Showing posts with label In the News Topics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label In the News Topics. Show all posts

Friday

School Shootings: What has happened to our safe schools?

The Crisis of School Shootings

Where are Our Safe Schools?

What has happened to our safe schools? The term "active shooter in school" is becoming all too familiar. It's heart-breaking and gut-wrenching. I can't imagine what the latest victims' parents are going through, or what the parents before them went through, or even the ones before that. I don’t even want to ponder what the children went through. Children who died at the location where they were required to be. Children who died while laughing, learning, and just being kids. Our children’s safe place is being stolen away, one shot at a time. Teachers are being robbed of a safe work environment, one shot at a time. A parent’s sense of security is being stripped away, one shot at a time.

Facing the Unthinkable

It’s all unfathomable. Unimaginable. Unthinkable. To fix a problem, we must face the problem. We shouldn't tiptoe around it, only talk about it for a fleeting moment, and then move on. It's a vicious pattern that keeps repeating itself. It has become a cycle of catastrophe. I don’t know the answer, but I do know this is big. It’s bigger than me. It's bigger than you. It’s bigger than any single person.

Personal Reflection

As a teacher, I'm acutely aware of the gravity of this situation. I'm married to a teacher. I have children in school. My family is positioned in five different schools on any given day. This is a national epidemic. The news reports state that we have had 18 school shootings within the first two months of 2018. EIGHTEEN. They stretch across the country, and no one is immune. It's becoming commonplace. Shootings in our schools are happening so often that we don’t question if it will happen again, we wonder when it will happen. It’s a brokenness that has become the breaking news on far too many occasions.

The Changing Landscape of Schools

Cafeterias were once seen as dining and gathering places, not as vulnerable large crowds. Classroom doors once remained open and learning could be heard. Fire alarms once signaled smoke, but now they instill fear and make you question if it's legit. Calculating how to create chaos was the latest choice plan, with the simple sound of something our children had been trained to respond to. Kids didn't flee to safety. They walked right into the fire. Gunfire!


There was a time when teachers, students, and parents thought such tragedies could only happen in other communities. We are quickly realizing that no one is immune to this latest national terror. And it is national. We can't deny it. One look at a map of the 18 latest school shootings proves just that.

The Psychological Impact

When I imagine school, I think of a bright and happy place, full of learning and fun. We as educators work hard to maintain that feeling of hope and success. It saddens me to think that children, even high school kids, are gradually being robbed of feeling that school is a safe place. Yes, we as educators are there to try and counteract that fear by making it a warm and inviting place to be. We don't dwell on the worry, but I can assure you, it's in the back of our minds. We plan, engage, and strive to make the classroom a place students want to come to each day. What we have to realize, though, is the harm being done to the psyche of our school children and even to our teachers. Our once open doors are now key-padded entries. You can't help but think about the tragedies each time you place your key in the lock. And now, after the latest, I can assure you that I, and many others, will think of these 17 deaths each time the fire alarm sounds in our schools.




Seeking Solutions

When solutions are talked about, it tends to become political and sometimes heated. We can talk about gun control, better mental healthcare, metal detectors on all school doors, and so much more. But in the end, this is about solutions and saving lives. It's about salvaging our safe schools.


This is big. Big problems need big solutions—bigger than one school, one community, and even one state. What is the answer? Possibly we need more counselors in schools. Perhaps we do need better mental health care. Is it conceivable to put metal detectors on all entries to all schools? Would safe-school government funding provide resources and personnel needed? Will it take an act of Congress?


As I ponder the question of what can be done, I realize this is a complicated issue. Safeguarding entries to high schools seems to be far more difficult than at the elementary level. For me personally, I feel quite safe where I work. All doors are locked at all times. It's a step in the right direction. But I also know that not all systems have that safeguard in place. Funding and priorities can throw up a roadblock.


For now, I feel that we as a nation need to remain vigilant in seeking solutions. We need to work towards ending the cycle of praying, debating, and moving on until a short time passes... moving on until we tune in yet again to the latest breaking news of "active shooter in school".

Conclusion

School shootings are a national crisis that affects us all. As educators, parents, and community members, we must acknowledge this harsh reality and work together to find solutions. Our children's safety and well-being depend on it. Let's break the cycle and restore our schools as places of learning, joy, and security.

Wednesday

Merit Pay for Teachers

 Merit Pay for Teachers: An In-Depth Look


Few topics regarding education reform spark as much debate as merit pay for teachers. Merit pay, or performance pay, is a compensation system where teachers' salaries are based on their job performance, typically measured by student achievement and standardized test scores. But is this system genuinely beneficial for our educators and students, or does it come with significant drawbacks? Let's delve into the pros and cons of merit pay for teachers.



Teacher with Students in the Classroom


What is Merit Pay?


