Yours... Mine... Ours...

Have you ever had one of your parents say to the other "your child did..." Because mine are famous for it. My dad always says "when you're good then you're mine and well when you're not, you belong to your mother". Now if you knew my parents, you'd know this is completely backwards... 

But what about in schools??? Something that has been a pet peeve of mine, since beginning teaching is other teachers and admin saying "your students". 

"Your students did this..." 

"Your Ag kids did that" 

"Saw some of your kids do..." 

What does that mean me?! Aren't they "our" students??? That's what I think... I feel that when other teachers and admin dub kids as "yours" or "mine" they completely disregard the importance of making a child feel like they belong to all of us. Which then creates animosity and sometimes hurt feelings... While I'm not the warm fuzzy type, I think it's important for them to belong to all of us... Aren't we all responsible for their education? Don't we all have a hand in helping each kid get to graduation and sometimes into college or a job. Aren't they all ours? 

I have a pretty small program but that doesn't mean I don't know kids outside my classes. I don't think it would be beneficial to anyone if I didn't know more kids... The more the merrier!  Because as I meet new people and they ask if I have various students, I like to know who they are referring to. In addition it's important on the random chance those kids could potentially be seated in my class during their high school career. 

So why do people do it?! Why must they subconsciously drive me insane? 

I think they are secretly building a bubble around themselves. Only allowing kids they think are worthy into their bubble... Well I hate to burst anyone's bubble (pun intended lol) but that is sooooo ridiculous!  Kids that feel like they belong are 10 times more likely to go above and beyond and act appropriately. Kids that feel disconnected by teachers, admin, students and everyone are the ones you see making poor choices. Don't get me wrong, everyone gets caught up in a bad choice every so often. But I'm talking life altering bad choices. 

I have a student who is not a typical FFA RA RA type, he's more of that country kid that tends to do stupid junk on the weekends. And that is EXACTLY how people treat him. However, I am a fan of these types of kids (I was friends with this type in HS). Because I know most of them are pretty respectful and hardworking. Other teachers and admin have no use for this type because they don't understand them. They don't know what makes them tick. Believe me, it takes one conversation about big trucks, hunting or dirt bikes and these boys are like puddy. I figured it out early. So back to this atypical FFA kid. I've watched him all year with friends at break, in class and what not and figured out that's he's actually pretty quiet and really just wants to learn (just maybe not academic stuff). So when he didn't sign up for State Conference I wasn't surprised. But then a kid had to drop out-- so I took this kid aside and asked if he was interested. He just stared at me with in disbelief. He got a big grin and said, "really?! You'd take me?!" I replied "of course, why wouldn't I?" We got all the paperwork done and signed and that was it. After the conference, I made a point to let admin know what a pleasure he was to have on the trip and that I would take him on any trip possible. He was well behaved, a team player and a good kid the entire time. He now is excited about FFA! He even went to a Farm Power workshop and wants to create a team next year. He picked up an officer application when we got back home and his grades have all been increasing. THIS IS OUR KID...

Sooooo why segregate based on our perception of who a kid is, what they wear, who their friends are or any of that crap... Why do teachers not work harder to include everyone? Why not take a chance on including a kid who might not fit a mold built only in our brains... No idea! All I know is we need to work together to make them ours, we can help them succeed or stand by and watch them fail... I'm more of a fan of success. (I think I'm slightly competitive?) 

All I know is... No bubbles, no groups, no segregating, no comparisons, no fun! 

Back to Basics

Have you ever tried the Back 2 Basics shampoo and conditioner?? Shizz is awesome! But that's totally not what I mean... 

I'm talking good 'ole fundamental FFA and Ag stuff. Today we had an FFA meeting at lunch. Now... With only an average of 35 showing up at our meetings (keep in mind our program is 93), I told officers to keep it simple. My students like something that they feel is fun yet they can be competitive at. Hence today's meeting of HOPSCOTCH RELAYS. 

Now when the kids asked how to keep it simple and I replied "hopscotch, Pictionary, cards simple schoolyard and elementary aged activities", I thought that they would maybe elaborate??? Um nope! Not my officers! When we think simple- we do simple things and then we add competitive component. I was a little apprehensive about the response to hopscotch relays. But I remembered back to when we did a nighttime Pictionary meeting and how surprisingly successful it was. 

