I received my first teaching degree 20+ years ago. My MAEd came shortly thereafter. My library science degree was earned halfway through my career. I don't remember many specifics about the classes I took because that isn't how my brain works. I do recall anticipatory sets and multiple intelligences. I know I put together a portfolio with samples of student work based on a unit using Eric Carle books. I had to take classes in teaching art and music and PE just in case I had to teach my own specialist classes because sometimes schools don't have the budget to hire these teachers.
Every year we host student teachers in our district. These fresh faces of education know about learning targets and common core. They are familiar with "next practices" in reading and math. They come in textbook prepared for things I never dreamed I would face when I signed up for this career over 20 years ago.
I went to wonderful schools for education and library science. But lately I have been thinking and reflecting about all the things I didn't learn in teacher school.
...I didn't learn that getting to know every single student and their story would be my life's work. That knowing them beyond their standardized test scores and their academic success would become my single most important personal learning target. Yes, I knew relationships mattered, but it wasn't until I was in the classroom, working with kids every day, that I saw how much these relationships are everything.
...I didn't learn that I would get in my car at the end of the day and cry my eyes out with worry for my students.
...I didn't learn that I would lose sleep hurting for my students and wake up with my students first and foremost on my mind.
...I didn't learn how to sit quietly with students while they cry because no words can fix their worried hearts.
...I didn't learn that sometimes you will want to ask for a hug from the student who has been a challenge from day one and they will say yes and hug you back so hard. And in that moment, something huge will happen.
...I didn't learn how to protect and stand up for my students from the judgers and haters that think they know what is wrong with kids today.
...I didn't learn that my students might not stay in our school community forever, but they will definitely stay in my heart.
...I didn't learn that I would love my students as if they are my own.
...I didn't learn that my students would teach me as much, if not more, than I will teach them.
We teach, we learn, we grow, we learn some more. We hurt, we love, we support, we love some more. Some days are not easy, some days are monumentally hard, but every day has rewards that cannot always be explained or understood. Teaching children is an honor. It is a gift to do this important work. And even through tears and heart breaking moments there are lessons to be learned that will never be taught in teacher school.
The most important teaching lessons can only be learned by looking in the eyes of a child and feeling your heart grow larger as he wiggles his way into it. Those lessons can't be taught. They are lived.
Sunday, May 20, 2018
Monday, March 7, 2016
Why the Reading Awards Felt Different This Year
January 11th was a big day in the literary world. Huge. Losing sleep big. This year it was a bigger day in my world than it had ever been before. I have always been excited to hear the announcement of the ALA Youth Media Awards, but this year was different. The past several weeks I have been thinking and reflecting about why it was such a #silverdollarday for me.
I joined Twitter almost two years ago, yet only really started actively participating last spring. I got more serious last summer. In 20+ years of teaching, I don’t think I have ever had a more impactful, long-lasting form of PD and in a very short period of time, this social media platform has completely changed my reading and teaching life.
I started out slowly, following my principal, a few co-workers, Donalyn Miller, people I met at her workshop, The Nerdy Book Club, and John Schumacher which led to connecting with fantastic authors and incredible educators around the globe. I found professional groups to follow that inspired me and challenged my thinking. I began to participate in Twitter chats around reading and great books such as #titletalk, #SharpSchu, #2jennsbookclub, as well as listening to teaching and reading Podcasts. I immersed myself in reading article after article about books and literacy. I signed up for #GlobalReadAloud which led me to classroom connections across the United States. My PLN grew with my excitement for this newfound PD.
As the year went on my reading life began to blossom in a whole new way. I had always been a big reader, but suddenly there were piles of books in several locations in my home, my e-reader had multiple titles on it, and my TBR list was continually overflowing. Every free moment was spent stealing reading minutes. I found ways to sneak in time everywhere: the doctor’s office, waiting for my son at his activities, as a passenger in the car, before movies started, audiobooks while doing laundry.
