Watch and Learn

As a future teacher and a current intern, I have quickly taken "Watch and Learn" and transformed it from an overused and becomingly meaningless phrase to my daily action and take on life. I am currently taking a class called Education and Training, but before this I was in a class called Principles of Education. Though Principles was an outstanding introductory course, one can only learn so much from a textbook. Real learning comes when one is put into action and actually gets to experience what they want to learn. As I intern in schools and that desired action and experience are being put to the test, I realize that I must keep rules for myself to create the best results. One of my top rules for myself is to remember to watch and learn before anything else. I tend to get ahead of myself at times so I make time strictly for observing first.  This way, I am learning all that is given to me first instead of jumping straight into teaching. Aside from using this in the classroom, I use this same strategy for my school work or when I want teach myself new things. One way I do this is by watching educational videos. Through educational videos, I am learning from others then applying it to my life. I use this when I want to learn more in any subject, but specifically in my teaching. Here are some example videos that would work nicely with my "Watch and Learn" strategy.

Here is a video about teaching strategies for English teachers but many of them are transferable.

And here is a video about differentiated learning in an elementary school and the effect it had.

There are many videos that can be viewed that don't only give examples like my videos but that actually teach directly. To be able to watch and to learn and experience through someone else is not only beneficial but an extreme time saver as well. One thing that I have learned very quickly through my intern experience is that you can't be afraid to ask questions. You aren't expected to know everything. Teachers who have been teaching for years still don't know everything and at times must ask questions as well. And through watching videos you are essentially asking questions just in a different form. Don't be too intimidated and let's start learning!

Humor in Classrooms

Humor is an essential part of teaching for it creates an environment that enhances learning and brings fun into education if used correctly. I have had many teachers who taught me the importance in using humor in teaching. These teachers brought brain breaks, happiness, and lighter moods into the average school day. Not only did this help our teacher, but it helped all of us as well. The most amazing thing that these teachers taught me through their humor is that anyone who aspires to be funny while teaching can be. You don't have to be a comedian or even naturally witty... all it takes is some understanding of ones plan and purpose. One must realize that humor in education can't be overpowering or embarrassing, but it must enhance the learning experience. One way to include humor in the classroom is to simply incorporate pictures or quotes that the students could relate to into a presentation. Instead of making a Powerpoint or a Prezi with nothing but written text, try including modern/appropriate pictures that will allow a short brain break. For example, while teaching how to properly add sources to writing and the importance in not using Wikipedia, the teacher could show this humous picture of the beloved Michael Scott from The Office.

This is just one example of how to incorporate humor, but one of my favorite ways to incorporate humor is to poke fun of myself. At times it is okay to joke around with students about themselves, but one must know the student well enough first and still be very careful while testing this. Because this is risky and could end up embarrassing or distracting a student, I personally take the safe route and joke about myself instead. Not only do the kids find humor in their teacher making jokes about herself, but it also builds a bond that lets the students know that [I] the teacher doesn't believe she is superior.

Lastly, a teacher can make entire lessons based off humor. They can use interactive educational websites like Giggle Poetry which has lots of different & entertaining ways to introduce and play with poetry, or a website like Funology which includes Science, trivia, jokes, and magic!

Don't let TEKS or Standards get in your way of having fun with your kids! It just takes a few more minutes to change the entire atmosphere of your classroom! What would you rather have... three more minutes for yourself or a classroom of happy and engaged kids with passing tests scores? The choice is yours... lets bring humor into our classrooms!

2014-2015 Internship

This year I am interning in Paige Henderson's 5th grade class at North Ridge Elementary. I had Mrs. Henderson as my 5th grade teacher so it is amazing to be able to be her student again but in a whole new light. Mrs. Henderson is great about making me feel at home. What is hers is mine and vise-versa. She shares her classroom, ideas, experiences, and heart with me everyday. Mrs. Henderson is also does everything she can to assure that I experience what a teacher would.  Every now and then I will have a student who wants me to be their friend instead of their teacher, but Mrs. Henderson makes sure that I maintain my authority so I get the full teacher experience. When I first walked into her classroom I was a bit intimidated just because it was so out of my comfort zone. I was use to being the student, the class clown, I wasn't use to being an academic leader in Mrs. Henderson's class. This wasn't the only aspect that intimidated me, first, the kids were younger then I was use to, second, the classroom felt smaller, and third, they were doing math, my least favorite subject. But even with it being so different, it didn't take me long to fall in love. After introducing myself we jumped into the lesson. Every student included me and wanted me to be involved. I absolutely love how needed/wanted I was. Though, I was needed and wanted to an extent last year, the older kids weren't as vocal about their feelings toward me. My 5th graders on the other hand, daily either ask my not to leave or thank me for coming. After the lesson (which was fun and interactive, like it is almost everyday) the students worked in partners and I worked with a group who needed extra help. After math we move on to either reading or science and shortly after the intro it's time for me to leave. I am surprised at how much I love my 5th graders and the atmosphere and the curriculum, but mostly, I am beyond thankful for the opportunity. I have been blessed with a willing site school teacher and a sweet class. My students help each other and are quick learners and almost always have a good attitude. I couldn't have asked for a better class to work with for my senior year. I can't wait for the rest of the year so I can continue to build relationships and continue to show them how fun education can be!

Here are my kiddos!

Click here to view Mrs. Henderson's website!

TAFE Region XI Competitive Events Day

Region was the same as last year in that it was stressful and very fun, but different since we were only there for the day. I began my day riding with Mrs. Stevens to do some last minute prep for my group project. I competed in four different events. I started competing with service project, then I moved on to my high pressure public speaking competition, then I took the ELF test, and last but not least I competed in the job interview competition. Though I thought the public speaking competition would bring the most grief, it didn't. Surprisingly, my speech went smoothly and without nerves. However, my job interview on the other hand went completely opposite of how I envisioned. My first interview, though it went south, I was grateful for the learning opportunity. I feel as though I only did so well in my final interview because I took my first interview and reflected as much as I could. I learned the atmosphere and what to expect. I also learned what they were expecting from me, which was the most important. If I happen to make the next round, I will continually remind myself that the judges are just people and usually they are volunteers. The main thing that I will do, that I did in my final interview which helped me, is to instead of viewing each question as an opportunity to impress with an answer or to distract myself by thinking to hard of what I prepared for if they asked me this, I will tell myself to be honest and transparent. If I do that, my passion for the career shines through and my answers are more genuine. I think I psyched myself out by thinking they would ask me extremely hard questions, when really since I am so prepared and have so much experience, I know the answers.  The best part of region competition for me was redeeming myself in my second interview. Even if I don't advance, I will still be content because I did all I could and it was a world of difference in comparison to my first interview. Yes, going to state is ideal, but it was more of a personal accomplishment, so for that alone I am happy. 

If this interests you and you would like to learn more about TAFE, click here. 

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!