It Has Been Forever

I haven't posted in a VERY long time, but that is honestly the life of a first year teacher. I barely have time to even think critically half the time. I have to make decisions quickly in this life. So much had gone on in my school and personal life that I don't even know where to begin. Just know I've seen the good, bad, and definitely ugly.

I would rather not go into all the details about the past 4 months, so let's start new! I'm really going to make an effort to blog more often. Quite a few people have asked me why I stopped writing, which honestly surprised me because I didn't think people were reading.

Sooo see y'all soon, k?

-Ace of Rambles

There's No Such Thing As A Bad Child--An Educator's Point of View

Teacher: *sigh* he sooooooooooo bad!

Me: He seems to be making some bad choices, but I don't believe there is a such thing as a "bad" child.

*silence*

Teacher: Yeah okay. Tell me if you feel like that after your first month of teaching.

This is a conversation I've had more than once since starting my first year of full time teaching. It's often followed by a pat on the back and some comment about how sweet first year teachers are. Yes, this is my first year of teaching but it isnt my first year in education. I have tutuored DC youth at every grade level, worked as a manager for 14-19 year olds for 2 summers, and ran the afterschool program at an all boys pre-school to 3rd grade school. Through all of that my belief has stayed the same--there is no such thing as a bad child.

Children need structure and consistency. When either is lacking or non-exsistant it is impossible for them to learn how to make good decisions. I teach 20 bubbly, inquistive, affectionate, loving, inspring 4 year olds every day. Do they sometimes challenge me? Yes. Is it my responsibilty to provide for them a structured, consistent, and safe environment for them to learn? Absolutely. If I don't provide this will their be mayhem. Undoubtedly.

William Glasser's Choice Theory says that humans have five basic needs though the degree varies to how much we need each area. The five needs are:

1. to survive
   
2. to belong
   
3. to have power
   
4. to have freedom
   
5. to have fun
   

These same needs are necessary in my classroom to keep everyone on task. Any off task behavior can be related to one of these needs not being met. For example, I have a particular student with a very strict father and directs everything in my student's life. This student lacks the need to have power and to have freedom. For a 4 year old this is possible. My kids appreciate being able to choose whether or not they will have an apple or a pear for snack. They also love being able to pick which center they get to play in for the morning. With this particular student I have seen him so happy to be able to pick which type of juice to have with snack and I have seen him so defeated when his dad forced him to color his self-portrait on brown construction paper and not white paper with a brown crayon.

Glasser goes on to say, Students are capable of understanding what is generally regarded as acceptable school behavior and can choose to behave in acceptable ways. However, in order to make good choices, students must see the results of these choices as desirable. If bad behavior gets them what they want then they will make bad choices. This is where the teacher can be influential in helping students become aware that they choose their own actions. The teacher forces them to acknowledge their behavior and to make value judgments about it. The teacher refuses to accept excuses for bad behavior. Instead the teacher always directs the student's attention to alternative, more acceptable, behaviour. The essence of discipline then, lies in helping students make good choices.

I am super happy that I dont generally have any behavior issues in my classroom, but it is definitely a problem in my school. It's such an issue that we have had several staff meetings on school-wide discipline plan, behavior logs, and conduct cards. The teachers that seems to be struggling are ones that make excuses or brush students' choices off with things like, "Well, so and so comes from a tough family so what do you expect." The following quote is truly a summary of how I feel. Keep on telling me what I am, and that's what I'll become. -Sue Atkins Labeling a child, whether it be negative or positive, can be damaging.

-Ace of Rambles

Stopping To Take A Breath

Happy Labor Day!!! Today seems like the first day I have had even just a moment to write anything since my last posts. So, what's been going on?

School has started. Tomorrow will be the start of the 3rd week. I have 20 curious, awesome, loving, playful Pre-Kindergarten students. Everyday they make me happy to wake up and influence their first learning moments. There have been moments in the day when I wanted to pull my hair out, but then comes over to me and says, "I like you." and I realize it is so worth it. Coming from a family of educators I have always had a love and admiration for teachers, but now being in their shoes my respect has grown enormously. I am fortunate enough to work with a pretty great group of educators. My mentor is AMAZING! She's been teaching for 10 years and was the Pre-K teacher last year, but decided to loop with her students to teach Kindergarten. She's a 5'2 ball of fire that is hilarious. I am truly looking forward to learning a lot from her....and my kids.

