That Really Grinds My Geeeeeahs!

‪Teaching is a struggle at times. There are negative things and positive things. I don’t discount any of them but allow them to shape my philosophy and beliefs in this gig. Coming into teaching at almost 40 I already have a little work and life experience to keep me grounded. I am amazed at some things in education, both in positive and negative ways.

I don’t understand some new teacher programs or what is the norm etc. I think admin tries their best but I didn’t think it is always productive or helpful. It is a whirlwind for sure and any help is nice but looking at it from my view ..... ‬‪I don’t see it benefiting to the craft. I know there is stress from admins side and our side as teachers but we HAVE to meet in the middle. What worked for a teacher for the last 30 yrs doesn’t bit always translate to our students currently.

I feel new teachers should be able ‬‪to talk to that teacher in a way that is productive. But most feel they have no voice because they are afraid of confrontation (different personalities and honestly, genders). This is not always ideal and I see why a lot of teachers quit or move on. I love the profession however and would not want to quit,though there are plenty of options out there. I am by no means a master teacher, obviously, but I don’t see the point of some things in this arena. ‬‪Maybe I will one day who knows.

Point is in all work forces there are people who will be negative whether or purpose or unintentionally. I say just chat with them first and see where they are coming from. Maybe come to a common ground. Or maybe agree to disagree. ‬New teacher you worked hard to get where you are. Don’t let negativity squash your creativity. Take all criticisms and allow them to develop you one way or another. You do have a lock on your door as well that is an option.

New Year, New Beginnings: Teaching Another Year in 5th

Over the summer, I will be taking a break from Teaching. But I will start weekly blogging and possibly Vlogging weekly as well: Follow Here! I want to do this as part of a weekly reflection of my skills, experiences and life. I have done this through college so I would love to do it while I am on the job.

Let's back up. I started a new position in 5th grade at Liberty Elementary back in December of 17! My class is self contained meaning I teach it ALL! so I have had to lead each of my 23-25 students (Lost a few to other schools through the year) so it has really been a challenge planning for all subjects every week unlike student teaching (ELA mostly and Science). We made it through the year and I will admit, at first I was nervous and not into it. That sounds bad but it was a BIG change for me. I have never been part of a school or taking the reigns on everything from parent matters to social dilemmas to field trips etc.... it is all OVERWHELMING!  As the year went on...I fell in love with my students, my school and my "Job"! I really wanted to be able to spend the other half of the year that I missed with them. Yes we had behavior issues, yes it was PULLING TEETH to get work turned in and yes we had so much FUN together. Our team is learning to work together a lot better and we are all in this together. I do look forward to a new group coming in in the Fall. It will be another year of changes and another group to grow with.


So I will be updating each week as much as possible. I look forward to growing as an educator and as a person. Teaching is the most difficult, rewarding and exciting career in the world. It is the most impossible yet possible career in the world. I really hope I can get better and grow yearly as an educator.  Below are my Twitter, Youtube and Instagram links if you would like to follow along on social media to my journey.

Peace and Grace
Mr. Abee

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-mVtsT0guGygdZZcXhizbQ?view_as=subscriber
https://twitter.com/mr_abee_tweets
https://www.instagram.com/benjaminabee/

Blog 14

Week Of THE LAST BLOG!!!!!!

Level of Difficulty: FINALLY!!!

Observe

What a crazy road it has been to get here! This week, only had 2 full days. Not much teaching, mostly me transitioning from full time to moving forward into full time teaching...on my own! I have learned so much.  This week I am trying to prepare my heart and mind for my new path. I have seen where I still need to improve.

Reflect

I think one of the hardest things to learn as a teacher is how to manage it all. Though, I am still learning and growing, I have learned how to manage time, manage students and how to effectively instruct. This time we have spent during student teaching has strengthened my skill set and given me a good understanding of how to run the classroom, how to get the most out of my students and how to plan accordingly.

Focus

My focus for the next few weeks will be to get settled into my new room and school I will be starting sometime in the next week hopefully. I am so ready and excited!

Be Productive

My goal and purpose this week is to really get ready to move into the teacher role. I am trying to get my thoughts together and my plan. Looking at the curriculum map and think through how I am going to start is top priority.

Have Courage

To get in there and do this! It will be good to get almost a full year in by summer. It is going to be stressful and challenging but it will work out! I am stoked!

Begin Anew

Job

Data

ADVICE

Work hard, get after it, do great!!

Here we are! We made it!!

Blog13

Week Of Friday: November 17

Level of Difficulty: Awesome

Observe: This week I observed that I have developed a lot as a teacher and a leader. I don’t mean to sound conceded but I just believe so much more in my abilities to teach and to run an effective classroom. I see more clearly everyday how students learn and how to provide them with an education and an environment where they can thrive!

