We Are Family????

My philosophy: Each classroom should be a small family unit. One thing I’m famous for is making my students a family. In my first classroom, I took a ragtag bunch of misfits and made them into a family unit. It wasn’t the easiest thing to do; especially when the students fight amongst themselves.

This has always worked for me- until this year. One of my students, who I totally did not expect it from, has become a talk-a-holic bully. I asked her why. Her reasoning: Well, the class is much smaller this year and I have more friends, they’re like my family, and I want to spend more time with them.

“Is that why you talk so much and don’t do your work?” I asked her.

“Yeah, I guess,” she said.

This leads me to the whole point of writing this. I’m thinking that I won’t do the same with my next class. It seems that making my students into a family is biting me in the a%$! My students love each other so much that they constantly talk. ALL damn day. I’ve had to revoke privileges because of the excessive talking. I’ve had this problem for the last two years.

I know that the students benefit from it, but it’s wearing me out. I want some peace at work. I don’t wanna’ have to continually say, “Cut the chit chat!,” but that’s all I say all day!

I’m tired of it!

I need to figure out what to do. Until next time, Dear Readers, I’ll let you know what I decide to do. Bye for now.

Happy Mother’s Day & Graduation to ME!

Dear Readers,

Today, I have at least three great things going for me. First, I am a mother, and have been for over 23 years. My children range in age from 11-23. So, HAPPY, HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY to me!

Secondly, I walked across the stage today at LMU for my Master’s in Special Education and my Education Specialist teaching credential. YAY ME!!! It was a struggle, but it’s done. Next step is Ph.D when Phillise graduates from high school in 8 years!

Lastly, I’ve been blogging for 6 years now! I can’t believe it. The time has simply flown by. I sometimes look back on my posts and see how far I’ve come. Lately, I’ve been a little discouraged. I’ve gotten better though. I was only looking at the negative and not the positive. I’ve been meditating and reading Iyanla & keeping my thoughts positive. I just might make it. I’M GOING TO MAKE IT!!!

I am the little engine that could. I’ve progress from I think I can to I know I can and will!

Thank you for being there Dear Readers. Here’s some pictures of me on my special day today!

Self-portraits @ 42, almost 43 years old!

     

My husband and my four children relaxing after graduation!

Happy 6th BLOGIVERSARY to Me!

Dear Readers,

As the title states, “Happy BLOGIVERSARY to ME!” I have been blogging for 6 years now! I’d like to take the time to appreciate those who have been with  me from the beginning as well as the newcomers.

I think I’ll begin writing again. Until I do, I have over 1600 posts over 6 years to keep you busy. See ya’ when I look at ya’!

Tired, Reflective, Inquisitive & Discouraged Me!

Dear Readers,

I’ve stopped writing because I just don’t have it in me to write and try to be optimistic when I am NOT. I am seriously rethinking if I want to proceed in my chosen occupation. The reason I say this is because I’m having a hard time yet again. In fact, I’ve had a hard time since I began teaching. So, I have to wonder if teaching is really for me???

I know that is something that only I can answer for myself, but I am seriously leaning towards NO!

I just want to SCREAM!!!!

Why am I having such a hard time when all I want to do is teach? All I want to do is change lives for the better. Yet, I keep encountering the same problems time and time again. I’m so tired.

I was trying to let at my problems objectively and say that this was something that I need to learn. But, I can’t see anything. I’m out of answers and questions and faith. I don’t have anything left to give. I’m so tired and discouraged. I feel like it’s 2009 all over again where my boss is going to sully my name when all I am trying to do is be left alone to do my job. If I could lay down and die, I would. However, obviously it’s not my time to go. If I could have wished myself dead, I’d have been dead a long time ago. So, I guess I will just have to keep on living until I die.

So, there you have it Dear Readers. The story of my really pitiful, trouble filled life!

Making a Better Classroom Store!

This post is in regard to striving to be better. I recently read an article about classroom jobs. More specifically, making the children apply for the jobs. I went on over to Beth Newingham’s blog + a couple of others in the blogosphere and am definitely making the process of buying from my classroom store better.

Some of the best advice on setting up a classroom store came from Beth Newingham’s Scholastic blog. I have to say that I never thought of my classroom store and monetary system as a classroom economy. I guess I never put a name to it. Additionally, I never thought to write a lesson plan for this. I simply implemented it through trial and error. However, I will now write a Unit Plan for it.

Next year I am going to “steal” Beth’s idea of having a grand opening. She made a good point when she said to make the “bank” look the way students are used to seeing them.

When I initially set up this system, I didn’t see how this system could work for older, more knowledgeable students. But, as I sat down and thought about it, this system could be made to fit a middle school or even high school classroom. If you have a middle school or high school classroom and would like to brainstorm on how this system could work for you, email me @ specialedandme@gmail.com

The most helpful piece of advice was when it came to stocking the classroom store. Here’s a breakdown:

http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/lessonplan.jsp?id=322

Spring Break without the Kiddos!

Dear Readers,

The great thing about working at a private school is that my schedule is out of sync with my children’s schedule. They attend a public school, so they go out for Spring Break on the 22nd. So, they went back to school on Tuesday. Whereas, mine has just begun.

I’ve had a busy week. I went out to lunch with my husband yesterday, dinner on Wednesday with him and the kids, to the movies with my sister (a late birthday gift), my weekly walk with my favorite sister, karaoke with my family on Friday night, and a lunch date with my sisters on Saturday. Did I also mention that I am going walking everyday this week?

Spring Break! YAY!

 Dear Readers,

As of 12:45 on Thursday, March 28, 2013, I am on Spring Break. I started it out with a bang. I picked up my nephew and took him, David, Phillise, and Moriah to see The Croods. We all loved it. The theme was family-father and daughter, in particular. I am definitely not one to give away endings. Just suffice it to say that I think it would make a fantastic father-daughter outing. You won’t leave there without tears in your eyes and some good laughs!