tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36513204693271621352024-03-13T00:48:38.229-05:00Building Cathedrals or Searching for PoniesAmy Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07691614370276830897noreply@blogger.comBlogger88125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651320469327162135.post-24045857734059204042020-09-20T10:53:00.001-05:002020-09-20T10:53:09.233-05:00I wrote the first post today after a hiatus of almost four years...<p> I woke this morning after that dream and felt I needed to write it down. My first thought was to dig out a notebook and write it there, and then I thought of texting it to a fellow teacher-friend, and then I realized that I could write a blog post about that dream and share it.</p><p> I haven't written on my blog in... a very long time. I looked, and I realized that the last time I wrote anything on this blog was 2016. And so much has happened... and yet... so much feels the same.</p><p> I worked, I slept, I ate, I did all the things I do--except for write. I didn't write about any of it. I don't have such a huge following here that anyone noted that I hadn't written anything in a long time--or, if they did notice, they didn't comment or ask or wonder in any way that I could tell.</p><p> It's amazing that it's been so long. I have no excuse, no real reason why I stopped writing, except that I didn't feel like it. I didn't feel as though I had 1) anything to say and/or 2) anyone to listen to me say that I had nothing to say.</p><p> So, if you had wondered about me at all, now you know the truth. I was living my very routine life, and the very routineness of it all made me think I didn't have anything to talk about (or anything that anyone would want to hear/read about).</p><p> I still don't know if I have anything to talk about that is worth reading, and I can't promise that I will begin writing on this blog again with any regularity, but I at least now have let you all (hi, Mom) that I still know how to post something.</p><p> I am still building cathedrals and looking for ponies, and, I hope I can say this: 2020 must have a lot of ponies to find, what with all the digging through ... we're having to do.</p>Amy Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07691614370276830897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651320469327162135.post-14848854947639462112020-09-20T10:40:00.000-05:002020-09-20T10:40:22.154-05:00I had a horrible dream about school...<p> School dreams. Every teacher I know gets them. Usually, the dreams surface before the start of the school year. The teacher is inappropriately clothed in front of class, or he/she forgets the lesson being taught, or some student is refusing to do what the teacher is asking. All these are normal school dreams, and all teachers have had them (and more) at one point or another.</p><p> This year (2020) has added to those dreams, brought on by stress and fear and the unknown. I've seen my peers on Facebook talking about their horrible school dreams, and I commiserate with them, for I've had those, too. </p><p> And then I had this morning's dream. I've had dreams before where I had dreams within dreams (I am not assuming they're prophetic), but this felt so real. I dreamed that I had missed school--that I had fallen asleep and not awakened at my three alarms. I dreamed that I walked in to the school at the end of the day once I had actually woken up and realized I'd missed it, only to find the administrators all waiting for me to explain why I had missed school and had not called in to get a sub. </p><p> I explained first to one, then another, and then yet another (all not actual administrators for my school, I realized, once I awoke and was mulling it over) why I, who had perfect attendance for most of my long teaching career, had just "skipped" without contact. To make matters worse, there was a school board meeting (in my classroom, which was kind of like my house...so that should have clued me in to the fact it was a dream), and I was going to have to go before the board to explain my dereliction of duty.</p><p> My dream excuse was this: "I woke up at three in the morning and couldn't go back to sleep, so I got onto Canvas to do some work and plan for the day. I then must have fallen asleep in front of the computer, but I didn't realize I'd fallen asleep. In my dream, I got up at my alarm, got showered and ready, and left the house as I always did. I even dreamed I carpooled with my carpool buddy and listened to her audiobook as we drove to school. I went to first hour, took the kids' temperatures, and started my lessons. I went through the whole day in my dream, teaching the virtual kids on zoom while also engaging the students in my classrooms, all the while answering emails from parents and students about how to fix their computer issues at home or to explain for the fourth time how to find a particular assignment. </p><p> "I did all the things: grading, adding new content to Canvas to keep it interesting, emailing a student's parent about his grades and why he was failing, eating a cold and hurried lunch in my classroom so I could make some phone calls to the virtual students' parents about how their children weren't following the behavior expectations on zoom, and keeping track of the attendance and participation of all the kids on the umpteen spreadsheets I've had to create so that I could document all of those things.</p><p> "At some point in my dream about the school day, I explained, I woke up to find myself still in my PJs, sitting in front of my computer, and realizing by the light streaming in the window that it was well into the day. I looked at the clock in the bottom right corner of my computer screen and realized that the school day was almost over. I panicked and reached for my phone. Surprisingly, I had received no phone calls from anyone at the school. Could I have mistaken the day? Was it the weekend? I checked the calendar in the bottom right corner of my computer screen and realized that it was Monday--not a day off. Cringing inside, I shakingly called the school, and the secretary said I was expected to come up to school for the school board meeting."</p><p> And that's how I ended up in my dream, walking into the school building, feeling the dread of what was to come causing my heart to beat erratically and my knees to shake. I walked up to the first administrator to give my excuse, and I wanted to ask why no one had called me, why no one had bothered to check to see if I were okay since I had not missed a day for illness or non-school related reasons for many years. Instead, I meekly told administrator after administrator that I had not shown up for school because I had, in my dream, already been at school. And then I had to speak in front of the school board to convince them I should not be fired, all the while knowing that there was nothing I could do to change their minds.</p><p> And that's how I woke up this morning--disturbed and worried and, ultimately, relieved when I realized it was Sunday. And then I checked my phone and saw thirteen emails from school. Sigh. I certainly hope that dream wasn't prophetic.</p>Amy Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07691614370276830897noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651320469327162135.post-66963756340614103742016-09-11T11:08:00.001-05:002016-10-16T22:55:27.355-05:00I miss being a grandkid....<div dir="ltr">
