I feel so honored!

I had a student come out to me yesterday. This student and I have built such a great student-teacher relationship that he felt comfortable enough to express what he is going through. I was in such shock about the situation at hand that I know I could have said some more helpful things to him. But I'm sure he knows that I am there for him as a role model and a teacher if he needs anyone to talk to. 

I feel so honored for this student to feel safe around me to come out. I know that I didn't have that same comfortability with a teacher when I was in middle school. I take this as an opportunity to be there for the next generation of the LGBTQ community. 

Honesty is the best policy

I think one thing teacher blogs lack is complete transparency. Honestly, right now I'm in such a sad place. I am really struggling with connecting to my students this year. I am not fully sure why, but there is just something missing. Everyone always said your second year is supposed to be better than your first year  of teaching. And I don't feel like it is yet. 

All of this aside now, please know I love my job. I know that by the end of the year there would be so much to love about this school year. There will be memories that I will not be able to explain. I know the positives will begin to outweigh the negatives. I know that I am doing this for a reason and that it is all going to be great!! 

Best Teaching Moment Ever

Yesterday, I had a teacher come to me and tell me a story about one of our students we share. This teacher is the ELL Itinerant teacher at Jere Baxter. She works with our lovely English language learners, who are always working so hard. 

Now, yesterday she came up to me during my planning period and starts telling me a story about how students were not respecting her books the way she should. So she asks a student how many books he has as home. This students who is new to my school, and I am pretty sure fairly new to The United States, says he has one book at home. He continues to say that the one book he has is from Mr. Wobbrock, but he has to give it back. 

Of course this melted my heart. The fact that I gave a student his first book ever, it breaks and warms my heart at the same time. This students is 14 years old and he has never owned a book before. I can tell already that this student will cherish this book for the rest of his days. He goes out of his way to read and comprehend this book. Since he asked to borrow it from my classroom library he has carried it with him to all of his classes and he reads it every chance he gets. 

This is the most humbling and amazing this that I have every experienced in my time as a teacher. It literally brought tears to my eyes. One of the best parts is that this book means absolutely nothing to me. I bought this book for less than a dollar at a used book store. And now this book is something very meaningful to this student. 

First Week Back at the New Jere Baxter

Wow! School has been back in session for just over a week. And what a week it has been!!!!this year there are so many new things going on at Jere Baxter. All of these new things are change for the better. As a second year teacher, there are things I am doing that are going so much better than last year. I know exactly the things that I should be doing and I am making sure these things are happening. 

For the first full week of school, in order to build a community of learners on my classroom we read four different books throughout the week. These books were not your plain Jane books, we read four Dr. Seuss books! Students would write a reflective paragraph after each book. Monday and Tuesday we read The Butter Battle Book. After reading this book we talking about the importance of understanding and valuing others' differences. Wednesday we read The Lorax and wrote about the actions of humans and our impact on the environment. Thursday we read Yertle the Turtle and described the aspects of a good leader and how we can be one. Lastly, Friday we read Dr. Seuss' new book Which Pet Should I Get. For this we wrote a longer essay about the choices we make and how they both positively and negatively affect out lives in the future. Students gave examples about their past choices and how they have played a role in their lives today. Then explained the choices they need to make now to meet their short term and long term goals. 

Although all of this writing means I have so much reading for the weekend, I know that it was a positive experience for the first week of classes. Students at the beginning of the week were not excited about the idea of being read to as 8th graders. By the end of the week, students would walk in, know exactly what was coming and raise their hands to ask what book we would be reading that day. This also gives me a chance to learn so much about my students. I now can learn about their ideas on people's differences, environmental issues, leadership style, and their pasts and future goals. But I can also learn about their writing abilities and styles. 

School is Back in Session

I cannot believe the time has come. School has begun and is getting started in full swing. That being said here I am trying to get back into the same schedule that I was in last year. Things that fell off the way-side like going to bed early, eating breakfast, drinking coffee throughout the day to stay away, etc. However, I am so glad to be back at Jere Baxter. This year is going to be such an amazing year. There is so much going on at JBMP. 

Our Welcome Back to School Board. I was in charge of the August board for 8th Grade. 

My classroom this year. So excited to teach 8th Grade Social Studies. U.S. History here we come. #merica

Of course, when I was told that the 8th Grade color was gray at Jere Baxter, my homeroom's college was going to be The Ohio State University. Can't wait to get to know these future Buckeyes!!! 

You know, the squad reunited and so excited for the first day of school. #teacherlife #schoolssuppliesgetusgoing 

Hanging out with the kids during bus duty! 

8th grade team working hard during In-Service as you can see. 

Reunited and it feels so good! #lovethisgirl #best6thgradeteacherever

Welcome Teach For America Greater Nashville 2015 Corps Members

On Sunday the 2015 Corps Members moved to Nashville and began their Summer Institute Experience. Just as we did last year they began their summer learning about themselves and the city that they have embarked their journey in.

Last night I had the opportunity to enjoy dinner with four of our TTL (Transition Team Leader) Groups. My fellow 2014 Corps Members, Iona, Emma, Adam and I welcomed out groups at a wonderful dinner at DeSano's Pizza Bakery. 

As a TTL I received the honor of welcoming six 2015 Corps Members in my group. I am so glad I got the chance to finally meet them and make sure they are getting settled in Nashville.

From left to right: myself, Holly, Kaite, Jeremy, Hannah, and Caroline.
Not photographed: Charlotte. 

Summer Days Drifting Away

Well summer is almost in full swing. School has been out for almost a week. Summer classes have started to get really serious. Sleeping in has become easier, as has staying up past 9:30 p.m.