Connection & Empathy; The Keys to Teaching

For me, over the years, there have been several children that I've made a special connection with. Many times these children cross the threshold of my classroom and are struggling in one way or another. Maybe it is a struggle at home with family discord. Maybe it is an internal struggle; an emotional struggle. Maybe it's a physical struggle. Whatever the struggle may be, these children have found their way into my heart. As a teacher there are clear boundaries set between us and our students. However, as the days, weeks and months go by, it is challenging to separate ourselves from them. We know them so well. We feel their pain; we are warmed by their achievements; we are connected. Empathy. Empathy comes from having this connection. It's not something you can teach, however it is surely something you can model for students. Teachers NEED empathy. It's like a 6th sense that we use to identify when our students are hurting or in need of attention. We don't rescue them, instead we provide our students with skills to help themselves. Teachers see their students as a WHOLE person. Therefore it is not only important for us to teach them during school hours, but it is important that we impart information and education to their families as well. A good teacher will do this and see it as a priority. See, our students aren't just names; our students aren't just numbers. Our students aren't just a list we receive at the end of the summer. They are individuals who are filled with promise, no matter how much emotional, or physical baggage they come to us with. It is our job to create opportunities for them to utilize their highest potential. It is our job to model creativity and connection. It is our job to let them reach conclusions that we may not have even thought of. Most importantly, it is our job to know who each child is and what each child needs, in EVERY possible way. 

It's no wonder that over the years, there are students who I can truly say, have changed my life. Students that I think about on a regular basis and wonder how they are doing. Sometimes we are lucky enough to cross paths with them on social media or in the mall. The connection and the feelings come rushing back. The validation that we did something right; something that shaped this young adult into becoming a dentist, or a psychologist, and often, a teacher. WOW, if you are lucky enough to see the end result, there is nothing better than that!!!!!

Alysa's Top 10 of Teaching

Alysa's Top Ten Teaching Hints...

1. Look beyond the moment and SEE the good in all of your students.

2. It's never too late to change; don't fear it.

3. Always draw attention to one student's strength as opposed to another's weakness.

4. Instead of getting LOUDER, get softer and try a whisper. Students respond incredibly well to     whispers.

5. Be accepting and knowledgable of ALL learning styles.

6. Stick to a routine, no matter how tough it is!

7. BE CONSISTENT! Even though it is exhausting.

8. Know that you are not perfect and embrace it.

9. Let your peers help you become better by sharing successes and failures with them.

10. Create learning experiences where EVERYONE can succeed.

To sum it all up.....

The kids in our classroom are infinitely more significant
than the subject matter we teach.
-Meladee McCarty 

STEM, STEAM, STREAM, STRAMM...What does this all mean?

In my tenure as a teacher I have seen many changes in education. I suppose that's what sets our profession apart from any other. Teachers are like ballerinas....we do our best work on our toes! Spin, twist, tumble, we do it all. This week I was fortunate enough to be introduced to the "new" but "old"  STEM philosophy. A few teachers and administrators gathered together for a 2 day workshop to learn all about STEM. Basically, STEM is a holistic philosophy of teaching and learning where Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math, are all wrapped up into neat little learning communities. This type of holistic experience offers students the opportunity to create, collaborate, think critically and communicate ideas. The 4 C's (creativity, collaboration, critical thinking and communication) represent the 21st Century Skills needed to thrive in today's world. STEM fluent learners will be sufficiently prepared and ready to soar ahead after school. It is always scary and overwhelming when there is something of value put in front of you, that you know makes sense, but at the same time will cause change. CHANGE, is the "elephant in the room." We know it's there, we know why, but we have to come to terms with it. CHANGE, to some teachers, is scary.  CHANGE to others, can be invigorating. There's something about us losing control of what we have done for so many years. Something that is comfy and safe and warm. Something that works. Why should we fix what is not broken? Well, STEM isn't a FIX and it's really not a complete change, it's an enhancement. Take your best outfit, your slim fitting skirt, your designer shoes, the silk blouse that accentuates your best features; Now add just the perfect necklace and earrings  to complete the look. That's STEM. It takes all of your favorite lessons and ties them together in a cohesive way and layers them with inquiry and 21st century skills. Nothing wrong with that, teachers!!!!

P.S. Action statements from a STEM fluent learner:

I Think.
I Question.
I Design.
I Create.
I Struggle.
I Collaborate.
I Try.
I Solve.
I Invent.
I Reflect.
I LEARN!