Merit pay is a system where teachers receive financial bonuses or salary increases based on performance. The idea is to reward those who excel in their teaching duties, thereby incentivizing high-quality education. Performance metrics can include student test scores, classroom observations, and other measures of student progress.


Pros of Merit Pay


  1. Encourages Excellence: By tying pay to performance, teachers may feel more motivated to improve their teaching methods and invest in their students' success.
  2. Attracts Top Talent: Competitive pay based on performance can attract highly qualified professionals to the teaching field, raising the overall quality of education.
  3. Rewards Hard Work: Teachers who go above and beyond, dedicating extra time and effort, receive recognition and financial rewards for their commitment.
  4. Focuses on Results: Emphasizing student outcomes can lead to innovative teaching strategies and a stronger focus on effective educational practices.


Cons of Merit Pay


  1. Measurement Challenges: Determining a teacher's merit can be complex. Student performance is influenced by numerous factors beyond the teacher's control, such as socio-economic status, home environment, and previous educational experiences.
  2. Unfair Pressure: Merit pay can place undue pressure on teachers to "teach to the test," potentially narrowing the curriculum and stifling creativity in the classroom.
  3. Morale Issues: Teachers working with disadvantaged or high-need students might feel penalized despite their hard work and dedication. This situation can result in decreased morale and high rates of employee turnover.
  4. Collaborative Barriers: Education thrives on collaboration, but merit pay can foster competition rather than cooperation among teachers, harming a school's culture.


An Analogy to Understand Merit Pay


Imagine a gardener in a community park. The gardener's pay is determined by how well the plants and flowers bloom. If the weather is favorable, with plenty of sunshine and rain, the plants flourish, and the gardener receives high praise and a good salary. However, if there is a drought, poor soil, or an infestation of pests, no matter how skilled and dedicated the gardener is, the plants won't thrive as well. Similarly, teachers work with students whose "growth" can be significantly affected by external factors beyond the teacher's control, such as their home environment and socio-economic status. Just like the gardener, a teacher's "garden" (student performance) can vary greatly based on these external conditions.


Balancing Merit and Circumstances


The complexities of tying teacher pay to student performance are significant. Teachers often work with students facing substantial challenges, from poverty and homelessness to lack of parental support. These circumstances, which are beyond the teacher's control, are crucial to a student's academic performance.


A merit pay system must account for these variables to be fair. One way to address this is through a value-added model, which measures a student's progress rather than just their achievement. However, this approach has limitations and needs to capture the nuances of teaching and learning fully.


Conclusion


Merit pay for teachers is a contentious issue with valid arguments on both sides. While it aims to reward excellence and improve educational outcomes, it also poses significant challenges in fair implementation. As we consider reforms to our education system, it's crucial to recognize and address the diverse circumstances that impact teaching and learning.

Creating a balanced approach that acknowledges both the merits and limitations of teachers, as well as the circumstances of their students, is key to fostering a fair and effective merit pay system. Only then can we truly value our educators and support them in their mission to educate and inspire the next generation.

Saturday

Goal Setting for Teachers

How can you set goals as a teacher?


Goal Setting for Teachers


If you are anything like me, then you set goals for yourself. When it comes to my goals, I tend to set lofty ones, and I often set too many. I end up being hard on myself when I don’t meet them, and I am sometimes left feeling defeated, almost like I haven’t accomplished much at all. This can apply to goals in teaching, fitness, family, and more. Sometimes with my goal setting, I aim high, usually looking too far into the future, which can be a real problem. It can cause me to skip over the present, making me lose sight of all the “baby-step goals” that I need to accomplish in order to meet the ultimate long-term goal.


Think of baby-step goals as the step-by-step plan for reaching the “big-picture goal.” My big-picture goal may be to lose 20 pounds, but my baby-step goal for today might be to walk for 30 minutes. Another big-picture goal could be to have all students in my class reading on grade level by the end of the year, while today’s baby-step goal might be to implement a strategy to help Johnny learn the basic sight words he has been struggling with.


When I think of goal setting in education, I can't help but consider the lofty long-term goals and the stress they cause teachers. Reflecting on my goals as a teacher, I recall all the grand goals set over the years. Often, someone else set those lofty goals for me, which is why I always felt so stressed. It was up to me to figure out how to meet those goals.


Having baby-step goals can give you a sense of accomplishment, especially as a teacher. Teaching can be overwhelming and stressful, and many days we leave feeling like we worked hard but barely made any progress toward the big-picture goal. The problem is, you can't see and appreciate the present because you are so focused on the future. Sometimes, we need to "stop and smell the roses."


And that's where sticky notes come in.

It's a bright idea that helps me focus on the present.