It was on Twitter that I first learned the national NCTE conference was going to be in my hometown for the first time in decades. I was on a mission to attend and to connect with my PLN in person. I felt so fortunate when my request was approved. I had no idea how wonderful that weekend would be.
I resonate with the phrase, “Authors are my rock stars…” because I certainly feel awe struck and unable to aptly express my appreciation for their gift of stories. The difference with authors is they don’t wear dark glasses to avoid being recognized and they aren’t surrounded by security keeping fans at arms length like many rock stars, actors, and sports figures do. They might be rushed away from their groupies, but it is usually by publishers who are trying to get them to a signing for another group of waiting fans. Authors greet their fans with smiles and listening ears. They pose for photos willingly and even for multiple shots when the first one comes out blurry or with eyes closed. They look us straight in the eye when they talk to us and truly connect. They recognize their followers with a big bear hug as if they have known each other forever. They offer their ARCS and other swag for free to share with students and colleagues. They answer tweets from students at all hours of the day and night. They skype with schools for World Read Aloud day and just because. They remind us that while they write the stories, we are the ones that get the books into the hands of the readers. They call us heroes. They encourage us to set the world on fire.
I left NCTE feeling like a different person. I went back to my classroom and school determined to live up to that charge of setting the world on fire. I have spent the weeks since expanding my love of literacy message to my staff and students through new programs and walking the walk, talking the talk.
Six weeks later the live stream of the awards ceremony was going to begin on my way to work. I readied my phone and plugged it into my car stereo. As I drove, almost every title was one I recognized, and the vast majority were books I had read or were on my TBR list. This is 100% due to Twitter and my PLN and I am forever grateful for these connections. When names were announced of authors and illustrators I had met or I follow I felt such extreme joy. I was an emotional mess celebrating with loud hoots as I drove down the road. The people who won these awards are so incredibly generous and kind, and true inspirational rock stars to those of us who love their work.
Why were the ALA books awards a bigger deal in my life this year? I think it is because I feel a different connection to the books, the authors, the illustrators, the editors, and the publishers of the winners. In addition to the amazing virtual conversations, I had actually met many of these people in person, I shook their hands, I took photos with them, I looked them in the eye, we talked, and I truly connected with them. These beautiful people inspired, uplifted, encouraged, and motivated me to share my passion and love of reading with the world. My literacy circle has expanded ten-fold and I feel incredibly blessed, grateful, and filled with immense joy.
And so, to the authors, illustrators, editors, publishers...I celebrate these books, I celebrate what these books have done for me, my students, the world. I celebrate YOU. The world is a better place because of your gifts. Thank you for sharing the gifts of your stories with us. We are very lucky readers indeed!
I joined Twitter almost two years ago, yet only really started actively participating last spring. I got more serious last summer. In 20+ years of teaching, I don’t think I have ever had a more impactful, long-lasting form of PD and in a very short period of time, this social media platform has completely changed my reading and teaching life.
I started out slowly, following my principal, a few co-workers, Donalyn Miller, people I met at her workshop, The Nerdy Book Club, and John Schumacher which led to connecting with fantastic authors and incredible educators around the globe. I found professional groups to follow that inspired me and challenged my thinking. I began to participate in Twitter chats around reading and great books such as #titletalk, #SharpSchu, #2jennsbookclub, as well as listening to teaching and reading Podcasts. I immersed myself in reading article after article about books and literacy. I signed up for #GlobalReadAloud which led me to classroom connections across the United States. My PLN grew with my excitement for this newfound PD.
As the year went on my reading life began to blossom in a whole new way. I had always been a big reader, but suddenly there were piles of books in several locations in my home, my e-reader had multiple titles on it, and my TBR list was continually overflowing. Every free moment was spent stealing reading minutes. I found ways to sneak in time everywhere: the doctor’s office, waiting for my son at his activities, as a passenger in the car, before movies started, audiobooks while doing laundry.
It was on Twitter that I first learned the national NCTE conference was going to be in my hometown for the first time in decades. I was on a mission to attend and to connect with my PLN in person. I felt so fortunate when my request was approved. I had no idea how wonderful that weekend would be.
