No! No! I won't Go

Usually I am a pretty positive person.  I tend to look for the silver linings.  Nobody wants to be around a Debby Downer.  But lately, I have been feeling pretty negative by some of the stupid decisions made around here. 

Take for instance this....

On Thursday, tucked away in our weekly memo from administration, was the notice that next Tuesday is McTeacher night.  This is fundraiser that McDonald's hosts for local schools.  It is a win-win situation for them.  Neighborhood schools promote a night out at McDonald's, customers tell the server what school they want to support, and McDonald's gives a percentage of the receipts to the schools.

The memo went on to say that each grade level should organize a schedule to cover the 4pm - 8pm evening.  Teachers are expected to meet, greet, and wipe tables off.  Oh yeah--they can also spend their money eat.

This is my frustration:

1. It is Thursday and I am expected to do this on Tuesday.  Anyone ever hear of notice?  My calendar fills up pretty quickly and I already have a full evening on Tuesday. 
2. How is it fair that one grade-level might have 3 sections while another has 4 --not to mention student teachers. 
3. What other profession requires you to work all day and then spend hours being available to wipe tables without compensation. 

I guess I'd rather be asked to volunteer than to be told to do it.  You catch more flies with honey than vinegar.  Not that I am comparing teachers to flies.  Well, I am not going to be there.  I already have an  evening full of a meeting (a district one, no less) and book club until 8:45.  Of course, I don't want to put extra work on my colleagues, but I don't think they are able to go either.  Oops!  I guess our grade level won't be represented.  Bow I wonder what backlash we will face, 'cause you know we will.....

Cognitive Coaching

Last fall I began some professional development in Cognitive Coaching and this weekend was the last days of our time together.   Cognitive Coaching is intended for helping mediate people's thinking.  We learned ways to communicate in order to help people plan, reflect, and problem resolve.  

While the cognitive coaching is to help others--I am the one who learns the most about myself and my communication skills.   I have had practice in learning when to ask the right questions and when to sit and be quiet.   

The hardest part of cognitive coaching is giving up the desire to give advice, relate with my own stories, and solve problems.  I have to remember that I am there to assist someone in their own thinking.   

The additional benefit of this course was meeting other educators in my district that I do not see often.    It is sad that often times the only people we ever get to know are the people in our own school.  We have some wonderful dedicated people in our district!

Un - called for stress

The weather threatened to get bad on Friday.  Snow and ice were on their way according to the forecasters.  Nevertheless, school began as usual.  I heard rumors that we would let out early, but I had a busy day planned and no time to check email or call the office.  I figured if we were let out, we would find out.

At 11:00, I had the class in the media center doing some research when the media specialist offered to help me make phone calls.  I had no idea what she was talking about.  She reported that school indeed was letting out early and teachers were asked to call all the parents of their children. 

WHAT !?!?!   When did that policy go into effect?   When our time was up in the media center, I herded walked my class back to the room as I strategized how I would make close to 30 calls in the net hour.  I scrapped the next lesson and asked kids to get out a book to read while I looked at my email.   Sure enough, teachers were being asked to call the parents of students who were the oldest in their family at our school.

My stress level increased as I :

1. figured out which students were the oldest at our school
2. figured out how to busy engage the students with something they could do independently until lunch 
3. decided which of the 3 -4 numbers to call for each child ( and wonder if they would be in service)
4. interupted parents at work to tell tehm something they already knew --most had text alerts in place
5. discovered the school phones wouldn't work because the circuits were overloaded with all the teachers calling
6. used up many, many cell phone minutes   ( and also gave out my private cell phone number to parents as I made the calls)
7. wondered if my cell battery would still be charged if my car slipped into a ditch on the way home

I was about 2/3 done when the office called me at least 3 times.  Seems primary teachers were wondering if we had gotten hold of big sister's parents yet.  Ugh!   Also, I had at least 2 parents want to discuss their child's progress when I called.  I promised to get back to them at another time, because I only had 30 minutes to call 10 more parents.

I hope they never do that to us again. 

Calling from Hawaii

I received a phone call this afternoon as my class was preparing to dismiss for the day.  It is not unusual to get a call at this time.  Someone may be leaving in a different way, someone may have to leave a little early, there is always something the office needs to let me know.

