Wednesday Wisdom from a Young Owl

Okay so.... I don't know everything when it comes to teaching and being an advisor (not a huge surprise, right?!). BUT, I do think I try really hard to be there for my kids, make sure they are learning stuff and make my classes relevant to their life and future.

So it totally fries my tushy, when other teachers don't put in the time to really get to know their students. Blah, Blah, Blah, everyone is busy, or whatever the excuse of the day is. I feel like that is what kids want, parents want and administrators want. Shouldn't we know our students? Building a bond with a kid could be the most valuable you do all year as a teacher. Because those bonds, help you (the teacher), when you then need that kid to do an assignment or make an effort on a project. Some of the coolest kids I know and have in class are not star students. But I appreciate them for they are and give them props for what they do regardless of the score they did or didn't get on a quiz. Kids are individuals, it's important that we get to know them and treat them like individuals. Rather than another number?

If we take more time to get to know our students hobbies or interests can't we better engage them in class? Wouldn't our examples be more personal to them? If they feel invested, won't they make an effort? Typically yes... Always? Probably not... But some is always better than none.

Last year, I made an attempt to attend at least one home game of every sport (with the exception of cross country and track). It is amazing how much you can get a silent student to talk in class after attending one of their sports games/meets. Because they know you care enough about them to show up outside of school. Same goes for drama productions... And they're pretty fun on a Friday night! 

I just wish more teachers really WANTED to be part of that culture at schools. I know everyone is busy, has families or whatev but one or two outside school activities won't kill ya! 

But then again, attending too many might get ya suckered into being the Junior class advisor... Yeah that's me... What the hell did I agree to?! Guess we'll find out. 

 

"My Emblem" project... On the 2nd day of school I already knew what sports schedules to print. 

Football games are always fun! And I get to yell so that's good for my blood pressure... Can't wait for next week's 1st home game!

Back to School!

Today was my first day back to school!! Year 5 has begun!

I can officially say I am so excited to be back and with my kiddos. This summer went waaaaaay to quick but luckily I kinda dig my job so it's not a huge deal to be back. I could have used another day or two to prep my room and get things exactly how I wanted but oh well... It looks pretty good and I was able to change up quite a bit this summer so it's new and different (in a good way, I promise).

Last week I was fortunate enough to attend a staff retreat...
SAY WHAT?!?!

Yep! My high school admin take us hooligan teachers away for two days and we go through the year, have some professional development, reflect on last year and sit around and "chat" after dinner. We actually play some pretty intense games of Catch Phrase and Corn Hole. I remember last year how nice it was to meet everyone in a relaxed capacity before starting the school year. It was such a good way to get everything situated and feel like you could run to that kooky English teacher if you needed help in the first few days of school because of the time you spent at the retreat.

Something that always gets to me is the other teacher's summer stories (not just at this school). Teachers ramble about how they spent time here, and traveled there and blah blah blah... My favorite thing is when they ask what I did all summer. Ummmmm my response usually involves being at a fair. This summer it included three fairs in July and August. Some teachers are actually appalled that I didn't spend the summer tanning, traveling, surfing (we have a lot of surfers) or some other random summer activity. But instead.... wait for it.... I saw students!!!! Oh no! How could I?! What was I thinking?!

My summers are not quite as relaxing as others and I rarely travel to far away places but I like my low-key, fair-filled, hot as hell summers. They aren't too bad... This summer I got to spend a lot of time with my mom, which was really nice since she isn't working right now.

Summers are different for everyone...
I really like to read, sleep in, go to fairs and see friends (at least I try)...

Maybe someday I'll tan... But probably not because my pasty butt burns...
Maybe someday I'll travel... Well hopefully!
Maybe someday I'll surf... Hahaha maybe not!

For now... I'll be glad that I'm back in school, as the next two months are actually the most calm for my schedule.

Happy Back to School!!!!

Oh how I've missed high school kids! 

That Four Letter "F" Word

The four letter F word... Now I'm sure you can imagine what kind of possibilities there are...  But the four letter F word that I'm talking about is FAIR! This week starts my second week of Sonoma County Fair and the week of Redwood Empire Fair. 

I've spent the last couple of days reflecting on my fair experiences and how they impacted my life, as I do every year. To say I love fairs would be an understatement. But growing up they weren't necessarily all warm, fuzzy, rainbows and unicorns. There were definite ups and downs to every fair. 