I was watching an episode of "Farmhouse Rules" I had recorded on my DVR, and I found myself in tears. That is not usually the response one expects from watching a Food Network television show. While Nancy Fuller was making cinnamon rolls for her grandkids, I had a bit of a meltdown: I miss my grandparents. One set of grandparents lived on a farm on the outskirts of a Midwest college town; the other set lived in a cozy suburb to a big city next to an even bigger lake. It was the best of both worlds for me; I could enjoy the country life and the city life whenever I visited.<br>
I remember the fun we would have when we would visit the farm. In the summer, my sister and I would get to play outside in the fresh country air. We'd ride on wooden horses that we would drag around the acreage or the orchard or the barn. We'd go out to the cow pasture or into the corn crib or out to the garden. It was heaven. Grandma would make simple but wonderful meals: dinner would be Iowa-cut pork chops, fresh corn, and creamy mashed potatoes. Dessert would include angel food cake slices with fresh strawberry sauce or cookies and ice cream. Breakfast would be toast and scrambled eggs with orange juice or cereal with ice-cold milk. I remember her making cinnamon rolls, too, which is one of the reasons Nancy Fuller's show made me cry. I have so many great memories of spending time at the farm. Being a grandchild of farming grandparents made for a great time. <br> And then we'd visit the grandparents in the big city and get to experience all that entailed. We'd go to the museum or the zoo or a ball park. Summer was filled with parades and summer fests and traveling around all of the wonderful places in the big city. Or we'd stay at home and play in the pool in the backyard. If it got too hot, we could go downstairs in the cool basement and play lots of fun games we'd make up. We'd help grandma make yummy baked chicken and rice pilaf or Swedish meatballs and mashed potatoes (usually just for Christmas, but we could convince her....). Dessert would be ice cream or cake or cookies we helped her bake. Breakfast the next morning would be cereal or waffles. Belgian waffles. With syrup or strawberries or powdered sugar. We'd spend evenings playing board games or, that one Christmas, making a gingerbread house and having to send people to the store to get more ingredients. And the grocery store wasn't the only place to visit. The shopping! We could go to a mall that was bigger than my whole town; I swear it. Okay, maybe not as big as my whole town, but it was big. We would go shopping, well, at least window-shopping, and try on fashionable, cool clothes and experience the big city life.<br>
Spending time with either set of grandparents was a blessing that I don't think I took advantage of; no, scratch that, I totally know I didn't take advantage of it. I remember time spent at the farm wishing I were at home so I could go to the pool with my friends. I remember time spent in the big-city wishing I were at home so I could go to the local library to get some silly book. I particularly remember one summer we got to spend an entire week in the big city, but all my sister and I wanted to do was hang out at the house and be sullen pre-teenagers. Grandma and Grandpa got a bit miffed with us, in fact, and told us that they might as well send us home early since we weren't going to have any fun.<br>
What made me sad while I watched the show today was that Nancy made special pancakes with sausages in them so that her grandkids would have a special memory of spending time together with her. It was a poignant moment for me because I do have those special memories of spending time with my grandparents; however, I also try to push those memories into boxes that I store in the back of my mind because, while they are wonderful and happy memories, I'm sad. My grandparents are gone. I won't get to make new memories with them ever again this side of eternity.<br>
I'm not good at being vulnerable or open with my grief. I'm much better at hiding the sadness behind busyness or hermit-like behavior. Too often, I allow myself to stop feeling the grief instead of pushing myself to feel it so that I can move forward. One of the reasons I haven't written in my blog for so long - I have no idea if anyone even noticed - is that while my blog has been a way to communicate to whomever wants to see it, I didn't want to share.</div>
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Maybe I was supposed to watch that show because it's time to start thinking about and sharing those memories with those who want to know them. In fact, I should probably share this with family who know exactly how I feel. Maybe they'll read my blog.</div>
Amy Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07691614370276830897noreply@blogger.com0Springfield, MO, USA37.2089572 -93.29229889999999237.0065357 -93.615022399999987 37.4113787 -92.9695754tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651320469327162135.post-46554405039457517342016-05-28T19:03:00.002-05:002017-05-27T14:25:38.949-05:00Memorial Day Thanks....<br />
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Amy Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07691614370276830897noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651320469327162135.post-28330311204681871502015-01-14T20:25:00.001-06:002015-01-14T20:33:52.799-06:00Advice for Potential Teachers....<br />
January Blogging Challenge day 14: If a young person told you he or she wanted to become a teacher, what would you tell her/him?<br />
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Interestingly, this happened just the other day. One of my students was talking to her peers in class and mentioned that she'd woken up that morning wanting to be a teacher. Her classmate was surprised, since apparently this student gets all upset when someone doesn't understand.<br />
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The student said, "Yes, but only after I've explained it." </div>
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I laughed and said that if she planned to be a teacher, she should get used to that.<br />
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She went on to say that the thing that makes her want to be a teacher is the pleasure of helping people understand something they never understood before.</div>
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That's why I want to be a teacher, too.</div>
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If I were going to give advice to potential teachers, I would say that it's a hard road, but a good one. It's not just about giving out information that you have at the tip of your tongue; it's about giving people the tools to find out the information for themselves. </div>
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In today's world, teaching is more about what the students learn rather than what the teachers teach. It's a career choice not unlike the ministry or public service: it's more a calling than a job. </div>
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As a teacher you'll face public criticism by people who wouldn't do your job even if they were paid much more than you ever will be. Politicians and news anchors and parents and the average guy on the street will have an opinion about what you do and how you do it. You will be, at times, saddened and disgusted, tired and defeated, and tired and overwhelmed. And then, at times, you will be joyous and proud, humble and amazed, and blessed and rewarded.</div>
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But despite the ups and downs and the tilt-a-whirls that come at you, if you do become a teacher you will find that you are going to be blessed beyond measure by the students who come into your life. Teaching is not a career to "fall back on" or to have "just in case." It is, if you really want to see children's eyes light up when they learn something new, the only career you will ever really want.</div>
