I don't typically write about the mushy gushy world of education, but this is on my heart. My blog is more practical, as that also tends to be my personality, but today I am hit hard with the sadness that we are losing a great teacher. This post isn't about why she is leaving, for those are personal, but it is about what made her a great teacher and how we as instructional technologists, teachers, and administrators can continue to support others so they too will have an impact like hers. The first time I really sat down with Mrs. Newsom was in August of last year. She was planning for her first few weeks of school. She was a hot mess. She didn't know what standards were, how to write a lesson plan, how in the world to put together a scope and sequence, or really what was even expected of her as a teacher. She will tell you, she had no idea what she was doing. I sat down and listened to her as she rattled off her many to-dos and a laughed a little inside, because she was all of us in our first year. Even those of us who went to school to be a teacher, none of it truly prepared us for the actual duties of teaching. But I knew from that first meeting, she was going to be a great teacher. Mrs. Newsom hung on to everything we have ever talked about in these 18 months. She was putty ready to be molded into the best teacher she could possibly be. She had no prior knowledge or bad habits to break. Plain and simple, she loved government and she loved kids. She wanted to put them first in all things. She never made excuses for why something couldn't be done. She held every student to a high standard and expected nothing short of those. She didn't blame her lack of knowledge or use of technology as a reason not to try. She didn't let checkpoints or assessments get in the way of truly assessing her student's knowledge. She wasn't scared of trying and failing because in her mind she didn't even know what that looked like. In her first year she integrated various aspects of technology, created engaging and useful PBL units, used student choice for assessments, brought in speakers, started a class blog, took her kids on field trips, asked her students for feedback, and loved the hell out of them. I want to take this moment to share her testimony and expand on a few of her points that I feel our profession can impact. The following is a post from her Facebook. Over the past year and a half, I have had what I can only describe as a life-changing, eye-opening experience. I have had the tremendous honor of teaching SSHS seniors. Teaching. Seniors. Yeah. The lessons I have learned and the insights I have gained over the past couple of years might surprise many of you. For those of you who teach or have taught, as you read this, you will laugh, nod your head, roll your eyes, and well, completely relate. For those of you who, like me two years ago, think teaching is “easy” and suggest things like, “who couldn’t do that job?”, please allow my final academic lesson to be educating you. 1. Teachers do not get off of work at 3:30 each day and have Christmas, Spring Break, and all summer off. Their job NEVER ends. NEVER. Ever. Ever. 2. Administrators, with their walkie talkies, big ideas, and PowerPoint presentations, really are humans with good intentions. And their jobs are hard. Really hard. 3. Morning duty is the worse part of teaching—it throws off your whole day. 4. Caffeine isn’t optional—it’s necessary. 5. UIL events are sporting events for the academically inclined and UIL competitors are student athletes with extraordinary discipline. 6. Technology is not the enemy, but it has definitely changed our world—some good, some not so good. 7. Writing legibly on a white board is much more difficult than it looks. 8. The culinary specialists of the cafeteria and the janitorial staff are angels and schools couldn’t function without them. 9. Scentsys are absolutely necessary in a classroom regardless of what the Fire Marshall dictates. 10. What works in one classroom for one teacher may not work for another. And assuming it will makes teachers feel inadequate and judged. 11. Students, no matter how old, big, or gruff, love candy, hugs, and compliments. 12. Students are hungry for attention and affirmation—some of them literally hungry. Starving. 13. Athletics are not the be all, end all. But cheering like a crazy person at the games, meets, and matches is a dang good way to connect with students and meet them where they’re comfortable. 14. Teachers and tests aren’t the problem. Out of touch, lazy parents are. It is a school’s job to educate children, not to raise them. If you’re offended by this statement, you’re probably the problem. 15. Not all assessment should be in the form of a written exam. Ask the student, let them answer, if they know it, give them a passing grade. 16. People over think education—Way. Too. Much. Sometimes simple works. 17. Michelle Obama’s fat free nacho cheese Doritos haven’t ended childhood obesity. 18. Nor has George W.’s “No Child Left Behind” increased academic achievement. 19. Bean bags are student faves. 20. If you expect it, students will do it. The good and the bad. 21. Substitutes are amazing, scarce, and dreadfully underpaid. Plus, it’s easier to just go to work sick than to plan for a sub. 22. There is never a good time for a fire drill. 23. Taking attendance is much harder than it sounds. 24. Co-teachers are priceless and students are blessed to have them. 25. Each student takes a piece of your heart when they leave your classroom. You can love someone else’s child deeply. 26. Teachers are under-appreciated, under-paid, and over-worked. And until society values education more than entertainment, math teachers will struggle while illiterate athletes make millions. 