Reflect: I have been very thankful and grateful for everything my CE has done to help me and encourage me as an educator. I have learned so much and I really do not want to leave. I wish I could be in her class forever!  I also hate to leave my kids (yes my kids, that is how much I have taken ownership of this class!) They are such a great group and they are going to be upset when I leave (not as much as me though) Even as a grown man, I am probably gonna tear up a bit :(

Focus: Focus this week goes to my new possible job op. My gig at my school didn’t work out.  It went to another more qualified teacher which bummed me out. But I had another interview lined up and it worked out...well so far. They are very close in making it happen (probably over Thanksgiving break :)  Focusing all my prayers and preparations for this new job!

Be Productive: Finishing strong. It is bittersweet, but I am ready to knock this student teaching out and get in the classroom.

Have Courage Courage to start my new job!

Begin Anew Get ready to start my new class. Lesson planning, classroom design, getting settled etc….learning how to steer the ship solo (with the help of my mentor and other team mates) Start thinking about the future and present.

Data In PLC meetings, we are still making strategies available for each student and trying to develop their strengths and overcome any weak areas. I see more and more how data drives instruction and how each student needs different things.

ADVICE You got it!!  Work your tail off!! You will be stronger!!

Blog 11

Week Of Friday:  NOVEMBER: 6-9

Level of Difficulty: GETTING BETTER

Observe: This is a real quick blog. This week started off a little rough but ended well! Getting better at this here teaching thing.

Reflect: To work on this week: Finish Portfolio, Develop new guided reading groups, incorporate new classroom strategies that I am learning from the book: Teach Like a Champion Get it here for $1.99!!!. A must read...good stuff on facilitating learning, instructional coaching as well as classroom management strategies that work for all age groups.

Focus Getting the last full week knocked out!! Getting a job and all my requirements completed.

Be Productive Get all of my lessons in and get all of my students caught up who are behind work wise.

Have Courage Just to be patient on my job situation and begin thinking about the transition and how it will look.

Begin Anew Job soon hopefully

Data Took our NC check ins. My group scored an average 80% !!!! So excited and hoping to continue that pace as we move on into the year.

ADVICE Be ready for everything. Always be on your game...you don’t know who may walk in and be impressed by your teaching.

Standard 1 1A: Teachers lead in their classrooms Continuing to develop a culture of positivity and independence in our classroom. I am really sad to be moving on soon. :(

Blog 10

Week Of Friday:  OCTOBER 11/3

Level of Difficulty: 4

Observe: This week was pure craziness. First: It was Halloween on Tuesday of course. Second: It was Benchmark week (Wednesday and Thursday) Third: It was a half day Thursday (Double crazy with 3 parent conferences) and Fourth: Teacher workday on Friday! To say the least, I am not sure how we will get back on track Monday but I know we will. My students were awesome this week! Not too many behavior problems, they were great when Dr. Wesson came in….honestly, they are always great. I am so spoiled.

That is why if I get this job, I am going to have my hands full. The group in 4th grade, I have heard, struggle behaviorally and academically. So I am really not worried, but contemplating a strategy. Like I said though: I am spoiled!

Reflect: I had my first interview this week, my last observation and I am looking ahead to plan for full time status. First the interview. I honestly was not too nervous but still, I had that feeling like I wasn’t sure how it was going to go. I know everyone involved so that was a plus, I just didn’t want to be typical or scripted, which I wasn’t. They asked me things like: How will you handle the situation you are going to be in? (Behavior? Classroom Management? What is your style? How do you handle stress?)  What is your style of management? Style of teaching? (Student led/PBL/Lecture, practice, independent practice etc….) How do you feel about technology in education? What is your philosophy on homework? These are the heavy hitters I remember. There were a few curveballs (I believe this is a tactic to see how the interviewee answers a question “off script” or how do we process information quickly on the spot). One was: Falcons or the Panthers? (I think because my teammate is a diehard Falcons fan!) Another was: What kind of crazy do you bring? The hardest one honestly was: What would you change about your current classroom? This was hard because my CE was in the interview. My answer: Nothing honestly. The only thing I would change is how I deliver my lessons. I love our class vibe, structure and schedule. My issue is how do I teach two different blocks the same content when one block is higher and understands/participates/gives feedback and the other group acts bored/disinterested/doesn’t understand. This is where I have really had to differentiate and make sure I work to reach each student. But time…..(every teacher’s struggle I know.)

So all things considered, I have contemplated what my strategy will be WHEN I get in the 4th grade classroom. Notice I said WHEN not IF.  Haha!

Focus Focus has been getting portfolio finished and ready to present. I have 2 more weeks and I will be finished with my 10 week full time status!!

Be Productive Working with 4th grade to look over what the next 9 weeks looks like. I have also made sure to stay on top of my lesson planning etc...Also making sure I have enough content to add to my student teaching video.