I can vividly remember one year getting a nosebleed almost every day because temperatures reached 110 or higher. I can also remember hating wearing my uniform (jeans and long sleeves) and one of my leaders holding me down to put a belt on me... By the way I still hate belts! I can also remember never winning grand champion with my market animal. And always losing round-robin to my friend Miranda (every flippin time! She beat me at everything). There were even a couple instances where parents had mental breakdowns before the kids... These all helped make my fair experience, shall we say colorful? 

But those few weird and unfortunate events, never seem to trump the amazing family and successful experiences that we had together. Especially our camp time! Now some of you may know, but I actually lived in the town that our fair is held but I still camped in a trailer with my 4-H club every year. Because what is better than getting up at 5:30am and just walking to the barn with the wheelbarrow and a pitchfork?  Or sitting up late in a circle in the middle of camp, laughing about the events of the day and almost peeing our pants from so much giggling. My favorite was one year after our large Saturday night barbecue in camp with fresh oysters and everything, we took over the fire lane so that we could perform skits! 

I may not have ever won grand champion market hog but I won champion with all my breeding stock that I ever showed. I also was one of those kids that had a million fair exhibits in the still exhibits with multiple best of shows each year (my table settings were bomb.com). 

Most importantly while being involved in 4-H, FFA and attending fairs every year I gained that some of the best friendships! I made lifelong friends when I was eight years old by going to the fairs and working with people in the barns. Some of my favorite people, I met there. People from Willits, Laytonville, Hopland, Potter Valley and even Fort Bragg became family. 

I think that's why fairs are such an important part of my upbringing but also created such an impact on my life. It wasn't about the grand champion ribbons, it wasn't about the uniform... It was about the learning experience, the fun times in camp and the friends you make along the way. 

I like to win just as much as anyone... But I think people sometimes get lost in the winning and forget about the important aspects of fairs-- the people. Those friendships are invaluable, long after the ribbons and banners are faded or torn, the friendships are still there. 

2000

Deidre and I could laugh together all dang day... John and Jordan were never impressed. 

Scotty and I before the auction... French braids were in I swear!

Who takes an old, washed up team roping horse in a halter class?? This girl! 

Miranda and I our last fair... She beat me at everything... She was even born 4 days before me! But I love this girl! 

Sam! My leader, mentor, business partner, big brother, chaperone and friend!! Thank you for putting up with me for all those years. 

Water your own grass!

This is post is literally about something that I have no experience with. But that's never stopped me from having an opinion so here goes...

A few days ago, I saw a picture of a high school friend with another friend. Now, I must not pay enough attention to facebook because I was under the impression these people were married... To other people! So I texted my best friend and she informed they were both divorced now.

What the heck is wrong with people?! How have people become so accustomed to divorce? What happened to vows and all that crap?! Now, I'm definitely not the first to join the marriage bus, because I think people forget that it is partially a business deal (disagree if you want). But I also believe that when you get married, you have to work at it. Right?! It's not easy, it's not for the party, it's not to appease people nor should it be something that is a quick decision.

My unfiltered opinion is that technology has helped ruin the sanctity of marriage-- not in the way you may think. I also believe that parents help mold their children into the type of spouses they will become (stick with me...).

My generation (okay like 35-18 years old) has been ultimately spoiled rotten with new inventions, new technology and the luxury of instant information. This, in my opinion, has been to our demise. Where on earth would people learn about "sticking with" something in our age of instant information and new gadgets?

"Oh, your cell phone has a cracked screen? That's okay we will go get you a new one, even if we don't really have the money for it"
WHAT?!?
Why on earth would you buy a new phone for someone who didn't take care of it in the first place???

I feel this type of attitude has trickled into marriages. If something is broke-- that's okay, get a new one! Uhhhhhh no! You work to fix it. And you start in the beginning by taking care of it.
So many people my age rush into marriage. Not knowing enough about the other person, whether it's handling conflict, raising kids, career changes, dealing with deaths, or even just getting through holidays is where it starts. Then two years later they wonder why they are unhappy, don't have anything in common and start looking other places for love and attention.

Parents have such an impact on their children and I think marriage is one of the areas they spend the least amount of time talking about. Parents who indulge their children "just because", are not helping. You are creating future adults who are too spoiled to share, discuss difference of opinions or even some who refuse to be content with what they have. Creating people who always ask "What if..." or those who always are looking for more, better or bigger. To be real with you, you are creating a$$holes, just stop already... Teach your children to take care of what they have, save up for new stuff and create some appreciation.

