New Year, New Me... Not!

New Year, New Me??? Well no, not really but I figured I could start by writing again. I guess I minimized my blogs because I just felt uninspired. But with the New Year, I feel like I have a never ending list of things to do and applications to read, so instead I will write.

This past fall, I had the opportunity to work with a P1 student teacher. At the beginning of the semester, I was so unsure that I was qualified to help guide a student teacher, and following the semester I feel just as unsure. However, with that being said (or written), I feel like I learned a lot and was able to actually help this baby calf trying to walk during her first few hours of teacher life.

So this is for any teacher that’s never worked with a ST (or a lesson for those not great at it). Because of some confusion through the university, I can honestly say I had no real clue what I was doing or what was expected of me. So this list is just some food for thought:

1. Set expectations early: I talked with a few veteran teachers and created a document that outlined the basic expectations for her while at HHS. Some of the documents I read from other teachers were awesome and others were sort of demeaning. I always thought of a ST as someone that wants to learn and do what teachers do, not someone that is around to be a TA and do your work for you? Maybe that’s just my understanding, but I feel like it’s a cooperating teacher’s job to set expectations and ensure the ST gets a full experience of everything a teacher does so that they can be successful after they’ve left you. I created a binder for my student teacher that we went through prior to the first day of school. We outlined the calendar, classes, curriculum and general expectations. 
2. Classroom comes first: Helping a student teacher establish a classroom culture and reminding them that the classroom is their first job. We talked with her and found out what she was most comfortable and confident with teaching and which she felt would be most challenging. Because she was a P1, she observed for a couple weeks then started teaching full time with the class she felt most comfortable with. We then added others in short units for other classes giving her more time to prepare for classes that seemed more daunting. Another thing that I personally do is 3-week packets which allowed me to sit and plan with the student teacher weeks ahead of time so there was less day-prior panic by all parties involved.
3.  But, don’t forget about the rest: As much as we must instruct and guide on in the classroom festivities, we cannot forget the other 60%+ of our job. Everything from officer meetings to FFA competitions, project visits, and banquets. How can we expect student teachers to learn professionalism outside of the classroom if they aren’t with us to see it modeled? Take them everywhere, don’t assume they’ve seen something just because they were maybe in FFA. Seeing how an opening and closing contest runs as a teacher is extremely different than how we may have saw it as a kid. Even things as simple as talking about basic housekeeping of running a chapter, like budgets, purchase orders and conference applications are important skills they all need to learn. We can’t assume that they know it or that someone else will teach them.
4. Importance of being inclusive: This goes hand-in-hand with taking them everywhere. Include them in everything while keeping it professional. They need to understand the ins and outs of how a department works (or doesn’t) and they need to be part of working with the FFA officers. Have the kids include them and make sure to include them in the basic inter-working of the department. If we don’t show them, who will?? We cannot continue to blame student teachers for not knowing anything, if we don’t actually teach them…
5. Let them make mistakes: It’s hard and I would say this is my least favorite thing but I would say allow them to fail or make mistakes in a safe environment. This semester, my student teacher taught a lesson she created and she learned quickly that she didn’t get through to the kids. The kids were lost and she ended up staying up for the better part of the night to re-do the lesson so she could reteach it. I didn’t criticize her, I just asked her after the lesson if she felt like it was effective. She said nope and began recreating her lesson to reteach. It was one of those fancy teachable moments, veteran teachers talk about… LOL
6. Create a digital reflection: I’m big on reflection and based on scheduling I wasn’t always able to talk with my student teacher following a lesson. I created a google sheet that listed the date, lesson topic, student teacher reflection and notes and then my questions, comments or concerns. It was a great way for both of us to make sure we reflected on the lesson and when we got to the end of the semester it was super helpful for filling out university paperwork and evaluations. It was probably the number one random thing we did that turned out to be the number one most useful/helpful.

