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Holocaust survivor
The week of the 75th anniversary of Kristallnacht I decided to develop myself professionally. At Ramapo College I heard lectures, music from the Holocaust, teaching strategies for Kristallnacht, but also a speaker who was there as a child. The number of survivors continue to dwindle as these miracle children are growing old. I say miracle children because all the stories always involve some sort of miracle for their survival. I could never understand how they could survive. Much respect.
Take it easy
Vote for my student!
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Virtual Schooling In The News
Beginning with Education Week’s EdWeek Update.
TODAY’S TOP STORY
For-Profits Dominate Market for Online Teacher Prep
Virtual programs are perhaps the fastest-growing sector of teacher preparation. Brick-and-mortar institutions, such as the University of Southern California, are increasingly getting into the action, as well as startups.
• Education Researcher Moves Into Certification Business
• USC Brings Its Own Brand to Online Offering for Teacher Prep
• Bank Street College Aims to Retain ‘Essence’ in Virtual Program
For more stories, visit Education Week‘s homepage.
Also the EdTech SmartBrief.
New online community aimed at keeping educators connected
The State Educational Technology Directors Association has partnered with Connected Educator Month to provide state leaders with a valuable resource — access to each other. SETDA will debut a new online community in November that will allow its members to connect and share resources and best practices in different ways. “Keeping up with new…
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Discussions
Ever plan out a great discussion for your class and end up with crickets in the background? You thought ever question was riveting or you thought every question was at the right level and then SPLAT! Where did it go wrong?
Probably the first step was thinking about yourself and saying, “I think this is perfect.” The appropriate response should probably be “this is perfect for the kids.” It’s tough to gauge students nowadays. Their interests are so different and their abilities vary. How do you teach a class of 30 who say they are a certain level, perform at a completely different one, and expect to finish at a different place. It’s tough on teachers, but creating any lesson with the student in mind is the only way to go.
It’s time to step out of that comfort zone and really go after lessons where you’re unsure of yourself. There will be times where you’re not even sure of the answers or responses you’ll get, but that’s the fun part, no? Challenging yourself and getting to an entirely different level. Do the additional research and push yourself beyond your limits.
I’m at a new district this year and it’s been challenging thus far, but at the same time, I feel as though I’m reinventing myself everyday. It’s what teaching is supposed to be like, sort of. It’s never perfect, but everyday I’m working towards it.
Take it easy.
Oh it’s been so long
I almost forgot I had this!
I know I don’t have that many followers, but regardless cyberspace can hear me. I actually switched districts this September, and ironically enough my one tirade that I had last year about an administrator commenting on my dress led to the change. Maybe that was only part of the reason, but I made the decision to leave a tenured position at a district where I held three coaching positions. I decided to move because I want to be the best at the best and I am fortunate enough to say that I’m at a top 5 school in New Jersey. I’m blessed for this opportunity and I’m eager to get going.
It’s been about 2 weeks and Back to School Night is coming up and I’m getting ready for my usual song and dance, but I think I’ve worked more hours in the past 2 weeks than I did the last 5 years as a teacher. My entire summer was dedicated to reinventing myself and creating my lessons. Wait, did I just say lessons? I was so comfy at a spot where lesson plans were a thing of the past, but the state is mandating new procedures and lesson plans are crucial in this process. UGH! Everyone plans, but to put it into a format that someone who rarely sets foot in the classroom has to review when the year ends, that’s never fun. Regardless, I’m approaching every part of this new journey with high hopes!
I hope everyone has had a great September thus far and good luck!
Summa Summa Summa Time
So I have been MIA for a while and honestly it’s because I’m enjoying the summer. Well I am trying to enjoy my summer lol. I left for San Diego a week after school ended and those ten days were amazing. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I didn’t do anything crazy, but really relaxed and felt as though it was a true vacation.
Since I got back, I had to jump right back into reality because I run a summer camp at my church. You can check out some of the details on my Antioch tab or just go to http://www.antiochnj.com. The church runs from 9-3 and I’m there at 7:30 pretty much everyday. I do all the necessary shopping and food supplies b/c my girlfriend is actually volunteering as the lunch lady. These kids have no idea how good they have it. They have a real chef, one that works for Rachael Ray, making their meals everyday. What’s even more ridiculous is the fact that parents are paying basically nothing for a full day of academic and spiritual enrichment, along with physical activities, field trips that are paid for, and hot meals that are nutritious EVERYDAY. Who wouldn’t want to sign up for this camp?
Anyway, I really don’t get much time away other than the vacation I took to Cali, but waking up early every morning keeps me fresh and ready for the new school year. I am rebuilding myself or reinventing myself this year as I start another step in my educational career. I’m changing districts and the workload is going to be far more intense but I’m very excited. I already started planning for the year and I’m creating lesson plans everyday. It’s an exciting time; I feel motivated, driven, and passionate again about teaching. We’ll see how long that lasts, haha!
Hope everyone is having a great summer! Take it easy
The FINAL Countdown
For all the students and even you teachers, good luck on finals! I know that many districts are done, but for those of you that are grinding down the last couple days, the finish line is near! We are that much closer to the vacation that we don’t deserve, the vacation that is our only motivation to teaching, and the vacation that we don’t get paid for. Haha, obviously I’m being sarcastic. Good luck everyone and enjoy the last couple days.
Take it easy
Don’t Wake Me Up
You know that feeling you have before you go to bed where you turn off your alarm clock knowing that you don’t have to wake up early the next day? When you make sure your shades are shut and the room will stay dark no matter what the time? The lovely, wonderful, fantastic day off….
Now there are 8 more wake ups left in the school year. Most teachers have to get summer jobs to supplement their income, but I would think most teachers take a couple days to relax. I take a couple weeks to recharge, but I do summer programs and whatnot in the summer. Regardless, I am super excited for that first day to actually sleep in….although my mental clock is already tuned to 5:30, I’m sure I can readjust it to say……11? haha, we shall see…
Take it easy
Motivating the Living Dead
Students like to use the phrase, “He’s definitely shot” or “Duuuude, you’re so shot.” The students are basically referring to the fact that they are so over it. How do you motivate students at the end of the year? Most teachers are rushing to get through their curriculum and finish the necessary components to the year, but that’s difficult when kids don’t want to do anything. Your motivated students are eager and nervous about finals. They await your every word to get a hint as to what to study for, but the majority of the students (especially seniors) have already packed it in. The sad part is is that nowadays, every grade struggles to find something to push them during the final stretch.
Finals and 4th marking period grades count, why is that not enough motivation?
End of the year games and collaborative exercises always stirs things up, but the ideas become fewer and fewer nowadays b/c no one wants to work. How does that effect a teacher? It’s easy to say, if they don’t work then I won’t. “It’s your choice!” I have to suck it up at times and just say, I need to continue teaching and get through this. I need to push myself and push my students to excel. Make sure that they don’t think a C or a B is good enough. Make them want that A!! Make them see that in a couple years they won’t say, “I wish I tried a little harder.”
Take it easy
Always teaching, always learning 