Now, I'm not saying all marriages are doomed or any crazy shiz like that... I do believe that people sometimes just make it work... LIKE THEY SHOULD! But it takes work, time, effort, compromise, compassion and nurturing.

 I know there are always some extenuating circumstances for people to get divorced and I totes get that. But if more people spent as much time and effort into being married as they do working, eating, tweeting, crafting, facebooking, shopping, watching TV, reading, exercising, sleeping or whatever else, there would be far fewer divorces.

Just my 2 cents... Okay maybe fiddy cents.

For every marriage... Take some time to water your own grass

I try not to be negative but occasionally this pops into my head... People-- stop rushing it!! 

Summer Excursions

I just got back from our chapter officer retreat... For those of you that don't know what that is it's a FFA officer planning trip -- simply a couple of days where they do teambuilding, plan the upcoming year and learn more about each other so that they can work as a more effective team. 

It's the first time that a newly elected officer team, really has the ability to sit and work out the culture of the chapter, how they are going to manage the leadership team and become what I call our "FFAmily". Fortunately this year I was able to work with two other advisors to create an officer retreat for all three of our chapter officer groups. 

This was without a doubt the best idea! We were able to delegate some of the operations and leadership activities that were conducted during the retreat and have our students build new friendships with members in other chapters. Not to mention it was really nice to be able to build our teamwork activities into little competitions between the chapters. Also we broke them up into separate groups, not with their chapter, to conduct other business. Because there were three chapters we were able to bring in outside facilitators for a few workshops on a wide range of topics to help our kids get more information, more experience and gain more skills. 

This retreat reminded me of why I am so lucky to be in such a great profession. Working with other advisors in our section to create something that not only helps us, but really provides a unique experience for the kids. I just read an article on Facebook, ya know one of those trending ones that people share?? It was all about how as a student going through your teacher credential program you never are told about this baby secret, that there's never enough. 

Never enough time. 

Never enough work completed.

Never enough feedback. 

Never enough support. 

Never enough one on one. 

Never enough assignments. 

Never enough checks for understanding. 

No matter how good you are, how great you are in the classroom or outside, even though you may work your tail off there still is never enough being done. And I wholeheartedly agree that no matter what I do, it's still never going to be enough to appease my brain (and some parents). So it was really nice to work with other advisors and chapters to help us all get closer to making the experience for our kids more than enough. 

Although Ag teachers are told all the time to be careful, for fear of burnout (which I can totally understand). I sometimes feel like it's more important to give everything I have, to the kids I have right now. Because right now I can give them all my focus and time and energy. I might not be able to do that forever (let's be real-- it won't last forever) but I don't really want to pace myself. I feel like if I do, I will constantly think that I'm not doing enough, because I know in my mind I can do more. 

Thank you Grant, Felicia and Linsey for helping me do more for my kids!  

Speaking of more... Off to State Fair to watch kiddos! 

First Day! 

Planning time! 

Setting goals...

Team Building... A little competition never hurt nobody! Haha

Ready to head home...

Summer Conference

Meetings, food, familiar faces and more meetings... This may not sound like the ultimate fun bus but if you happen to be an Ag teacher, this may sound pretty similar to our CATA Summer Conference. 

For me, it's my favorite trip ALL frickin year... Mostly because I live in the North Coast Region and that means I live about 300+ miles from my credential class peeps (yeah we're still friends and hangout). While I'm not a huge fan of driving to Cal Poly to see my Fresno State friends, I'll do just about anything to see these amazing people. In all seriousness, at the conference, we attend professional sessions learning how we can do more as Ag teachers. 

The trend in Ag Education seems to focus on how we can maintain profession sustainability while planning for the future.  How can we continue to plow (haha pun intended) through the education hold ups and politics to reach kids and make a difference? What else can we fit in to a 24 hour period to go big, both for ourselves and our students? How can we serve others? How can we collaborate to work together and work smarter not harder? 

