Five Things on Friday

In honor of my (brand spanking new) long-term subbing position, I'd like to tell you five things I've learned about high school students this week.

1) Some of them have beards. Color me freaked out. I'm used to baby-faced 3rd graders, awkward gawky 6th graders, and even the occasional pimple-sprouting 8th grader. But beards? And tattoos? AH!

2) They don't talk when I'm talking. Maybe I just got a wonderful bunch of kids (7 classes in a row), but I don't need to do nearly as much "I'm giving instructions! That means I shouldn't hear any other voices!" as I usually do. In fact, getting them to talk is sometimes pretty tough.

3) They know how to blow their own noses. After spending some time subbing for a pre-school aide, this is a total plus. Although that little girl was pretty darn cute, standing there blowing at a tissue with her mouth.

4) They really apply things they learn to their own lives. Like when I asked, "Do you know any teacher who says 'but' or 'um' a lot in their lectures?" during my communications class... and they all went, "MRS. SEEVER!"

5) They can really write. I gave my first Free Writing assignment today (10 minutes, 3 different prompts), and man. A couple kids wrote such amazing things in only 10 minutes.

This is gonna be a fun Spring.

Be Careful What You Pray For...

This weekend, Zeke and I went to a wonderfully powerful retreat. With the TV off, Facebook far away, and all other distractions aside, it's amazing how much self-reflection can happen.

I realized this weekend that I've been hiding from God's plan for my life. To be honest, I'm afraid of it. I'm afraid of being rejected by other education professionals, I'm afraid that I won't be able to hack it as a teacher, I'm afraid that I'll grandly and publicly screw up, I'm afraid I can't balance home life and school life and married life and teaching life... I'm just afraid.

And so I've been standing in the way of getting my career off the ground. Not overtly- I'm still working to further my teaching career by taking classes, by subbing here and there, but I've also been turning down jobs, saying no to bigger commitments, not working on my resume and portfolio... in short, I've been far less than intentional about getting started. Because I'm afraid. But we already covered that.

I figured that out this weekend.

And I prayed. On Sunday afternoon, I prayed that fear won't come between me and my calling. I prayed for confidence, and I prayed for doors to be opened.

And then, frankly, I forgot that I'd prayed for all that.

Yesterday, a call came. A high school principal, asking if I would be interested in subbing, long-term, for a Language Arts class. The long-term sub they had already lined up had accepted a full-time teaching position in a nearby town instead, and they needed someone else. Doors opening.

I said yes, set up a meeting, and then sat down after the phone call, still all full of adrenaline making that tingly feeling go up and down my arms, and thought, "Wow. Where did all this come from?"

While I forgot my prayer, the Lord didn't.



Now I need prayers from all of you! I'm a full-time student taking a full load of classes right now. I'm trying to maintain a home and a healthy family, and now I'm looking at adding another huge responsibility to my plate. But I want this. I want it so, so much. I'm nervous, and I'm hoping that the meeting goes great, and I don't know how I'll be able to balance everything. I'm going to need a lot of divine intervention, lots of support, and lots of grace. 

Children and Technology

I've been subbing at a school with a 1-1 technology program. If you're not familiar with that, a 1-1 program is where each child has their own laptop to use during school and at home for homework. It's a really cool idea, and it allows the kids to interact with technology, submit assignments online or through e-mail, access internet resources. Like I said, it's a really cool idea.

Most teachers are very good about enforcing the rules regarding the use of technology. Some teachers only use the computers for one or two activities during class time, while some teachers use online sites for all of their lessons and even homework. One teacher actually had all his students get a Twitter account so they could communicate and have discussions online.

I understand that technology is a great tool, and that our students will need to have a good grasp of technology and computer science to do well in the workplace.

However.

I'm not so sure that so much technology is a good thing for our kids.

Sure, there are many blocked sites on the school's network to protect the kids. Of course, YouTube isn't blocked (there are lots of educational clips!), Twitter isn't blocked (for discussion purposes!), and news sites aren't blocked (current events are good for social awareness!).

Keep in mind, YouTube also has lots of clips of people doing stupid things, pornographic things, people harming one another.... and the students can post videos of themselves. Singing to popular songs, somewhat seductively, in their bedrooms with a school poster behind them.