Each week, when you are making your lesson plans, take a minute to think of one "baby-step goal" for that day. For example, on Monday, maybe you want to make sure you meet with your low readers for 30 minutes. You can write the goal on a sticky note and place it with the plans for that day. On Tuesday, you might set a baby-step goal to pull five kids in math to review multiplication.


Remember that those baby-step goals are both factors in helping you meet the "big-picture" goals. For instance, pulling low readers is a baby-step goal that will help you reach the big-picture goal of having all kids on grade level by the end of the year. Similarly, reviewing multiplication with five kids helps work toward the goal of getting 100% of your students on grade level.


Once you accomplish your daily baby-step goal, you can throw the sticky note away, leave it in place in your plans, or keep a journal of all your accomplishments. By the end of the week, you will have met five goals. By the end of the month, you will have met around 25 goals. By the end of the year, you will have met 180 goals. That's a lot of sticky notes to reflect on! It's something to be proud of.


Why just one goal a day? I know I can do more than that.


You are not just accomplishing one thing each day. You might accomplish ten things or more. That's great! The idea behind this sticky note goal-setting plan is to start each day with one goal, one thing you want to make sure you accomplish, and then walk out each day having met that goal. It's a way for you to feel accomplished and leave work each day knowing that you achieved what you set out to do. That's a good feeling!


So, what are you waiting for? Take a look at your lesson plans, grab some sticky notes, and start setting a daily goal.


And here's something else wonderful about this goal-setting activity. If you get to the end of the year and don't have 100% of your kids on grade level (after all, you knew they set an unrealistic goal for you to begin with), you will still see 180 goals you did accomplish. Don't feel defeated. Feel proud!



Sticky notes for goal setting? Yep! It's so easy and worthwhile.


OH! And here is something else wonderful about this little goal-setting activity. If you get to the end of the year and you don't have 100% of your kids on grade level (after all, you knew they set an unrealistic goal for you to begin with), you will still see 180 goals you did accomplish. Don't feel defeated. Feel proud!


Thank you for visiting my TpT store for great lesson ideas.

Elementary Lesson Plans TpT Store

Thursday

Teacher Burnout

Teacher Burnout
Although I have been in the classroom for  nearly twenty years, it has been the last ten years or so where teacher burnout has become so prevalent.  It's a sad reality that great teachers all over the country are leaving teaching, or even the field of education, to never return.  We all see the open letters floating around the Internet from teachers exiting the classroom.  It's their way of saying why they simply can't do it any longer.  

The start to a new school year is a great time to give yourself a little reminder that teachers are not Superheroes.  Even though we are pushed into Superhero expectations, we are not.  So, take a breather, enjoy my little video, and start your new year knowing that you are not alone when you feel overwhelmed.  Remember to take a moment for yourself when you need it.  

Also, you might find this little list of back-to-school teacher tips helpful.  It's from a former post and can be found here: Back to School Teacher Tips
Teacher Superhero

Feel free to share a link to this post.  Thank you. 

Tuesday

The Brilliance of Teachers Pay Teachers

teachers pay teachers

Teachers Pay Teachers,  aka  TpT,  is the place to be. I am not overstating when I say 'brilliance' because I truly mean it.  As a teacher of twenty years, I am telling you... it is the hottest place on the Internet to get the most up to date, fun, interactive, common core related lessons.  The best part about these great lessons is that they are designed by teachers for teachers.  What does that mean?  It means they are tested in the classroom and reworked until they are perfected.  You simply can't beat that as an educator.  In addition, they are time saving for the buyer.  In a day when teachers are pushed to their limits with meetings before and after school, limited planning time during the school day, in addition to having family activities after school, time for creating the perfect lesson is slim to none.  That is where TpT is a brilliant idea.  It helps teachers all across the world be better teachers by providing them with the lessons they might not otherwise be able to create. The designing and creating is already done.  Sure, you can still add your own individual ideas as you go to implement your purchase into the classroom, but what TpT can provide teachers is like none other. It buys teachers time, it buys them peace of mind...It buys so much.  Like I said... it's brilliant.  


I also think TpT is a brilliant idea for the seller.  Let me say that I was creating long before TpT came about.  I am one of those stay late, spend hours researching on the internet, clip art junkie, software loving kind of teachers that wants something new, innovative, and eye- catching.  I want people to like my lessons. Actually, I want people to love them. I want people to walk down the hall and think, "OMG.. that is the cutest idea. I want to do that with my students!" So, with that said, when I came across TpT it was an avenue for me to sell my items, and of course give some away for free, too.  It was validation for the hours I was spending on creating lessons, games, centers, and more.  Keeping in mind that other teachers asked for my materials and even offered to buy them, TpT was like the perfect fit for me.  Many teachers I have gotten to know as my buyers on TpT don't really care to spend the hours I was spending creating, and they are very appreciative to spend five dollars for something that took me fifteen hours to make.  It is a win win for everyone involved.


