In about two weeks, we the teachers, will be headed back for staff meetings, classroom prep, and lesson planning. It feels like just a couple of weeks ago, we were packing up our offices, and enjoying the beautiful spring weather! This summer was a brand new experience for me in a number of ways. I started my masters work with 9 credits over the last two months, went to countless weddings, endured ridiculous heat, worked a part time job, gave band lessons, and took an actual Griswold summer vacation.
I began my masters work with complete fear that I would not be able to maintain the dedication, have the knowledge, or be able to use my resources well enough to get through the summer. After tackling month number one, I was much more at ease. Don't get me wrong, it was tough! I have learned a lot about myself as a teacher, as a student, and about my use of technology! What an adventure!
In my down time from the classes, I worked at Maurices part time. This is a family I have come to know and love very much. They have molded me into the personable person I am today. Some might not say that is too terribly personable, but they have taught me a lot there. For now, I have closed that chapter of my life. We wrapped up my last sidewalk sales event, and last shift with a BBQ at my place. Talking about the crazy nights, the starbucks runs, and some of the questionable workers, we drank wine and enjoyed the blistering heat. Thank you for a great last few years, Maurices Team!!!
At the end of the summer, I began giving band lessons to my beginning band members and a few Junior High and High School members. There is quite the enthusiastic bunch coming up! I am finally reaching the point where parents trust me with their kids music ability. It always amazes me how many parents have no trust for a beginning teacher. This will also be my first year to have some of 'my own' kids in the High School building! This promises to be an exciting year!
During the band lessons, the band room renovations were going on! WHOA!!! New ceilings, fresh paint, new instrument storage, new lights, new smart board (still in the works), and possibly AC!! This will be something that, not only makes me more comfortable, but will make my students proud to be a part of the program! Pride is not something of abundance at the school I teach at. We ended the year with a lot of pride- all I can hope is that it carries over and we can start off strong!
I ended July with a good ol fashioned, drive across country vacation! We loaded up 2 cars and took 8 people (3 adults and 5 adolescents) to Sandusky, OH for Cedar Point Resorts! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! 3 days of the worlds most thrilling roller coasters, a huge water park (with 2 lazy rivers), and a beach side hotel over looking Lake Erie. Beautiful week! Just what I needed- and now ready to head to the classroom to organize, and get ready for the year!
Goals for the next 12 months:
keep motivation going in the program
stay positive
be proactive
communicate effectivly
get healthy- and 80 lbs LIGHTER!
keep my marriage strong
practice more
Enjoy your last few weeks, teacher friends!!! Best of luck this year!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfXweTgMWC4
Monday, July 30, 2012
Monday, July 2, 2012
I think I can, I think I can...
Almost to the end of June sessions!! What a month it has been! In addition to this class, I had two others... not my best move! As we near the end of this doozy, I really have no regrets. What would I really have done with my summer? haha. I have compiled my e-portfolio and have a few things to add still... mainly my presentations! Still stewing about ideas on those. I have almost half of my resource list, almost done with my lesson plans, and have located my articles. I think I can handle that.
I am toying with the idea of gearing one of my projects towards beginning band and rhythms. Counting was always something that came off so easy to my band mates and never really clicked with me until almost college. For crying out loud it's simple math! I had amazing teachers, it just wasn't clicking. I can see a couple of these in my classroom and it worries me. I don't want any of my students to not have the confidence to say, "I can count that!". I was always so jealous of those kids! I came from a larger band and it was so easy to hide so who needed to know I couldn't count? Large bands is not a luxury in Plainview, so we all need to know what is going on! Being so sensitive to lack of confidence, I am always looking for different ways to teach the same subjects, so all learners can pick up on my lesson! What better way than interaction through technology?
I am toying with the idea of gearing one of my projects towards beginning band and rhythms. Counting was always something that came off so easy to my band mates and never really clicked with me until almost college. For crying out loud it's simple math! I had amazing teachers, it just wasn't clicking. I can see a couple of these in my classroom and it worries me. I don't want any of my students to not have the confidence to say, "I can count that!". I was always so jealous of those kids! I came from a larger band and it was so easy to hide so who needed to know I couldn't count? Large bands is not a luxury in Plainview, so we all need to know what is going on! Being so sensitive to lack of confidence, I am always looking for different ways to teach the same subjects, so all learners can pick up on my lesson! What better way than interaction through technology?
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