Twitter allows students to see the comments of people who are racist, sexist, rude, immoral... and the more offensive the Tweet is, the more popular it becomes. Oh, and the kids have one more place to bully one another. And they're doing it, and getting attention for their cutting, hurtful comments.

News sites are a great, authentic place for current events, but do our 12-year-olds really need to read about sex scandals? About mass murders? Do they need to see images of children who have been horribly disfigured due to Agent Orange exposure? Pictures of aborted babies?

That's what my 7th and 8th graders were doing on the internet this week IN SCHOOL.

And those are just some of the sites that aren't blocked at school. At home, the internet security is up to the parents. Busy, overworked parents who are just sick of hearing their kids complain that the internet isn't working fast enough, that sites they need for homework are blocked, that Mom sucks and should just unblock the web. The sites are constantly changing and evolving. Parents have jobs- how are they supposed to keep up with all the new ways invented to target kids?

We are being so good about giving our children the tools to succeed in a technological world. Are we being nearly as effective at protecting them? At sheltering their innocence for as long as possible? 8th graders shouldn't have to worry about being bashed online (or worse, having sexual pictures posted of them online). 7th graders shouldn't be exposed to social issues that they're not yet prepared to handle, especially not without a parent to talk to them about what they're learning. We definitely shouldn't have to be concerned that our children may be hurt by some stranger who found them, and all of their important information, online.

Yeah, technology is amazing, has made our lives so much easier, and, let's face it, is fun and interesting. But when it comes to kids, technology can be dangerous.

Busy Week (and some Subbing Motivational Helps)

Wow. This week is going to be a busy one! Besides all the (very, very) last-minute Christmas shopping and wrapping, keeping up with my house and my husband, and figuring out the classes I need to finish transferring my teaching license, I'm also subbing every day this week! Whew!

I'm really glad to have the work. I've been doing some deep thinking lately, about what I want from life, about my goals, about what I'd like next year to look like, and I know that I'd really prefer to have a consistent, full-time teaching job next fall. I have plans to get more connections in to another school district, and I'm subbing a lot at one of the nearby Middle Schools, and I'm praying that the connections I've made so far and the connections I will make in the coming months will bring about some fruit!

Anyways, amidst all the running around, I've been using a technique that's kept my 5th grade students behaving well and not talking constantly for me (even the last week before Winter Break!)

My students are on a 1-1 technology program starting in 5th grade, which means that each student has a laptop they use during class. I've noticed that my kids get really excited about listening to music (using their headphones) during work time, and not a lot of teachers allow it. I don't think I would allow it either if I were a regular classroom teacher, except as a special treat, because kids get much more work done when they're not finding the next song to listen to on their iTunes.

I write the word "MUSIC" up on the board. If I need to remind students about expectations, I underline the "C." That's a warning. If I remind them again, the "C" is erased. In order to have music during work time, the whole word has to be on the board. They can earn back the letters if they impress me with good behavior.

I like this tool because you can make the reward whatever you'd like, and it can continue as long as you'd like. I use the MUSIC thing each class period, but if you were there longer, maybe it could be the reward at the end of the week. The same thing would work for an extra recess, a short video clip, a joke...

It really kept my kids motivated, and the best thing was that I didn't have to raise my voice at all- I just walked over and marked a warning or erased a letter, and most of my students noticed.

Cool trick.

No Words- And What Every Teacher Should Have in their Classroom

I have no words to write about what happened today in Connecticut. This is one of those times when words just aren't enough. My heart is so heavy thinking about all those who are hurting today- the parents who worried and prayed and received the most unthinkable news, the children who witnessed the horror of one person taking the lives of many others and who will never be the same, the teachers who watched their workplace become a place of massacre and the students they care so much about being terrified, scarred, hurt... and worse.

When a teacher prepares a classroom for the year, there's always a sense of excitement and maybe a little nervousness, at least in my experience. I usually find images of students learning and growing in the space I've prepared pop into my head unbidden. All the anticipation of new students to get to know, new minds to help shape, new personalities to enjoy.... all this goes into the preparation of a classroom. Generally, teachers create a space that is organized, functional, aesthetically pleasing, and full of positive energy.

A classroom, a school, is not meant for violence; not meant for death, not meant for rage or hatred or fear.