Amy Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07691614370276830897noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651320469327162135.post-21847858783048822642015-01-13T19:16:00.001-06:002015-01-13T19:16:56.186-06:00My Digital Learning Plan for 2015 (or at least the start of a plan, anyway)January's Blogging Challenge @TeachThought caught me off guard. I had been invited for the November challenge, but I hadn't heard anything about January. I suppose I could have looked to see if there were another blogging challenge, but I didn't think to do so until today. I totally was not in on this from the beginning, but I'm not going to go back to catch up on the first 12 days.<br /><br />Day 13: What is one area of digital learning that you want to improve on in 2015? How are you going to do this?<br /><br />With the continued growth of digital learning, I find that I am really trying to make it part of my classroom and teaching. I have Chromebooks in my classroom, and I find that most of my students really enjoy having access to computers all the time.<div>
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This semester I've started using Google Classroom, and I like it. I've been using it now for exactly six days, so I don't have a lot to say about it yet, but I do like that the students have one place they can check for their daily work as well as see right away what they have done or not done. I also like the ease in which I am able to see the students' work and give feedback. So, so far so good.</div>
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I'm becoming more and more a teacher who uses technology daily not just as a word processor. That's what I would like to work more on this year, though. I need to find more ways to use my Chromebooks than just as fancy typewriters. I do use them for research and for quiz taking, but I know I could use them even more.</div>
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I plan to go to a Google Education workshop (in fact I've already signed up so that I can't "forget about it" when it gets too close to the day), so I hope that I will get a lot of new ideas to bring back to my classes.</div>
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Amy Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07691614370276830897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651320469327162135.post-62443262127439315242014-11-28T11:01:00.000-06:002014-11-28T11:03:53.043-06:00November Blogging Challenge: "If I could save time in a bottle..."<div style="text-align: right;">
Day 27</div>
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If you could bottle up the perfect day, what would it look like?</div>
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This prompt reminded me of that song by Jim Croce, so I used the title as the title of my post for today...well. for yesterday, as I'm running behind on this whole blogging every day thing. I was doing well until grades and traveling and spending time with family took precedence. I'm giving myself some grace, though, and not forcing myself to go back to do the posts I've missed. But the prompt and the song come together beautifully. Here's the song to enjoy.</div>
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My idea of a perfect day would be one I can sleep in on, wake up gradually in a comfy bed, look out the window to see a wonderland of white unbroken snow and grey flannel skies. Yes, I know, I'm weird and enjoy the cold where I can bundle up in a warm house with a fuzzy blanket and a book or a laptop to while away the day. </div>
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Another part of the perfect day that I'd love to bottle up is spending time with family around a table burgeoning with good foods and fellowship. We'd spend the time chatting and telling stories while we ate of the bounty of God's graciousness in provision for us. Several generations would be there to remind us of those who have gone before us, and we'd smile reminiscently--and sometimes sadly--at the memories of those who cannot be with us at the table, but we'd rejoice that One Day we'd get to sit at the Table with them once again. </div>
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We'd share a blessing for those not so fortunate as to be at home for a holiday dinner: the servicemen and women who are far away from home and family doing their jobs to protect our way of life; the homeless or hungry who would rely on the generosity of missions, kitchens, and strangers in order to have a bit of holiday cheer; the men and women who work in hospitals, police and fire stations, and other such places who might have to have their holiday meal another time because work schedules require them to do so.</div>
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The day would conclude with games and conversation and, then, hugs goodbye as everyone goes home. Then I'd get to get comfy on the couch with a blanket again, with a book or a laptop or the TV tuned to some movie I've not seen in forever.</div>
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I'd definitely like to bottle up such a day, letting the sweet vintage age and mature until I needed such a reminder of times spent. I'd uncork that bottle on a day I felt tired and sad and defeated and alone. I'd let the bottle breathe and then pour it into a glass to sip on as I let the tired, sad, defeated, alone-ness melt away in the warmth of the memories held in my hand.</div>
Amy Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07691614370276830897noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651320469327162135.post-34347620469348857392014-11-22T21:35:00.000-06:002014-11-22T21:35:31.409-06:00November Blogging Challenge: Traditions!<div style="text-align: right;">
Day 22</div>
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What family traditions are you are most grateful for?</div>
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Traditions are indeed how we keep our balance. And if I am going to re-learn or put into practice the life lesson I'm most grateful for (see <a href="http://amy-jeanne.blogspot.com/2014/11/november-blogging-challenge-life-lesson.html" target="_blank">this post</a> for that information), I need to experience some balance through tradition this year.</div>
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A family tradition I'm grateful for is celebrating the holidays with family. It's not always the same way or the same place or even the same time, but we spend it together. I enjoy the time spent cooking, planning, crafting, and sharing. We eat, we talk, we play games, and we celebrate. Work schedules or other family vacation conflicts have often meant that we don't do our celebrating on the particular day of the holiday, but we do always have a time we get together.</div>
Amy Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07691614370276830897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651320469327162135.post-2650706888734614082014-11-21T22:56:00.000-06:002014-11-21T22:56:03.780-06:00November Blogging Challenge: A book review<div style="text-align: right;">
Day 21</div>
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Name a book you are thankful to have read and how it has inspired you to be better at what you do.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15.6000003814697px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap;">ISBN 1571103767</span></td></tr>
