Chocolate for the Teacher

I hate being told what to do. Sometimes. Sometimes being told is necessary. Like a new procedure or learning how to use a piece of equipment or the guidelines of a new place. Sometimes it isn't necessary. Like telling me how to do something I've done a million times and could do in my sleep. Blindfolded. I think we're all pretty much the same. Open to learning new things or listening to someone share an idea or thought, but when it comes to telling us how we should do something their way instead of the way we've always done it..... Well, that is annoying. Or someone telling us to do something that we're already doing. And they won't listen when we say, "I'm already doing that."

I started to write a "Why Summer is Important to Teachers" blog and then I realized that I'd just be telling you to do what you are already doing. Or want to do. It's a tired subject. Teachers already know why summer is important. They've already made the doctor and dentist appointments. They've already made vacation or family plans. They've already written their to-do lists. They certainly don't need someone telling them that summer is important for teachers so they can spend it with their family, rest, and relax. And, in all actuality, some teachers may not be resting or relaxing. They may be working another job or trying to figure out how to complete their massive to-do list in two short months.

I thought about writing in defense of teachers, providing proof that summers off is necessary and something we've already paid for. Then I realized that we get it. We know all of that. The people that don't get it, won't get it. They think (always have and always will) that teaching is an 8 to 3 job with summers off. Easy peasy! And they're usually the ones trying to tell teachers how to teach. You know the one. The expert on teaching that's never taught a day in their life. That one!

Instead of telling you what you already know, I'll just wish you a happy summer and good luck with this month's give-away!

And if you're like me and already planning.....

Back to School Mysteries to Solve Using Reading Skills

You decide which way to go in this back to school mystery!

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

Prize: $100 Teachers Pay Teachers Gift Card

Giveaway Organized by: Kelly Malloy (An Apple for the Teacher)

Co-hosts: An Apple for the Teacher, Mrs. Wennings Clasroom, TheBeezyTeacher, The Homeschool Style-Katie Ring, A Plus Kids, 180 Days of Reading, Mrs Davidson's Resources, Kamp Kindergarten, Jackie Crews, Star Kids, Angelica's Resources, The First Grade Lunchbox, KB3Teach, Teach Me T, Chocolate 4 Teachers, Trending Technology in Tennessee, It's a Teacher Thing, Lockwood's Little Learners, and A Teacher and her Cat.

Rules: Use the Rafflecopter to enter. The giveaway ends 6/13/22 and is open worldwide.

Are you a Teacher Blogger or Teachers pay Teachers seller who wants to participate in giveaways like these to grow your store and social media? Click here to find out how you can join our totally awesome group of bloggers!

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This blog does not share personal information with third parties nor do I store any information about your visit to this blog other than to analyze (this blog is run by blogger, a Google company so Google analytics are used to provide me with general statistics about my blog readership) and optimize your content and reading experience through the use of cookies. This blog is published on Facebook and Pinterest sites. This blog is not responsible for their use of cookies. If you wish to turn off the use of cookies you may do so at any time through your specific browser settings. If you sign up to receive the blog by email, your email will not be added to any other mailing list or sold. It is simply used to send the blog post to your inbox. No purchases may be made from this website. In order to purchase my resources you must visit the hosting website. I am not responsible for republished content from this blog on other blogs or websites without my permission. This privacy policy is subject to change without notice and was last updated on August 1, 2019. If you have any questions feel free to contact me directly at kimberlyfrencken@gmail.com

Chocolate 4 Teachers

We've all heard the "next time you do that" speech. I'd like to know when next time happens. Does it ever happen? Or is this threat an empty attempt at parenting or classroom discipline?

You don't have to be in a classroom to observe this. Take a trip to the grocery store, your neighborhood convenience store, or a sporting event. Years ago I was in my backyard and kept hearing a neighbor yell at her daughter. She kept telling her, "The next time you do that I'll come out there" (Yes, she was in the house). Two of her children were trying to play basketball, but her precious little girl kept stealing the ball and throwing it across the yard. This went on for what seemed like forever. The boys whined and the girl laughed and the mom screamed. Finally, I'd had enough. I added my voice into the fracas. I asked mom if next time ever came. She didn't answer. But the daughter let the boys have the ball and stopped interfering. Mom quit yelling empty threats. Peace was finally restored to the neighborhood.

There are some parents who are too busy or too tired to be parents so they place their child in front of a screen and take a break. I understand being tired. And I know there are difficult kids that seem unreachable. I get it when you've had enough, nothing is working, and you just don't know what to do anymore. I certainly understand frustration with a system that doesn't seem to support you in your efforts.