Bottom line, try to remember back to your student teaching experience and if it was positive or not. Remember the things that made it that way… Help guide others based on that. Helping your student teacher have a positive but realistic experience will help our whole profession in the long run. I was fortunate to have two amazing schools during student teaching with some amazing teachers and mentors and am so grateful for their guidance and instruction.

Thank you Rod, Lily, Susan M, Susan P, Ken, Kevin, Aireal and all the others that let me watch and learn during student teaching…

 Include them with officer things... Give them a chance to develop relationships with the kids

Take them everywhere including industry tours, CATA stuff, FFA stuff, school stuff... EVERYWHERE

   

Why do you care where I go?

When I was in high school, I ran into this funny predicament... People thought my college of choice was their business. I got asked multiple times from adults and teachers on campus, "Fresno, really?" "Why would you ever want to go there?" "Isn't that place the armpit?"

Here's my question, why did anyone care where I went? Now that I am a teacher, I talk with students all the time about where they are going to go to college. But NEVER do I ever cut down a college or university because I think there is some magical college they should go to. What I think really should have no bearing on where they go, because that's just it... THEY are going.

Teachers, adults, school staff, parents, etc. here's a thought: No matter where a kid shows interest in attending-- support it! Because at the end of the day they want to go somewhere and try something new. Now, it's important to have the "realistic" convos to ensure a kid is applying to match schools along with their dream schools, but as long as they are striving to do something with their future, why would any adult or person shame that?

I was always uh let's say "strong enough" to not care what people thought of my college choice, because I knew Fresno was the right place for me. And you know what? It was the PERFECT place for me. If every person felt that UC Davis (for example) was their perfect school then admittance percentage would go down even more, tuition would go up and people would be crying daily about their lack of acceptance at their perfect school. There is a reason there are over 2,500 colleges and university in the United States!

Every school offers something different and provides a unique opportunity for a kid to feel like it's "their school". We should focus more on exposing kids to the experiences that allow them to see all types of colleges, so they can make an informed decision about where to attend. We, as adults, need to encourage that they see, visit and apply to more than one dream school (And that it's not the end of the world, if they choose something other than a dream school).

Most recently, I (and others) helped encourage a kid to look at a school they did not have at the top of their list. Only because it was a "match" did she apply. She recently visited the town, campus, and met with athletic coaches. It's like flipping on a light sometimes, when you step on a campus-- you just know. Kinda like love at first sight??? In that first instance, she knew she was going to commit to the school, athletic team and the idea of wearing purple FOREVER.

The craziest part was that adults have had the audacity to question her choice. It's just nuts to me that someone who has never visited a school can have such a judgemental reaction to someone's choice. A little word to the wise: Not everyone wants to go to YOUR school. People want to find THEIR school. "Finding your school" is how kids stay in school, get involved and feel accomplished when they finish.

Be proud but be supportive!

Just some of my girls that have found THEIR school!

 Kansas State University

 Cal Poly

California State University, Chico

December Slump...

This year I started eating lunch with a new group of teachers. Mostly because I had never actually left my classroom at lunchtime, so I figured if they invited me, I should show up. Some days it feels like we are the motley crew of teachers on campus (also I'm the only woman they allow). We are definitely the most conservative teachers on campus, so maybe that's why it works? But I truly feel like we could solve the worlds problems any day of the week based on our discussions.

Recently, one of the teachers asked how we are pursuing greatness? This came after a lengthy discussion (well multiple half our lunches) of why some teachers feel that they do not need to contribute to school. It has really been plaguing my brain the last week to think that some teachers simply show up, teach, and leave. I really can't fathom that schedule or lack of involvement on campus. Why would someone want to be a teacher if they don't actually want to spend time with kids? Time outside the classroom, time outside of the rigid schedule, time beyond the 8-3pm...

Kids respond to teachers they know, teachers that care, teachers that show up. Someday I would love to do a study of students based on their opinions of teachers and compare that to the amount of times a teacher shows up to an extra-curricular activity. Isn't part of working to be a great school, our interest and development of kids into good humans? We constantly are asking kids to show up, be involved and turn work in... So why do some teachers feel they don't need to do the same? 

