Evaluation

So I had my final evaluation at work today.  I stress about these days and I also look forward to them.  They make me remember what I need to work on as an educator.  It was a good meeting.  I have progressed and have a new goal....use less pencil/paper and more hands/bodies.  I am also going to use metacognition in a Kindergarten classroom.

Having metacognition in a Kindergarten classroom is a challenge.  Most of the time it is not done because it is difficult to get 5 year olds to ponder and reflect on what they are thinking about.  They think about it but verbalizing it is the difficult part.  I am up to the challenge.  I have also decided to do more small group instruction and less whole group instruction.  This is going to have a learning curve for me as well as my students.

I finished a paper last night for my doctoral class that I'm very proud of!  One down class down and another one is around the corner.  What a process.  What a challenge.  What was I thinking??!!??

More Questions

I have enjoyed my current class....up to last night.  Every week we have to answer discussion questions since this is an online class.  It helps us connect with the other learners in our class.  I was reminded last night of how differently I think about educating our children.  I feel that no child left behind includes EVERY child.  Some teachers are 'ok' with students slipping through the cracks.  Especially the gifted students.

I hope that through my research and studies that I will find other teachers as passionate as myself about the kids that are not "normal".  This includes the kids on both ends of the learning curve.  I want all of my students to learn what they can and to not be left to their own devices.  I want to be held accountable to all my students and their families.  Maybe I'm digging my own grave.  I just want to let kids know that someone out there cares about them and wants them to succeed.

Have a great day everyone!

The Starting Gate!

Here it is.....February 2014 and I am one month into my doctoral program.  I am asking myself....WHAT IN THE WORLD DID I SIGN UP FOR??!!??  

I was excited to go back to school in January.  I just forgot how much time it takes away from my family since I also teach full time.  But.......it is important and exciting all at the same time.

My students do not fail to drive me nuts and make me smile all at the same time.  I am so lucky to have such a great school family and community that remind me why I got into teaching in the first place.

Today is Thursday and we started a new week at school.  I am already done posting my answers to the discussion questions!  Yay!!  I just have a paper to write and it is due Tuesday.  I hope this weekend I can spend some time with my girls and Friday night is Date Night!!!

Have a great day everyone!
Remember.....tomorrow is fresh with no mistakes (Anne of Green Gables)