Since I brought up the idea of selling on TpT, I want to take a moment to discuss that aspect of my TpT story.  I joined TpT nearly four years ago.  I was probably one of the first 1,200 to join.  I have believed in the concept of TpT from the moment I first read about it.  I would say that my success on TpT is something I am very proud of.  If you are a seller on TpT and post in the seller's forum on TpT then you are very familiar with questions like, "How long is it going to take me to start making money" or "I have been at this for two months and I have five products, and I have only had a few sales.  Is it worth it?"  Here is my thinking...


I like to equate TpT to a fine wine.  By the way, the funny thing is that I don't even really drink wine, but it makes for a wonderful analogy. So here goes...You have to work hard to make your wine. It may need to sit for a while for perfection. You have to package it up real nice and pretty.   In the mean time, you better advertise the wine if you want to sell it.  You also better be working on other flavors to restock the shelves. As far as TpT,  you need to create wonderful lessons and activities.  You need to package them up with pretty covers.  Your products may need so sit for a while, a long while, in order for them to be found on TpT, for the search engines to pick them up, and for word to spread about your wonderful store.  In the mean time, you need to keep on making items and stocking your TpT shelves. You need to advertise by doing things like building a blog, developing a brand, building a facebook page, pinning on Pinterest, and whatever else you can think of to get the word out about your lovely store.  When people buy your items and they love your 'wine' they are going to come back for more.  It sounds like a lot, doesn't it?  


Well, the truth is that there are a few people with a few great items that make really good money on TpT.  But the fact of the matter is that most people that make good money have lots of products, they spend countless hours creating, marketing, blogging, pinning, facebooking, etc., and they truly embrace TpT as a second job. I fall into the second category. Actually, in  many cases TpT might be someone's only job.  Regardless, it is probably in the best interest of new sellers to walk into TpT knowing that it's not going to be a 'money growing on trees' kind of endeavor.  If you are willing to invest time and energy, TpT can truly be a blessing.  It can be a blessing to you the seller, as well as you being able to bless many teachers with your wonderful work.


As you can see, TpT really is a brilliant idea.  I don't even think I mentioned all of the FREE stuff that the dedicated teachers make and are willing to give away.... yes..., GIVE away! Thousands of items for free!! Isn't that just fabulous.   Whether you plan to simply buy on Teachers Pay Teachers or if you are willing to take the plunge and become a seller, I do hope that you love the experience as much as I have. I really do love TpT!

Share the Sweetness!

Thank you for helping to spread the word about Classroom Confections.

We appreciate you 'liking' us on facebook, tweeting about us, or pinning us on Pinterest.



teachers pay teachers store
For more fun and creative ideas for the classroom, click the above picture to go to my store.

If you are a teacher and you like what you see, please visit often.


Got Black Lines on TpT?

Black Lines Printing on Files


If you are seller on Teachers Pay Teachers then you are all too familiar with the black line question. If you are a buyer who is opening a file that has black lines, is blurry, or some pages just don't seem to print when others do, TpT offers suggestions on how to hopefully fix the problem.  

Feel free to pin.  Just hover over the image and click on the pin button.

Share the Sweetness!

teachers pay teachers store
For more fun and creative ideas for the classroom, click the above picture to go to my store.


Thursday

If You Give a Teacher a Compliment.....

Here is my take on teacher morale and what it can do for a teacher, the kids, and the school.

compliment a teacher
Feel free to pin. 
Share the Sweetness!

Thank you for helping to spread the word about Classroom Confections.

We appreciate you 'liking' us on facebook, tweeting about us, or pinning us on Pinterest.

teachers pay teachers store
For more fun and creative ideas for the classroom, click the above picture to go to my store.

Monday

How to Add Your Own Text to an 'Editable' PowerPoint File

Add Text to a Powerpoint Slide


If you purchase a Powerpoint  file from Teachers Pay Teachers that says it is 'editable', this most often means you can add text to it. In very rare cases you might be able to change the graphics out, but most graphics are embedded into the file in order to protect the images for copyright reasons.  If the file is saved as a PowerPoint file, here are some steps to follow if you don't know how to add text boxes to the file.  Hope it helps.

Click on the images to enlarge.  Hover over the images to pin.







Share the Sweetness!

Thank you for helping to spread the word about Classroom Confections.

We appreciate you 'liking' us on facebook, tweeting about us, or pinning us on Pinterest.

teachers pay teachers store
For more fun and creative ideas for the classroom, click the above picture to go to my store.

Saturday

If Only We Were Just Teachers

Feel free to pin. Just hover over the image.

Share the Sweetness!

Thank you for helping to spread the word about Classroom Confections.

We appreciate you 'liking' us on facebook, tweeting about us, or pinning us on Pinterest. 

                      teachers pay teachers store
              For more fun and creative ideas for the classroom, click the above picture to go to my store.