I resonate with the phrase, “Authors are my rock stars…” because I certainly feel awe struck and unable to aptly express my appreciation for their gift of stories. The difference with authors is they don’t wear dark glasses to avoid being recognized and they aren’t surrounded by security keeping fans at arms length like many rock stars, actors, and sports figures do. They might be rushed away from their groupies, but it is usually by publishers who are trying to get them to a signing for another group of waiting fans. Authors greet their fans with smiles and listening ears. They pose for photos willingly and even for multiple shots when the first one comes out blurry or with eyes closed. They look us straight in the eye when they talk to us and truly connect. They recognize their followers with a big bear hug as if they have known each other forever. They offer their ARCS and other swag for free to share with students and colleagues. They answer tweets from students at all hours of the day and night. They skype with schools for World Read Aloud day and just because. They remind us that while they write the stories, we are the ones that get the books into the hands of the readers. They call us heroes. They encourage us to set the world on fire.
I left NCTE feeling like a different person. I went back to my classroom and school determined to live up to that charge of setting the world on fire. I have spent the weeks since expanding my love of literacy message to my staff and students through new programs and walking the walk, talking the talk.
Six weeks later the live stream of the awards ceremony was going to begin on my way to work. I readied my phone and plugged it into my car stereo. As I drove, almost every title was one I recognized, and the vast majority were books I had read or were on my TBR list. This is 100% due to Twitter and my PLN and I am forever grateful for these connections. When names were announced of authors and illustrators I had met or I follow I felt such extreme joy. I was an emotional mess celebrating with loud hoots as I drove down the road. The people who won these awards are so incredibly generous and kind, and true inspirational rock stars to those of us who love their work.
Why were the ALA books awards a bigger deal in my life this year? I think it is because I feel a different connection to the books, the authors, the illustrators, the editors, and the publishers of the winners. In addition to the amazing virtual conversations, I had actually met many of these people in person, I shook their hands, I took photos with them, I looked them in the eye, we talked, and I truly connected with them. These beautiful people inspired, uplifted, encouraged, and motivated me to share my passion and love of reading with the world. My literacy circle has expanded ten-fold and I feel incredibly blessed, grateful, and filled with immense joy.
And so, to the authors, illustrators, editors, publishers...I celebrate these books, I celebrate what these books have done for me, my students, the world. I celebrate YOU. The world is a better place because of your gifts. Thank you for sharing the gifts of your stories with us. We are very lucky readers indeed!
Monday, September 7, 2015
Ready for the Ride
I spent the day organizing. My thoughts, my materials, my plans. There is such a huge anticipation that comes the day before the first day of school.
Will I get through everything I have planned? Probably not.
Will we have a fun day getting to know each other? That's the plan!
Will they run home excited about the first day of school? Will I? I think so. I hope so.
Will I ever "catch up" on all the things I need to do? Maybe. But don't worry about all that now. Just get through tomorrow. Then think about getting through the week. The rest can wait.
My husband has often said how lucky I am to be able to start all over every fall. To begin anew. And I have to agree with him. There are very few jobs where you can truly start fresh. Not many careers allow you to fix the mistakes of the past in quite the same way as in teaching. I feel incredibly fortunate to have time to reflect during the summer and to enjoy the gift of beginning again.
This summer I really put my heart into exploring Twitter. I have to say, the people I have "met" and followed, along with the Tweets, blogs, and articles I have read have challenged and inspired me. I am anticipating an exciting year ahead. A year of change. A year of growth. A year of continual reflection. For both my students and for me.
It is a tad unsettling, to jump into new things, into the unknown, to make major changes. And yet, I know how much I want it and how much my students deserve it. Fasten your seat belts fourth graders. It is going to be an exciting ride! I can't wait to begin our journey together.
Will I get through everything I have planned? Probably not.
Will we have a fun day getting to know each other? That's the plan!
Will they run home excited about the first day of school? Will I? I think so. I hope so.