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As a life-long reader, I have read any number of great books. As a secondary English teacher, I enjoy teaching my students about the classics, having them read a plethora of various great literature, and trying to build within them a love of reading.</div>
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The one thing I don't know how to do, though, is teach my students how to read. Secondary teachers are not taught how to teach a person to read. It was frustrating for me because I often come across students who are not reading at grade level or who have some gaps in their reading process. So I began looking for some help. I found it in this Cris Tovani book: <i>Do I Really Have to Teach Reading?</i></div>
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It includes great strategies the secondary teacher can use right away with any kind of content to help her students to become better readers. This book doesn't teach me how to teach reading from scratch, but it can--and does--help me to help my students where they are right now in order to help them move forward. Our school used this book as a book study several years ago to help all of us teachers find ways to help our students.</div>
Amy Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07691614370276830897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651320469327162135.post-5102093383843822232014-11-21T21:33:00.000-06:002014-11-21T21:33:10.819-06:00November Blogging Challenge: Life Lesson<div style="text-align: right;">
Day 20</div>
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What is one life lesson you are grateful to have learned?</div>
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One life lesson I am grateful to have learned is that balance is important. To be honest, I'm still learning this lesson. During the school year, especially, I tend to get caught up with teaching and grading and lessons--all completely normal--but then I forget that "all work and no play makes [Amy] a dull [girl]." I fall out of touch with friends, become too busy to hang out with family, and spend way too much time staring at a computer screen instead of sunsets.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOOZTprnHhCtFIRVcdGxzmH7IEJZhWEjhpkqXAb6VkSW8OIbmAvVRwMyOaO2MIfyOUXfWV1Jvu2ev7m7mprtsIi7BOMqxNK5EGcRtPFrr8zWS4IPIhEnzroFs9Ax2yqkjwEUyxCEfqTH4/s1600/Fulgham.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOOZTprnHhCtFIRVcdGxzmH7IEJZhWEjhpkqXAb6VkSW8OIbmAvVRwMyOaO2MIfyOUXfWV1Jvu2ev7m7mprtsIi7BOMqxNK5EGcRtPFrr8zWS4IPIhEnzroFs9Ax2yqkjwEUyxCEfqTH4/s1600/Fulgham.jpg" height="169" width="200" /></a></div>
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Robert Fulgham wrote a great essay about life lessons. In his essay he tells about how he learned that we need balance in our lives: "Live a balanced life. Learn some and think some </div>
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and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some." Ostensibly, I learned that, too, but I need to be reminded of it every once in awhile. So I am grateful to be reminded of this life lesson as we move toward Thanksgiving. I am going to enjoy taking some time off to celebrate with family, and that will definitely add some much-needed balance to my work-filled life.</div>
Amy Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07691614370276830897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651320469327162135.post-82667674333135519152014-11-18T21:33:00.002-06:002014-11-18T21:33:18.569-06:00November Blogging Challenge: Colleague Appreciation Day<div style="text-align: right;">
Day 18</div>
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What do you appreciate about your colleagues?</div>
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I get a birthday card from my superintendent. The janitors in my building ask how I'm doing. The wrestling coach greets me every day. My content area teachers give me Christmas gifts. The teachers down the hall from me always include me in their hallway chatter. I could go on and on. The people I work with are great. </div>
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I appreciate that my colleagues ask hard questions about their process in order to make their classes better. They work collectively. Even those teachers who teach stand-alone classes and don't have other teachers who teach the same subject to collaborate with work within their department and others to incorporate the standards the state requires us all to touch upon.</div>
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I appreciate that my colleagues support each other. A couple of years ago when one of our co-workers had some major bills because of a family crisis, our faculty and staff came together to help out in various ways. They are invested in each other's lives. They celebrate joys and commiserate sorrows.</div>
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I appreciate that my colleagues laugh over stories shared in the lunchroom. They share recipes and photos and crochet directions. They help un-jam the copy machine or fill it up with paper when they're done with it because that's the kind of people they are. Of all the reasons I appreciate my fellow teachers, though, I think that the one thing I appreciate most is the way they all want the best for the students we serve. They make me want to be a better person and teacher.</div>
Amy Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07691614370276830897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651320469327162135.post-12578985115713195942014-11-17T21:45:00.000-06:002014-11-17T21:45:11.284-06:00November Blogging Challenge: What a difference a year makes....<div style="text-align: right;">
Day 17</div>
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One thing that is different from a year ago that I am grateful for...</div>
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Our school has undergone a lot of changes from last year to this one, so I could name any number of things that have changed, from staff and administrative changes to room changes.</div>
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One of the things that is different from a year ago that I am grateful for is my new classroom. My previous classroom was in a trailer. I didn't mind the trailer; in fact, it was nice. I wouldn't have minded having a bathroom, but the trailer was okay. I shared the trailer with a computer lab.</div>
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But this year I'm in the main building. I have a new classroom. It is bigger than my trailer was. I no longer have to go outside the building in the rain, sleet, and snow (like the Post Office). I don't have to go inside the main building just to get to a restroom or to the teacher workroom. Now I can just go down the hall.</div>
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My students no longer have to brave the rain and cold in order to get an education from me. They get to come down a brand new hallway and enjoy a classroom that is unlikely to be blown away by a strong crosswind. They can come to my class when it's storming out and not worry that they could be struck by lightning. (You'd think that wasn't a possibility...but...there is a story behind that comment.)</div>
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While change is necessary, I don't often like it. However, in this case, I am very grateful and feel very blessed.</div>