There are some teachers that struggle with classroom management. And if you doubt that, just take a look at all the new strategies that have been developed to address classroom management. If everyone were good with classroom management, there wouldn't be a need to continue developing programs.

There will always be that child that gets on every nerve in your body. There will always be the day that you are at the end of your rope. There will always be a day when you don't pick this battle. You simply ignore it, give up, or move on. But consistently ignoring behavior that is not acceptable is sending a silent message that you condone the behavior. Or you're not interested enough in the child to invest some time to teach them better behavior.

I don't have all the answers. I'm still learning. Hopefully, I'm learning from mistakes I've made along the way. Hopefully, I've learned that taking time to address an issue can help a child learn to make better choices in the future. Hopefully, I'll be consistent enough that they will know that next time does and will come.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

Prize: $100 Teachers Pay Teachers Gift Card

Giveaway Organized by: Kelly Malloy (An Apple for the Teacher)

Co-hosts: An Apple for the Teacher, Mrs. Wennings Clasroom, TheBeezyTeacher, The Homeschool Style-Katie Ring, A Plus Kids, 180 Days of Reading, It's a Teacher Thing, Mrs Davidson's Resources, Reading and Writing Redhead, Chocolate 4 Teachers, Kamp Kindergarten, Jackie Crews, Follow The First Grade Lunchbox on TpT, The Monkey Market, Simone, Star Kids, Essie's Classroom Resources - Esther Bobb, Angelica's Resources, 1stgradefireworks, In the Land of Teaching, Paula's Primary Classroom, The Monkey Market, A Teacher and her Cat, and Dynamic Learning Resources.

Rules: Use the Rafflecopter to enter. Giveaway ends 4/13/22 and is open worldwide.

Are you a Teacher Blogger or Teachers pay Teachers seller who wants to participate in giveaways like these to grow your store and social media? Click here to find out how you can join our totally awesome group of bloggers!

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Still one of my favorites!

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Chocolate 4 Teachers

I'm almost numb to all the letters spelling out new things to be mindful of in the classroom. In fact, the word mindful makes me cringe. Mindset, social emotional learning, engagement, growth mindset, distance learning, remote learning, blended learning, or personalized learning. No, I'm not being insensitive. I'm just tired of new catchy words describing things that have been around (in one form or another) for years. I'm tired of pop-ups in social media touting these words as the new end-all in education.

First, there is no such thing as the end-all when it comes to education. Stay in the profession long enough and you'll hear the same concepts called by a myriad of names. New things aren't necessarily created as much as they are old practices that evolve which can be an improvement, a setback, or just a new name. Nothing stays the same in education. Things are constantly changing and moving. In fact, they've probably changed before the article was published. It just takes being in a classroom for an hour or two to realize this.

Secondly, tried and true methods have a way of popping up again. And again. And again. Teachers know what works. We really do. We have been living it and practicing it for years. Maybe someone should ask us the next time they come up with a "new idea" and see if it's really something old. Maybe someone should ask us if it worked, You would think asking a teacher would be the first response, but .....

Which brings me to the third point. Teachers are rarely asked for their expertise. I think most administrators are afraid to ask for a teacher's opinion. Until recently, I never attended a faculty meeting when the floor was opened up to teacher ideas. That's too scary. Someone might hear the truth. And some people aren't big enough to hear the truth. They just want to follow what is currently trending. It might make them look good.

But doesn't that leave out one very important element?? What about the kids? Has anyone ask them? Do we watch them? Do we tweak things to improve how they work with kids or are we just continuing to use the same methods because we're following protocol?

Maybe I'm not being diplomatic- certainly, no one has ever accused me of being- but I just find it silly to do things just because. Give me a reason. Show me how it will help my kids. Don't give me statistics or a lengthy lists of articles to read. Don't tell me to do it because it's something new our district is embracing. Try asking me to try it. Ask me for results. Ask me how my kids respond. Ask me what I'd adapt to my students.

Teaching isn't a cut and dry science. It is constantly changing. Every minute, hour, and day. There is nothing boring or the same in education. What worked yesterday might be a flop today. You have to roll with it, keep learning, and keep moving.

These are so much fun!!

