Genius Hour

Genius hour is a idea that was created to see what would happen if students are given the chance to spend an our hour doing something productive of their choice. Our teacher assigned us to this creative challenge and I jumped on the opportunity. I first had to pick an issue that I was passionate about. I took a few days to think about issues that consistently bothered me and I decided to come up with a solution that wouldn't just help me and my friends but a broader audience.

Every now and then volunteering has it's time in the lime light. Its popularity is waning. But why must we wait until it's popular or the "cool thing to do" to help people? What is stopping us from helping people who need us the most? For most people, the heart is there but they don't know what to do or where to go or who to talk to. And for all of those people, I'm here to help. I created a website called Reaching Hands to provide people with the next step in their volunteering adventure. My site gives ideas, a place to share passions and endeavors, and an inside look to my heart and how this site originated. Whether you don't know what you want to do and are desperate for ideas or you have ideas but don't know how to put it into action, Reaching Hands is for you.

Click here to get ideas and information for your next volunteering endeavor!

(The website is still being developed! On the opportunity tab, links are being installed to take the viewer to a written document with all the information they need.)

Significant Relationships- Year Two

Many people think that teaching is simply teaching, meaning a teacher walks into a classroom spills the information and the students absorb it. But this couldn't be further from the truth. Teaching is one of the most difficult careers because what many people don't realize is that some students don't attend school to learn. For many, school is simply a social event, or even worse just a place to go for the day. Teachers must learn how to engage each student in a way that applies to them personally. The best way to get every student engaged is to form relationships. This isn't as easy as it may sound. Every student is different and every person needs something different out of a relationship. Some students need constant support, while some need a small nudge. So the daunting task for teachers is to master the art of forming relationships because its proves to be the most important.

I had the opportunity of interning with Mrs. Donna Russell this past year and it wasn't the first time she has surpassed my expectations. I was lucky enough to not only be her intern but her student in 8th grade as well. It was Mrs. Russell who opened my eyes to the amazing world of education. Before I was in her class, I pushed away idea of becoming a teacher because of the shallow mindset of not wanting a teacher's income for the rest of my life. But by simply watching Mrs. Russell's daily passion, my unfounded mindset immediately changed. Mrs. Russell began forming relationships from day one and continued building them until her students left her class. With her comforting smile and accepting nature, her vibrant room quickly became home for many. I witnessed all different types of students meeting in her room before and after school just because they liked being around her. And because they liked being around her, they gave her respect during class so in turn their learning was enhanced. Aside from relationships increasing learning in the classroom, relationships build individuals into better people. Mrs. Russell was a comforter, encourager, friend and an inspiration. Through her relationships with her students she taught them aspects in life that are much more important then grammar or spelling. She taught them empathy, patience, and most importantly love. What is so amazing about Mrs. Russell and what continues to impress me is her precise intention within her teaching. She strategically thinks out her actions and sentences to her students. She realizes that something as small as her tone can dramatically impact her students. And it is through this strength of hers that helps her form even closer bonds with her students. Because of Mrs. Russell's warm personality and her genuine intentions, she creates relationships that help her students throughout the year and throughout their lives. I'm not sure if Mrs. Russell realizes how much she is truly impacting people, but if I can be just half the teacher she is then I will consider myself successful.

When I become a teacher I plan to develop the skill of intention so I can reap the benefits like Mrs.Russell. I think that intention is an extremely important and honorable quality because something so small can make such a huge difference. I think the difference between a good teacher and a great teacher is based on intention. When I see a teacher being intentional, I can tell immediately that they truly care for their students because being intentional takes time and effort. I hope to create a thought process that is constantly empathetic and understanding. I want to express compassion and love through my actions. And I aspire to create excitement and passion when I speak. I know that the only way I can make this happen is if I thoroughly think out my actions and words, because actions and words hold great power.

Lesson Planning Weblinks

Here are some great resources for lesson planning for English Language Arts and more!

1. NCTE- National Council of Teachers of English
This website is designed around all of the needs of English teachers. It has everything from grammar to advanced literacy practices. The website is not only divided into practices but it is also divided into grade level. I suggest using this website to liven up a lesson plan. It is easy to find what TEKS you are needing to match and this website helps teachers integrate fun and complexity into lessons.

2. ReadWriteThink- Lesson Planning Tool
This website is handy and well organized. This site separates by grade level, lesson plan type, learning objective, and theme. It is useful because if you draw a blank when lesson planning for a boring TEK then this website will assist you in finding the perfect fit. Whether you need a full lesson or a short mini lesson, this site will help.