The boyfriend and I celebrated our 2nd anniversary on the 28th. It was nice. I was feeling a little down about it at first because last year we went to San Juan, Puerto Rico to celebrate. This year we weren't able to do anything as lavish, but we enjoyed a great dinner and went to see Takers (mmmmmm Idris Elba). It was really nice just to hang out and relax for a little while. We haven't been able to do much of that this summer.
I am sooooooooooooo looking forward to this influx in income! Not just because I will be making seriously twice as much I was making this time last year, but because now I am in position to really start to pay off my school loans, medical bills, and other debt I have acquired. Being debt free is VERY important to me. I want to be able to do what I want and desire with my hard earned paychecks without this cloud of bill collectors hovering over me. Beside this little beauty is calling my name...
Until next time,
-Ace of Rambles

Why Early Childhood Education?

Aren't you afraid of the whining? snotty noses? accidents? the clingy-ness? Wow, you must have A LOT of patience!

These are some of the things I hear when I talk to people about my passion for Early Childhood Education (ECE). No, I'm not afraid of any of these things. I kinda have a lot of patience, but I don't think it's a deal breaker for being an ECE teacher.

I LOVE ECE because I think it is such a gift to be able to witness a child's first learning experience. To see a child come in to class on the first day and barely know their alphabet, but by Christmas have the ability to write their name and 3 letter words gives me indescribable joy. Research shows the it's in ECE classrooms that we first begin to see the achievement gap begin to widen, but I believe that giving a child a strong foundation sets them up for academic success.

I LOVE ECE because I can be as silly and as goofy as I want to be and it's okay. I get to sing, dance, color, read books, and so much more! It doesn't matter that I can't draw because my students tell me they love the pictures I draw. I could be having a horrible day, but a hug or a thank you from a Kindergartner has a way of completely changing my whole mood.
I am so excited that I have recently been hired as a Pre-K teacher in an AWESOME school! I know there will be tears, frustration, anger, and doubt during my first year of teaching. But I also know there will be triumphs, achievements, laughter, and smiles!

I look forward to writing about everything that happens in my first year.

-Ace of Rambles

Great Support....DCTF Update

Hey Everyone!

So training for DCTF has been going great. I am very lucky to have Fellow Advisor and Resource Specialist with a lot of experience, great attitudes, and willingness to help new teachers. I love most of the people in my cohort and my Early Childhood Education group is getting closer and closer. I'm glad that we are paired with Fellows that will be teaching Elementary Education, as well as English Language Learners. I've been able to really soak up a lot of great tips and ideas to implement in my class in the Fall.

We start Practice Teaching tomorrow, and I really hope my Cooperating Teaching is just as awesome as the other people I've been able to meet. Well, I'm off to do some reading to prepare for tomorrow.

-Ace of Rambles

Inspired

Today was the Opening Ceremony for DCTF, and it was truly inspirational. There was a presentation on what the achievement gap looks like in DC, and while many of my colleagues seemed to be discouraged by the information I saw this as even more confirmation that I am needed and that I can truly make a difference. The chancellor for DCPS spoke about her experiences as a first year teacher, as well as her hope for the school district. In DC people either love Chancellor Rhee or they hate her...I am one of the people that love her, so I was excited to see her. Let me take a moment to note that though I love her and what she is doing for the school system I dont always love the decisions she has had to make, but I cant say that I could a better job than she is doing, so I trust her process.

In addition to the Opening Ceremony, we were given the opportunity to participate in a mini hiring fair. I was able to interview with one school that is looking for Early Childhood Educators. This interview went great. I have had 2 good interviews, which makes me feel good about getting a placement soon.

The first 2 days of DCTF have left me so excited to have made the decision to join. I know these next 6 weeks will be rigorous and stressful, but also necessary to prepare me for what I will face in the fall. I'm definitely beginning to realize that my experience in the classroom will be truly advantageous when it comes to teaching summer school. I fortunately am not sharing the same anxiousness about this whole process that many of the people in my cohort are experiencing. I am also excited to have an established friendship and brotherhood with another Fellow being as though my Prophyte is also in my Cohort.

All in all this has been a great start!

-Ace of Rambles

As This Door Closes....

...I think about how much has happen in these last 9 months. I began working at my school the Tuesday after Labor Day and this coming Wednesday will be my last day. I have learned so much about the education system, as well as my goals in life. It was working in my current position that made me sure I wanted to spend at least 5 years in the classroom before becoming a School Counselor/Dean of Students. I know now how much I want to impact youth in urban high needs schools. I know now more than ever before that I want to save the world, and that it starts with helping to close the achievement gap. I love so many of the people I have met in these last 9 months and most definitely appreciate the relationships that have been built. Though I am preparing to move on to a new chapter of my life (that has me super nervous, excited, and anxious) I know that I have a great support system of colleagues and friends at my school.

-Ace of Rambles