Again today, I was overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of the students that were there. We had everyone from the cute little freshman girls who don't talk, all the way to the junior and senior guys with with the old big lifted trucks that think they're too cool for everything. And everyone participated and laugh and had fun! It's amazing to me how the reward of candy can motivate so many people to run through hopscotch course. It was more successful than I could've imagined. 

Winning Team!!! 

Lesson of the day: KISS- keep it simple stupid

I've learned this year by moving to a small chapter that it's really important to go back to the fundamentals of getting kids interested in attending FFA meetings. Every kid is motivated by something different whether it's food, candy, laughing, being with friends or whatever it may be. But FFA is home for all of them and it's important that I learn to teach the basics to the officers so that we can build in future years on the activities we do. 

"Success is neither magical nor mysterious. Success is the natural consequence of consistently applying the basic fundamentals."

We even had a surprise visit from Ms. Riley Nilsen 

Happy Easter

Sundays are typically my day of rest... Thankfully after last week's conference, I had Friday off and so I was able to sleep in and rest. I was dragging major booty Wednesday and Thursday at school. Pretty sure I was sleeping with my eyes open at some points during the day.

State FFA Conference ended up being far better than I had hoped. My kids were phenomenal, my chaperone's rocked and I was able to see some of my favorite friends. Kids interviewed in a couple areas, won awards and were genuinely proud of eachother for their hardwork. I was a proud momma bear about 90% of the trip! Kids were well behaved and I have never received so many compliments on a group of kids. Pretty sure I scared them enough before the trip that they were petrified of making a mistake or being late (hahaha my plan worked!). 

I always consider State Conference, my vacation. It's one of the few times that I get to see my friends, kids have a great time, I'm relaxed and hardworking kids are rewarded. Now... Don't think I sleep a lot (that would be a real vacation). Most nights it was 12:30 or 1am before I crawled into bed and most mornings I was up by 5:30am. But for whatever reason, I can manage 5 hours of sleep and still be dressed nice with a smile ONLY at State Conference. 

Even though I consider it a vaykay, my favorite part is witnessing the growth of students. From our trip on Friday to Fresno, the trip home on Tuesday, the transformation of kids is unlike anything else. Kids find passion, partake in new experiences, meet new people, build big dreams and aspire to do more. This is the true beauty of FFA. 

Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.

Buddha

Dear Mrs. Mentor...

As I sit at our California State FFA Conference in the beautiful town of Fresno (I'm being serious!), I'm able to see other Ag teachers from around the state. I've been able to reflect on all the relationships I've made with teachers throughout the state since being in the credential program. 

I was a student teacher at Hanford High School in the Fall and then Clovis East High school in the Spring. At both locations I worked at LARGE departments (like 5+). I also was part of a credential program of 9 girls, I guess we're women now... Not to mention my long term sub job at Elk Grove. These locations and my credential cronies had a major impact not only on my teaching but my view of being an Ag teacher. 

This post is for all the people who made a significant impact on me. I feel that these people are the reason I've been successful (whatever that means?)... Some are still people I call when I need an idea, suggestions, vent session, etc. I learned valuable things and continue to learn from them regardless of how often I see them. 

Mrs. Perry: The horse woman who helped me learn how to dress like a bamf... She's amazing! I learned more from her about horse judging, vet science and fashion in a 6 month period than I had in my entire life. Although she's not at every horse contest anymore, she impacts every contest because of the amount of coaches that learned from her. "When you want to excel, find the best and take notes"

Alyssa: The energizer bunny. Plain and simple. The woman can go without sleep for days to ensure her students are the most prepared and always ready to compete. Her drive is invaluable and I learned a tremendous amount in my long term sub job at Elk Grove. She taught me about creating culture, traditions and sleeping less. 

Elk Grove- thank you for everything

Clovis East- bless you all for teaching me to go big 

Amber: My partner in crime. From college to becoming teachers, she is my constant source of reason. I envy her for building a program on her own, being a wife, now mom and still finding time to  answer my calls when I need to vent. She's stronger than she knows and continues to teach me new things. 

Julie, Little Laura & Ceila: Thanks for constantly being there whenever I need an application read, a life chat, a laugh session or anything. We may have 300 miles that separate us but thank god phone texts, Facebook, email and phone calls. 

Natalie R: My masters homework partner. She is so successful that it's terrible (jk it's awesome). I don't know how she finds time to do everything and still have amazing  hair! Someday I'll master my hair, she swears she'll teach me. Her passion for agriculture and ability to teach Parli Pro is inspiring... 