But today's phone call was different.  It was my Korean student who left last week!  Her family decided to return to Korea via a side trip to Hawaii.  Miss Pink Glasses was calling me from Honolulu to say hello.  She misses us.  She misses me.  And I miss her.  She told me that she spent the last couple of days at Waikiki Beach. She told me it was beautiful there and it was warm.   I told her here it had snowed earlier in the morning.    Her family is leaving tomorrow to make the last leg of their trip to Korea.

It was so nice to hear from her.  I hope she will transition well back to her Korean life when she gets home. 

Miss Pink Glasses will always be in my heart.

Losing my Kids

I have had 5 Korean children in my class this year.  Two of them are recent arrivals -- what I fondly call "right off the boat."   All of their fathers are visiting scholars at the state university and they come in January/February to stay for 1 year. 

So I will be losing 3 of my kids by February 1 as they travel back to their home country.  As I have really only known these children well since late August, you would think that it would not be a difficult thing to have them move.  You would be wrong.  These kids have wriggled themselves deep into my heart and my heart breaks to see them leave knowing that I will most likely never see the again.

One of my students left at Christmas break.  It was difficult to say our goodbye's, but it was also a busy time of year and everyone, me included, were looking forward to a break. 

My 2nd student left last week.  This was my little girl with the pink glasses. She was torn about leaving.  She looked forward to going home to her grandparents, friends, and home.  And yet, she was sad to leave her friends here.   I became emotional as I thought about her leaving.  At home, I would think about it and tears would come.  She left last Friday and I after all the kids left I did cry.  She will be missed.

My 3rd student is leaving this week.  She is smart cookie and has been so much help with the two new girls who speak so little English.  I have known her family the entire year they have been in America and it pains me to see them go.  I know that I will shed more tears when she leaves us.

These kids are wonderful students.  I don't know if it is the Asian culture that makes them so wonderful as a student.  They value education.  They are extremely respectful and always do their work with great effort.  They are neat and organized in their work.  They are impecable.   One of the specials teacher who works with my class jokingly asked me why we couldnt send a couple of the other kids away and keep these ones.  I say jokingly, but it is a thought I have had as well.   Sometimes I wish that our American students showed similar diligence and effort int ehir schoolwork and attitudes.

This is the first year I have had ELL students who return home mid-year.  That could be why it is so tough on me.  I may get used to it.  But for now, my heart is heavy. 

Fire Drill Schedules

We had an unannounced fire drill last week.  That means that we were right in the middle of math when the fire alarm began screeching.  The kids were good about getting up and lining up to go outside quickly. I stood at the door making sure that all got out.  

Did I forget to tell you that I really hate fire drills.  Although I realize they are needed and it is a safety issue--is it really necessary that we have so many? 

Ah yes, back to our fire drill last week.  It has been raining every day.  In fact, the administrator who is in charge of fire drills said this drill was conducted because there was a break in the clouds.  Well, some classes go out to the parking lot.  Some classes go out to the playground.  But we go out into the back yard by the trees.  That means that the rain soaked ground squished under our feet as we trampled out there with mud splashing up on our legs.  The temperature hovered around 40 degrees and we stood out there freezing.  Kids were talking and bouncing around while they rubbed their arms to get warm. 

Administrator came out to verify we were all in the right place and didn't like seeing bouncy,talkative kids, so we got a reprimand.  While gosh sakes...it was COLD. 

I hate fire drills.  

Building a Relationship

I have a new student that has been with me less than two weeks and we are still in the stage of getting to know each other.  We are building a relationship so that he will trust me and know that I have his best interests at heart.  In turn, I want to know that he will give his best effort for me when I ask him to do something that may or may not be difficult for him.

This past week I was wearing a necklace that had a cross on it.  My new friend came up to me and asked me if I were a Christian.   I told him that I was and watched his face to see if he had any other questions.  He stayed near me with a pondering look on his face.  So, I asked him if he was one.  He replied, " I dunno.  Sometimes. " 

Another piece of the puzzle to help me know him.  Do I know what it means?  Not really.  But it is a piece that will help me understand him and reach him.