I am writing this blog in response to something that happened to me today that I can't let go of although I know I should. I feel the need to say, or in this case blog, my piece so I can be at peace. Here's hoping I find it!
I am a mom first and a teacher second, I am many other things but these are the most important to me; they are my passions, my callings and they bring meaning and joy to my life every day.
That is not to say that there aren't days that I want to gouge my eyes out because of something my children have said or done or something that happens at school! There are days I am hanging by a thread...
I work in a great place surrounded by great people; sometimes we see things the same way, often times we don't but I am enriched by their perspective as it allows me to develop, to refine and to adapt my own. I work in an incredible profession. One that is constantly evolving and changing. One that demands so much of so many who are so willing to give it.
I know what I think constitutes "best practice" in my field based on research, reading and my own lived experience. What I think or believe may not be the truth (if there is a truth) but part of what is so important about my profession is being able to advocate for "best practice" in so many ways; through dialogue, professional reading, trial and error and social media. This is for the benefit of all children, not just the ones in the school where I work, not just my own, but the children all over the world whose teachers are blogging, posting and sharing and becoming better, stronger and smarter through this amazing collective wisdom.
Certainly this makes us vulnerable as we tread on those swirling waters. Once you press send, post or publish, your words, ideas, questions and frustrations are out there and with that comes the knowledge that you will post something that someone doesn't like or finds offensive in some way.
My main purpose using twitter specifically is to connect with professionals whose wisdom and experience is far greater than my own in order to hone my craft, to adapt my beliefs and to experiment in new ideas in the name of "best practice". Through this forum I have been at times enlightened, at times enraged and always engaged by the insight of my colleagues far and near. Who knew140 characters could have such power? With power comes responsibility. I accept responsibility for things I have posted, linked to, tweeted and retweeted to question, to comment and to provoke.
The fact is, as an educator , I do not believe in home spelling programs delivered without context as they fly in the face of my beliefs about assessment and "best practice" in language instruction. The fact is, as a parent, when my kids bring home spelling words and assignments, I do my best to help them study and complete their assignments because that is my job as a mom. The fact is there are plenty of instructional practices I do not care for. The fact is, these same practices may work great for someone else. The fact is, when I call the practice (not the person) into question, I am fortunate to have a PLN who is quick to chime in with their ideas pro and con and, often times, some great links for further insight.
If you read this through I hope it helps you to know a little bit about who I am, about why I tweet. I have not intended any of my tweets to be malicious or hurtful and if they are or were, please accept my apology and know that if that is the case the easiest thing to do is click unfollow.
Wednesday, 25 September 2013
Friday, 31 May 2013
the little teacher
My eldest daughter loves to play school. She has one student, her little sister. The other day, while they were in the middle of make believe school, my younger daughter came into the living room and gave her father and I this note:
I laughed out loud. How reasonable this is. If only we could expect that parents might follow up an incident from school with a consequence at home. Parents and teachers working together to support the students and wrap around them, reinforcing positive choices and providing consequences for negative choices. That could really work!!!
It makes me wonder how we can get back to that team approach. How do we encourage parents to trust us as educators and to work with us? Instead of looking at blaming the teachers and the school or blaming the parents or the home we could work together to find solutions rather than to make excuses.
I laughed out loud. How reasonable this is. If only we could expect that parents might follow up an incident from school with a consequence at home. Parents and teachers working together to support the students and wrap around them, reinforcing positive choices and providing consequences for negative choices. That could really work!!!
It makes me wonder how we can get back to that team approach. How do we encourage parents to trust us as educators and to work with us? Instead of looking at blaming the teachers and the school or blaming the parents or the home we could work together to find solutions rather than to make excuses.
Thursday, 30 May 2013
The Apple Doesn't Fall Far from the Tree
Okay, let's get things straight right off the bat. I am a parent. This experience qualifies me to say that parenting is unequivocally the most difficult job in the world. No matter what you do, you are going to find some way to screw up. It is HARD and kids, even our own children who we love unconditionally, can be REALLY ANNOYING!
Another important thing, whatever quality your kid has that most gets under your skin or on your nerves, he or she most likely got it from you. It is inescapable. Nature, nurture, tomato (long a), tomato (short a), whatever made them that way, your genes or your actions, it is ALL YOUR FAULT!
As a teacher and school administrator, I have often heard various presenters tell us that, "the parents send the very best children they have to school, they don't keep the good ones at home". The point is to remind us to always see the potential in these children. Here is the real truth, the kids are stuck with the parents they have and that is probably why they act the way that they do!
Almost every time I have a meeting with a student's parent or parents, I am struck with this thought: "Oh that explains it..." Seriously, you have heard the expression "you are what you eat"? Well, the truth is, "you are what your parents made you."
Why am I telling you this? So you can live knowing your son or daughter is destined to be a bully or a nerd, a slacker or a jerk just like you? No, I am telling you this so that you realize the best way to parent your children is to demonstrate the kind of person you want them to be. If you want kindness, be kind. You want your child to have empathy? Show empathy. If you want them to have work ethic, to value family, to be focused, you must show them the way! I already told you that parenting is the hardest job ever but, if there was ever anything worth being a better person for, it is most certainly your children! If you follow this advice and it still doesn't work, there is only one thing left to do...blame your spouse!
Another important thing, whatever quality your kid has that most gets under your skin or on your nerves, he or she most likely got it from you. It is inescapable. Nature, nurture, tomato (long a), tomato (short a), whatever made them that way, your genes or your actions, it is ALL YOUR FAULT!
As a teacher and school administrator, I have often heard various presenters tell us that, "the parents send the very best children they have to school, they don't keep the good ones at home". The point is to remind us to always see the potential in these children. Here is the real truth, the kids are stuck with the parents they have and that is probably why they act the way that they do!
Almost every time I have a meeting with a student's parent or parents, I am struck with this thought: "Oh that explains it..." Seriously, you have heard the expression "you are what you eat"? Well, the truth is, "you are what your parents made you."
Why am I telling you this? So you can live knowing your son or daughter is destined to be a bully or a nerd, a slacker or a jerk just like you? No, I am telling you this so that you realize the best way to parent your children is to demonstrate the kind of person you want them to be. If you want kindness, be kind. You want your child to have empathy? Show empathy. If you want them to have work ethic, to value family, to be focused, you must show them the way! I already told you that parenting is the hardest job ever but, if there was ever anything worth being a better person for, it is most certainly your children! If you follow this advice and it still doesn't work, there is only one thing left to do...blame your spouse!
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