Amy Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07691614370276830897noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651320469327162135.post-34211545004455743732014-11-16T19:05:00.000-06:002014-11-16T19:05:06.594-06:00November Blogging Challenge: Connectedness<div style="text-align: right;">
Day 16</div>
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What is the most powerful aspect of being a connected educator? What are you grateful for?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3MrYDzkBm8XDm-SuiExbBxW4umuVKCWqIEswpq89iBslJwyT_iXKr1HJf7hTvLjbDXqSghncCArfZ4UusVaE2govUXrX7bJ8ciiH7ZpSZobALJYptJmDCDfwN5zufAsGIg-1MN2gqlQc/s1600/people.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3MrYDzkBm8XDm-SuiExbBxW4umuVKCWqIEswpq89iBslJwyT_iXKr1HJf7hTvLjbDXqSghncCArfZ4UusVaE2govUXrX7bJ8ciiH7ZpSZobALJYptJmDCDfwN5zufAsGIg-1MN2gqlQc/s1600/people.jpg" height="163" width="200" /></a>I am not much of a connected educator, I must admit. I am a spotty tweeter...and I don't check it that often. I do use Facebook, but I must admit I use it more to keep caught up with friends and family than for connecting with other educators. I mean, I do use it for that sometimes, but I don't know if that counts enough to make me a "connected educator." I am grateful, though, for these social media outlets that allow me to be as connected as I am, and for the promise of more. I felt welcomed by the other bloggers doing this challenge, and that is something I do feel grateful for.</div>
Amy Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07691614370276830897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651320469327162135.post-85112055330159472092014-11-15T13:16:00.000-06:002014-11-15T13:16:25.293-06:00November Blogging Challenge: Tech Tools<div style="text-align: right;">
Day 15</div>
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What tech tools are you most grateful for? Why? How have they changed what you do?</div>
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This prompt is similar to the prompt we had in the September Blogging Challenge. To save time--a thing for which I'm very grateful--I will repost that blog here. <a href="http://amy-jeanne.blogspot.com/2014/09/reflective-teaching-30-day-blogging_13.html" target="_blank">Reflective Teaching, Day 13: Edtech Tools</a></div>
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I'm grateful for all these tech tools because the students I serve are digital natives. These tools help me to connect to my students on a different level. They learn so differently than I did. When I got my new phone, I spent unsuccessful minutes looking for the owner's manual until I realized that I would have to access it via the phone. Kids today don't read owner's manuals in separate booklets; they learn from the device themselves.</div>
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I do have an update on one of the tools I mentioned in that post: <a href="https://www.noredink.com/" target="_blank">NoRedInk</a> I've begun using this online grammar website with my students and have seen the students enjoy doing grammar exercises (I know!) and actually practicing toward mastery on their own. I'm using the free version, but I am tempted to upgrade so that I can access even more content. The students go to this site on their own time (or if they finish early) to get better at grammar; that in itself is something I am most thankful for.</div>
Amy Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07691614370276830897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651320469327162135.post-1897122888828857702014-11-14T23:34:00.000-06:002014-11-14T23:34:40.359-06:00November Blogging Challenge: Five lessons I'm grateful to have learned.<div style="text-align: right;">
Day 14</div>
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Five things things you are grateful to have learned in your teaching career.</div>
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I have been a teacher for going on 18 years now, and I definitely have learned some great lessons that I continue to use to this day.</div>
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Another lesson I'm grateful to have learned is twofold: first, teachers really do have the ability to change the lives of their students. I had a student once who came back to tell me about how I'd helped him. I wrote about it in the blog post "<a href="http://amy-jeanne.blogspot.com/2013/09/homecoming.html" target="_blank">Homecoming</a>." The other half of the lesson is that our students change our lives, too. I cannot count the ways the students have changed my life. I've learned more from them, I think, than I've taught them. I am blessed by the ways that my students have helped me see life from their perspective.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1eLESRo8t4MIRO2bOkqtpIUujHL8J41Hxpd9OIuaRenHprwxuibo-5dmBqdOeKwXOjgZ76ohMg1AvLBkAn8r7WBqS9I4dROP1Yw3z400bDDbBmbTs7kEozQIiVOQq5xcrI0zKaXn92Xc/s1600/number3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1eLESRo8t4MIRO2bOkqtpIUujHL8J41Hxpd9OIuaRenHprwxuibo-5dmBqdOeKwXOjgZ76ohMg1AvLBkAn8r7WBqS9I4dROP1Yw3z400bDDbBmbTs7kEozQIiVOQq5xcrI0zKaXn92Xc/s1600/number3.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a> A third thing I'm grateful to have learned over my career is the priceless lesson of how important it is to work together as a team. Too often we teachers work in isolation, our classrooms becoming a little kingdom. But when I learned about Professional Learning Communities I found a way to work together like the states do with the Federal government. Instead of being an entity unto myself, I was able to gain insight and help from others who knew ways to do things I didn't and was able to give insight and help to those who needed my knowledge.<br />
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Another lesson I'm grateful to have learned is that every obstacle is an opportunity to grow. When I deal with a student who is unruly, I can focus on the behavior that is frustrating me, or I can try to understand where that behavior is coming from. There's always a silver lining; if I have to redo my curriculum (again) to match up with new standards (or just renamed standards), then that is an opportunity to add something. I just need to <a href="http://amy-jeanne.blogspot.com/2014/09/searching-for-ponies.html" target="_blank">Search for Ponies</a>.<br />
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Lots of things in education today can be trying and upsetting, but when we come together with the same goals in mind, we can affect change.<br />“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” ― Margaret Mead. I'm grateful to have learned this lesson because I'm reminded that my job is not just a job; it is a calling.Amy Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07691614370276830897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651320469327162135.post-45771748885846551912014-11-14T18:59:00.000-06:002014-11-14T23:43:33.438-06:00November Blogging Challenge: Time off?<div style="text-align: right;">
Day 13</div>
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What do you do to take time out for yourself?</div>
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We had a similar prompt during the September blogging challenge, so, since I am running a day behind, I'm going to re-post that response here: <a href="http://amy-jeanne.blogspot.com/2014/09/reflective-teaching-day-27-days-off.html" target="_blank">Day 27: Days off!</a></div>
Amy Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07691614370276830897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651320469327162135.post-11656797458215594832014-11-13T22:03:00.000-06:002014-11-13T22:03:11.369-06:00November Blogging Challenge: A picture of gratitude...sort of.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
