A good friend of mine wrote a book titled "Let Teachers Teach".  I liked the title then and I like it even more now. I can't think of anything that teachers want more than to just teach.  I can't think of many teachers (although there are a few) screaming for raises, or more benefits, or more time off. The common wish list includes: treat us with respect, treat us professionally and fairly, and let us teach. Although, I am sure that there should also be something in this list about fewer meetings. 
I talked to a friend this morning and I read a post. They both have the same thing in common- frustration.
A true teachers loves teaching. 
A true teacher gives more than 100%. They give everything they have. 
And the ones who benefit are their students. And the teacher. That's right. 
A true teacher gives everything, but is tremendously blessed in return. 
It is a win-win situation.
That is why I am so sad when these issues are brought to light. 
I don't really have the words right now, but I can't help but wonder:
"When will experienced teachers be included in local, state, and national educational concerns?" 
 "When will true reform come to eduction?" 

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Chocolate 4 Teachers

Sound familiar????????????

Dear Faculty and Staff,

   The BOE is pleased to announce that the district will be hosting a conference for all WEB leaders this Saturday. All TLCs will be in attendance. We hope to share more at this week's PLC on Wednesday and at the PTO and PTA meetings this Tuesday evening.   Please save the date on your calendar.
Furthermore, our PE instructors will be attending a conference learning how to incorporate lessons for students with ADHD and ADD.  PE instructors should fill out their POs ASAP and turn them in the the AP prior to attending the PLC on Wednesday. The conference will be held later this month. PE instructors will receive an email with specifics.
Our SPED instructors need to note that the location of their monthly district meetings has been changed to the HS. This meeting will include: CPI training, new expectations for IEPs, the introduction of new classes for EBD, and how the implementation of SBG will affect their classes. Please note that we are focused on maintaining LREs.
ECE instructors will also have a change in their meeting schedule. Their monthly district meetings will be held on Thursday instead of Tuesday to accommodate AP and ADP training with the specialist from CEC. 
All faculty and staff are expected to attend this Friday's meeting to discuss ways to improve the district's APR. Please bring your laptops to this meeting. We will also roll out the plan for implementation of CBA in the secondary grades.  BOE members will present the district's plan for ESY and the implementation of IEE.  Before attending, ALL faculty and staff members should sign off on FERPA training. To assist in this meeting, a guest from the ASLA will be in attendance.  
Finally, we are looking for secondary staff members willing to volunteer to be a part of a PAC to prepare our students for the SAT.  This will also involve students in AP. Please email your request to be a part of the PAC to your BA. 

Thanks for all you do for kids!
Yours in education,
The SD

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Why are veteran/seasoned/experienced teachers leaving the classroom?  
I shared one of the reasons I decided to take a break in my last post Reasons.  I have had numerous opportunities to connect with new friends in the educational field through social media and face-to-face in the last few months. What saddens me is the number of seasoned teachers deciding to leave because of unaddressed problems in their district.  Until, I started hearing from readers and former colleagues, I was under the assumption that my former district had the biggest share of problems.  I thought that a building that lost about 1/4 of their staff had the market on troubles.  Unfortunately, I was wrong. 
It appears that some schools across our nation are experiencing huge turn-overs- mostly from the veteran teachers.  I don't think it is fair to say that veteran teachers are too old for change, or they aren't up on technology. I'll be the first to admit that I am not as proficient in the technological field as my younger colleagues, but I was willing to learn.  In fact, all of my former teaching buddies embraced the entrance of technology in the classroom. Some asked some very valid questions and brought out excellent points that should be considered before introducing technology in the classroom.  Each of us was willing to learn and to utilize certain aspects in our classrooms. When I say certain aspects, I mean that we were incorporating technology in ways that benefitted our students and enhanced our lessons.  We didn't just use technology to be using it.  We wanted to see the benefits and the purpose.  The classes that I took to become eMINTS certified were beneficial in that we collaborated- novice and veteran alike. We shared ideas and tried them out. If it didn't work, we dumped it and if it did work we continued tweaking it until it was a fit for our classrooms.  I am hearing that this is no longer the case. Veteran teachers are discouraged from participating and, in some cases, are made to feel unwelcome. 
Why?
I know that the novice teachers I worked with were equally good at sharing new trends in education, while listening to the tried and true.  It was often a beautiful blend of old and new. It worked. 
So, what happened?
Well.... here's my two cents.  So called educational reform. Someone (probably someone that has never taught a day in their life) wrote an article and published it in an educational publication and Bang! someone thought it was good and the snowball started rolling down the hill.  Now, I am not criticizing every new idea or person that puts one out there, but I am criticizing jumping on every bandwagon just to hitch a ride.  We need new ideas. We need fresh perspectives. We need to improve and continue to learn. What we don't need is an administrative team that tries every new idea as soon as they are introduced.  The old adage about trying something new, one thing at a time until it is done well, is so true. The only thing that is accomplished in a district that continually tries every new thing is staff burnout. They give their teachers so many hoops to jump through that they can't possibly keep up, let alone continue to guide and nurture their students.  When common sense is outvoted by inexperienced leaders trying every new thing,  you have people leaving the district in droves searching for a place where they can teach. 
I'm thankful that I have found that places to teach still exist. I have been blessed to meet some wonderful teachers and administrators on my journey.  Some of the schools, in which I have been a guest, are solid and supportive of staff. How refreshing! I hope and pray they stay on their current path. 
I'm sure I'll have more to say on the matter, as it is near and dear to my heart.  I would love to hear back from you with your comments, stories, and suggestions.  I'd like to know what is happening in "your neck of the woods". 