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

Prize: $100 Teachers Pay Teachers Gift Card

Giveaway Organized by: Kelly Malloy (An Apple for the Teacher)

Co-hosts: An Apple for the Teacher,

Believe to Achieve by Anne Rozell, TheBeezyTeacher, Teach Me T,

Mrs. Wennings Clasroom, Jackie Crews, The Homeschool Style-Katie Ring, Star Kids by Naomi, The Froggy Factory, Mickey's Place, Lockwood's Little Learners, Ms. K, Alina V Design and Resources, Kim Heuer, Kamp Kindergarten, Simone, Angelica's Resources, Chocolate 4 Teachers, A Plus Kids, It's a Teacher Thing, 180 Days of Reading, Mrs Davidson's Resources, 1stgradefireworks, In the Land of Teaching, Paula's Primary Classroom, The Monkey Market, A Teacher and her Cat, and Dynamic Learning Resources.

Rules: Use the Rafflecopter to enter. Giveaway ends 3/13/22 and is open worldwide.

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Chocolate 4 Teachers

Do you like the people you work with? Or do you merely tolerate them? Are they annoying or amazing? An enjoyable work environment makes all the difference. Supportive co-workers can get you through the worst year ever while negative comments can make it the longest year ever. Having at least one or two trusted colleagues makes all the difference.

I've said it before (and I'm sure I'll say it at least a million more times)... I LOVE MY JOB! Tell me, how many teachers are saying that, especially now. I love my job because I LOVE MY TEACHERS! I work with friends. Some closer than others, but all supportive and helpful. I know you're probably wondering what I had for breakfast this morning to make me so chipper, but it's true.

I do work in a unique environment - small school working part-time. That does make things a bit different. But even in larger schools you can find your special niche of buddies. Your own support team. The ones who know all your dirt (and love you anyway!). The ones who can offer suggestions, listen, cry with you, or make you laugh. I'm going out on a limb... but if you don't have that you may be at the wrong school.

I've worked in a larger school. I've always been blessed to have a special circle of friends around me. Friends that are still friends 20+ years later. We may not see each other daily but we stay in touch. They had my back then and now. I know I can trust them and go to them. Even during my last year in the larger district I had my group of besties. And that's saying a lot if you know just how toxic that work environment was! The year I removed myself from that mess approximately 35% of the staff left. The numbers were higher in the entire district. People continued leaving the following year, for various reasons. For many, the fight to get up and go to work was just too much. The negative environment was too stressful and too draining.

Teachers are under tons of stress and it just keeps getting worse. Without a supportive group of co-workers it's impossible to keep going. You might make it one or two years, but eventually the strain will wear you down. Good teachers are leaving the profession for lack of support in super stressful situations. If you have support, you can get each other through it.

Laughter really is the best medicine. There isn't a day go back at work that I don't laugh about something. Maybe I just happen to work with the funniest group of people in the world or maybe it's just that our joy is contagious. I think it's the second reason. I really believe that the more you laugh or the more you are happy or the more you look for the bright side the easier it becomes to see good things and spread some joy. And the kids notice it. They notice that their teachers like each other. They watch our interactions. Our kids feel safe and content at school. Our entire work environment, from the top down, has been changed because of our positive choices.

I know some of you are saying, "Well, that's great for you Pollyanna, but I teach in a tough school with tough kids and even tougher colleagues. I don't have time to get to know my colleagues. Laugh? You've got to be kidding. I'm just surviving. I don't have time to laugh."

And I would answer, "It's time to find a new job. Life's too short to just survive. There are other jobs that pay more. Look for other opportunities. I've been there. Crying on the way to work. Crying on the way home. Forcing myself to get up after hitting snooze 15 times. Dragging myself kicking and screaming to my car. Then sneaking into the building to avoid the pit bull that called himself a principal. Making it safely to my room only to have it invaded with some kids that couldn't wait to go to the office to tattle on their teacher if I actually told them they had an assignment that was due today or they couldn't play video games in class. Been there. Done that. Left it behind and never regretted it. Not all schools are that way. Find yourself a new home away from home. "

The choice is yours. It isn't easy. I don't intend to make it easy. But landing in a place that you love, where you can actually teach is the most amazing experience in the world. You have to decide... will you love 'em or leave 'em?

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

Prize: $100 Teachers Pay Teachers Gift Card

Giveaway Organized by: Kelly Malloy (An Apple for the Teacher)

Co-hosts: An Apple for the Teacher, Teach Me T, Believe to Achieve by Anne Rozell, TheBeezyTeacher, Mrs. Wennings Clasroom, Jackie Crews, The Homeschool Style-Katie Ring, Star Kids by Naomi, The Froggy Factory, Mickey's Place, Lockwood's Little Learners, Ms. K, Alina V Design and Resources, Chocolate 4 Teachers, Kim Heuer, Kamp Kindergarten, Angelica's Resources, Paula's Primary Classroom, The Monkey Market, A Teacher and her Cat, In the Land of Teaching, A Plus Kids, and Dynamic Learning Resources.