Day 12</div>
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Share a photo -- or photos -- of people/things you are thankful for:</div>
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I'm not a photographer. I have a camera. I have a couple, including the one on my phone, but I forget to take pictures; therefore, I write about the things/people I am thankful for instead. I know that a picture is worth a thousand words, so I took an essay I wrote about Thanksgiving and went to tagxedo.com. Here is the result:</div>
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<br />Amy Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07691614370276830897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651320469327162135.post-7839930496111172562014-11-13T20:22:00.000-06:002014-11-13T20:22:50.930-06:00November Blogging Challenge: What I want my students to learn...<div style="text-align: right;">
Day 11</div>
What is the most important 'lesson' you want to teach your students?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />I don't know if there is just one lesson I want to teach my students. Of course I want them to learn and master my content, but education is about so much more. The prompt asks for one lesson, but as an English teacher, I have an entire alphabet of lessons I want to teach my students:</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A</span>lways share your joy.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">B</span>e willing to listen with an open mind.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">C</span>arry on when times get rough.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">D</span>on't ever give up.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">E</span>njoy solitude when you can get it.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">F</span>eel the wonder of little miracles.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">G</span>ive generously of your resources.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">H</span>elp someone you normally would not.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I</span>magine. Imagine. Imagine.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">J</span>ourneys are worth the effort.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">K</span>eep on hoping for the best, even during the hard times.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">L</span>et laughter live and love in your life.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">M</span>ake friends wherever you can.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">N</span>ever stop learning.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">O</span>ccasionally take the long way ‘round.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">P</span>erception is not reality.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Q</span>uestion. Question. Question.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">R</span>ejoice in all things.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">S</span>pend time, not money, on your loved ones.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">T</span>ake no one for granted.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">U</span>nderstand more than you let on.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">V</span>oice your opinions--and support them.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">W</span>onder “why” more often.</div>
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(e)<span style="font-size: large;">X</span>amine your motives.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Y</span>earn for the Forever Now.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Z</span>ealously guard your humanity.</div>
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Amy Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07691614370276830897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651320469327162135.post-22769641990910388902014-11-12T21:52:00.000-06:002014-11-17T21:58:58.904-06:00November Blogging Challenge: Humorous Lessons<div style="text-align: right;">
Day 10</div>
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Being grateful for humor--share a story about a time in your career where humor played a part.</div>
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Humor is a tool I use a lot in my classes. I love laughter and the release of endorphins that laughter brings about. In a classroom of sullen, angst-ridden teenagers, laughter really is the best medicine. I could tell story after story about how humor played a part--from the jokes I tell in class to the personal joy I get from the students' sometimes humorous behavior--but, alas, I didn't write those stories down, and it's moments like this when I rue my personal dislike for a daily "what I did today" journal/diary.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieyw2E5I99JcNHRmqEubp6HI1DfEQ98-geDzkzQHDAm7S1NMbajZ3eF92stx5W8CCTzT4IMYX40YtLQiYcsdtIdAqO9e7G7J9hKddVyWXj1XR-ghemOro7yVyhX8VmRMNvMsdIPsXCrak/s1600/humor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieyw2E5I99JcNHRmqEubp6HI1DfEQ98-geDzkzQHDAm7S1NMbajZ3eF92stx5W8CCTzT4IMYX40YtLQiYcsdtIdAqO9e7G7J9hKddVyWXj1XR-ghemOro7yVyhX8VmRMNvMsdIPsXCrak/s200/humor.jpg" width="183" /></a>So because I don't have a written record of the hilarity in my classroom, I have to pick something recent enough to remember off the top of my head. Just today I told a silly joke in my sign language class. A student I'd had in another class had seen me sign/tell this long, silly joke in another class, so he has been asking me all semester to tell it. Today I finally told it. It's one of those stupid jokes where the punch line has nothing whatsoever to do with the actual joke, so it is hilarious.<br />
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I signed the joke as I told it, and the kids were laughing along with me as we went through the repetitive portions of the joke. When I did finally get to the <i>non sequitur</i> punch line, the kids groaned at the seemingly pointless end to the ten-minute long joke. Then they immediately began plotting how to use the punch line to tantalize the members of the class who were absent.<br />
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Humor in education is important; a laugh shared between people can break down barriers, build rapport, and bring people together. That's part of what education should do with all things, not just jokes.</div>
Amy Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07691614370276830897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651320469327162135.post-77011503529667075232014-11-09T21:54:00.001-06:002014-11-13T21:21:50.824-06:00November Blogging Challenge: Developing an Attitude of Gratitude<div style="text-align: right;">
Day 9</div>
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What is one way you could develop the Attitude of Gratitude in your classroom or school? Try it out and let us know how it went in a couple of weeks.</div>