3. UE- Using English
This website gives the user many options such as testing opportunities, references and resources, and even articles. If you ever want to advance a lesson plan then try this site! UE will give you great resources to give to your students or even supply you with text that can help you create critical thinking from your students.

I'm excited to use these sites and I'm sure you will enjoy them just as much as I do!

"Does Spelling Count?" Article Response

 I recently read a semi-contreversial article named, "Does Spelling Count?". In this article the author expressed how she viewed the current education system and its ways of putting learning into subjects. Her view is commonly known as problem-based learning or project-based learning. This type of learning isn't restricted by subjects. The author asks a good question, "How did these skills become the be-all and end-all of education? How did "math" become a stand-alone subject that has to be taught between 9:15 and 10:00 five days a week?". She understands the positives to having education divided into subjects, such as teaching children order and having steps in the learning process...but she does't ignore the negatives. Why put subjects on learning so that as a product, true education is suppressed? Why create a boundary on ever-so-reaching concepts? Why constrain a certain way of problem solving to the name "math" or a certain way of expressing ones thoughts or ideas to "english"? The authors main point is to draw attention to the idea that maybe by having subjects in school we are actually just limiting our children rather then expanding their knowledge. 

I thoroughly enjoyed reading and evaluating this article! This article definitely made me think about what I prefer on a topic that I originally thought was non negotiable. Who would have thought there was an option on how schooling has been done for centuries? Not me! But now that the idea is a plausible one, it sparks my interest to say the least.  But I must say, as much as I enjoy the thought of this, I am skeptical when it comes to applying it to our schools. How would we create such a change without too many protesters? Will we only know if this method is successful by trial and error? Will we really have to put children's education at stake to experiment with a new method? Is it worth it? These questions may remain unanswered, but at least we have given them the thought, right? Because in the end, very good action begins with a good idea. 

TAFE Plan for 2014-2015

I am so excited for TAFE next year! I plan on competing in Job interview, Impromptu Speaking, and Service Project and My TAFE Moment is an option to choose from as well. I think that these would be good for me because I am a confident speaker and I am good with my words. And the service project is a good option because I have this year as an advantage, plus volunteering is my favorite thing in the world. I plan on executing my plan by coming after school and taking my own time to work ahead and be completely prepared. I also want to get lots of advice from the wise, Mrs. Stevens. I am so pumped for the next year that I will not let deadlines be the deciding factor. And I hope to be have a leadership position next year as well. I would like to be the President of the class or at least a VP of LES again. I want to be involved as much as Mrs. Stevens will allow me.

My Favorite Memory with Interning

It is really hard for my to pick my favorite memory because I have had so many great opportunities and experiences this year. At first, my favorite memory was when in the midst of all the anxiety of stepping up in front of people who are barely 3 years younger then me and being so nervous about them just liking me, I checked my Instagram and I had twenty-five new followers. I had twenty-five set of eyes watching my every move… but instead of finding this nerve-racking like it may sound, I found comfort and hope in the fact that my students wanted to know me on a personal level. I had done something right… my kids already liked me. And on a side note- many teachers claim that it shouldn't matter if your students like you or not because you aren't there to be liked but to teach. To me, that's complete rubbish. If a student doesn't like you it's nearly impossible to get respect. If a student doesn't like you or doesn't respect you, how can you think that you, as a person who isn't liked or respected, will get through to them and teach them things that they probably don't really care about. You can't. Not to mention the relationship aspect of teaching. Relationships are the basis of a strong educational experience. Being liked is just a realistic factor of teaching, it isn't only important, but necessary. My other favorite memory is when I had to help one of my students with writing their essay. It is easy to get a student to find the correct answer with giving them clues or keys to understand… but it is a totally different story when you must get the student to find and understand a whole concept. I was having to teach how to properly condense writing without taking out details you need. I worked with this one student for most of the class period because this is a skill that he must have and his writing was strong, but extremely lengthy. After finally getting him to not only understand but to also feel confident, he finished revising his essay. Then after having time for the essays to be graded and returned, he proudly rushed up to me to tell me that he received a 4, the highest grade for an essay. I was beaming with pride… to many people this would be a good moment because their student got a good grade or because the student no longer needs the teachers help anymore, but to me this moment meant the world… I had helped a student reached their goal, I had done my job as a teacher. My sweet student quickly yet softly replied with, "It's all because of you. Thank you." and then I was able to reply, "Oh no, it was all because of you!" My student and I both left with smiles that day. Despite how cliche and cheesy this story sounds, it is completely true and I will never forget it.

My Year

Here is a video I made composed of some of my favorite memories. I hope you like it!