Will I ever "catch up" on all the things I need to do? Maybe. But don't worry about all that now. Just get through tomorrow. Then think about getting through the week. The rest can wait.
My husband has often said how lucky I am to be able to start all over every fall. To begin anew. And I have to agree with him. There are very few jobs where you can truly start fresh. Not many careers allow you to fix the mistakes of the past in quite the same way as in teaching. I feel incredibly fortunate to have time to reflect during the summer and to enjoy the gift of beginning again.
This summer I really put my heart into exploring Twitter. I have to say, the people I have "met" and followed, along with the Tweets, blogs, and articles I have read have challenged and inspired me. I am anticipating an exciting year ahead. A year of change. A year of growth. A year of continual reflection. For both my students and for me.
It is a tad unsettling, to jump into new things, into the unknown, to make major changes. And yet, I know how much I want it and how much my students deserve it. Fasten your seat belts fourth graders. It is going to be an exciting ride! I can't wait to begin our journey together.
Sunday, August 30, 2015
What Has Twitter Done For Me Lately
As some of you may know from my previous post, I came late to the Twitter party. Many people around me have still not arrived. They are waiting to see if a better offer comes along. I get it. It wasn't long ago that I was in their shoes. When they ask me, "What has Twitter done for you?" I sort of get tongue tied in my response. So I have been trying to answer that question for myself lately.
- I have had online conversations with published authors after I've read their books.
- I've discovered amazing books, some that aren't even published yet, and added them to my classroom library and "to read" piles.
- I have spent time reflecting on my past, current and future practice.
- I have "attended" conferences via hashtags when I haven't been able to attend in person.
- I've learned about Global Read Aloud and am excited to participate this year with others from my team.
- I have spent evenings participating in #chats, soaking up ideas and information.
- I've met people who have held mock Caldecott and Newbery competitions and are willing to share these ideas with me.
- I have found like-minded people who are willing to share ideas and resources.
- I'm registered for Skype in the Classroom lessons for the first time.
- I'm stretching myself and trying new things despite some fear.
- I have been continually inspired all summer long by new "friends" that I have met through Twitter and I feel grateful for their generous support as I learn alongside them.
Saturday, August 22, 2015
Late to the Twitter Party
I admit it. As much as I hate to admit it, I am often just on time and more than I like, I am late. It causes stress and anxiety, so why do I do it? Probably trying to squeeze too much in, waking too late, or if I am truly honest, poor planning on my part.
I was late to the Twitter party. I couldn't really get myself excited about Twitter. I was already overwhelmed with all I need to do each and every day at home and at work. I was already trying to grow as a teacher using books and blogs and websites and workshops. Why add Twitter to the mix?
My principal @GustafsonBrad was on Twitter and encouraging our staff to consider using it. A little over a year ago, I made an appointment to talk to him about it. He suggested I sign up and just "lurk" a bit. No pressure. And I did. I was scared to death to tweet, wanting to write words that matter.
The next month, I lurked. I clicked on "favorite" to things that resonated. I found people to follow. I tried to understand how this might help me grow in my learning. I honestly didn't see the point.
In August I was fortunate to be able to attend two workshops led by @donalynbooks. Her books changed my entire teaching of my language arts block and I was over the moon to be able to spend my summer days being inspired to continue on this journey of student reading choice. When she praised the benefits of Twitter, I listened. She suggested @JoyKirr for genius hour and @MrSchuReads for all things books. I discovered @nerdybookclub which led me to @colbysharp. I connected with another teacher @patrickontwit at the workshop, and began following him. I was tweeting while at the workshop. My toe was in the water.
In the fall, I facilitated a study group focused on the beliefs behind The Book Whisperer and Reading in the Wild. We created a hashtag #gwreads for our school. It was used for this group and then grew into more during our I Love to Read Month celebration. I was tweeting once in a while and checking in with those I was following for inspiration. I was starting to see Twitter in a new light.
