since the beginning of the year. I'm gaining respect and appreciation from those who obviously want to learn, but there's always that challenge of engaging those who could care less about science or school all together. They seem to do all they can to prevent a teacher from conducting the class so that they don't have to do any work. Looking at their grades for the first quarter, though, it's obviously affecting them personally. Every day, I've tried a different strategy to get their attention, make lessons more dynamic, and impose more consequences or rewards for their behavior.
At the end of the first week, I took a seat and let out an enormous sigh. I opened the blinds next to my desk (which are usually closed to prevent distractions to students) and found a beautiful scene before me. My room is on the edge of campus, looking across a grassy field and a stream that runs perpendicular to the building. A great white heron was perched on the bridge across the stream, and the setting sun was illuminating the majestic Mount Diablo in the near distance. According to a sign at the summit, it is possible to view the second greatest surface area seen from any peak in the world, exceeded only by the 19,340 foot (5,895 m) Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa. Nice conversation piece for Earth Science.
I suddenly felt filled with peace and purpose that I haven't found in any other position since I left Mammoth Lakes 8 years ago. Finding this teaching opportunity feels like a spiritual connection - one that was created just for me and that I was guided to apply for just at the right moment. After all the years I talked about wanting to become a teacher and throughout the process of earning my masters, there was always a certain doubt whether it would actually happen. It wasn't until this very moment that I was struck with such excitement and disbelief, realizing I finally made it!
Well, I'm still surviving one day at a time, but most things are running smoothly so far. I'm fortunate to have an especially supportive department that meets every day during lunch to share ideas on lessons and strategies for classroom management. My teaching coach meets with me for an hour each week and is really knows his stuff. There are so many technicalities/legal details to know about teaching as well as diplomatic ways of relating with students and parents, I feel like he may as well be my lawyer and confidential sounding-board. So, no matter how overwhelmed, stressed or disillusioned I may get, it's reassuring to know I'm not alone.
That said, I am still struggling to pull in the reins on these classes that have been running wild since the beginning of the year. I'm gaining respect and appreciation from those who obviously want to learn, but there's always that challenge of engaging those who could care less about science or school all together. They seem to do all they can to prevent a teacher from conducting the class so that they don't have to do any work. Looking at their grades for the first quarter, though, it's obviously affecting them personally. Every day, I've tried a different strategy to get their attention, make lessons more dynamic, and impose more consequences or rewards for their behavior.
At the end of the first week, I took a seat and let out an enormous sigh. I opened the blinds next to my desk (which are usually closed to prevent distractions to students) and found a beautiful scene before me. My room is on the edge of campus, looking across a grassy field and a stream that runs perpendicular to the building. A great white heron was perched on the bridge across the stream, and the setting sun was illuminating the majestic Mount Diablo in the near distance. According to a sign at the summit, it is possible to view the second greatest surface area seen from any peak in the world, exceeded only by the 19,340 foot (5,895 m) Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa. Nice conversation piece for Earth Science.
I suddenly felt filled with peace and purpose that I haven't found in any other position since I left Mammoth Lakes 8 years ago. Finding this teaching opportunity feels like a spiritual connection - one that was created just for me and that I was guided to apply for just at the right moment. After all the years I talked about wanting to become a teacher and throughout the process of earning my masters, there was always a certain doubt whether it would actually happen. It wasn't until this very moment that I was struck with such excitement and disbelief, realizing I finally made it!
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Barely Breathing
October 31, 2007
I apologize to those of you who have been waiting for an instant report after my first day of teaching. There's so much to do (even now) that I barely have time to eat. Now I have survived two days and I'm going back for more! I teach over 100 kids every day- divided among 5 different classes, mostly freshmen and all very wound up. They're good kids... they've just been lacking proper guidance and management for the past month.
I feel like I'm in an episode of Quantum Leap where I've been dropped into a potentially dangerous situation, and I have to figure out what happened and fix it real quick before an impending disaster occurs. This MUST be harder that starting fresh at the beginning of a year - trying to figure out where the previous teacher left off, get to know the students and learn all the school's systems as fast as possible. I can barely manage to pull together enough activities for the next day before I hit my mandatory bed time. That's one thing I won't compromise, however, the past couple night have been so riddled with dreams of being unprepared for school and being caught in desperate moments that I wake up in a sweat every couple hours.
I leave before Savannah wakes up and get home just before her bed time. It's making me sad to realize how much less quality time I'll have with her and Kathy. My commute is wonderful, though. I took my bike on BART (our mass-transit train) which dropped me off within a couple miles of the school. From there, I discovered a smooth, scenic hike/bike trail that follows a canal directly to the school. It was so beautiful and refreshing as the sun came up, and I was amazed by the number of people getting out that early to exercise!