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A couple of years ago (yikes...I just checked and realized it was back in 2005 or 2006) I went to a conference session about putting drops in other people's buckets. The presenters were using the book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/How-Full-Is-Your-Bucket/dp/1595620036" target="_blank"><i>How Full Is Your Bucket? </i>by Tom Rath and Donald Clifton</a>. The authors use a classic metaphor of a bucket and a dipper in relation to how every interaction with others can have a positive or negative impact. Everyone has the opportunity to use his or her dipper to either fill or empty someone else's bucket. In addition, when you use your dipper to fill someone else's bucket, you actually get your filled, too.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqpD7XkYx4oRYZhNHEoS-62s1RmTg6a8VbRMicOvLPjoJLQsQFhKGUZe_Q3msFp_2sZZv5ICpUhI-jQCmJI-Hkd5AteNGtIDQdna8IhyphenhyphencmqohefIKppxkq15bhKej_BaGr8ta-um27_Ds/s1600/droplet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqpD7XkYx4oRYZhNHEoS-62s1RmTg6a8VbRMicOvLPjoJLQsQFhKGUZe_Q3msFp_2sZZv5ICpUhI-jQCmJI-Hkd5AteNGtIDQdna8IhyphenhyphencmqohefIKppxkq15bhKej_BaGr8ta-um27_Ds/s1600/droplet.jpg" height="200" width="154" /></a></div>
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The presenters gave us copies of these droplets to use in our classes and at our school as a visual way to fill other people's buckets. I used them for the rest of that year, but I haven't really used them since. I see the book on my shelf, and I see the droplets in my filing cabinet; however, I have to admit to letting this really great way to encourage each other get dusty. I will have to start this up again in my classes and/or in the teacher's lounge. Thanks, Blogging Challenge, for reminding me about the importance of developing the Attitude of Gratitude.</div>
Amy Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07691614370276830897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651320469327162135.post-45410213753026762042014-11-09T01:11:00.000-06:002014-11-17T21:59:29.073-06:00November Blogging Challenge: Memories are Made of This...<div style="text-align: right;">
Day 8</div>
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Write about a memorable moment in your classroom and how it reminded you about why you love what you do.</div>
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Most of us teachers who have taught for any length of time have plenty of stories, both good and bad, that have influenced how we feel about our chosen profession. I am no different. I can spin tale after tale about my students and how they either frustrate or fascinate me--sometimes at the same time.</div>
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One such memorable moment occurred in my creative writing class a couple of years ago. We were in the poetry unit, and the kids were filling out an imagery chart while studying a slice of orange. One of my students was having trouble with going beyond the literal.<br />
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He was getting frustrated because all could see was the "orange-y-ness" of the orange. His chart had one entry for each of the senses: "orange." For visual imagery, he wrote "orange." For olfactory imagery, he wrote, "orange." For taste imagery, he wrote, "orange." See the pattern? He was looking only at the obvious and not delving beyond. We started a discussion (well, I call such exchanges of information discussions... some might call it an argument) about the slice of orange on his plate. He kept saying that the orange was just an orange, unable--or unwilling--to see it as anything more. <br />
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I asked him to try using the orange in a simile. He didn't want to because he didn't think he was good at poetry. We argued...er..discussed...for a bit more when he seemed to have an epiphany; he had that moment of clarity that we teachers want for our students. He said the orange was like a sun in a blue sky because it was a of orange on a blue paper plate. I agreed with him. He was surprised because he thought I'd be mad it was so simple. I told him that simple is beautiful and thoughtful. In fact, I told him I was going to use his simile in a poem, and he should do the same. My poem became a <a href="http://amy-jeanne.blogspot.com/2012/07/slice-of-orangeslice-of-more.html" target="_blank">blog post in July of 2012</a>. His...well, I'm sure that he has kept it because he loved it so much. Maybe.<br />
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I saw him at homecoming this year. He told me he was changing his major to education because he realized how much he enjoys sharing his knowledge. He also told me that it was because of experiences like the one where he had an epiphany in my classroom that he was even thinking of being a teacher. I was so honored. It is moments like that which reminds me of why I became a teacher. I wanted to share my knowledge as well as help my students become who they could be--I got to build a cathedral. That moment was another reminder of why I love what I do.</div>
Amy Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07691614370276830897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651320469327162135.post-60388930624259823882014-11-07T21:31:00.001-06:002014-11-17T22:02:23.630-06:00November Blogging Challenge: Inspirational Learning<div style="text-align: right;">
Day 7</div>
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What new learning has inspired you in your career?</div>
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I remember reluctantly joining a group of teachers at my high school several years ago in writing a grant that would bring more computers into our school. I say "reluctant" because I was already in a room directly next to a computer lab and partly in charge of running the lab. I didn't know if I wanted more computers under my care. However, the grant required two English teachers and two math teachers to work together.</div>
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Several months later we all sat down with some Google guys... and I was hooked.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC2fD6PRAblLsdNJP43pjO6_zpR9MKqv82qcbZ95J4KBdjfTzt5CMfHAyh-eLZHgXO2aMGnJfme7tqDDf1KYeRYvAdg9ArTA93IVWmmLc_mLqB_Yrq2TWGIhEIynZiYKNHJRi2kJsfDF4/s1600/d960ed3e499ea9fcefde72fde86b2bef.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC2fD6PRAblLsdNJP43pjO6_zpR9MKqv82qcbZ95J4KBdjfTzt5CMfHAyh-eLZHgXO2aMGnJfme7tqDDf1KYeRYvAdg9ArTA93IVWmmLc_mLqB_Yrq2TWGIhEIynZiYKNHJRi2kJsfDF4/s1600/d960ed3e499ea9fcefde72fde86b2bef.jpeg" height="165" width="200" /></a></div>
Two days of Google App training later, and I realized that I could use Google Docs, Forms, Sheets, etc... to revitalize my teaching practices. I was able to become a teacher with a 1:1 classroom. Each student would have a computer (Chromebook), and we could do more with them than just word processing or research (even though we would use them to do both). I still had a computer lab next door to me, but having a computer lab in my classroom was that much more exciting.</div>
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Using Google Apps daily in my classroom has been inspirational to me because the students use technology every day in their lives, and if I can tap into that already built-in interest with technology by connecting it to my content, how much better is that!? In addition to a class that runs on much less paper, I also get the chance to learn more and more technology myself. So.. bonus!</div>
Amy Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07691614370276830897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651320469327162135.post-9653581339843354902014-11-06T22:43:00.001-06:002014-11-17T22:01:54.493-06:00November Blogging Challenge: Inspirational Quote<div style="text-align: right;">
Day 6</div>
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Share a quote or verse that inspires you and tell us why.<br />