Have Courage Courage to finish strong and get busy whenever I get hired. To continue to grow as an educator and how I instruct.

Begin Anew Hopefully a job.

Data We took benchmarks this week so we will see what students are understanding and what we need to work with them on over the next few weeks. Using iReady still to drive remediation and make sure students are getting what they need all around.

ADVICE Always be prepared, make sure you make a lasting impression as soon you start working with your school system. Go above and beyond and be willing to do extra things that no one else wants to.

Standard 1 1A: Teachers lead in their classrooms: I have been working to build independence in my students as much as possible. When they have a question, I ask them to see if they can figure it out or ask a teammate first. If they can’t figure it out together, then I will help them. Maybe not give them a direct answer, but I will lead them. I want them to develop those problem solving skills and to work as a team as much as possible.

Standard 2: I have a student who has a hard homelife and really has trouble making friends. He is a great kid but I think it is hard for him. He has 2 other boys that he likes to hang with so I try as much as possible to keep them together. He also comes to school with no snack so I keep a stash of snacks for him just in case. They are for anyone, but I bought them for him mostly.

Standard 4: Again, making sure each group has what they need academically has been a struggle because of the two very different blocks. I have had to be intentional in how I teach them both. It is very interesting to me in how to create content and how to teach in a way that supports each type of learner. In the future I will really focus on this a lot more.

This has been a great week and I appreciate my CE and Dr. Wesson for helping me, cheering me on and being there for me.  Almost there!!!

Blog 9

Week Of Friday:  OCTOBER 10/27

Level of Difficulty: 4

Observe:

This week, I feel like I am getting more of an understanding of using data, seeing student growth or misunderstandings in real time as well as how to handle each little detail of every lesson and every day. My students are still working very well for me, aside from a few who are always bickering. I am seeing what works best for me as well as the best ways I can serve my students. I am a big softie so this year I have learned it is ok to say no, not right now or drop it! Haha! My students are ok and so am I. Many times, it has been a relief because you may have those students who have repeat behavior that you may not want to deal with everyday. Many of my students are aware that I am in charge as much as my CE but they still think they may be able to get away with a little more. I have learned to be serious Mr. Abee but also silly Mr. Abee.  Students respond well when I am in joke mode, but I have to balance it so they are not thinking it is always play time.

Reflect

I am contemplating what will happen and what I am getting into with the 4th grade class. It will be great, but I am coming to the realization more and more that I am going to be teaching VERY soon. No more “help” from my CE, no more unexpected occurrences that I typically don’t handle (those legal things that our CE handles or the emails we don’t know about.) I will be doing it ALL in full swing. I am thrilled but nervous.  I have a GREAT support team though so I know it will work out fine. The students I will work with are…..how do you say…...a  little salty? There are some MAJOR classroom management strategies that I will need to implement and that is my FIRST priority.  

I am also reflecting more and more on how to be a great leader, facilitator and planner for my classroom. My CE and I have really been trying to strategize each week and know exactly what students need during instruction as well as remediation. It has been a good week for this.

Focus

This coming week I will focus mainly on NC check in benchmarks.  Getting students ready for the test Wednesday and Thursday. I will also focus on completing my video and other portfolio components so I can get in the job ASAP!

Be Productive

Next Friday is a teacher workday, so we will get a lot of planning done hopefully for the next quarter for the 4th grade ELA block. I will also talk with the teacher who is leaving to get some ideas of how each student learns and what to expect. I plan to spend some time in the classroom as soon as I can to get to know them and to get them used to me being in there.

Have Courage

Have courage to continue on and to know that this is going to be great! Also to pass my tests that are coming up!!

Begin Anew

I am going to use Google forms this week to track data from students. If you haven’t tried this, I think it is a great tool. You can list the goals or questions for your students to reach and they can fill out the forms or you the teacher can. When you have it complete, you can download the Spreadsheet as your data.  Boom already done, no need to create the sheet or add the numbers.

Data

See above! Also, I have been using Flipgrid and other assessment tools to really hone in on students understanding and pulling them throughout the week if they are still unclear.  My CE is teaching me how to know what to go over with them and how to track their process.

ADVICE

Student teachers need to be consistent and solid. It is a lot to remember, but when you are able to plan, track data, deliver great lessons and see what you need to tweak from day to day or student to student, it makes it easier on you and more effective for your class.

Standard 1 1A: Teachers lead in their classrooms

I will lead a short tutorial this week for School of Ed to show how Flipgrid is used and how easy it is to track data and excite kids for learning.

I am also continually building my community in the classroom and school: Working on the garden, making new friends in K-4th and helping other teachers within my school on projects and parent nights (and student council)  Everyone have a great week!!