An Introduction: Teacher... Mom.... Superhero???

So many times I tell people that I am a special education teacher for students in grades K-2 and the responses are always similar in nature!
                "You are amazing!"
                "I don't know how you do it"
               "You must be a special person."
               "Wow, I could never do that."

And then I wait for it....

             "It must be nice to have summers off though!"

I politely acknowledge their comment and continue with my day.  Yes, I do enjoy my 2 weeks for Christmas and my time during the summer, but to imply that I have the time off is a bit of an insult.  I invite anyone of them to come spend the day in my classroom and then go home to be mom.

My day starts by making sure both my kids are up and my daughter is out the door to catch the bus by 6:40 am, then my son and I are out the door shortly there after to drive the 50 minutes to the school where I work (which is only 12 miles away).  Don't get me wrong, I am lucky to have a husband that gets up to help.  He makes lunches and makes sure they both have breakfast so that I can shower and get ready.  But there are certain things that only a mom can do, especially with a preteen daughter!

Once we get to school (usually at least 40 minutes before contract time), it is meetings and lots of paperwork.  Before I know it, my students begin to arrive. 

I have a self-contained non-categorical class.  Technically, I have only 2 students on my roster, but I am case manager for a total of 11, many of which are with me for all of language arts and math.  My room is the size of a closest and one of students has equipment that we use throughout the day to help increase her fine and gross motor skills. We are constantly tripping over each other, responding to urgent behavioral intervention calls and changing diapers.  I have a fabulous IA who can read my mind most of the time and knows exactly what to do in ALL situations.  I am not sure I would be successful without her. 

As our day starts, it is lunch while teaching, quick bathroom break if you can squeeze it in and the unexpected parent meeting that is a necessity to keep the parent from stressing out and interpreting a situation incorrectly.  By the time I leave at 5 or 5:30 PM, I have put more than 16,000 steps in and still have lots more paperwork waiting for me at home and in the morning.  BUT... it is time for my second job... Being mom. 

It is off to dance or sports... don't forget to pick up groceries, help with homework and at some point I guess we should have some dinner.  So yes, I will put chicken nuggets in the oven, pick up a pizza or order take out... I am tired, hungry, cranky and did I mention tired.  On to showers, reading time and bed... then wait for it... more paperwork!!  Yep, I have to do even more paperwork so that I am in compliance with the law and county regulations.  Then off to bed... finally to wake up and start all over!

So why do I do this.... easy.... "For the kids..."  I love my students, each and every one of them.  I love their quirks, their behaviors, their smiles, their laughs and most importantly the way their faces light up as they learn something new and get the concept for the first time!  I love the big hugs I get from them when I return from a training or sick day or school break!  I love seeing them years later and hearing about the progress they have made.  I am so proud of each and everyone of them....  For those of you who say "I don't know how you do it..."  Look at the smiles on their faces, look at the love of learning in their eyes and then tell me how you couldn't do it!  These kids depend on me, trust me and look forward to coming to school each and everyday!  I do it for the kids... your kids and my own.  So yes, I do enjoy my summers "off".  I use it to  regroup, refresh and focus on my OWN kids.  I also use it for professional development and start my planning for the fall....

The next time someone says "I'm a teacher," put yourself in their shoes for a day, walk the halls, deal with behaviors while teaching a class of students with ADHD, have lunch in a cafeteria with 125 students.  Yes, we technically have summers "off", but believe me, we deserve it!!

Developing Digital Citizenship

As a teacher I am always developing, revising and reviewing our class expectations.  As part of the responsive classroom model the students help us develop their expectations for the classroom, hallways and other areas of the building.  These expectations are reviewed in every classroom they enter throughout the day to help guide behaviors and learning.  If we have expectations for classroom work habits and behaviors, shouldn't we also have expectations for the digital world?

Developing digital citizenship is the expectations towards proper use of digital technology not only within the school, but also at home. As part of his dissertation, Mike Ribble, discusses the nine elements of creating a digital citizen. 

 He has organized these elements under the categories of Respect, Educate and Protect.  On his site, Ribble associates each of his nine elements with different levels of instruction in kindergarten through eighth grade.

What's Next?
So we know what we are supposed to teach, but "how" do we teach it in our classrooms, with outdated technology, lack of internet access and so many state standards to cover in the content areas.   


I am lucky to work in a school that offers technology education as one of our student “specials” weekly.  In this course, students are introduced to technology, develop rules for engagement and practice being a good digital citizen.  They learn the importance of being cautious when using social media and how to avoid cyberbullying.  I have watched my kindergarten students go from having no knowledge of technology, to being able to navigate and research independently.

What about the schools that do not have this luxury though?  Is it up to the teacher to develop and teach lessons on digital citizenship?  How do we find the time between reading, math, social studies, science and health?  Do we cut out recess… I don’t want to be on the receiving end of those parent emails! The solution is easy… technology!  Use what you already know… search for digital citizenship lessons online, as you use technology to teach a math lesson review the expectations for use prior to starting.  Do you use programs during your “centers”?  Review expectations during your morning meetings. 

There are many ways to incorporate technology lessons throughout the course of the day, be creative and go with it!

     
       

Virtual Reality... Experience the Unknown!

A few months ago my children came home and told me that "Google" was coming to school the following day.  Being that I work in the school and had heard nothing of the sort, I figured they must have been confused! I should have known better... latter that evening we received an email telling us that in fact we had just been notified that Google was in fact coming to Marshall Road Elementary the following day.

Google was coming to the school as part of its Expedition Pioneers Program.This program was a way for students to experience learning through the use of virtual reality (VR).  The program brought kits with everything that was needed for our students to experience virtual reality.  The students use Cardboard VR devices to visit places such as the Great Wall of China, which matched our 3rd grade standards.  The third graders were led on a tour and provided insight into how the wall was built and why.  They were able to experience first hand images and feel as if they were there.

Virtual Reality is an upcoming trend in technology that can enhance student learning.  We’ve all seen it in the movies, but to actually experience is beginning to become a reality for more people.  

“Virtual reality technology is becoming more affordable

and is breaking the boundaries of what students

can experience within the walls of a school.” D. Frank Smith

So what are the benefits of introducing VR to your students?  While there are many different articles on the use of virtual reality in education, the advantages tend to all be along the same lines.  The majority of the supporters of technology in education talk about Virtual Reality being a wonderful enhancement to student learning.  

Sounds good, right?  Now it is time to fund this new technological endeavor for your school.  With an increase in popularity, prices are beginning to become more reasonable.  You Tube provides many videos on how to make cardboard VR headsets out of materials you might have in your classroom. This would be simple if you had 1:1 device policy or a BYOD policy that allowed students to bring their own phone.  For other schools it would be more costly.  Amazon offers many options for VR headsets that are affordable, it is the cost of the technological device that costs more.  Not sure if VR is for your school? Apply for Googles Expedition and see the opportunities that await for your students!

Want more information... check out Troy Lambert's post on How to bring Virtual Reality to Your Classroom.