Blogging Nerd

So as Becky would say, I am in Blogger Nerd Heaven. I started a blog for my Economics class for them to ask questions and discuss topics. They are doing so well with it! Now, I did have to erase a few lamo posts, but what can you expect from 17 year old boys (nothing inappropriate just goofy). The students have been talking about it today how they really like it, and now they are thinking about the content without having to do our stupid worksheets. I don't know what it is about the Internet, but it really does make any subject more interesting. They now want to talk about it because it's posted on the World Wide Web for all to see. SO, if you have any interest in seeing what my AP students are up to check out my link to Apache Economics.

Patience and Compassion

Today I have been reflecting on the relationships that I have fostered with my students, particularly my AP seniors. This morning as I arrived in the parking lot two of my seniors (boyfriend and girlfriend) ran over to me and asked where I had been because they came early to give me their formal picture. On the back of the picture they had written "Thanks for being so great to us. We love you. Sorry for being such a bother sometimes. We will miss you."

Reading this little note has really gotten me thinking. Throughout this year I have questioned myself on how I run my AP class. Due to the fact that I have no prior experience with the material I have had to adapt how I typically interact with my students. Rather than being a pool of knowledge that runs class in a fairly regemented way, I have allowed for my AP students to have more freedom in seeking the knowledge and learning the material. Now, I still instruct the class and maintain certain expectations of the class but it is a more relaxed atmosphere.

With that... The girl that brought me the picture has been getting frustrated with her struggles in the class recently, to the point of tears on occassion. On the last test day she came in and lashed out at me with a statement about the difficulty of the test that they were about to take. Instead of responding in anger to the comment, I forced her to see the situation rationally and then calmed her down and supported her through it. That day I went back and forth wondering if I should have responded more severely. I now think that I handled this particular situation in the appropriate manner because she knows her behavior was uncalled for and she also knows that all of my actions in that class are done because I care. I am seeing more and more that students respond best to patience and compassion as opposed to oppressive discipline and teaching strategies.

Emotional Exhaustion

The last two days have ended with me feeling completely wiped out. I couldn't figure out why. I haven't done anything out of the ordinary as far as the lesson execution goes... They have been good lessons but not exhausting as far I as I could tell. Well today concluded and I couldn't figure it out. Couldn't talk, couldn't think... What was going on?

Then I started to talk to a colleague about comments made by some of my World History students today. I had two girls, in isolated situations, tell me that they have been having nightmares about my class. Let me clarify... It's not that being in my class is traumatizing, but rather that the content that we are studying is getting to them so much that they are even dreaming about it. At first I felt guilty that I was causing them emotional distress, but then I realized... They were thinking about the content so much and caring about it to the degree that they were dreaming it... A TEACHER'S dream! So as I was discussing this with the teacher and telling him about the Holocaust activity and video that we watched today, it dawned on me. I, too, am wiped out from the emotional content that I am teaching. Part of me hopes as I gain more experience teaching this material it will become easier, but another part of me hopes I never become desensitized to it. Only time will tell I suppose, but for tonight a trip to Starbucks has prepared me to get working on more lesson planning for the next few days... Nagasaki and Hiroshima. Yikes!

One thing I promised my kids and myself... After the STAR test (the test given at the end of the year to assess student's comprehension of the state standards- for you non-teachers) I am going to design lessons that lead the students to look for positive solutions for the future, and lead them to find ways to contribute to society in a constructive way!

Just Call Me Miss Piggy!

Ahhh man! I am such a pig! But food is sooooo yummy! HAHAHAHA! Sadly, the whole time I was taking the quiz I knew I was going to be a glutton.

Which Deadly Sin Is Yours? Gluttony For you, it's all about the excess. It may be food or something else but the more the better. Find out your Deadly Sin at Quizopolis.com

It's Official!

It's official and I couldn't be happier. I was just informed yesterday that I will be teaching AP European History next year, and for years to come. This class is the ideal... It is the closest I could get to the content and level of depth that I want to teach without actually teaching at the college level. Along with this fantastic news, I am loving teaching again, and am absolutely certain that my decision to stay is the right one. Thanks to all of you for your constant support!