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Chocolate 4 Teachers

We all have reasons for why we do the things we do. 
I've been pondering this for some time. Thinking..... Why am I doing what I am doing?  Why did I make a career change at my age? Why am I writing a blog (I am not a writer, so please don't compare me with those who can write well)?  Why am I trying all of this "new stuff"?  
The answer is simple- it was time. 
Hard to understand, but true. 
I had taught for 21 years, 20 in middle school, and I was tired of the politics. In my world, politics don't belong at school. When you are in the kid business politics shouldn't matter and they most certainly shouldn't "dictate" decisions. Unfortunately, teaching is fast becoming more and more political.  
Back in the day, we taught. Nothing less. We loved, we nurtured, we guided, we taught.  We weren't trying every new thing that came down the educational wind tunnel. We knew what worked and we did it. Our students felt safe in structured environments and they grew up to be successful because we gave them the skills and the love of learning that they would need to be successful.  Little by little our wholesome goals have been eroded by greed. 
I used to rise pre-dawn to attend a weekly PLC meeting. This would have been okay if we were actually gaining something from it and it wasn't just a meeting to have a meeting. I'm sure you all know the type. You go and what they spend all day telling you could have taken 15 minutes. Meetings just to have meetings. Don't teachers have enough to do? I don't know one teacher that comes at 8 am and leaves at 4 pm. Every teacher I know takes 'school' home with them, working on things week-nights and week-ends. Every teacher I know spends their own money on things for their students and classroom. And yet, someone decided that teachers don't spend enough time at school and need more PD so they invented "the meeting". 
Turning in my resignation was easy and hard. Easy, because I was so tired of the politics handed down by those with more book knowledge and 'friends' than they had experience. I was tired of the phrase "it's for the kids" being parroted by people who didn't even know who "the kids" were. It was hard, because I love to teach and I love kids- any age, at any season of their life.  I love my colleagues that have shared so much of my life and miss them. But at the end of the day, it was time for a change.  I prayed and felt that God was leading me somewhere else.
So.... just what am I doing?  I'm living. I'm living each day by faith that God will provide (and He has). I'm enjoying my life. I don't feel like I have to paste on a smile and pretend anymore.  I feel freer now than I've felt in years. Friends are telling me that I look better than I have in years (I must have looked pretty bad!).  I'm busier now than ever. I'm happier than ever. I feel like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders.  I've started writing this blog. I've opened a store on TeacherspayTeachers, and a shop on Teacher's Notebook, and one at TeachWise.  I'm teaching adjunct classes and subbing.  I've got some other ideas brewing in my brain, but right now this is where I am. 
Why am I revealing all of this now?  I need to give all of my ventures over to God. I've been trying to do everything under my own steam. It doesn't work. I need God. I need Him in everything I do. I'm not trying to impress anyone and I know some will read this and roll their eyes. That's okay. I am who I am. I'm a Christian, totally dependent on God, and ready to spend each day serving Him- wherever He puts me. I don't know what the future holds, but I know that God has me securely in His hand and will guide me. I pray for ideas and God gives them to me.  Every teaching idea in my stores and every blog idea (in fact just about every idea) comes from Him.  So.... I'm giving God the credit and I'm handing everything over to Him.  I don't know if my stores will be successful. I don't know if I will continue writing a blog. I don't know if I will go back into the classroom full time (some schools look pretty irresistible). I have discovered a peace and a joy that I don't want to ever lose. I am thankful that God is so patient with me. I've spent my entire life giving things to Him, just to take them back again at a later date.  Hopefully, this time I'll just let 'it' go and I'll go where God leads. 

