This is week 3 of school, officially week 3 and 3 days. But really, academic full press on, this is week 3. I am just getting oriented to the new curriculum and pacing and such. We have lots of help this year with pull-out interventionists. It has been pretty hard to get scheduled and instruction focused while the majority of my class is out. I am hesitant to teach new material for having to re-teach it in 30 minutes. I am still trying to maximize that time with the students I have left. One thing that I have found this year is that I am always questioning how I could have done a lesson better. That is definitely something I have to credit to the National Boards process. Hopefully one I can just continue on my own rather than in pursuit of something. We’ll see…
Tag: National Boards
Teacher as Master Learner
I am working on my site and found some drafts that I never published. I was hoping it would publish with the draft date, but it didn’t. It was worthy of publishing, so here it is from December 18, 2008.
I was listening to David Warlick’s podcast from 12/13 and he talked about the teacher as a master learner. That makes me think about the journey that I am on now pursuing National Board Certification. It is funny. I can vividly remember my first or second year of teaching, there was an announcement about pursuing certification, and I thought, “Are they CRAZY??!!! Who would want to do that???” And here I am in the throws of it. And I do think, “Am I CRAZY???”
The Big Let Down
Here it is 4 days after my portfolio was due and I am trying to let myself enjoy the downtime. But I can’t. I’m ready to get started again. I want to get back to loving all of it. AIMS is mostly over. We just have to do the field test on Monday, then it’s back to business. I’m not really sure I know or believe in what that means. I think in the last efforts to prepare my students for 4th grade, I am saddened that I haven’t done more. We are short on time now before they go to the fourth grade. There is so much still to do.
Then there’s the other part of reality. Teachers got notice that they’re being laid off yesterday. That is sad that we have to let some of our school go. What does that mean for those who are left? Our job just got harder with way less resources. As if it weren’t hard enough. I hope that those of use who are left can band together and keep some consistency with the good things we have going so far.
What is our state thinking?
Yes, everyone is in financial stress right now, but really what is in the best interest of kids is not cutting the budget by almost a billion dollars. Our district is taking measures to address the cuts, bit it is going to be painful. I realized the first of many hits when I realized that I can’t order the live animals that I need to finish my science unit. This is a problem since I need to complete my science entry for my National Boards and time is running out. I hate to think how it’s going to be when the subs really stop. We had a trial run today, but on a regular basis, this is going to get old really fast.
Learning Required 