While I don't think I am necessarily pursuing greatness, I do think I get the results from kids that I want. I am genuinely sad for winter break because I won't see my kids every day. Everyone needs a vacation now and again (I take my fair share), but the rest of the time I feel like we should be giving at least 100% if we expect the same from our students. How can we have high expectations for them if we do not put in the work ourselves. 

Your 100% can come in a variety of packages, but time and care are the two the kids notice the most. While we don't have endless amounts of time, proper scheduling and time management can get you closer to the results you want. As for care and consideration, this is where you have to find out what kind of kids you have. I've read the "5 Love Languages" book a few times, they even have one for teenagers. It's so interesting to know enough about your kids to know how they "give and receive love". Some kids just need to be told they are doing a good job, others just need to spend the time with you and some just appreciate a little gift or note. 

Being a teacher is the most rewarding job on the planet. Even when it feels like to you could strangle someone bare handed (or so i've heard from friends LOL). I think about my job constantly... Partially because it's my life, not just a job. When your life depends on your day, you work a little harder to pursue greatness. Too bad all teachers on campus, can't feel the same...

"Success isn't always about greatness. It's about consistency. Consistent hard work leads to success. Greatness will come."

Spend the day seeing Santa, eating, seeing a show and supporting each other... Makes a world of difference!

It's been awhile... But back to school we go!

Welcome back to school! Every year I reflect back on prior students as new groups come busting into my classroom. I subbed a freshman Ag Bio class on Thursday and it really got me thinking...

You know those kids you get in class that make you want to rip your hair out on a daily basis??

Well this is about one of those kids.

Picture this, my first year at Healdsburg and one of my Ag Biology classes jacked full of kids I had been “warned” about. I rarely do seating charts, until the students “can’t handle sitting next to friends”. I tell them in the beginning of the year this is how our seating charts work. This class was mixed with freshman and sophomores, so the level of squirrely was especially high.

I think it was probably three weeks into the school year that this class got a seating chart. One of the main reasons, was a sophomore boy who repeated told me he never asked to be in my class, talking about his hair and shoes, and spent more time wandering the classroom, pretending to get tissues, than actually in his seat. Even when he was at his seat, he usually stood instead of sitting. So when I made the seating chart, I made sure to put him next to a freshman girl that seemed to have her stuff together as a student and would hopefully rub off on him (sorry Taylor).

All year, he tested my patience and gave me more grey hair than I can count, faster than I could highlight it. I encouraged him to get involved and attend conferences, even though the last thing I wanted to do was spend more time with him. But I figured he needed FFA and leadership in his life. The more he got involved, the more you could watch the spark in him. Following that first year, he actually signed up for an Ag class on his own. He even found a location to raise a market animal for the fair.

 Sometimes you just have to tell kids they are going to an event or conference... No option

I think his junior year was a true turning point. He had straightened out his grades, did his junior internship with a local vineyard management company, raised a goat for the fair and became super involved in FFA (with some constant pushing). Through his internship and keeping his goat at a local grape farmer’s house, you could see a sense of responsibility and ownership in something bigger than himself growing.

Senior year, he excelled at school, in FFA as an officer and pursuing college and scholarships (thanks Taylor). He was one of the only students wanting to pursue a career in viticulture, so scholarships were plentiful. He decided that SRJC was the right place until he could transfer to a UC. Since graduating, he’s been taking viticulture and enology courses along with general ed. Last fall, he even brought me a bottle of the wine he made in class. Earlier this year, he even got a job for a local vineyard management company where he’s been working around the clock the past few weeks to prep for harvest.

It's amazing the transformation a kid can go through from having no clue about their future and caring more about their hair than anything else. To then being fully immersed into an industry they want to be part of while working and going to school learn as much as possible.

When people doubt the effectiveness and importance of FFA and Agriculture Education, I think of Luis. I call him my poster child—which he loves, but it’s true. 