Well, that's it for now. I gotta get to my preparations! I'll write in more detail when I can spare the time. I really appreciate the good thoughts from those of you who responded to my last posting. Thank you!
I apologize to those of you who have been waiting for an instant report after my first day of teaching. There's so much to do (even now) that I barely have time to eat. Now I have survived two days and I'm going back for more! I teach over 100 kids every day- divided among 5 different classes, mostly freshmen and all very wound up. They're good kids... they've just been lacking proper guidance and management for the past month.
I feel like I'm in an episode of Quantum Leap where I've been dropped into a potentially dangerous situation, and I have to figure out what happened and fix it real quick before an impending disaster occurs. This MUST be harder that starting fresh at the beginning of a year - trying to figure out where the previous teacher left off, get to know the students and learn all the school's systems as fast as possible. I can barely manage to pull together enough activities for the next day before I hit my mandatory bed time. That's one thing I won't compromise, however, the past couple night have been so riddled with dreams of being unprepared for school and being caught in desperate moments that I wake up in a sweat every couple hours.
I leave before Savannah wakes up and get home just before her bed time. It's making me sad to realize how much less quality time I'll have with her and Kathy. My commute is wonderful, though. I took my bike on BART (our mass-transit train) which dropped me off within a couple miles of the school. From there, I discovered a smooth, scenic hike/bike trail that follows a canal directly to the school. It was so beautiful and refreshing as the sun came up, and I was amazed by the number of people getting out that early to exercise!
Well, that's it for now. I gotta get to my preparations! I'll write in more detail when I can spare the time. I really appreciate the good thoughts from those of you who responded to my last posting. Thank you!
Thursday, October 25, 2007
A New Beginning
October 26, 2007
It's official: I have been officially accepted as an Earth Science teacher at Ygnacio Valley High School!
After the current school year began, I started losing hope of finding a perfect position and thought I'd be a sub until next year. One evening, about two weeks ago, I just decided to check the web site where all public school positions are posted, and up popped one for Earth Science! I figured, why not? It never hurts to apply, right? Well, I received a call from the principal at Ygnacio Valley High the very next day. I guess she liked my cover letter. It turns out that a someone who was trying out teaching for the first time decided it was not for him, and the school was anxious to find a replacement.
We got into a lengthy conversation the following Sunday afternoon, at the end of which, the principal asked if I wanted the position. I was caught off-guard, expecting a more formal interview, but she seemed to believe I had what they were looking for. It didn't require a second thought on my part!
There are a number of positive aspects to accepting this position:
--> My day starts with a "prep" period, so I don't actually start teaching until 9:00a.m.
--> I get to teach one period of keyboarding/computer applications
--> The school is rated just low enough that I qualify for a significant tuition-repayment program
--> With a full-credential, I get to participate in a teacher-induction program with my own mentor
--> I get my own classroom!
So, I expect to start teaching next Monday which coincides with the beginning of a new quarter. I'm fairly nervous and know there is more preparation to do than I have time for, but the most important thing is to have infrastructure and classroom procedures/policies in place. I really hope to make a fresh start on the right foot with my students, even though it's not the beginning of the year.
I'd appreciate any good thoughts you can send my way... :)
It's official: I have been officially accepted as an Earth Science teacher at Ygnacio Valley High School!
After the current school year began, I started losing hope of finding a perfect position and thought I'd be a sub until next year. One evening, about two weeks ago, I just decided to check the web site where all public school positions are posted, and up popped one for Earth Science! I figured, why not? It never hurts to apply, right? Well, I received a call from the principal at Ygnacio Valley High the very next day. I guess she liked my cover letter. It turns out that a someone who was trying out teaching for the first time decided it was not for him, and the school was anxious to find a replacement.
We got into a lengthy conversation the following Sunday afternoon, at the end of which, the principal asked if I wanted the position. I was caught off-guard, expecting a more formal interview, but she seemed to believe I had what they were looking for. It didn't require a second thought on my part!
There are a number of positive aspects to accepting this position:
--> My day starts with a "prep" period, so I don't actually start teaching until 9:00a.m.
--> I get to teach one period of keyboarding/computer applications
--> The school is rated just low enough that I qualify for a significant tuition-repayment program
--> With a full-credential, I get to participate in a teacher-induction program with my own mentor
--> I get my own classroom!
So, I expect to start teaching next Monday which coincides with the beginning of a new quarter. I'm fairly nervous and know there is more preparation to do than I have time for, but the most important thing is to have infrastructure and classroom procedures/policies in place. I really hope to make a fresh start on the right foot with my students, even though it's not the beginning of the year.
I'd appreciate any good thoughts you can send my way... :)
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