Rules: Use the Rafflecopter to enter. Giveaway ends 2/13/22 and is open worldwide.

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Chocolate 4 Teachers

Sometimes life throws a punch and sometimes it seems like it never stops. I had looked at others and felt their pain. I had prayed for God to spare them another heartache. I have cried for them and with them. I had often counted my blessings. Wondered why I seemed to have things so easy. Why I seemed to be in a protective bubble. Safe from all of life hurts. And then it hit. Hard.

For the world 2020 was a bad year. Rough. Horrible. Difficult. For me, it became very personal. It started a snowball of changes that have left me reeling. I had hoped that 2021 would be gentler. Give me a respite from the storm. But it's proven just as harsh. And, so I just remind myself to breathe. And take things a step at a time. I hold on to hope and pray for strength. And I wait.

I keep telling myself that things will get easier. Better. That I won't be sleep-deprived forever. That eventually I'll cry tears of joy. If I cry at all. I've missed deadlines. Work. Family events. Because in the scheme of things, living and dying is so much more important than checking something off my to-do list.

I often read blogs or advice to teacher entrepreneurs telling us to be transparent. Real. Our buyers have to know that we're real people. Open up to your buyers/readers and let them know who you are. That's hard for me. Not with surface things. I'll tell strangers I love cats and pizza. That's no big deal. But to tell someone about the broken pieces inside... that's different.

Even now, just putting the words on paper has taken me weeks. Literally. I start. Stop. I don't want to cheapen a life by writing about it. Or hurt someone I love. So I'll compromise by saying I lost someone. Someone who I needed and counted on and wasn't ready to lose. And then one by one I paid respects, respectively, to a piece of my childhood and someone who granted me magical moments of respite in a chaotic world. (None of these loses were Covid related. I realize I don't have to say that, but I want to.)

And then, while I'm still trying to pick up pieces, my caregiver responsibilities increased to the point where I needed help. That's hard for me. I'm stubborn and independent and I hate asking for help. Or admitting I need it. But I did and I do. It's hard when the person you're trying so hard to care for doesn't realize that you're doing what's best for them and you're trying. You're doing your best.

Then throw in people who are demanding, selfish, or callous. People who don't know how to ask. People who just want to know the scoop. People who want to know what's in it for them. Thank heavens for the ones that are sincere, who just show up, or who do random kind things for me. They keep me going. Thank heavens for the friends who just send a quick little text or email telling me they care. Or for the friend that says come eat with us tonight. On a regular basis. The world needs more people like them. I'm just thankful they were placed in my life.

And as I write this, I've watched another life fade. I'm packing up a person's life. It isn't easy. It isn't quick. But in her wisdom, she reminded me that this is just life. This is the way it is supposed to go. We live for a season. And then we die. I just wish it wasn't so hard to let go.

__________________________________________________________________________________

In her spirit, I'll remind myself that life goes on. She wouldn't want me to stop. She'd tell me to "keep my ears stiff" (an old German saying). I'm hoping that my creative side will find time to explore some new resources. And I hope I keep on holding onto joy.

Optimistically I'll add- I'm hoping for a brighter 2022.

Here's a wonderful resource about a man who never gave up his dream.

Snowflake Bentley

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

Prize: $100 Teachers Pay Teachers Gift Card

Giveaway Organized by: Kelly Malloy (An Apple for the Teacher)

Co-hosts: An Apple for the Teacher, Believe to Achieve by Anne Rozell, Teach Me T, TheBeezyTeacher, Mrs. Wennings Clasroom, Jackie Crews, The Homeschool Style-Katie Ring, Mickey's Place, The Froggy Factory, Star Kids by Naomi, The Education Highway, Lockwood's Little Learners, Reading and Writing Redhead, Dynamic Learning Resources, Ms. K, Alina V Design and Resources, Chocolate 4 Teachers, Kim Heuer, It's a Teacher Thing, Kamp Kindergarten, Simone, and Teachers For Teachers.

Rules: Use the Rafflecopter to enter. Giveaway ends 1/13/22 and is open worldwide.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Chocolate for the Teacher

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