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Chocolate 4 Teachers

I learned a few things this week- not necessarily new things. I just needed some reminding. 
Fridays are better than Mondays.
Changes in the weather affect children's behavior.
The Full Moon Theory isn't a theory, it's a fact!
I smell like bananas.
I love to hear laughter.
Nothing beats a kid grinning from ear to ear as they go down a slide.
Everybody needs a band-aid now and then.
Cowboy cookies are Awesome!
There are a lot of good truths in "Frozen"- yes, some people are worth melting for.
I hate grading papers.
I love writing lessons.
Fast food can be healthy if you are playing make believe.
Teachers are kid magnets wherever they are.
Even teachers need hugs.
Thank you Lord for the week-end and for the special people that you put in my life along my journey. 

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Chocolate 4 Teachers

Whoever said life is easy, hasn't made Rice Krispy treats.  My husband kept hinting that he would really, really like to have some. Actually, he didn't hint, he came right out and said "I'd really like some Rice Krispy treats."  I bought the cereal- some off brand because I am frugal (cheap) and decided to use the marshmallows that we had taken camping. We didn't use them so they (the marshmallows) just rode in the HOT camper to the campsite and back home again in the HOT camper.  They were sticky. I had to cut the package away from them, but I couldn't throw them away because I am frugal (cheap). The directions said to melt the butter first and then add the marshmallows, stirring until they melted. Well... I don't read directions. How hard can it be to make Rice Krispy treats?  I put the butter in a pan and the sticky mass of marshmallows on top and turned the burner on high. I did have the sense to stick around to watch it melt. Good thing I did!  The butter started sizzling and the sticky clump of marshmallows seemed more determined than ever to stick together. I turned down the heat and kept stirring to break it up. The butter turned brown. I removed the pan from the stove. I kept stirring. Nothing. It seemed dry so I added more butter. And more butter. I finally decided it was time to read the directions. Low heat. Okay, so I overheated the butter a little. All of the marshmallows we had were in that pan and I wasn't going to throw it out because I am frugal (cheap). I finally gave up trying to get the mess to melt and dumped in the cereal. I didn't measure it. I guess I should have because it didn't take the whole box. About half would have worked fine. I stirred for what seemed like forever until I thought it looked okay. I got out my 9 x 13 baking dish and sprayed it  and dumped the concoction in it. Then I tried to press it down, after all that is what the directions said to do. I missed the part where it said to put butter on your hands. Finally, the treats were in the baking dish, my hands were clean, and so was the floor (where some of the mess had landed when it shot out of the pan while I was stirring).  About 30 minutes later, my husband came into the kitchen. He was pleasantly surprised to see what I had made for him. Luckily he was able to cut them and eat them without losing any teeth.   He had no idea what I went through to make those treats, but I guess it was worth it.

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Chocolate 4 Teachers

 By now most of you are winding down from your day's activities. The three day week-end is almost over  (I just had to remind you, right?).  I'm not sure who enjoys school holidays more- the kids or the teachers.  'Back in the day', school didn't start until after Labor Day. Then, as I grew older and school started earlier and earlier, we had a Labor Day 'mini-vacation'. In my younger years, the term labor concerned me. One of my teachers explained that the word labor meant to work hard, to achieve something, to accomplish something meaningful. Didn't sound like fun to me. A day off to work?? No, thank you! 
Once I became a teacher Labor Day took on a whole new meaning.  It became a much needed three day week-end to recuperate from the first few days of school. After all, it takes awhile to get your body and mind back on school time. In spite of needing rest, I've always used every minute to prepare for the weeks ahead.  I can't seem to follow my own advice- rest and relax. You would find me preparing meals in advance to make school night dinners easier, writing lesson designs, folding laundry, pre- reading books for my students, and making to-do lists (I confess, I'm a list maker!), because Tuesday comes all to soon!  
But this Labor Day started a little differently. Things have been very dry and I have been praying for some much needed rain. I woke at 5 am to the sound of rain on the roof. I drifted back off with a smile on my face and woke up an hour later. The rain was still coming down. I was so thankful for my answered prayer. I made the decision to not hit the floor running. I decided to lay there and listen to the rain. After all, this was my day to rest. One peaceful thought did occur to me this morning. The words of Christ, "Come to me all who are weary and I will give you rest."  I did rest this morning and I continued enjoying this beautiful rainy day. Just another gift from my heavenly Father. 
I hope you enjoyed your day and found time to rest.  

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Chocolate 4 Teachers