Wednesday

Something that Annoys this Teacher


Things that Annoy the Teacher


Do you have anything that absolutely annoys you?  Things that don't seem to bother other people, yet they get on your ever-lasting nerve.  To some people, this might be called a pet peeve. The dictionary says that a pet peeve is a minor annoyance, but I am afraid that mine is more than minor. What do you call it if it reaches 'major' annoyance?  Good question, ah?  I'm probably getting into some kind of psychological diagnosis when it gets to that point.  HA!

 
My annoyance is  going to seem ridiculous to some, but here goes.......


No, it's not the potato chips and Pop-tarts themselves.  It's the packaging!  I can not stand to hear the rattling of the package.  For example, if someone is sitting beside me and they keep sticking their hand inside the package to get some chips out.  I hate the sound every time their hand reaches in the bag.... over and over again.... so annoying!  If you are sitting by me and you eat a Pop-tart (or anything else in a package), please, please remove it from the package and put it on a paper towel.  The crinkling sound just drives me nuts. I know, it's crazy! ................okay, it's not like I can't ever be in the same room with someone who has to eat from the bag, but hear me now....I'm cringing on the inside... 

My kids and husband have pretty much gotten used to me saying, "That gets on my nerves!"  When I am teaching and it's snack time, my students know the routine from day one....no packages!! Either use a Zip lock bag (not nearly as much noise) or put it on a paper towel.  If they didn't know what a pet peeve was before they arrived in my class, they go home from the start with a new vocabulary word.  Plus, they get a good laugh out of it. We always laugh about it. :-)
 
I am not alone when it comes to stuff like this. Some favorite annoyances shared on the Internet are:
  • People who block the aisles in Wal-mart, talking
  • Pens clicking
  • Whining
  • smacking food
  • People who take up two parking spaces
  • People who drive under the speed limit
  • So many more!!
 It's packages for me, but it's other things for other people.  With me, I probably have some kind of sensitivity to high-pitched sounds or something like that. Either that or I'm just a complete wack-O! What about you, do you have anything that annoys you?

Share the Sweetness!

Thank you for helping to spread the word about Classroom Confections.

We appreciate you 'liking' us on facebook, tweeting about us, or pinning us on Pinterest.

  

How Many Titles Should One Teacher Have?



Sometimes I wonder what has happened over the years? Let me explain.

Years ago, we had a gifted program. Gifted kids were pulled out of the regular ed. classroom for more advanced lessons with a gifted certified teacher. Over the years, many other programs have evolved, such as having ESOL teachers to serve students where English is not their main language. Also, here in the state of GA, we have the EIP (Early Intervention Program), which is for grades 3-5.

So, what do I mean when I say multi-titled? Well, what if you have a regular ed. teacher who also has her gifted certification and even has her ESOL endorsement? Can they be all of those teachers in one? The answer..... yes! Well, at least that is what seems to be happening in some cases. 

Let me create a real life scenario for you. Let's say you have a regular education teacher that has her gifted certification. In her class, she has gifted kids, regular ed. kids, and some weaker kids who also qualify for the EIP program due to low state test scores. Within that teacher's class, she has 24 kids.  Eight are regular ed. with no additional services.   Twelve are gifted and should be receiving additional differentiated enrichment lessons, and 4 have qualified for remediated teaching through the EIP program. 

Please keep in mind that schools receive funding based on the number of kids in given programs as long as the service is being "provided".   Let's now say that of those 12 gifted kids, 8 are going to be pulled out to go to another gifted teacher because they qualified on local  test scores to receive a more advanced reading class.  For that reading block of time, this now leaves 4 gifted kids in the class, along with 8 regular ed. kids, and don't forget about those 4 kids that are supposed to receive some extra services through remediation and review lessons.  Sounds great, right?

Well, remember.... the teacher that those kids have as their homeroom teacher is also gifted certified , so those 4 kids left in the classroom are getting their 'gifted hours' from that teacher during this block of time.  But wait!  What about those 4 kids that are also supposed to be receiving remediation?  Well, in this case, the state allows for a few different models to be used for the EIP program.  One of the models is small group, one is reduced class size with a ratio of no more than 17 kids to one teacher, and another option is pull out sessions with a different designated EIP teacher. 

Can you tell what is happening in this classroom?  The gifted certified teacher is now left with a one  hour block of time where she has 4 gifted kids in class, so she is their gifted teacher for that hour.  The class is now a reduced class size because those other 8 kids left. With a reduced class size of 16 for that block of time, the teacher is now designated as the EIP teacher for those other kids that are supposed to get remediated lessons, and don't forget about those other kids that are just your average kids.  Want to make this scenario even crazier than it already is?  What if that teacher also has her ESOL endorsement?  Well, if a few of those kids were in the ESOL program, she very well could be the ESOL teacher too.