 I still have the grey hair from him, but I am so proud of his dedication to learning everything he can to be the best!

Creating Future Friends...

Yesterday, I attended a Celebration of Life for a man that was so kind, humble and who loved Haiku's (which I didn't know until yesterday). While at the event, I saw many people who were my elementary school teachers, and sat with a long-time friend and her mother. While talking about the tributes spoken, my friend turned and said, "do you think it's weird, we are friends with out 2nd grade teacher?" "do you think years from now, your current students will be your friends?".

She was referring to Nan Carder, who just had given a tribute, and was our 2nd grade teacher (and the love of the man whom had passed). Her questions really got my wheels turning to write and reflect on all the amazing teachers I was fortunate to have, especially in elementary school and high school.

Nan, or Mrs. Carder-- which is what I still call her, is without a doubt one of the most amazing teachers I ever had. Memories of daily activities, from 2nd grade, are few and far in between. But there are a couple things that will stick with me forever about 2nd grade and my amazing teacher. First, she was always in tow with a coke. This told me early on that to be a teacher, caffeine would always be a necessity (and potentially an accessory). She also had the most distinct and perfect handwriting--I personally just always appreciate nice handwriting (especially now that I'm a teacher). I remember she did this Star Student thing, I don't remember what it meant or what we were able to do because we were the Star, but it seemed special. We got a scrapbook-type book she made and I feel like I waited the entire year to be the Star! The other big thing was Mrs. Carder was dubbed as the "Field Trip Queen", by many. I remember all of the trips, most of which my mother drove on because she basically drove a red tank as a car. A few years ago, after I had been teaching a couple years, Mrs. Carder told me that she thought maybe I had taken over the title of Field Trip Queen with all our FFA trips. Now, I wasn't placed in her class on accident, she was one of the mother's friends so I know my mother did what she needed to make sure I was in her class. They had been friends, played in the same bunko group and my older brother and her sons were friends too.

Nan is someone who throughout my life, I have always maintained contact with. Now more so with Facebook, as she has turned her former field trips into amazing adventures traveling anywhere and everywhere. Sitting and talking with my friend today, she reminded me that we now as adults are friends with our 2nd grade teacher. Seems kind of funny, but it got me thinking that we should all strive to be that kind of teacher. Regardless of grade level, we should all teach as if our students are going to be our forever friends. Now, I'm not saying be our students friends-- no no not that.

Instead, teach them to find passion and be good people. Support them through their hardships, while still expecting them to do their part. Teach them right from wrong, so they can develop their moral ground. If we teach and treat all our students as if someday they will be our friends, what would we do differently? How can we contribute to making them good people-- people we would be proud to be friends with?

I feel blessed to be friends with someone who was my 2nd grade teacher. I think she was always one of my first inspirations to be a teacher. For a long time, I thought I would be a 2nd grade teacher too-- until I took Ag and figured out I could connect my passion and hobbies into one thing and make it a career.

Haiku for John F.:

It's only January....

How do you deal with stress? What's your go to coping mechanism? Food? Sleep? Lots of yelling? I feel like this is different for everyone. But really, what do you do when you overbook yourself, feel like you're treading water and there's no end in site? How do we do this to ourselves?

I can honestly say, I don't feel stressed often. There are times when I feel like I have a million balls in the air and it takes every ounce of my being to keep juggling, but I don't really count that as stress. Today, as I ran to the store to grab lunch, I did something that I realized is one of my "stress coping mechanisms". That's right, I bought a cooking magazine. Yes, I know this is quite possibly the silliest thing ever, but when things are going a little crazy around here-- I somehow end up with a new magazine full of recipes and pictures that make me drool a little. Now, I never cook any of the items, because who really has time for that?? But, I take an hour or two and decompress by reading every single recipe. I think about how I would change it to make it something I would enjoy-- omit the onions here, use beef instead of chicken there, etc.

Lunch and my magazine... 