27. Some students change your life and teach you far more than you will ever teach them. 28. Not all teachers are good. In fact, some are down right bad. But a vast majority of teachers are working harder than you can imagine for minimal pay and recognition. See, I’ve been awake since 2:55 am thinking about the field trip I have planned for 85 students on Friday. This job has changed my life. It has given me a deep and profound appreciation for each teacher, coach, and administrator who passed through and poured into my life. Educators invest in the lives of students in ways most can’t imagine. They worry and pray and plan and devote themselves and their time to individuals who are often ungrateful, difficult, or defiant. It is, in some ways, a fight. And yet, a teacher gets up each morning and returns to this educational battlefield. I have been blessed by the past year and half. I am better for having known each person—teacher and student—and am thankful for a new perspective. While, there is so much truth in this post from many different perspectives, I think there are certain points that we can impact on a daily basis as we work with teachers. So here are my thoughts. 6. Technology is not the enemy, but it has definitely changed our world—some good, some not so good. So many times technology becomes a scapegoat. It doesn't work all the time, it isn't perfect, the learning curve is high, my students don't know how to use it, I have to teach them that and my content???? On and on and on…but we must remember technology is NOT the enemy here. It is an inherent part of how we live and we must integrate that into our educational system. It can open doors, simplify communication, give student's a voice, allow for creativity, and push our critical thinking skills. When working with teachers, we can't start with the tech, with the skill, but with the WHY. 10. What works in one classroom for one teacher may not work for another. And assuming it will makes teachers feel inadequate and judged. There is no one size fits all in education. Students do not all fit in one mold, and neither do teachers. Offering a one-size fits all opportunities for professional development only add to the insecurities of our faculty, instead of bringing them up. We offer once a semester opportunity for teachers and PLC's to meet for a 1/2 day with me to work on ANYTHING they want to. We allow them to choose where they are at and meet them there. I can offer ideas based on their schedules, time, comfort level, ability, and class. It isn't enough to send out great ideas in an email, offer whole group faculty meeting trainings, or mandate that certain technology or strategies are used in the classroom. It is hard to deliver personalized, on-time, training...BUT it is our job and time, resources, or participation cannot be an excuse. We want to teachers to feel comfortable, empowered, and excited to try new things, not deflated because our ideas were meant for a particular type or style of teacher. 15. Not all assessment should be in the form of a written exam. Ask the student, let them answer, if they know it, give them a passing grade. Teachers want personalized learning, and so do students. We have the ability to show teachers just how easy it is to provide choice when assessing students. It is easy to say, but it is not always easy to envision. Show them samples of work that assess in multiple ways. Provide help in making those assessments and information on how to grade them. Single-point rubrics are a great place to start. It gives them simple guidelines that can be applied to various products. Students will feel validated and trusted when they are allowed to show understanding in a way that best suits them and their strengths. But most of all, give them the time and support to do this. When the value is seen, then the process will continue. 28. Not all teachers are good. In fact, some are downright bad. But a vast majority of teachers are working harder than you can imagine for minimal pay and recognition. How can we help recognize and ease the workloads of our teachers? It isn't enough to just be a trainer. It isn't enough to just be a place for ideas. We have to pick-up our teachers and show that they matter, we appreciate them, and encourage them while they are in the trenches. It is easy as the instructional technologist on campus to just focus on my area but it isn't what is best for teachers. Give them notes of appreciation. Showcase teachers going above and beyond in a way that can reach outside of your building. Offer rewards for hard work and trying things outside of their comfort level. Continue to push and praise throughout the year. My heart is sad because I know there will be kids who are going to miss out on the goodness that is Mrs. Newsom. I know I have lost another teacher who is going to fight and do right by kids. But I hope that the great impact of her loss will be felt wholeheartedly and the impact that loss can have on others, will be great. I would love to hear your thoughts or comments about any of the above topics.
2 Comments
Kaytlin B
12/9/2017 09:26:54 pm
❤️❤️❤️ and could not agree more about all that is stated above. You are a tremendous help to everyone on our campus and we can not thank you enough.
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Meredith Townsend
12/10/2017 01:09:55 pm
I appreciate your comment, you guys always make me feel welcome in your classrooms and valued.Thank you for that and for being one of those great teachers who put student's need first!
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