Let them Learn

When I look back to my own educational experience, I realize that I was always a little different. I was such a reader (and such a teacher) growing up that I looked for lessons in everything I did. And it kind of became my theory on life.

I remember throughout middle school and high school, teachers would ask for the "main theme" of the book. And I thought that was always stupid. How could there just be one theme? One thing we could possibly learn from that whole interaction. I always came up with the lesson I learned, not the one that the book was about. Who cares about love conquers all if everyone dies in the end?

I think that for my students I want them to grow in individualized ways. Ways that make them think and expand their own learning. I don't want them to tell me something that they will forget (or could care less about).

And I will never tell my students "That's not right" when their lessons still apply. I think its important to question and ask them more. Like "Why do you think that?" "Oh isn't that interesting. Can you tell me a bit more?" Give them the floor to explore their own thoughts instead of telling them to follow some robotic scheme.

My goal as a teacher is to step back and watch the learning take place. To push them, encourage them and excite them about learning. I want them to solve the problems and I want them to create their own learning. I want my students to watch, listen, learn, question, answer, explore with the right amount of guidance and the right push. But I want them to seize the moment and give it their best.

And if they fail? They can learn from that failure and they can try again. And they can live life, like I do. Looking at every experience as a learning one. Every book, a way to make us better people. Every relationship, a way to figure something new about ourselves. Every adventure, a chance to explore. And every interaction, a way to share our excitement.

Let the students learn and teach them how they can learn from everything and maybe we can make some lifetime learners and some Supermen and Superwomen of our own.

Personalized learning

I absolutely love the idea of personalized learning. Finding a way to bring the student and their own lives into the classroom in a way that matters to each individual student. I love seeing students eyes widen and heart grow as they realize that the education that is happening involves them and changes them.

Students are the artwork and our connection is the easel where our artwork holds. Sometimes we connect in left over paint marks and sticky glue, other times in dents of continuous use and at times the place of memories where you made a piece of perfection.

Those students deserve to experience a learning that is made for them and one that helps them grow and its our job to make this learning experience one that isn't made to standardized tests, but one that is unique and special just for them. That's what these kids deserve.

The Gift of the Child

I had parent teacher conferences recently and one of my parents told me some shocking news. One of the best students in my class was a terror at home, in ways, I would never have guessed.

So what did we do? We made a behavior chart for at home to bring to me. It will be nice to be the parent at this point and see the progress from the other side.

Sometimes it is hard for teachers and parents alike to remember that the students we have are blessings. They make each day interesting, each day exciting and they leave us exhausted but fulfilled. These students deserve the best and they deserve an education that promotes their positives and strengthens their strengths and that is what I hope to do for every student that walks in my doors. They are our gift and we give them the gift of knowledge and power.

Superbowl Monday

Since I am way out here in Japan, my Superbowl was on Monday morning at 8am. While most of my parents opened up a beer early and settled down in their PJ's for a trample of a game, I got to go off to work like any other day.

I had 2 meetings Monday that added on more work onto my already busy schedule.
The first was a EDIS meeting so I could schedule a screening for all my kiddos. This lasted 45 minutes when it was supposed to last 15.

My second meeting was with the school owner. In my school there is an owner. One man who supports this school and believes, he should make money from it. (This is a joke.) This meeting lasted 3 and a half hours and sadly it was mostly about his bad business moves and my exemplary ones.

But I walked away with more jobs and more to do. I walked away with a simple idea as well.

My translator would ask about a question I would have and then would ask what solution I had for it. What an incredible way to lead life. Don't just think of the problem but come up with some ways to fix it. For most of the problems, it took me another 12 seconds to come up with a feasible solution. The ones I didn't have solutions for was because the problem was the boss so I said that I was stuck on that problem and needed his help (which I had already given him a list of things to do for solving it but he didn't do it yet).

Just a tip, I thought I'd share.

Teacher's Potential

Our passions become their curiosity.
Our interests become their knowledge.
Our abilities become their successes.

We are creating passionate students every day.We are fostering students memories that will stick in their minds for the rest of their lives.We are giving them the best base to stand on and the strongest leg to put forward. We are encouraging them in the classroom and in life.

We are creating the future leadersWe are molding their futuresWe are lighting their fires. 
Our experiments will feed them.Our voices will stand for them.Our motivation will create them.Our questions will enlighten them.

Every time we share a moment
with a child, not only does it shape them,
it reminds us once:

We needed teachers that would feed us concepts.
We needed someone to light our fires and teach us where to stand.
We needed someone to teach us strength, someone to teach us hope
And someone to show us how deep curiosity could go.

Once we needed someone to brighten our path and teach us about our potential. 

Opt Out

I read this article the other day that really got me thinking. It is all about how some parents are opting their children out of standardized testing. What a remarkable idea!

Here the government is trying to fix the system, the teachers are fighting it and the parents could solve it right under everyone's noses. If the kids don't test, there is no argument to be had.

Now, I know the benefits of testing, I understand wanting to know how your child compares to the rest and make sure everything is going the way it should be, but if teachers went back to teaching that creates passion and dedication, then the students would learn more about how to learn in a way that benefits them and works in the society that can learn all the facts with a touch of their thumbs.

We, as teachers, need to learn how we can help students ask the right questions and question further, how students can learn the next level and question themselves.

As a teacher, I am an advocate for what is best for my students and I think opting out of these tests and standing up to the issues in the education field is hands down what is best.

Mid-Year Parent Teacher Conferences

I love parent teacher conferences at the preschool level. There is less pressure and a better chance to set up things for the parents and having parents listen to you not just fight you.

I either have completely wonderful parents this year or I have done a remarkable job doing what is right for the students this year. My low students, parents want support. My high students want ways to continue. When parents are looking for the educational benefits and when parents are invested it makes a world of difference for the teachers.

I was able to set up a free screening for development at my school in February so when I approached parent teacher conferences this week I was able to say that I am not a professional but I have the professionals coming to help and parents can use this opportunity for free and without hassle!

I was able to offer my help for providing games that parents can play with their students that encourage learning and questions to ask their students. I was able to motivate some parents and calm others down. I was able to answer any questions and have a relationship with these parents instead of an introduction.

And for all these parents, this is the first time we have had a sit down conversation about their learning, about what they would like to see and about what we bring to the table. It has been a remarkable (albeit exhausting week).

What works well at your parent teacher conferences? Would you ever consider doing one midyear? Would it be any different at your school?