We are Family

I assume that in most workplaces, your co-workers become as close as family members. You are with them day in and day out; 8 hours; 5 days a week. If you're me, you've known and grown with many of these people for the last 18 years and 2 months. 18 years! That's almost as long as I've known my twin daughters, soon to be 20. That's longer than I am married to my wonderful husband. 18 years, awesome! And like family, you have your up's and you have your down's. You share blissful moments of sheer happiness, and you mourn awful losses together. You take your bad mood out on them, and they take advantage of your flexibility. However, no matter what, when push comes to shove, you are all in this together. Every now and again, SMACK, reality whacks us across the face. My close friend at work received some bad news a few weeks back. She is going to be fine and her prognosis is excellent. But, she received this news, nonetheless. As we waited together, in the hallway of our "home"/school, her cell phone rang. The call she had been waiting for finally came. My throat was pained with a lump I couldn't swallow. My heart sank so low into the depths of my body, I longed for its' beat. Time stood still. "It's cancer," she said. After all of the, "almosts," and all of the, "I'm sure it's nothing(s)," it was something. Somehow, I salvaged any of the strength that seemed to ooze out of my limp arms and legs, I stood tall, and I held her. "We are going to beat this," I said again and again, "WE are going to beat this." After weeks of first opinions, second opinions, discussions,  and weighing options, her decision was made. Let's do this as quickly as possible, was her goal and I'm proud to say she did just that. See, it truly takes a Village! Our little Village; our sweet, yet strong school joined together to overcome another one of life's adversities. I have NO doubt that in a year from now, this moment in time will be one that confirms the bond that our "family" shares. We ARE family!

Formal Observations...better known as: This Is Not How I Thought It Was Going To Go!

It never fails. The perfectly planned and rehearsed lesson never works out JUST as you thought. For weeks you obsess about what to do. The lesson  needs to have the perfect mix of teacher directed activity and group work with a bit of reflection on top! YES! I've got it! The perfect lesson that does just that! So  you draft a lesson plan. Clear objectives, steps, potential obstacles, assessment, and reflection. How am I going to differentiate? How will I assist/support students as they work? How will I maintain peace and harmony with a somewhat difficult bunch? Obsess, obsess, obsess...

It's time. The children sit and wait to be directed. A calm washes over me. I'm ready and confident. An interruptive complaint, a whine, a grunt, a "She pushed me!," a "She pushed me first...." Then all HELL breaks loose. Those who are usually well-behaved have transformed into monsters. Why? How? I try to pull out all of my "teacher tricks" for management; positive reinforcement, modeling, peer-mentoring.....NOTHING IS WORKING! The goals that were set so idealistically, the reflective discussion you planned, down the proverbial toilet!

Teaching is like no other profession. We have to be master Ad Lib"bers." In most professions, how YOU feel, and how well planned YOU are drives your success. In our profession, our success is driven by the mood, behavior, and feelings of 20+ little peanuts!!!! Try that on for a day and walk in my shoes!

Good teaching is one-fourth preparation and three-fourths theatre.Gail Goldwin

A Teacher's Job

Everything we do as teachers is for our students. We spend August learning about them and preparing exciting lessons and events to stimulate learning and growth. We spend September watching them as they evolve; as they adjust; as they adapt to new surroundings; as they grow as learners. From then on  we teach, reinforce, support, model good behavior, and grow into a little family of our own. We eat together, we celebrate successes and work through rough times. We solidify our relationships and provide a safe and welcoming environment for our students. We praise them when they demonstrate goodness and we strategize with them when they need to make changes for the better. We watch what they eat for snack, making sure they eat healthily. We observe them at lunch and see that they eat their meal first and dessert last. For all intense and purposes we know our children COMPLETELY. We can predict reactions and nip problems in the bud. Every day we spend together, counting to 100, completing the daily calendar, learning to read, to write, to problem solve. We nurture those who don't feel well and make sure hands are washed and mouths are covered. We talk privately with our students about their feelings. We work together on peaceful communication and empathy. We apply band aids when boo-boos come our way,  and we check bathrooms when our students are away too long. We teach responsibility by making sure backpacks are emptied each day and refilled with important homework. We check and assess and assess and check, making sure our students are finding success and are meeting grade level expectations. And even when they aren't, we plan and differentiate to make sure our students' needs are met.  And while we are busy doing ALL of these things, we are teaching them. Some may say that teachers have it easy. Thoughts???

Is it a snow day or NOT????

There's nothing more exciting than a potential SNOW DAY when you're a teacher. It starts when you overhear someone in the hallway saying, "Oh yeah, did you hear we're going to be getting snow...."  Immediately, I jump into high alert mode. I stand at attention. Did you say, SNOW? As in snow storm, as in SNOW DAY? "You didn't hear?, someone says, "Are you oblivious?," is the standard response. I have to admit, I'm not a fan of the news shows and any time I do try and catch the weather report I'm either too early, or too late. So, NO, I'm not oblivious, I just don't live my life following Accuweather! So we go home and WAIT. We check our phones and emails incessantly. G-d for bid they tell us the night before.... We WAIT some more. With pajamas on inside out and a spoon under our pillows we drift off to sleep. Dreams of snowflakes and hot soup, watching movies under the covers, and hot cocoa. THEN, I'm UP! I sit and stare at the phone waiting for the 5:00 AM call; 5:15, 5:30, 5:35, 5:36.....nothing. Now I'm angry. Alarm clock blares. Wearily I roll out of bed; I grunt; I moan; I growl. But.....I'm a "glass half full" kind of girl, maybe they'll be some snow later today?