My prayers are with those affected directly and indirectly, for all school age children, for parents everywhere who will hesitate, if ever so slightly, before putting their first-grader on the bus on Monday morning, and for us as a nation and a society.

*                                          *                                           *

As a substitute teacher, I know that in a situation (God forbid) anything like what happened in Connecticut, many subs would not be prepared and would not know the school protocol.

I've subbed in fifteen different classrooms so far, and only one teacher put a copy of the emergency protocol in the sub binder.

Now, I know that many teachers out there have a very, very, very organized and detailed sub binder/folder/tub, but not everyone includes the most vital information. As a sub (and a newer one at that), here are some things that I would definitely want to have included in a subbing binder.

-A complete class roster. I know that in middle and high school, students move from classroom to classroom, but in case of an emergency, it's vital that your sub knows who is in their class. Even more helpful would be short notes if possible- students with special needs, dietary restrictions, physical limitations, etc. I've also noticed that a lot of times, if the roster is printed off from the attendance website, it will cut off the last few names. Double check and make sure you've got them all.

-A list of important phone numbers. Give your sub the extension to the main office, to the person in charge of student behavior while you're gone (for some, students are sent to the principal's office, for others students are sent to a Time-Out room, etc.), and to another teacher, perhaps someone who you work with closely, who can help if there's a problem.

-A School Information page. As a sub, I'm in lots of different schools, and it can be hard to remember exact addresses and so on. On this page, include the school's address, your room number and your name, and the school's phone number.

-A list of emergency procedures. Keep in mind, your sub has a lot of information to go through in a relatively short period of time before your students get to school in the morning. This list should be just the basics. Save the detail for another page (perhaps use the detailed school procedures document and put it in your binder or folder after this one).

As a sub, I should know the fire evacuation plan and where to take the students once we evacuate, the tornado/hurricane/earthquake plan (depending on your location), what to do in case of a lock-down, what to do under bomb threat, and what to do in case of an intruder. Make your list clear and concise, and give me a name, room number, and phone number of a nearby teacher who can help if I have questions.

-Tell me where to find... (maybe have these present in a sub tub or easily accessible in a drawer)
      A flashlight
      A whistle
      An emergency use first aide kit (include a face shield for rescue breathing)

I would also encourage your sub to take the binder or folder out of the room with them as needed. An emergency could take place while your class is on their way to one of their specials, during recess duty... And make sure that you tell the sub to take the binder with them in case of an emergency.


As teachers, we all care deeply about our students and want the best for them. By preparing your substitute teacher, you are doing your best to make sure that your students are well taken care of even when you're not able to be there.

Subbing Habits: Coming Home

I've been doing some subbing around the area lately, which has been such an answer to prayer. For the longest time, I really didn't get much in the way of subbing jobs, and I was worried that might be a glimpse into what my year would look like. Now that I've had several jobs, I'm starting to learn the tricks of the trade. I thought I'd share a couple of those tricks with you.

We're actually going to start at the end today... a little backwards, but I think my "end of the day" habit has made a lot of difference in my life, so I'll share it first.

After a long day of subbing (or a short one, for that matter), I often want to come home at 4:00 and just flop on the couch, take my shoes off, turn on the television, and just veg out. If I was a single gal, maybe that would work, but since I have a Hunky Husband... he comes home around 5:30, and I'm still in my work clothes, shoes sitting on the floor where I tossed 'em, nothing done, and nothing even planned for supper. And usually, I'm not a great conversationalist when I'm in my vegetative state, either. Not the best way to greet a darling husband. Or anyone, for that matter.

I've realized this bad habit of mine, and rehauled my Coming Home routine. Here it goes...

1. Put away that subbing bag. I used to leave mine sitting on the recliner (aka Zeke's chair), where it was quickly forgotten by yours truly. Now, I take out anything I might need to wash, like lunch containers, put my reading book on my nightstand, and put the bag into the entryway closet where it belongs.

2. Take a shower and change. So, Zeke is kind of a clean-freak. He always used to get upset when I sat around in my "school clothes" in the evening, saying that I was spreading germs from school all over the place. Now, I don't know how much truth is really in that, but when I finally did take is advise and shower when I got home, I found another great benefit of the after-school-shower.