For those of you that I see at conferences, field days, meetings and whatnot-- you are awesome! I have learned more from you than you know. And for all the men I've learned from (sorry for the chick post) thank you for laughing at my jokes and encouraging me-- Hugh M, Ken D, Kevin W, Mike A, Matt P, Dane W, Jake D, etc.

Message of the Week: Find someone who is amazing, learn from them and be awesome. Having a mentor, or mentors in my case, has made my passion for teaching 10 times stronger. 

This job is stressful, crazy, and busy- but it's flat AMAZING when you surround yourself with positive, influential and bamf people. 

P.S. State Conference is going well! 

It's a Numbers Thing

This year I took a new job at a school that has dramatically lower enrollment than previous schools I've worked at. We're talking 650 students versus 1000 to 2000. 

Now there are some major benefits to being at a small school. And I really love my school! 

I love my school 

I love my kids 

I love knowing my colleagues 

I love my administration 

I love the home environment 

I love knowing everyone

It's simple- my job rocks!  

( I was just channeling Jessica's Daily Affirmation right there!) http://youtu.be/qR3rK0kZFkg 

But there are some major disadvantages to being at a small school. I feel like I'm constantly struggling to get kids to commit because they're being pulled in 50 different directions. Now I guess this is a good thing because my kids are the same good kids that everybody else has which means there are some real great kids coming out of our school. But it really sucks! 

I hate feeling like I have to make kids choose between FFA and whatever else they're involved in. I'm struggling with finding good kids that aren't involved in everything. Don't get me wrong, I like a well-rounded kid more than anyone, but those kids are also the ones that are the hardest to get to commit to FFA. 

Now that I have a program of 100 rather than the 350+ I did have, I don't know how to get them to be serious and commit to things like CDE contests or conferences... I know everything takes time but it's difficult to be patient (pretty sure I get that from my dad?) 

I am not sure what to do or where to go from this?  I have no ideas, no suggestions, no input, nothing... I know building the program and increasing enrollment will help but that takes time so how do I get the kids I have to want to be more involved now?? Right now the kids I have, think being in FFA means taking an animal to fair. For me that's the farthest thing from the truth. FFA does so many wonderful things and reaches so many different types of people and raising an animal for the fair is the least important. Now that list of importance is only mine-- don't get me wrong some people think that this is highly important, and while I do admit that there are many skills that kids raising animals learn from taking animals, it is NOT the end all/be all of FFA. 

Year 2 Mission: build the program, get kids who commit, teach life skills and be patient... 

See they work hard in class... 

Reedley Field Day- notice not a full team?

Wednesday Wisdom from a Young Owl

Have I mentioned I loooooooooove Disneyland? It is hands down my favorite place in the world. Something about it just calms me, brings out the inner kid in me and allows me to be a princess (besides to my dad). But.....

There's another place that ranks up there pretty high on my list of awesome... AT&T Park in San Francisco! Home of the amazing San Francisco Giants! I love the Giants and going to games. Something about being at the baseball park enjoying a cold beverage and some caramel corn is COMPLETELY relaxing. In the last couple years since moving back to Northern California, Giants games are something that I've worked to make a priority. In the late part of the school year (and summer) a baseball game is that little weekend pick-me-up that a girl needs. 

The spring is a hectic time in the life of an ag teacher... 

State degrees

Conferences

Proficiencies

Field trips

Fair animals

Fundraisers

Judging teams

Speakers

Agriscience

Etc, etc, etc. the list could go on....

But there's a little glimmer of relaxation for me in Giants games. It's a time to escape reality of responsibility, deadlines, phone calls and what not... It's an afternoon of orange and black bliss. Whether I attend the game with my parents or friends, it is always a great afternoon. 

As weeks speed up, deadlines approach and my to-do list gets longer, I can't help but watch games on TV and wish I was there. That's my wisdom for the week-- we work too hard to not have something that helps us escape even if for just an afternoon, something that brings joy and relaxation to our lives. Because if we do not have a clear head and relaxed mind, we cannot fully educate students of what we know. Some of the most important things Ag teachers teach, occurs outside the classroom. In a world full of technology and everything being instant, take time to unplug and relax... Enjoy America's pastime, Baseball! Unless you're a dodgers fan... Well then you stink! Lol

Happy Wednesday!