Fortunately, I was able to be part of a program this year to figure out how we are going to plan for our profession in the year 2030. It was a really great experience, meeting with teachers of all levels of experience, from all over the state. It's interesting to see how we separately have individual wants and needs and expectations but as a whole those desires become so similar and uniform. During conference today, there were reports of the 2030 group and how we have progressed towards goals set back in December. We also did an instant survey after the report with results projected. The results were kind of surprising to me. The 2030 group looked at four main areas: Curriculum, Mentoring, SAE and Funding. One of the questions of the survey asked if there are issues in our profession that are not being addressed by those four areas. There were numerous live result answers that included "leadership" "working together" and "ethics". Here we are sitting in a conference put on by Ag teachers for Ag teachers in a professional manner encouraging others to do more in the profession and people are questioning leadership, teamwork and ethics?! What the heck? 

I feel like this conference is the epitome of leadership and teamwork and by attending the conference you're kind of setting stage for the whole year as an Ag teacher. What could be important to impact our profession in a state wide capacity? I have always felt that by attending conference, I'm working to take a leadership role. Not only for myself, my section and my region but also my students. If I'm not willing to put myself out there and try new things and do more in a leadership capacity, why should they ever try? What type of role model and what message am I sending to them if I don't? My favorite part of the conference is the camaraderie among Ag teachers. Everyone sticks together, whether it's by the alumni lunch you attend or the regional meeting you sit in-- there's a spot for everyone. 

I've had the luxury of teaching in three different regions. From student teaching, to a year of long-term subbing to my current position. I think this has profoundly impacted the type of experience I have a conference.  I feel like I know more people than I can even say hello to in a day. I try to stop and chat with as many as possible but there's not enough time. I think that's what our profession needs more of. Time to sit around and hang out with other people, who do the same thing, know what we are going through and who can empathize with the amount of work that we put in for our students. 

I love sitting and catching up with the girls that I went through the credential program with.  People probably think we're a little nutty because we still see each other, hang out, talk, eat lunch and dinner together, go to the bar together and whatnot.  But we developed bonds during student teaching and the credential program. We all understood that we were there for each other and we know that we are always still just a phone call away. 

Our guest speaker today made a statement about how if you don't love it or if you want to complain about it then get out. She was referring to our profession.  And I couldn't agree more with her. The people who are negative or complain about everything that we do suck the life out of everyone... Don't be a Debbie Downer or Negative Nancy! 

We have a great profession that provides great opportunities and we need to appreciate that more on a daily basis!! 

Just in case you didn't know: 

Building a Story

I just came from a funeral... Funerals are not my favorite thing whatsoever but I've been to my fair share... Like maybe 3-5 every year since I was like 5 years old. 

Today was slightly different. Yes it was very nice, family spoke, the priest sang, music was played and so on... The difference was there was a band! In the mortuary, there was a band set up. 

Carmen was an extremely lively woman who had an extreme passion for dancing, hence the band. I had known her since birth. She worked at the Mendocino State Hospital with my grandpa and they all went dancing on a regular occasion. My mom always thought very highly of her and her family. It was a very nice service, listening to her sons and granddaughters speak about her and her life and all the really neat things that she did. 

My favorite parts were their stories about the dancing. Carmen met her husband one summer dancing, she danced late every weekend even when she had to work early, she even organized dances at our senior center later in life. The music played today was fun, old, good, solid music. And it reminded me so much of when I was a little kid and my grandpa was always dancing. It got me thinking about all of the traditions in families and communities that are lost over time. 

Dancing... How many of us can dance?? I don't mean rubbing up against each other and twerking... I mean actual dances, 10 step, waltz, old fashioned dancing?? So many of the stories today were about all of the fun times that were associated when Carmen and her husband and friends would go out to dance. 

Nowadays when kids or early 20-year-olds go out with friends all they do is drink. Is that really the tradition that we want people to remember? I've never been a big drinker, so for me it's not a huge deal. But I know so many people that can't go out with friends and have a really good time without changing themselves, so to speak. 

I think there are so many things that we are missing out on because we are infiltrated by cell phones, social media, alcohol, drugs and whatnot. We're missing those traditions to carry-on to children and friends because we're "so busy" rushing through life...  

Those stories of good times with others are what people remember... It's good to slow down, take some time, be with each other and enjoy that time... Because once it's gone, we never get it back. 

Make it a good story! 

Picture story: Remember when we went to the giants game and got hulk hands?!

Picture story: Remember at National Convention, it was Halloween and we walked to Joe's Crab Shack and we waited two hours in the rain and the kids learned to line dance in a downpour?!