Why in the world are schools doing this?  How can one teacher provide for gifted, remediation, average, and even ESOL kids all in the same block of time.  The answer..... THEY CAN'T!!  Maybe schools are doing it so they get more bang for the buck out of one teacher's salary. You did figure out that the one teacher doesn't get any higher pay for being the robot she is expected to be, right? After all, as long as it can be proven that a child who qualifies for those programs is receiving services from a teacher who is certified in those areas, they can get the funding that the state provides. 

I just don't understand it.  It looks good on paper, but in my opinion, teachers should have one title for any given block of time.  You have basically thrown the gifted program out the door when those students are being robbed of an hour of accelerated learning during their 'gifted block' of time.  The EIP kids are being robbed of their remediated lessons that the state thinks are being provided.  And those poor average kids?  Well, they may be getting what they need and they may not.  Oh, and the ESOL kids, are they getting their lessons modified in order to help them master this new language? 

Yep, it just doesn't make sense. Scenarios like this bring a whole new meaning to the word differentiation.  In this case, differentiation equates to near impossible.  But, I guess there is one good thing.  The state still provides the money because the service is technically being provided. 

Maybe there is nothing wrong with doing it this way.  Maybe someone can help me see the light that I am not able to see.  If so, please do shed some light.  No teacher that I have talked to that has had this scenario of multiple titles thinks it is effective.  Quite the opposite actually.  Like I said, it's impossible to provide all of that, and if you do have a way to provide all of that, you are not sleeping and you have no life outside of school hours because you are having to prepare 4 different activities for EVERY lesson you teach during that one block of time.

And we wonder why the national average for teacher burnout is seven years.  SEVEN stinking years everyone.  It's because teachers are expected to be robotic... to meet unattainable goals where teaching environments are not even conducive to providing the best learning environment for kids of all levels. 

Now, when I write a blog post ....AKA... Vent Post......like this where I express my opinion, I like to always say that I love teaching.  I love working with the kids.  I am meant to be a teacher.  BUT, there are just many things about the education system in my state and nationally that I simply do not understand.  We really truly need to evaluate why our education system is failing in so many areas.  We need to take a closer look at the effectiveness of situations like this that require 'multi-titled teachers'.  I say it's not working!

Now, go make learning fun and do the best you can do with what is expected of you. 

Share the Sweetness!

Thank you for helping to spread the word about Classroom Confections.

We appreciate you 'liking' us on facebook, tweeting about us, or pinning us on Pinterest.



teachers pay teachers store
For more fun and creative ideas for the classroom, click the above picture to go to my store




Sunday

You Own Everything I Do.... said no teacher ever!


There is a lot of hype lately about teachers profiting from the educational resources they make and then sell on sites such as Teachers Pay Teachers.  Articles such as the one linked HERE (article no longer available) are what triggered this particular blog post by me.  You may want to take a moment to read that article, as well as this recent article:  ARTICLE HERE

Keep in mind, the resources are made after school hours and built using the teacher’s own personal technology that the teacher purchased with her own money.  Despite that, there still seems to be a question as to whether the teacher owns the resources created.  The mere thought of teachers having to give their intellectual property over to the system they work for seems ludicrous, therefore I have decided to address the issue.
Before I go on, I want to say that my coworkers and schools have been completely supportive thus far of my efforts to make materials, which I do sell.  Some I use and others I do not.  This is not the case for many across the county, which is why I felt the need to write this blog post. 

Why do I find this insanely ridiculous?  Well, let me create an analogy….

Just like a baker bakes, a teacher teaches.  A baker specializes in cakes and a teacher specializes in writing up lesson plans to teach. So, let’s say that the baker’s boss has mandated he bake a chocolate cake.  The baker then goes to gather the butter and the flour and everything needed, but unfortunately there is no butter.

Despite the fact that there is no butter, the cake still must be made. The baker decides to tell his boss that he needs some butter to make the cake.  The boss says there is no money to buy any butter, but you must still bake the cake. Being the great baker that he was, the baker  decides to buy a churn to make the butter to then be able to bake the cake.  So, who owns the churn?   Does the baker have to give it to the boss simply because he used it to bake the cake that would be sold at the bakery? 

I say the baker gets the churn and not the boss. After all, the baker bought it.  The boss made no effort to help get the resources needed to get the job done.

What if that baker then decides to make a few cakes on the side for friends to earn some extra cash?  After all, he has this great churn to make the butter, which he did buy with his own money.  He will bake the cakes on the weekends and at night when he is not working his regular bakery job.  But wait!  Does the baker now have to give his boss from his day job the money from the sale of those cakes?  He didn’t use his boss’ recipes nor his equipment.

