Job Action? Balancing my Rights and Responsibilities

Today I received several emails about the Job Action that begins Monday in my school corp. I've never been a part of something like this before. Frankly, politics intimidate me. That's probably because I tend to be non-confrontational. However, I'm all for justice, and I realize that a teacher's job is never done. There's so much more to it than 7:40-3:20, Mon-Fri. Even as a student teacher, I put in a whole lot more hours than just that. I'm sure that after a few years, it is easy to feel that the salary is just not working, and of course, gas prices don't help. But here is the question I pose--when does your responsibility to your students outweigh your right to protest your salary? I know that I cannot serve my students as well if I show up in time for the bell to ring, and leave just as soon as the contract says I can. Who am I helping? and who am I hurting?

Today in one of my history classes, we talked about the Underground Railroad. I led my students in a discussion about "Is it ever right to break the law? Why or why not?" Our conclusions came down to this: you have to look at your priorities. What is most important? What is really worth fighting for?

Come Monday morning, I will slip into the building earlier than usual and do my job well. I will leave when I'm finished with my work. I will behave above reproach, and I will put my head on my pillow Monday night with a good conscience. This is the conclusion I have drawn--what do you think?

Coming Down the Pike

Here we come...fast and furious to the end of the grading period. This means we are running around like headless chickens, trying to track down our long TOR list kids--trying to get them caught up on missing assignments and test, all in a desperate attempt to see passing grades on those good ole report cards. What a busy time for our resource room! Today I had to smile, when in the midst of massive piles of papers and books, and in a flurry of activity with anxious students all around me, one young lady came in to give me a dessert she made in Foods class. She proudly handed me the foil-covered plate and grinned. I opened it to find what I imagine once was a piece of chocolate pudding pie--now runny and swimming on the styrofoam plate. She timidly stated that it "just didn't look right" but it might still be good anyway.

Folks, sometimes, that's all it takes. Tuesday mornings can be crazy. So crazy that I might say, they "just don't look right"--but come around to find that they might still be good anyway. :)

Colored Lighting in my Classroom?

At the convention this weekend, I attended a workshop about setting up the physical environment of your classroom. We spent a good bit of time talking about the benefits of natural vs artificial lighting in your classroom--for the mood and mental functioning of your students. I work with high school students with emotional disabilities, and I often find that my students are less agressive when we work with the lights off. I have some big windows in my room, so on sunny days, I put them over near the windows and shut off the fluorescent lights. I find this helps everyone to mellow out a little and be friendly. I am interested in trying some colored lighting in my room--maybe putting some light blue tulle or tissue paper over the lights? I know that red is a bad choice because it promotes aggression. I'm thinking blue or green. I asked if anyone had tried this in the workshop, and all I got were comments about being sure I use flame-retardant materials. I will certainly be careful about this, but I want to know if anyone has tried it and noticed a difference in their students emotionally. Is this worth a try?

Dreamers, Take Action!

I've always considered myself a dreamer. For my students, I hope I am a dreamer--envisioning a future for them that is bright, and creating goals for them that are both high and realistic. I see potential where the world sees a waste of funds and personnel.

Being a dreamer is great, but if you don't have what it takes to put actions to your dreams, is there really any point to your dreaming? A good dream has a plan of attack attached to it. This means streamlining your goals and choosing them carefully and specifically. It means setting yourself up for success, just like you set your students up to accomplish their goals, not to fail.

This weekend, I went to a Kappa Delta Pi Biennial Convocation in Louisville, KY. It was one of the best convention experiences I have ever had in my life. To network and learn from some of the very best educators in the country! I gained countless ideas for methodology, technology, management, professional development, and even setting up the physical environment of my classroom. I am back on campus, getting ready for another week of student teaching with a group of low socioeconomic high schoolers with emotional disabilities. My head is spinning with ideas and things I'd love to do. How do I choose? Where do I begin? What is realistic to my cause? If I do something, I want to do it well.

It begins here--creating a global classroom for myself. I want to connect with educators everywhere, not just in my little area of the midwest. I want to learn from the best so my teaching will provide my students with a global education. I covet your suggestions, your thoughts. I want to learn from your experiences. Help my instruction take wings, and in so doing, guide the future of our country.