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Tonight was the first night for the school play, and the kids did great! Well done everyone involved with the Buffalo High School Drama department! However, because I went to the play and had to do yesterday's blog post too, I am once again using a blog post I wrote awhile back . This feels slightly like cheating, but I really need to get to bed earlier than I did last night when I was up late grading.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyXHotrv_zpsTkKSw_amsXYjwRHgWWMR9zXqpC6BrthE4dHNxDrQN9fcBoOI7DcGdLCW_2UsA_KAtrHqlQRC2xzp4G3V2ztz0Hjh2U7emQWtHj7OnnPiTSCpaZKGdoF_ZxCvcmoTDDI6A/s1600/apollo_14_tracks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyXHotrv_zpsTkKSw_amsXYjwRHgWWMR9zXqpC6BrthE4dHNxDrQN9fcBoOI7DcGdLCW_2UsA_KAtrHqlQRC2xzp4G3V2ztz0Hjh2U7emQWtHj7OnnPiTSCpaZKGdoF_ZxCvcmoTDDI6A/s1600/apollo_14_tracks.jpg" height="208" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everlasting footprints: Apollo 14 tracks on the moon.</td></tr>
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The quote I wrote about in the prompt <a href="http://amy-jeanne.blogspot.com/2012/02/trail-making.html" target="_blank">(February 25, 2012)</a> deals with the everlasting footprints that the Apollo team left on the moon. The quote is inspirational because of the longevity of the footprints and the metaphorical meaning of the footprints I leave behind on the hearts and lives of those people I've touched. </div>
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Amy Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07691614370276830897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651320469327162135.post-52957753665293864382014-11-06T22:11:00.000-06:002014-11-17T22:01:33.214-06:00November Blogging Challenge: Thankful for strengths...<div style="text-align: right;">
Day 5</div>
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What are your strengths? Which are you most grateful for?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX1b63KUzE8mZVc9KGcz3e7WQMmlKccpYbYyof69Y7DCZiYHeVhCZLHOjNIdWljkkkJR1VVEFZqucchlD8PWz57EAm8-swpa8j1kdZv-1oVuY-tCxswg39rBo7UyIEqqzseDE-c6D0NXw/s1600/strengths.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX1b63KUzE8mZVc9KGcz3e7WQMmlKccpYbYyof69Y7DCZiYHeVhCZLHOjNIdWljkkkJR1VVEFZqucchlD8PWz57EAm8-swpa8j1kdZv-1oVuY-tCxswg39rBo7UyIEqqzseDE-c6D0NXw/s1600/strengths.jpg" /></a>Grades were due today at noon, so I spent last night grading papers instead of writing a blog post about my strengths. Instead, I'll share the post I wrote about my strengths for the September Blogging Challenge:<br />
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Day 15--Name three strengths you have as an educator. </blockquote>
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1. Content knowledge--I love my content: English Language Arts. I have enjoyed reading and writing for as long as I can remember. Analyzing literature for themes and deep thoughts, writing fiction and nonfiction of varying genres, using proper grammar--presenting all that information to my students so that they, too, can get the same joy from the written word as I do is one of my strengths as an educator. </blockquote>
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2. Willing to learn and try new things--My grandfather used to tell us that a day's not been wasted if you've learned something. When we can learn how to help our students grasp our material in a better way (or deeper in a way that we already knew), or when we can learn how to use a technology that helps us do our jobs better, that's a great thing, and I think that is one of my strengths. </blockquote>
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3. Desire that students succeed--When a teacher knows what a student can do, she can inspire the student to do even more. Sometimes the teacher is the only one in the student's corner--not even the student is always in his or her own corner. My students always know I am their loudest cheerleader even as I correct their papers and push them to better scholarship; my desire that my students succeed is one of my best strengths as their teacher.</blockquote>
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Of those strengths, the one I'm most grateful for is the third one: desire that my students succeed. I think that as teachers we have no better strength than the desire to make a difference in our students' lives. When we believe that all students can learn and succeed, we look at our jobs as more than just jobs. We have a mission field, and our students are the harvest. Not to get too Biblical, but these fields are rich unto harvest. Now we just need the workers to bring in the harvest.Amy Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07691614370276830897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651320469327162135.post-15590091591245507572014-11-04T23:08:00.000-06:002014-11-17T22:01:12.917-06:00November Challenge: Gifts are nice....<div style="text-align: right;">
Day 4</div>
What was the nicest gift you ever received from a student/parent/colleague?<br />
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As a high school teacher, I don't receive as many gifts as those teachers of younger students. When I taught overseas for several years I did get some nice gifts. One family gave me a lovely scarf for Christmas. A couple of years ago I had a student give me a pair of earrings. Compliments are always a nice gift. It's nice to be recognized as a good teacher by students especially if they don't normally like my content. It's also nice to hear that my colleagues consider me an inspiration.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGhezuv65QS03NsNLc7NOaT74X8JB1xi8xR2L_Ip9ABR0KaaCe3wTTjl1Jjj8enzkj9rBvr08s0DwFC1V8e5rYATr2ftYHCEYoC3VL4jQYiCKWj9xbmDMwnzJDPdLjc_1KBC5pDDHHhso/s1600/teacherappreciation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGhezuv65QS03NsNLc7NOaT74X8JB1xi8xR2L_Ip9ABR0KaaCe3wTTjl1Jjj8enzkj9rBvr08s0DwFC1V8e5rYATr2ftYHCEYoC3VL4jQYiCKWj9xbmDMwnzJDPdLjc_1KBC5pDDHHhso/s1600/teacherappreciation.jpg" height="320" width="149" /></a>I suppose I could go on and on about gifts I've received. At Christmas my department always gives wonderful gifts to each other. One of my colleagues whom I carpool with always gives great Christmas and birthday gifts. We do a Secret Santa gift exchange, and I have gotten some really fun things from those, too.</div>
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But I think the nicest gift I was one I got anonymously--and quite recently, too. I came back from my parking lot duty a week or so ago and found a basket of goodies on my chair. It was filled with snacks and lotions and sodas and a note. The note said that one of my colleagues wanted to surprise me, so I was to pick three things from the basket and then put three more things into the basket and pass the basket on to someone else.</div>
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I have no idea who put that basket on my chair. All I know is that I needed that little encouragement just then. I took three items out and put three items in. Then I put the basket into someone else's room. I don't know who has the basket right now, but I hope it is still making the rounds. It was a blessing at just the right time.</div>
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In this month of Thanksgiving, why don't you pay it forward and show some thanks to the people in your life; it may just be the blessing they are needing at just the right time.</div>
Amy Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07691614370276830897noreply@blogger.com1