This summer I have spent a ton of time, perhaps too much some days, learning and growing with Twitter. When I couldn't attend Scholastic #ReadingSummit and #nErDcampMI in person, I followed the hashtags on Twitter and felt like I was there, soaking up the learning from home. I am excited to have connected with @pernilleripp who started Global Read Aloud which I knew nothing about, before Twitter. I have felt incredibly lucky to tweet with authors about the impact their books have made on my heart and how excited I am to share these stories with students. I signed up for the Google group #pb10for10 and emptied my bank account purchasing books to use for my classroom #bookaday. I participated in chats. I felt engaged and inspired by the numerous (too many to mention!) educators who spent their summer learning, growing and sharing all. summer. long. I am hopeful I will be able to attend #NCTE convention being held in my hometown this November and thank these generous people face to face.
Coming late to the party was a little disconcerting at first. I was filled with anxiety and stress, wondering how I would "catch up" and feel at home. What I found was a group of supportive, kind human beings who welcome all late comers with open arms. I am glad I came late. I am even happier I stayed.
I was late to the Twitter party. I couldn't really get myself excited about Twitter. I was already overwhelmed with all I need to do each and every day at home and at work. I was already trying to grow as a teacher using books and blogs and websites and workshops. Why add Twitter to the mix?
My principal @GustafsonBrad was on Twitter and encouraging our staff to consider using it. A little over a year ago, I made an appointment to talk to him about it. He suggested I sign up and just "lurk" a bit. No pressure. And I did. I was scared to death to tweet, wanting to write words that matter.
The next month, I lurked. I clicked on "favorite" to things that resonated. I found people to follow. I tried to understand how this might help me grow in my learning. I honestly didn't see the point.
In August I was fortunate to be able to attend two workshops led by @donalynbooks. Her books changed my entire teaching of my language arts block and I was over the moon to be able to spend my summer days being inspired to continue on this journey of student reading choice. When she praised the benefits of Twitter, I listened. She suggested @JoyKirr for genius hour and @MrSchuReads for all things books. I discovered @nerdybookclub which led me to @colbysharp. I connected with another teacher @patrickontwit at the workshop, and began following him. I was tweeting while at the workshop. My toe was in the water.
In the fall, I facilitated a study group focused on the beliefs behind The Book Whisperer and Reading in the Wild. We created a hashtag #gwreads for our school. It was used for this group and then grew into more during our I Love to Read Month celebration. I was tweeting once in a while and checking in with those I was following for inspiration. I was starting to see Twitter in a new light.
This summer I have spent a ton of time, perhaps too much some days, learning and growing with Twitter. When I couldn't attend Scholastic #ReadingSummit and #nErDcampMI in person, I followed the hashtags on Twitter and felt like I was there, soaking up the learning from home. I am excited to have connected with @pernilleripp who started Global Read Aloud which I knew nothing about, before Twitter. I have felt incredibly lucky to tweet with authors about the impact their books have made on my heart and how excited I am to share these stories with students. I signed up for the Google group #pb10for10 and emptied my bank account purchasing books to use for my classroom #bookaday. I participated in chats. I felt engaged and inspired by the numerous (too many to mention!) educators who spent their summer learning, growing and sharing all. summer. long. I am hopeful I will be able to attend #NCTE convention being held in my hometown this November and thank these generous people face to face.
Coming late to the party was a little disconcerting at first. I was filled with anxiety and stress, wondering how I would "catch up" and feel at home. What I found was a group of supportive, kind human beings who welcome all late comers with open arms. I am glad I came late. I am even happier I stayed.
Tuesday, August 11, 2015
Readers Are Grown, Not Born
"Readers are grown, not born..." I recently saw this quote on Twitter, taken from a presentation by Donalyn Miller, and it has been stirring inside me ever since. How do we, as teachers, instill this in our students when they might not come to us with their roots already imbedded in reading soil?