I feel better. Taking a shower gets my mind out of school-mode and into home-mode. I feel like I'm washing away the stress of the day, getting rid of anything negative that may have happened, and starting fresh. And, let's be honest, taking a quick shower after school probably does get rid of some of those yucky kid-germs, and the less of those you've got around, the less often you will get sick. Even if I roll my eyes at Zeke when he says so.

3. Take a couple quiet minutes. Yes, I am getting dangerously close to my old "veg out" ways. It is important, at least for me, to slow myself down after a busy day and give myself a little time to relax. Just five minutes of sitting outside, drinking a cup of hot chocolate, or reading a favorite devotional does wonders.

Busy.

The past couple of days have been full ones. Busy.

My sister was in a car accident last Wednesday and broke her collarbone (which is a blessing- it could have been a lot worse. The car rolled three times...), so I went home and helped out. This weekend was the Women's Retreat, so my mom was here from Friday to Sunday night. Zeke took the day off on Monday so the two of us could make a bed (I'll explain that one later...), and then I got called in to sub Tuesday (at about 7:30... late notice!). Wednesday was my catch-up day, and I cursed my washing machine for being too slow. It's not too slow in reality, but when you have almost two weeks of laundry to catch up on... you understand. I subbed today, and I'll be subbing tomorrow as well.

With everything going on, I've been kind of lacking on "me time." And as much as I love spending time talking with my Hunky Husband, when you've been talking to eighth graders all day, the last thing you want to do is talk.

Hopefully this weekend will bring at least a little down time!

On the other hand, I do have a quilt that I'd like to plan out... and I'd like to figure out what I'm making my nieces and nephews for Christmas... 

Balance.

This week, I've been working.

Which means that my season of alone time, of quiet time, of "me" time, is over.

I'm working as a Substitute Teacher Aide with special ed eighth graders this week. It's a small school- the teachers are close, and the kids are close. And I like my students. I genuinely like them. But, like working with every type of eighth grader on the planet, it gets to be a little... well, exhausting.

I head out for work at about 7:15 in the morning. My day mostly consists of, "Where's your book? Let's get that out, please," and "Nope. The question is asking you where this took place, not who the main characters are," and, "Sloan, that behavior is unacceptable. What would an acceptable behavior be, in this situation?" And it's good. I love being back in the classroom. I get home around 4 pm.

When I get home, I just want to sit. Sit and do nothing. Maybe watch TV. Maybe eat some junk food while watching TV.

When I was student teaching, that would be exactly what I'd do.

But I'm married. And I have to actually feed my husband- and he won't last long on just a couple pieces of string cheese and a quart of cookie-dough ice cream. And he likes having clean clothes. And talking to me. And doing things in the evening, like boating or visiting friends. Zeke helps a lot at home, actually, which I truly appreciate, but still.

It makes me feel like a bad wife, sometimes. Like the things I need to do are so overwhelming compared to the things that I want to do.

Then I start comparing myself to other people. People with children. How do they ever get anything done at all? Working all day, coming home and talking and sharing and cooking and feeding and cleaning and bathing and laundry and sleep... well, maybe no sleep... How? I feel inadequate just thinking about it.

I think that I'll make a transition. Learn to balance. I keep telling myself that it's only my first real week of work, and that I'll get into the swing of things. And I truly hope that I'm right. Still, though, there's something lurking... something telling me that I really can't do it. I'll just have to prove that thing wrong.

First Day of Work!!

So, the night that we got back from the Black Hills, I got a phone call. From a school.

I'd called all the schools in the area to ask about what paperwork I needed to become a sub, because it seems like every school is different. Now, I hadn't turned in this paperwork yet (still waiting on my teaching license to come in the mail... switching teaching licenses from one state to another takes forever), but one school had asked if I'd be willing to substitute for an Aide position. I said sure.

And then the school called and asked me to sub for an Aide position.

It was a little whirlwind, just getting back from vacation and getting called in for the next day. Very exciting. I had no idea what to wear.

The school was great- small, close-knit, and the teachers were wonderful.

It felt great, GREAT, to get back into the classroom. I was totally making mental notes of teaching styles, classroom set-ups, use of technology... it felt wonderful. Just another testament that teaching is where I'm supposed to be.

When I got home, I checked the mail, and lo and behold! My license! I made copies right away, and I'm planning on driving around tomorrow and delivering my application packets to a bunch of school districts. I'm excited. Hopefully I'll be busy this fall!