Should teachers have to give school systems things they buy with their own money?  If a teacher decides to create resources in the summer time or in the evenings, or on weekends, and they use their own materials to accomplish the task, should they then have to  turn over all profits from those materials to their school system?

To help make my point even more clear, let me ask this question.  Should a police officer who decides to make extra cash to support his family by working security at school events or at the mall have to give his earnings back to his police force simply because he is a police officer for his day job?

What about a teacher that tutors on the side?  They can tutor kids in their own home but they must give all profits to their school system? It simply doesn’t make a lick of sense.

It has even come to my attention that some school systems are allowing their teachers to make resources, but those resources made by the teachers can not be used in their own classroom if they are going to also sell the item for profit.  Really? So you can have a teacher that sees year after year kids struggling with a particular topic.  That teacher gets an idea of something she could make that she thinks teachers across the country could benefit from if they are in the same situation. That teacher goes home and at 10 pm when her own kids have gone to bed, she makes the product. She is in her own home using her own computer. She can make the product and earn money, but she can't use it with any child in her own class.  Basically, you could have some of the best teachers spending their own time after work making resources to benefit  students and they can't even use those to help their own students excel?  How does that make sense?

Let's face it, teachers don't make much money.  It's hard to get by on a teacher's salary.  Why not let teachers try to make some extra cash to support their family.  Allow them to use their expertise to do so. Once again, not doing so makes absolutely no sense.

Wouldn't it be great if everyone just thanked teachers for all of their hard work. Appreciate the fact that they are going above and beyond to develop activities instead of just accepting the fact that the resources are not available. For a change, let the teachers have the compensation they  truly deserve.  Have you thanked a teacher today? :-)

In closing, thank you for supporting my creative efforts over the past couple of years.  I enjoy making and creating lessons, and my students love using them as much as I love making them.  I am honored that so many people across the world buy my products and put them to use in their own classrooms.  Thank you for your support.  You are appreciated.


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For more fun and creative ideas for the classroom, click the above picture to go to my store
  



Wednesday

I Can Statements for the Teacher

 "I Can" Statements for the Teacher
 
So many teachers are posting "I Can" posters,
 I thought I would share what
I CAN DO!
 
I CAN drop my kids off at lunch, warm my own lunch, get to the workroom, eat, and then rush back to pick my kids up from lunch all in less than 25 lovely minutes.
 
I CAN wear jeans on Friday with spirit wear. There's just something to be said about a jean day.
 
I CAN tell 25 people what to do 8 hours a day. Some will actually listen.
 
I CAN hold my pee for hours on end, and then ask the teacher next door for 'permission' to go.
 
I CAN rush a class of 25 kids down 2 flights of steps and out of the building in 2 min. and 19 seconds flat. (along with hundreds of other kids)
 
I CAN tell who is  yelling in the boys' bathroom without even entering.
 
I CAN reply to 30 emails, grade hundreds of papers, write academic contracts, update ESOL plans, write lesson plans for 5 subjects per day 5 days a week, and so much more..... all in my 3 day a week planning period of 45 minutes.  (That should be a can NOT statement)

I CAN keep 25 kids  walking in a straight line on the second square from the wall.

I CAN tell when a kid is pretend reading, or is the book just more interesting when they flip from page 2 to 5 and back to 3 and then read the back of the book before they go to chapter five.

I CAN call for the janitor  to come  clean up puke while I get the trashcan for the sick kid,  and I can even keep teaching my lesson if needed.  That's the only way to teach it all, right? :-)

I CAN test kids and then test them more, and then I can even test them some more.

I CAN do lots of things.

I CAN even teach.

_____________

What CAN you do?
 _____________

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Sunday

Do you have hurry sickness?

Slow Down, Teachers!


I thought this would be fitting as I go back to work.  The fast paced life style is about to pick back up. 


 
I know I do!

Are you stricken with the sickness that seems to be plaguing so many people today? With this sickness, there is no fever involved and no visits to the doctor. Its symptoms affect everyone around you, but most importantly, they affect you. The worst part about this sickness is you miss out on so many of life's wonderful moments.

It's called hurry sickness. Does it sound familiar? It's otherwise known as a sense of time urgency.

Ask yourself, "Is time a major factor in my life?"

Do you find yourself running around trying to get one thing done just so you can complete another?

Does your job place so many demands on you that you can hardly focus on what your real role is supposed to be? Maybe your real role at work involves people, yet you have so much paperwork to be completed you could easily forget about the people you are there to serve. Maybe you even start to see them as an interruption.

Do you take your work home with you and when your own child asks you a question while in the midst of getting your work done, you only give them a tiny portion of your attention, nodding, and not really knowing what they are saying? After all, you have deadlines to meet. You are hurried. Maybe you even start to see them as an interruption.

Hurry hates interruption.