My son turned nine a few weeks ago and has been asserting his independence on a whole lot of levels. He has decided he does not need my help when packing his suitcase. I have hesitantly given up checking to make sure he has everything, and of course, there have been a few bumps when an item is forgotten, but overall, we have made it through without too much frustration for either one of us. Recently my family went on a weekend getaway. My heart absolutely exploded when I saw him unpack at the hotel: two library books and his kindle for a three day mini-vacation. Don't get me wrong, he also packed his iPad mini, but when we had an hour car ride to our first hiking adventure, his book kept him company, and in between a wedding we attended and the reception that followed he stole a chunk of reading time, and while waiting for his food to be served at a restaurant as well as while he ate, his book helped pass the time.
As I observed his voracious reading, I kept thinking about how my child has grown into a reader and what my husband and I have done to nurture this growing reader.
My son turned nine a few weeks ago and has been asserting his independence on a whole lot of levels. He has decided he does not need my help when packing his suitcase. I have hesitantly given up checking to make sure he has everything, and of course, there have been a few bumps when an item is forgotten, but overall, we have made it through without too much frustration for either one of us. Recently my family went on a weekend getaway. My heart absolutely exploded when I saw him unpack at the hotel: two library books and his kindle for a three day mini-vacation. Don't get me wrong, he also packed his iPad mini, but when we had an hour car ride to our first hiking adventure, his book kept him company, and in between a wedding we attended and the reception that followed he stole a chunk of reading time, and while waiting for his food to be served at a restaurant as well as while he ate, his book helped pass the time.
As I observed his voracious reading, I kept thinking about how my child has grown into a reader and what my husband and I have done to nurture this growing reader.
- From the time he was an infant, we have read to him. Every night. On the rare occasion when he is too tired to read, we make up the time on another night or the next day.
- Our house is filled with books. We started with a basket of board books in various locations around the house when we was an infant/toddler. When we bought new "big boy" furniture we included book cases. I am not sure I have ever told him he couldn't make a purchase at a book store and there is no such thing as too many books in our home.
- There are three public libraries in the vicinity and we use them all. Some weeks we receive notifications every day for books we have placed on hold. Getting in and out of the library in less than an hour is a miracle.
- My husband and I both read. Constantly. He and I met on a blind date and one of the most important questions I asked him was, "What are you reading?" Not only did he have a book he was reading, but he had a few he had recently finished and more on his "to read" list. We talked about books all night. It was love at first sight!
- Reading is not homework at our house. It is a way of life. It is our time to connect as we all cuddle in and read together. Even our dog knows when it is time to settle in with a good book.
My son is fortunate. The seeds of reading were planted early in his life and he has been growing into a reader from day one with lots of sunshine, fertilizer, water, and weeding. Not all my students have had this experience. I think about my new crop of fourth graders I will be meeting in a few short weeks...
- Some are going to need just a little bit of sunshine to grow. They need encouragement that they are fantastic readers and will do amazing things this school year!
- Some will need a whole lot of weeding. They need help finding books that will be just right in order to feel more success with their reading.
- Some have had too much water and others not enough. They need to know they have choice when it comes to reading and that I value all of their choices.
- Some will need fertilizer to make the soil richer. They need direction in how to diversify their choices in order to grow stronger as readers.
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Wild Summer Reading
I had an absolutely stupendous summer of reading! I set a goal for myself to read at least one book a week and lucky for me, I found time to read over twice that much! I read kids books, young adult books, adult books, and books that helped me learn more about teaching. I also got to meet and have lunch with one of my reading mentors: Donalyn Miller.
Reading is one of my favorite activities of all time! As a child, I was lucky to have a public library one block from my house. I went there several times each week. I loved the smell and wonder in stacks and stacks of books, I was fascinated by the microfiche machine where I was able to look at newspapers from the past and see the news headlines from the day I was born, and more than anything I just enjoyed being in a place of quiet respite filled with books. It was my home away from home. My love of our local library led to playing library on the porch of our home.
In my world there can never be too many books or too much reading! This year it is my goal to build a classroom of wild readers! We are going to read barrels of books, we are going to talk about books, and we are going to write about books. I am excited to share my enthusiasm and love of books. Let's do some Wild Reading this school year!
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