So why? Why do I spend money (today, $9.99) on a magazine that I'm never going to truly use? NO FRICKIN CLUE. Other than, I like to think it's my way of clearing my head. I can focus on something not even close to the long the To-Do list awaiting my check marks or the 10 applications I should be reading. It gives me clarity-- I guess it's my yoga without the yoga pants.

I know many people have been back in school for one or two weeks already. I know we always say the spring is so busy. But lately, I feel like I've been on the warp speed. Every time I turn around, there is another event, meeting, dinner to attend, or kid needing help. I love my job-- which is a good thing considering it would drive a sane person flat bonkers. But sometimes, I wish there were a few more hours in the day. Last week alone, we had a school-wide course fair, I was gone for meetings and my kids rocked 8th grade recruitment. It was a 4 day work week people!

This was our Course Fair! We of course had to showcase our hens!

I will say, as crazy as Ag teachers are, we have some of the best kids possible. Last week, I got two days notice about needing to be at our junior high for recruitment. Usually this is a stretch, but to add sprinkles to that sundae-- I was going to be out of town. Which meant I had one day to get a program together and have kids practice it before I left for a meeting. I quickly text two seniors and asked if they would sign on for the crazy train. They both immediately replied that they could handle it and facilitate the whole thing, including guiding the other 6 underclassmen that would also be attending.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous. I definitely was. Our fate as a GROWING chapter was in their hands. I did mention that to them, just so they all realized the importance. Following the day, I got pictures from them with texts about how great it was. I even received an email at the end of the day from the science teacher whose class they were in all day, thanking me for a great presentation and sending great kids.

One of the pictures I got from my kids with the 8th graders

As the spring continues to move like the speed of light, I have two things I have to keep in mind:

1. Let them surprise me-- Give them the tasks and pray, hope and cross fingers they were pull through with greatness
2. Take time to decompress--  sit outside and enjoy the sunshine (make sure there's sun) and read a book or magazine.

Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude. 

Zig Ziglar

Most Days It will Be Okay...

As the end of the fall semester comes to a close, it's hard to maintain focus and drive when everyone on campus seems to be fading fast. Its become increasingly difficult not to go home before the sun goes down, which seems earlier each day. It is a struggle to get kids to maintain participation when friends and siblings are home from college or the military. In a world of social media and technology at their finger tips, it's hard to explain the reality of studying for finals instead of using the newest snapchat filter.

I know each December, I have this feeling of frustration with the lack of involvement, follow through, dedication to something other than getting "likes" in a virtual world. Don't get me wrong, I have some great kids that do amazing things. But I wish there was some magical formula for preventing this December Slump.  With my kids, it seems like there are two or three that drive the train of dedication for everyone during this month. However it creates animosity towards people don't hold up their end of the deal, which is never good.

At the beginning of December I attended the NAAE Convention. It was a really neat and different experience. My favorite thing was being inspired by teachers from other states and the activities they do in their chapters. By far, my favorite was an Ice Fishing Tournament Fundraiser!! When I figure out how to make that happen in Cali, I'll let you all know. The professional development was exactly what I needed for a little boost to finish the semester and to think about next semester. I wish there was something for my kids that provided the same refresh or re-invigoration.

Maybe in all my spare time, we'll someday create a chapter conference that works to provide time for all kids to do some team building, leadership training and planning time, so we can extinct the December Slump? Until then I will hold out for our Mid-Year officer retreat and MFE/ALA conferences. Fingers crossed they do the trick...

Not all of December was a waste, we did some pretty cool things this month. Over 70 Sonoma County Secret Santa gifts donated, over 500 pairs of socks and 12 handmade blankets donated to North Sonoma County Services, and 17 student volunteers for our Sectional Service Night at the Redwood Empire Food Bank. At least this month, they were LIVING TO SERVE.

 Blanket Making

 Our 17 kids at the Sectional 

 The whole Sonoma Section

Delivering our gifts for the Sonoma County Secret Santa program