You can't love.
You can't listen to a child.
Basically, you can't multi-task attention.

Hurry is an enemy.

Take note, being hurried is not being busy. Being busy can be a good thing. There is nothing really good about being hurried. Remember, being hurried is about time urgency. You don't have time for one thing because you are so hurried to do another.

If you are a hurried person, you don't have time for interruptions in your life. You don't have time to jump some one's car off. You don't have time to talk to someone in need. You don't have time to help the person who dropped something. You can't slow down long enough to talk to your kids.

So, what is your IQ anyway? No, I am not talking about your intelligence quotient. I'm talking about your Interruptibility Quotient. How many times do you allow for interruptions in your life? Do you slow down long enough to let God interrupt your life? What about when you didn't stop to help a person or talk to someone in need? Was that a prompt from God? It does make you think.

The next time you feel hurried or overcome with time urgency, take a moment to ponder if this interruption is really a disguise from God that he is trying to work in your life. I plan on trying it myself.



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teachers pay teachers store
For more fun and creative ideas for the classroom, click the above picture to go to my store.



Monday

Are You Building Walls?

Building Walls

I realize this blog post has nothing to do with teaching, but it does have to do with life. :-)  I love to reflect and even go back to rethink things I have thought much about before.  This is a recycled blog post from my 'mom blog' that I used to keep up with.   I have several others I will be posting over the next few weeks.  I hope you enjoy. 

Are you Building Walls only to have them Knocked Down?

Do you ever see people that have what you want?

Do you look at them and wonder, "How can I get that?"

You know what I'm talking about.... you see some people and you think they are simply blessed beyond belief. You start to desire what they have.

You want to build a successful business just like they have.
You want your marriage to be happy just like theirs.
You want the funds in your bank account to runnith over exactly like theirs.
You want deep faith to lead your life just as it leads theirs.
And, you want your family to have close bonds just like you witness in theirs.

So, what's the difference?

Why do they seem to have it all when your walls are crumbling down? Do you find yourself asking, "Why can't I get ahead in these areas of my life?"

Maybe your marriage is in turmoil.... maybe it's even your third marriage that is falling apart.
Maybe your bank account is overdrawn.
Maybe your family doesn't find the time to be a family.
Maybe your business is filing bankruptcy.
Maybe you just don't have the faith.

For these areas of your life to grow, it takes sweat. It also takes consistency. And that means it's not going to be easy.

Let's just focus on marriage, and then you can apply this metaphor to the rest of your life.

The blocks on the left represent a man who is devoted to his wife. He is there for her and wants to see their relationship grow. The blocks on the right also represent a man who is devoted to his wife. He is there for her and wants to see their relationship grow.


A year passes. The man on the left continues to be devoted to his wife. He starts to put sweat equity into the marriage. He asks her how she is doing on a daily basis. He pours her coffee. He asks her out for date nights. He prays for her and their marriage. The man on the right expects that his marriage will work, but there is no consistency in his actions and he is not willing to sweat. He is sometimes late for dinner and doesn't call. He sometimes forgets to greet his wife when he comes home from work. He doesn't ask her directly how her day went but does talk about how hard his was. His wall are destined to start to crumble.

2 years later

The man on left, his marriage is growing. He has something to show for his sweat. The man on the right, his marriage is falling apart. He will have to work hard, put things in overdrive, to build his walls back up if he wants his relationship to work.


3 years later

The man on the left now has a firm foundation for his marriage. He will continue to devote the time, energy, and be consistent in his actions in order to build this lasting relationship. The man on the right has backtracked. He now has to recover from all his inconsistencies and try to make things work. He can build the walls again, but keep in mind, he is still on the first floor.


4 years later
It's a vicious cycle of inconsistencies for the man on the right.

five years later
Which set of blocks represents you? Are you the blocks on the right, and you find yourself having to rebuild everything from relationships to your bank account to your faith just because you are not willing to work at it? or maybe you have to work extra hard to make up for the lost effort. Is it time to break the cycle of inconsistencies in your life? After 5 years, the man on the left has something to show for his hard work. The man on the right builds his walls only to have them fall down... time after time.

You might have even noticed that the man on the right came close to building five floors himself. The problem was, his inconsistencies kept those floors from growing. You have a choice, you can work hard and have one floor, or you can work hard and build a high-rise. The high-rise gets you closer to the sky. The high-rise is what you get after many years of sweat equity.

So, what is the answer?

prayer, sweat, consistency

Apply those to your life and you will build your business, your finances, your family, your marriage, and your faith.






Share the Sweetness!
Thank you for helping to spread the word about Classroom Confections.
We appreciate you 'liking' us on facebook, tweeting about us, or pinning us on Pinterest.

teachers pay teachers store
For more fun and creative ideas for the classroom, click the above picture to go to my store.

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